Comparison

Train Empire vs train games

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Train Empire

Build and manage a sprawling train empire across different historical eras. Pick up and drop off passengers and cargo to earn credits, unlock new engines and cars, and progress through challenging levels. Experience unique soundtracks and detailed map scenes as you master the rails.

Highlights
  • Manage train empire across four historical eras
  • Pick up and drop off passengers and cargo
  • Unlock new engines and train cars
  • 21 engines, 25 freight cars, 20 passenger cars
  • Unique soundtracks for each era
  • 20 illustrated map scenes
  • Game Center integration with leaderboards
Features
Read full description

From the makers of Build A Train (downloaded by millions of train lovers worldwide) comes an epic adventure: Train Empire! Master the rails and grow your train empire across time periods: 1850-1900, 1900-1950, 1950-2000 and 2000-2050. Your mission is to pick up and drop off passengers and cargo. Complete your mission on each level and you'll earn credits to unlock faster, stronger engines or new train cars with added capacity for cargo or passengers. But be quick! You'll have to guide your train wisely to deliver everything you need to unlock new levels. Features include: • 21 engines, 25 freight cars and 20 passenger cars • Four eras of train fun, each with unique soundtracks • 20 illustrated map scenes • zoom mode that moves the scene with your train • night mode at the end of each level • tutorial mode on the first level of the game to assist beginners • Game Center integration with leaderboards and achievements All aboard!

About

train games

Manage a rail empire in this train simulator. Build networks, optimize cargo routes, and operate iconic steam and modern trains. Experience strategic tycoon gameplay with realistic simulation.

Highlights
  • Master freight transport and optimize routes
  • Operate iconic steam and modern trains
  • Manage train stations and rail yards
  • Expand rail network across Chicago
  • Strategic tycoon gameplay and realistic simulation
  • Stunning steam era graphics
  • Complete achievements and challenges
Features
Read full description

Dive into the bustling world of trains in the heart of Illinois with Chicago Train Tycoon, the ultimate train simulator experience for mobile devices! Perfect for fans of train games, this engaging train simulator puts you in control of powerful steam locomotives and cutting-edge freight trains as you manage a thriving rail empire. Build your own rail network, expand cargo routes, and take on the role of a true tycoon in the world of rail transportation. In Chicago Train Tycoon, the railways come to life as you operate historic steam engines and modern trains alike. Whether you’re guiding a classic steam train across the rail yards or optimizing routes for efficient cargo transport, every decision shapes your journey towards becoming a train tycoon. This game combines the strategic challenges of a tycoon simulation with the immersive feel of a true train game, making it an essential experience for train enthusiasts everywhere. Features: - Master the Art of Freight Transport: Manage and optimize your train routes, ensuring timely delivery of various cargo types across the city’s iconic train stations and beyond. With each successful delivery, you earn rewards to expand and upgrade your fleet. - Iconic Trains and Steam Engines: Operate a collection of classic steam trains alongside modern diesel and electric locomotives. From historical steam mobile engines to powerful freight trains, experience the evolution of rail transport as you build your empire. - Authentic Train Station Management: Experience life as a train station manager in 20th-century Chicago. With detailed train station environments and bustling rail yards, you’ll feel the pulse of the city’s thriving freight industry as you manage arrivals, departures, and scheduling. - Dynamic Rail Network Expansion: Lay down rails, construct new train stations, and expand your network across the Chicago area. Every decision affects your growth as a tycoon and your ability to meet the increasing demands of cargo transportation. - Strategic Gameplay Meets Realistic Simulation: Combining the best of train games and tycoon simulators, Chicago Train Tycoon challenges you to balance operational efficiency with growth strategies. Optimize train schedules, manage resources, and invest in the future of your rail empire. - Stunning Steam Era Graphics: Immerse yourself in detailed, steam-powered environments that recreate the golden age of trains. Each locomotive is designed with precision, and every rail, track, and train station captures the spirit of historical Chicago. - Achievements & Challenges: Complete tasks and overcome challenges as you progress. From transporting fragile cargo to mastering tricky rail routes, each challenge tests your skills as a train game enthusiast. Chicago Train Tycoon combines the nostalgic charm of steam locomotives with the excitement of a modern train simulator, offering fans of train games and tycoon simulators the perfect mobile experience. Take control of powerful freight trains, develop your rail empire, and become the ultimate train tycoon in one of America’s most iconic cities. Whether you're a seasoned train enthusiast or new to the world of trains, this game provides hours of captivating gameplay as you explore the legacy and future of rail in the bustling heart of Chicago. Download Chicago Train Tycoon today and start your journey as a rail tycoon! PLEASE NOTE! Chicago Train Railroad Tycoon is an online free strategy tycoon simulator game to download and play that requires a network connection to play. Some in-game items can also be purchased for real money. if you don't want to use this feature please disable in-app purchases in your device's settings. Do you have any suggestions or problems in your TrainStation? Our caring community train managers would love to hear from you, visit https://discord.gg/MPHxcMsP

