Features:

  • Prototypical throttle, brake, and reverser levers
  • Three digit LED speed or throttle position readout
  • Pan, tilt, and zoom controls for in-game viewing
  • 28 programmable buttons for in-game selections
  • Built in subwoofer vibrates the controller enhancing the simulation
Adding realism to a simulation

I feel like I've used this controller long enough and with enough different games that I can write a review on it overall. Obviously nothing is perfect, so to get a few very minor kinks mentioned first. The independent brake lever doesn't really stay at the bottom when you fully release, it kinda "floats" up on maybe a 1/8th of an inch its not much at all and has absolutely no effect on gameplay it's just more of a physical thing. Really the only other thing is i really with the throttle lever had notches instead of being a free moving thing. Sometimes ill bump it slightly and it will adjust the throttle speed in game when I don't mean to, but again the actual effect on gameplay is very small and while it takes some time getting used to, after a few sessions you get a muscle memory and it gets super easy. All that being said its definitely a great controller and I am very happy I made the purchase. Braking is so much smoother and easier moving a physical lever than it is a keyboard or dragging with a mouse. The horn being a small toggle switch is very handy if you really get into proper railroading. Having all the buttons on the bottom is very convenient and make easy work out of following trains, switching, map viewing, and everything in between. The built in subwoofer also adds really nice detail to what its like to actually be in the cab with your hands on the controls and rolling down the tracks. Overall I recommend this controller to anyone who wants to take their rail sim to the next level getting closer to the real thing.

Love this accessory - great in Run8

Run8 is a train sim that's fairly hard to master - LOTS of key combinations on the keyboard. Run8 has "built in" support for the raildriver, so I picked up a raildriver right away and it's been great and gives wonderful control. Another huge bonus are the 28 buttons on the front - with labels, thats 28 key combinations I don't have to remember! Overall it's been a great addition. Another option I've not tried, but I think could be worth looking into is the Elgato Stream Deck Pro, these are about $50 more - and while they don't have levers, there are 32 programmable keys, that could be customized for Run8 plus many other sim games.

High quality, fun

Awesome! My son loves it! Much better quality than expected. It is heavy, well built and a real quality controller. After installing all driver software, it operates as it should on windows 10 playing TS2016 on Steam with no problems. Its a lot of fun and the control simulation really adds realism. Highly recommended

Good quality

The build quality is quite good. The only complaint I have on the build quality is that the "train brake" handle is slightly askew instead of perfectly straight. I suspect it's an uncommon defect and has no effect on gameplay or function. I'm not a fan of having to install stickers because usually the stickers are much smaller than the space for which they were designed. The RailDriver, however, has sized the stickers appropriately and the application of them is easy with the indentations on the hardware which they fit into. I am using the RailDriver with Railworks Train Simulator 2013. There are locomotives that don't work completely. For example, one of the Amtrak loco's the train brake doesn't work. The Amtrak train on the NEC route doesn't work much at all with the RailDriver. I wouldn't consider these deficiencies as a comment on RailDriver quality but on the lack of Railworks Train Sim programming. RailDriver has made available to developers an SDK which they can use to fully integrate RailDriver functionality throughout the game which Railworks so far hasn't done. There are locos that do work completely which seem to be the default ones. Running a train with the RailDriver is much more immersive...and fun! I always had trouble controlling speed especially coming downhill requiring variable dynamic braking settings. With the RailDriver it is simple to control speed in examples like that and many others. I like being able to do an entire scenario without having to touch the keyboard and only using the mouse to manipulate the 2D map and occasionally the camera which seems to be easier than using the RailDriver camera panning buttons. Kudos to P.I. Engineering for not only creating this great piece of hardware for train simulators but also for doing it so well. Delivery was very fast. The RailDriver arrived 2 days after ordering - 6 days EARLIER than Amazon's estimated delivery date. UPDATE: Since the review I wrote above, I have changed to the Run8 train simulator - [...] - which was designed from the ground up for using the RailDriver. Everything works fantastic, none of the problems that I experienced when using the Railworks Train Simulator as described above.

Expensive, but worth it

Purchased several months ago, and have been using it for Train Sim 2015. Haven't used it on Open Rails yet, but hoping to try soon. The price may be eye-watering, but it is worth it for the true railfan. Couple of issues I did notice, but most of these are a result of the train sim: occasionally the simulator will ignore the throttle and reset it to zero. Also, some locomotives will not respond to either the brakes or throttle. Again, this is a problem with TS2015, but is useful for people to know. One problem I have with the raildriver is that the throttle is fairly unresponsive. You have to open up the throttle by about 20% before the controller notices the movement. It's not a large problem, but one that would be nice to fix later on.

A++

It’s heavy duty and well made without a doubt. Can be a little tricky to install due to getting the correct drivers/Program to install. Calibration is very easy and takes a minute or two at most. Certain controls don’t always seem as responsive as I’d hope. But still amazing.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Really nice simulator highly recommended very high quality and it have built in speakers

review of raildriver desktop train cab controller

I am a retired railroad engineer from Union Pacific railroad. Using the raildriver desk top train cab controller is almost like using the same throttle setup on the locomotives I operated at work. I use my railroad controller at least 1 hour everyday playing railroad at home. Thank you very much for the fine folks who designed and produced this wonderful product. Keep up the good work. KW

cab driver

let me start by saying that this is not a game, but hardware that is used with train simulator programs. this is a very good product with excellent tech support and return policies if you are not completely satisfied. there are a few things to consider 1st. to be honest.1. this unit operates in a serial (analog) mode using a macro program.2nd you have to have an outlet as it is needed for the vibration effect to work. I would really like to see the company produce a digital one that I think could be an excellent performer Very nice unit, excellent construction and best of all MADE IN THE U.S.A.

Love this controller!

After reading the previous reviews I was skeptical but when I got this, it was just as fun as I had hoped it to be! Setup takes a bit of time but once you are done, be ready to spend hours playing!

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