OpenBveTrainSim\OBTS is a free application for PCs, that runs both newer 3D Content\Addons & older 2D Bve2TrainSim\B2TS + Bve4TrainSim\B4TS Content\Addons from a diverse global User\Developer community. Subway, Tram, LightRail, MainLine, Freight & Passenger content is available, depicting historic & modern trains & routes from the world over. OBTS allows operating a train with a view from the cab of the track ahead, or from lineside while roaming the 3D train exterior & scenery; the goal is to complete a selected route, while obeying Schedules\Signals without Speeding\Derailing.
OBTS runs best under Windows10\8\7 (32\64bit); it can be made to run under WindowsXP\Vista\Unix\Linux\MacOSX, though these operating systems are NOT fully compatible with all Addon DLL PlugIns. OBTS source code, compiled code, documents & addons have no registered CopyRight\Patent\TradeMark & are free to DownLoad\Use\Modify\UpLoad\Share.
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OBTS Features
- Menu Selectable Route+Train Combinations
- Menu Selectable Cab\Roaming\RunBy\Helicopter Views
- Menu Selectable Screen Resolution+Filtering
- Supports GIF+BMP+PNG Images\Textures & WAV Sounds
- Supports ThreeDimensional Animated+B3D+CSV+X Object Formats
- Supports ThreeDimensional CSV+RW Route Formats
- Supports ThreeDimensional Cabs+Exteriors & TwoDimensional Legacy\B2TS\B4TS Cabs
- Supports Train Custom Controls Via DLL PlugIns
OBTS Recommended Minimum PC Specs
- Intel\AMD 2.6GHz CentralProcessor + 4GB CentralRAM
- Nvidia\ATI GraphicProcessor + 128MB GraphicRAM, SharedRAM Graphics NOT Recommended
- SolidStateDrive C With 60GB Available Space, Legacy HardDiskDrives Are NOT Recommended
- 15"Display Set For 1366x768 32Bit Resolution + Stereo Speakers
- 104 KeyBoard + 3Button Mouse, Optional JoyStick
- Windows10\8\7 32\64Bit OperatingSystem
OBTS Programs & Documents
OpenBveTrainSim\OBTS programs & Route\Train addons are typically UpLoaded\Published as ZIP\RAR\TAR.GZ\7Z archive files, which are Extracted\UnZipped after download; so before downloading any Program\Addon, first download & install the free 7Zip Archive Manager, which handles new & legacy archive formats (ZIP, RAR, EXE, CAB, TAR, 7Z, etc); older archivers (WinZIP, WinRAR, etc) are NOT recommended, as they may not Read\Extract newer formats. After 7Zip is installed, then download & install the OBTS program + addons per the links & instructions below.
Latest Release Of OBTS Program:
OBTS Installation Under Windows10\8\7
OpenBveTrainSim\OBTS program & addon installation requires you have full Admin\Configuration\Owner rights on your PC\OperatingSystem & be able to Extract\Read\Edit\Copy\Move\Paste the associated Folders\Files as needed.
- Configure Windows UserAccountControl\UAC as follows:
- Click START\CONTROL PANEL\USER ACCOUNTS\CHANGE USER ACCOUNT SETTINGS\NEVER NOTIFY\OK
- Click START\REBOOT
- Make a new folder %AppData%\OpenBve\ with the subfolders listed below.
- %AppData% is a Windows Variable, usually set to "C:\User\%UserName%\AppData\Roaming"; %UserName% is your login name.
- To display & confirm your %AppData% folder & %UserName% settings
- on the Windows DeskTop, click "START", click "RUN", then enter "CMD",
- at the CMD Prompt, enter "ECHO %AppData%", then enter "ECHO %UserName%".
- %AppData%\OpenBve\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\LegacyContent\RailWay\Route\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\LegacyContent\RailWay\RouteDevs\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\LegacyContent\Train\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\LegacyContent\TrainDevs\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\ManagedContent\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\Prog\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\ProgArcs\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\ProgDevs\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\ProgDocs\
- %AppData%\OpenBve\Settings\
- Right Click each subfolder above & configure for full READ+WRITE+SHARED access.
