Wondering if there's any train sim that fits my needs on what I'd like I don't want a whole bunch of DLC which I have to pay for, if it's on steam have a workshop where I can get routes and trains without having to pay for them. I'd also want the freedom of changing tracks when I'd like if possible. Any game that fits the bill? If not, what would you recommend?
I humbly suggest that you join the real world as anything that is worthwhile has a cost to it. No Sim works without some dlc.
There's some freeware train sims around. OpenRails, LokSim, etc... Don't expect a team of professional Creative Artists or Programmers deliver high-end quality though (not ruling out that there isn't some great free stuff!). Modelling a locomotive and feeding it with researched parameters is a lot more work than creating an FPS map. Not to mention how long development time for a decent route is. See TSClassic as a platform - not a complete game. Like when you buy a model railway you don't expect to get all available locomotives for free aren't you? Content for TSC has been developed for fifteen years now, summing up to more than a Terabyte supposedly. You want all that for free? You won't. People have to feed their kids. It has a lot to offer - take want you want, you need and you can afford and don't feel pushed to have to buy all DLC. It's just freedom of choice. Scenario wise - the workshop is heaven!
