Train Dispatcher is a

train simulator A train simulator (also railroad simulator or railway simulator) is a computer based simulation of rail transport operations. They are generally large complicated software packages modeling a 3D virtual reality world implemented both as comme ...

centralized traffic control Centralized traffic control (CTC) is a form of railway signalling that originated in North America. CTC consolidates train routing decisions that were previously carried out by local signal operators or the train crews themselves. The system con ...

(CTC) systems. It was originally developed in the 1980s as a training tool for a commercial

railroad Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

and was then made available to the public. The software is currently produced by SoftRail (formerly Signal Computer Consultants) for

Windows Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for ...

-based computers. The simulator is operated from the perspective of a CTC

dispatcher A dispatcher is a communications worker who receives and transmits information to coordinate operations of other personnel and vehicles carrying out a service. A number of organizations, including police and fire departments, emergency medical s ...

. Track diagrams similar to actual CTC displays are provided, and train operations run according to a timetable. Operations can be run in real time or adjusted fast or slow. Version 2 of the software was released in 1997 and supported multiple track territories. The manufacturer provided five territory files in the initial package, and offered additional territories for sale on its website. It also provided companion software called "Track Builder" which allows users to create and share files for additional railroad territories. Users have created territory files for many locations, including North America, Australia and

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...

, and some of these files are available for free downloading on the company's website. The version 2 software is available as a free download from the manufacturer. The current version of the software is 3.5, and is provided with five US territories, and one each for

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tota ...

and Australia. Additional for-sale and free territory files are available. In April 2012 Softrail announced that it would discontinue ''Train Dispatcher 3'' as of April 30, 2012.Softrail: Train Dispatcher 3.5
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References

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External links

Softrail - official site

Train simulation video games Windows games Railway signalling