# Build A Train — user reviews

> 134 indexed App Store user reviews of Build A Train by Playtend Apps LLP, rated 4.70/5 from 69 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/build-a-train/id398937831/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/build-a-train/id398937831.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 59 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 4

## What do users think of Build A Train?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👨‍👧‍👦 Excellent for young children and toddlers
- 🎮 Intuitive and easy-to-use controls
- 🚂 Engaging train-building mechanics
- 🎨 Good graphics and visual design
- 🧠 Educational value for problem-solving and planning
- 🎵 Great music and sound effects
- ⏱️ Keeps children entertained for extended periods
- 🎯 Appropriate difficulty level for target age group
- 🔄 Multiple maps and layouts to unlock
- 💾 Longevity - children return to play repeatedly
- 🎪 Interactive elements (cars, helicopters, boats)
- 📱 Works well on both iPhone and iPad

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes on older iOS versions
- 🔊 Sound issues after updates
- 😑 Limited content depth for older children
- 🔁 Becomes repetitive and boring quickly
- 💰 Not worth the paid price point
- 📉 Updates sometimes delete player progress
- ⚙️ Technical issues with new versions
- 🎮 Lacks challenging gameplay mechanics
- 🚂 Limited train variety and customization

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 9 iPad Mini
- App crashes on iOS 8
- Sound not working after updates
- App not working after night mode update
- Progress/points deleted after updates
- Trains don't pivot correctly at track points
- No sound with new software update

**Most requested features**

- More trains and locomotives (steam trains, CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, SD-45, C44-9W)
- Ability to build custom tracks
- Longer trains with more than 3 cars
- Train reversal capability
- Cargo drop-off mechanics
- More maps and track layouts
- Daytime and nighttime modes
- Railroad crossings with lights and bell sounds
- On/off button instead of switch
- Ground-level or on-board camera views
- Passenger trains with station stops
- Train yard/switch yard map
- Ability to save train designs and scores
- Environmental elements (trees, streams, caves, bridges)
- Video creator feature
- More interactive sound effects and bells/whistles
- Ability to change train colors/paint like Ramone
- Dual engines for very long trains
- More complex track designs with tunnels and plus-shaped intersections

## Newest reviews (14 of 134)

### 5/5 — Bon jeu de train

*2014-12-08, version 8.11*

Très bon jeu mes enfants adore

### 5/5 — Great

*2014-12-07, version 8.10*

This app has outlasted any app for entertainment value. My son started playing it at 2 and still loves it at 5 .

### 5/5 — APP CRASH,S ON IOS 8

*2014-09-28, version 8.10*

FIX THE APP AND ADD MORE TRAINS

### 5/5 — Family fun

*2014-05-30, version 8.10*

My 5 year old loves it. It has provided hours of fun. Hubby and I also enjoy playing. The different maps are great! Keep up the creativity!

### 5/5 — Steam trains

*2013-11-01, version 8.10*

Love it please add more steam trains!!!!!!

### 5/5 — おもしろい

*2013-09-21*

単純だけど、各マップに小さな仕掛けもあったりして飽きません。

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2013-09-17, version 8.02*

J'aime beaucoup.

### 5/5 — 楽しいよ

*2013-09-16*

お仕事お仕事！可愛い電車で荷物運びです。意味がわかる子供なら熱中します

### 5/5 — Train fun

*2013-08-16, version 8.02*

Great fun! Even for a 3 year old. Love to play this with my grandson!

### 5/5 — Great for young kids

*2013-07-28, version 8.01*

Remember playing with trains as a kid? Imagine if you could take that train track anywhere? Or your child can? Lol 
Trains are fun - Building your own train, switching cars, and changing tracks is fun! This is a great app for hand eye coordination too as children learn to switch tracks to make the trains go the way they want them too. I would recommend this app to parents.

### 5/5 — Very good

*2013-07-26, version 8.01*

Very good for our two year old, like exporting the trains to the other game. Would lke more updates.

### 5/5 — Fun app

*2013-06-30, version 8.01*

This is a really fun app recommended by a parent. You can use this game for many different purposes and skill levels. Building a train by adding an engine and cars is easy, as you can rearrange or delete cars as desired with a tap. For younger ones, it will be fun to simply build your train and ring the bell or toot the horn while it travels the tracks. Older kids get the chance to develop their visual skills - planning, problem solving and predicting a directional outcome. The game-play consists of picking up bales of hay by programming which way your train will go. There are many different levels or maps from which to choose and/or earn. This helps to generalize learning and keep the game fresh. I would recommend for home and clinic use.