Screenshots

Train Empire4 screens
train games4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: train games at Free against Train Empire's $1.99. train games also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 60 months) and review sentiment (65% vs 43%). Train Empire's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

train games is free to download; Train Empire costs $1.99 up front. train games sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Train Empire asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

train games holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 59 and 207 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Train Empire's written reviews are positive against 65% of train games's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, train games every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Train Empire versus train games: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrain Empiretrain games
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (59 ratings)4.5 (207 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews65.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings59207 — better
Update frequencyEvery 60 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.3
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPCezary Tomczak

Customer experience

Train Empire

All ratings59 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral10.2%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

train games

All ratings207 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive65.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative30.8%

Bugs and requests

Train Empire

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

train games

Reported bugs

30 issues
  • Reward timers show 0
  • Cannot unlock rewards
  • Cannot acquire new buildings
  • Resource counters show 0
  • Game may crash
Show 25 more
  • Cannot accommodate trains
  • Cannot dispatch electric trains
  • Game closes immediately after opening
  • Upgrading planes not working
  • Lost all game data after deleting and redownloading
  • Game won't let user in
  • Too many ads
  • Purchase failed, coin deducted
  • Nothing shows up on the map
  • Reward videos lock up
  • Route data takes a very long time to load
  • Stuck on tutorial, cannot unload train
  • Maps are not popping up
  • Route selection screen is broken
  • Cannot change routes on trains
  • Game closes by itself
  • Game is not working
  • Error when trying to select passenger train route
  • Map makes no sense, no coal marker
  • Game has locked up
  • Metra does not work
  • Game is pumped full of ads
  • Incorrect number of conductors used
  • Glitchy movements of the screen
  • Paid for gems and money, received nothing

Requested features

27 requests
  • Fix reward timers
  • Fix building acquisition
  • Fix resource counters
  • Fix train accommodation
  • Explain electric train dispatch
Show 22 more
  • Add Amtrak trains
  • Add My Little Pony collaboration
  • Make Chicago train idle tycoon 2 sequel
  • Make American steam trains game
  • Fix route data loading
  • Fix map issues
  • Fix passenger train routes
  • Add coal marker to map
  • Fix Metra functionality
  • Add more trains
  • Improve train variety
  • Add custom train asset sharing
  • Fix upgrade issues
  • Fix game loading issues
  • Fix tutorial issues
  • Fix route selection screen
  • Fix game crashing
  • Fix reward video issues
  • Fix data loss issues
  • Fix ads
  • Fix purchase issues
  • Fix map display issues

In-app purchases

None

Train Empire

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

train games

One-time10
  • Item no 1$1.99
  • Item no 2$1.99
  • Golden coins$2.99
Show 7 more
  • NO ADS$3.99
  • Mega pack -30% SALE$6.99
  • All items$8.99
  • Blue Hats Mega Bundle$9.99
  • Mega golden coins$9.99
  • Mega pack$11.99
  • Ultra Pack$41.99

Questions

Is Train Empire free?
Train Empire costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is train games free?
train games is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Train Empire or train games?
train games is rated higher. Train Empire averages 4.3 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while train games averages 4.5 from 207 ratings.
Do Train Empire or train games have ads?
train games shows ads; Train Empire does not.
Which is updated more often, Train Empire or train games?
Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, and train games every 3 weeks. Most recently, Train Empire was updated on November 1, 2026 and train games on November 3, 2026.

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