- DownLoad SDL from
- DownLink
- Extract the ZIP file to subfolder \OpenBve\Prog\
- DownLoad OpenAudioLibrary from
- DownLink
- To subfolder \OpenBve\Prog\OpenAL\
- Extract the ZIP file & run the installer.
- DownLoad your choice of Train addons from
- OBTS_Addons
- Make a seperate custom named \SUBFOLDER\ for each Train:
- \OpenBve\LegacyContent\Train\SUBFOLDER\Train.Dat, Panel.*, Sound.Cfg, Train.Txt, Etc
- Right click each subfolder & configure for full READ+WRITE+SHARED access.
- DownLoad your choice of Route addons from
- OBTS_Addons
- Make a seperate custom named \SUBFOLDER\ for each Route:
- \OpenBve\LegacyContent\RailWay\Route\SUBFOLDER\*.CSV,RW
- \OpenBve\LegacyContent\RailWay\Route\SUBFOLDER\RailWay\Object\*.B3D,Animated,GIF,BMP,PNG
- \OpenBve\LegacyContent\RailWay\Route\SUBFOLDER\Railway\Sound\*.Wav
- Right click each subfolder & configure for full READ+WRITE+SHARED access.
- DownLoad the OBTS program from
- DownLink
- Extract & place these files in folder \OpenBve\Prog\
- Right Click the main program \OpenBve\Prog\OPENBVE.EXE
- Click PROPERTIES\COMPATIBILITY\SETTINGS FOR ALL USERS\RUN PROGRAM AS ADMINISTRATOR\APPLY\OK\OK
- DoubleClick the main program \OpenBve\Prog\OPENBVE.EXE to run
- In the OPTIONS menu; select Resolution, Interpolation & other settings per your hardware & preference.
- Click START NEW GAME; set MODE OF DRIVING to ARCADE.
- In the ROUTE menu, browse \OpenBve\LegacyContent\RailWay\Route\ & select a subfolder & CSV\RW file.
- In the TRAIN menu, browse \OpenBve\LegacyContent\Train\ & select a subfolder.
- In the displayed TRAIN.TXT, note the Keys required for train Control+Safeties.
- Click START to load & drive the chosen Route+Train.
- Loading may take 30sec or more, & varies with the each Route+Train & your PC specs.
- When loading completes, the usual view is looking across cab controls at track ahead from the routes first stop.
If OPENBVE.EXE generates an error such as "Access to path C:\... denied" or "Process terminated...", before running the program again, carefully review the install instructions above; insure all Folders\Files are arranged & configured proper, that UserAccessControl\UAC is set as noted, & that dependencies (SDL, OpenAL, etc) are installed. Some AntiVirus programs, such as Avast, are notorious for "false positives" & causing programs to Freeze\Crash; folder \OpenBve\ may need to be set as an AntiVirus scan exception.
OBTS Route & Train Addon Developer Tools
- ToolLink ~ OBTS File Editor; Do NOT Use MS-EXCEL To Edit OBTS Files!
- ToolLink ~ GIF+BMP+PNG Image\Texture Editor
- ToolLink ~ WAV Sound Editor
- ToolLink ~ Object+Route+Train Editor Guides
- ToolLink ~ Object Editor Guide
- ToolLink ~ Train Editor Guide; Old B4TS Format But Still Useful
- ToolLink ~ Route Editor Guide; Old B4TS Format But Still Useful
- ToolLink ~ Route Terrain Editor & Demo Route
- ToolLink ~ Train DLL\PlugIn, OBTS Default
- ToolLink ~ Train DLL\PlugIn, Steam\Diesel\Electric Selectable
- ToolLink ~ Train DLL\PlugIn, Japanese Signals
- ToolLink ~ Train DLL\PlugIn, British Signals
- ToolLink ~ Object+Route+Train Editors
- ToolLink ~ Object Editor
- ToolLink ~ Object Editor
- ToolLink ~ Blender PlugIn
- ToolLink ~ Blender PlugIn