This is of course, is using a PC train simulator game software. Microsoft used to have one or two. But, the world dominator of this now is the Australian-based Auran N3V Games TRAINZ series of railroad simulators.
It has several advantages over traditional 3D physical model trains.
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most importantly it is a relatively CHEAP aspect of the train hobby
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the only space it takes is PC hard drive space
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nothing expensive to damage, scratch up or destroy
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highly transportable train layouts called ‘maps’ or ‘routes’ since they all virtually exist in digital form: a physical train layout can be tough to move from one house to another
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realism beyond DCC control: AI (artificial intelligence) so trains run according to programmed schedules automatically in your virtual train world while obeying switch and signal logic: all the sounds: moving scenery as cars, trucks, people, animals, boats, aircraft, horses, etc.
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camera views for lineside, chase, free-roaming over map and inside the cab of the locomotives at the controls as well
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doppler effect as trains blow whistles and signal gates sound bells as they pass grade crossings
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weather simulation as well as day/night world simulation