Developed by Kuju Entertainment, Rail Simulator is the ultimate experience for train enthusiasts and gamers alike, allowing players to take the controls of historic and contemporary trains on more than 1,000 miles of real-life routes from around the world. New to the North American release is the highly popular Barstow to San Bernardino route alongside all-new Union Pacific locomotives and rolling stock.

“We’re thrilled to extend our European relationship with EA Partners to include distribution of Rail Simulator in North America,” said Tim Gatland, managing director of Rail Simulator Developments Limited. “The team at Kuju Entertainment has created an incredible product for train enthusiasts of all ages, and the team at EA Partners is helping us reach the widest possible global audience.”

The player is made responsible for everything involved in getting an electric, diesel or steam train started and to keep it rolling; from observing the track signals and keeping within the speed limits, to keeping an eye on the steam pressure and making sure to remain on track through treacherous winding routes.

The game offers unprecedented graphics and attention to detail for the genre, with the trains realistically modeled down to individual, fully functional, gauges, buttons and levers. Rail Simulator also incorporates a full physics simulation, as well as having accurate signaling systems throughout all the routes.

“Kuju Entertainment is the hands-down leader in this category and EA Partners is excited to be distributing Rail Simulator in North America this January,” said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners. “The team at EA Partners is committed to helping studios of all sizes take advantage of EA’s worldwide publishing infrastructure, and we can’t wait to help get Rail Simulator into the hands of North American gamers.”

Players can create new routes through a powerful and easy-to-use game editor, and exchange them online with other players. Recreate your local commute or create new routes from scratch, with a point-and-click editor and a huge amount of adjustable in-game assets.

The game was released in Europe in October and will now ship in North America, with a wealth of new content, on January 16, 2008.