### 4/5 — アップデート

*2013-06-22*

アップデートした後起動すると最初の画面のまま固まって落ちましたが、その後しばらくしたら何故か復旧しました。
何だったんだろう？
とりあえず子どもが喜んでくれたのでホッとしています。

### 4/5 — 単純におもしろい

*2013-06-18*

簡単に言うと、子供の頃にあこがれた鉄道模型がデフォルメされた感じだろうか？
これにマスコンがあれば最高かな？

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Crashes on iOS 9 iPad Mini

*2016-01-16, version 8.11*

Crashes continuously on the first screen when trying to play. Very disappointing.

### 1/5 — Awful

*2014-12-28, version 8.11*

This game would be awful if it were free...what a waste of $3.00

### 1/5 — Tina

*2014-07-12, version 8.10*

My 3 year old grandson loves this app but there is one down fall, the sound does not work. Please fix the sound and I will give this app a 5 star rating.

### 1/5 — My son won't even play it

*2014-07-09, version 8.10*

Not fun at all you don't get to build trains. All you do is choose a few train cars and drive it in endless circles. I would love a refund!

### 1/5 — Not playing since update

*2013-06-22, version 8.0*

Why is my app not working since I updated for night mode!?

### 1/5 — Поезд

*2013-06-16*

Скучна

### 1/5 — Cute, needs more, but plenty of potential!

*2012-11-22, version 6.0*

This one is for kiddies! My 3 and 4 yr olds both enjoy it! Great concept, just needs more, which hopefully will happen?!?!

My kids love building their train and driving the track... Maybe add some more fun features that make noises. Bells and whistles always appeal! Also, I like how you collect train cargo for points - makes an easy fun game! But how about once u collect so many points, u can get new tracks to explore? It gets a little boring as is...

Definitely a cute game! I just hope there are some good updates along the way!

### 1/5 — Super fun for preschoolers

*2012-06-16, version 5.0*

The update deleted all the points my son already had and took away maps he had already earned. Gee, thanks. >:(

### 1/5 — A bit disappointed in update

*2012-06-05, version 5.0*

So basically you gave us an update for an in-app purchase. Not a single new train or map. My kids have grown bored with this app and I was hoping we'd get at least a few new maps to unlock. How disappointing.

### 1/5 — 

*2011-07-17, version 3.0*

It boring  would give it a zero

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — So nostalgic

*2022-06-29, version 9*

I thought this game was taken off the App Store but no it’s still on seeing this game after 9 years is really a trip down memory lane :)

### 5/5 — Nostalgia Hit

*2022-02-01, version 9*

Coming back after a few years and wow, that hit of nostalgia when you hear the “ding ding ding” it just feels like a game that was made a hot minute ago. What would be a good addition to the game would be adding more trains and maps, but if you have a child who likes trains this is a great option. 

So happy that I opened it up again 🥰😌

### 5/5 — 懐かしい

*2021-01-22*

幼い頃お世話になりました

### 5/5 — Great game👍

*2019-10-18, version 9*

I’m a 22 year old man I enjoy playing this awesome game! 👍👍

### 5/5 — Good game and graphics 😀😃😁😆😅😂☺️😊😇🙂😉😌

*2019-06-05, version 9*

Hello I have nothing to say

### 5/5 — A good memory but

*2018-09-08, version 9*

This game is HIGHLY recommended but needs the daylight. And playtend please add the trains from train empire like for example that Irving engine I like. This is good for little kids I would totally get it

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2018-06-18, version 9*

When I was a kid I got this app and still have it! Even though I’m 15! Great job! Keep up good work!!

### 5/5 — 구입목록 삭제해주세요!

*2015-04-26*

구입목록 삭제해주세요!

### 5/5 — My 5-year old loves it

*2015-04-13, version 8.11*

Awesome in every way.

### 5/5 — We love it!

*2015-01-15, version 8.11*

This game engages my 4 year old. Design your train, pick a layout, move the switches to pick up packages and unlock even more layouts.

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*