OPENBVE(6)

📦 version 1.14.1.2, in arch rolling

💖 openBVE — the train simulator, bestie edition 💖

okay so real talk, this is the manual page for openBVE (yes, it's in section 6 of the Games Manual, iykyk) — a whole train/railway simulator and game. strap in, we're going for a ride 🚂✨

🌈 SYNOPSIS 🌈

openbve [/route=route.csv] [/train=directory]
[/controls|/newgame|/options|/review]

✨ DESCRIPTION ✨

OpenBVE is a realistic rail simulator. like, genuinely realistic, not "pretend realistic" 💅

The driving simulation is restricted to following a pre-determined loaded route, and the whole focus is on the realism of the train driving experience. OpenBVE also has an Arcade mode where your driving style and timetable-keeping affect a running score — so yes, being late is a personality flaw in Arcade mode 🫶

The simulator is backwards compatible with existing 'BVE Trainsim' route and train datafiles, which are readily available for no cost (free! we love free 🎀). It's cross-platform using CLI and Mono.

🎀 GETTING STARTED 🎀

To move the train, you need to do the following (this is with the default keyboard settings, bestie):

  1. f — Move the reverser to the forwards position. (The opposite is v.)
  2. , — Release the brake one notch; will be required 4-8 times before movement. (The opposite is ..)
  3. z — Increase the regulator (power) one notch; may be required 1-2 times before movement. (The opposite is q.)

The major control keys are arranged closely together, and honestly it's giving ergonomic icon behavior 👑 — q-a-z for power control, ,-. (comma and full-stop) for braking, and f-v for forwards/backwards direction. Some electric trains have a combined accelerator+brake with a coast (neutral) in the centre — that one is controlled with just the q-a-z combination (plus forwards/backwards). Pressing the a key moves the controller one notch closer to the coast/idle position, regardless of whether you're in power or braking mode. periodt ✨

Return/Shift+Return operate the horn 📯. Keys F1-F5 select alternative camera angles. C-r unlocks the camera to allow free movement (r to reset). A large number of other keys exist for interacting with complex signalling systems and operating the passenger doors whilst in a station 🚪. Most routes have a supplied timetable that can be displayed by pressing C-t.

🦋 LAPTOPS 🦋

For laptops/notebooks, there is an alternate keyboard mapping (called "Default keyboard assignment for Notebooks.controls"), which can be imported via the Customise Controls tab. The basic keys are the same, but camera controls are moved off the numeric keypad. no cap, your tiny keyboard is safe 💜

💅 OPTIONS 💅

  • /controls — Show the Customise Controls screen; keyboard/mouse/joystick selection. your input devices, your moment 🔥
  • /newgame — Show the Filemanager/route selector screen; choose activity. this is the default, so if you boot with no flags, this is where you land 🎀
  • /options — Show the Options screen; display and quality settings. make it pretty ✨
  • /review — Show Review performance; score and incident log from previous activity. the receipts from your last run 😭
  • /route=someroute.csv — Path to the file with the route file ending .csv or .rw which describes the track, scenery and time-table.
  • /train=train.dat — A train/cab. This should be a path to the directory, which contains the train.dat description for the locomotive, train or cab.

🌸 DATAFILES 🌸

Two elements are required: a route, and a train (often just a cab view and performance metrics). These can be selected using the filemanager after OpenBVE is started.

Most routes have a corresponding recommended train (for instance a particular model of Tube train on the London Underground) — and if this train is located, it will be selected by default. the sim literally picks it for you, main character energy 👑

🍓 FILES 🍓

  • ~/.config/OpenBve/ — Saved keyboard configuration, display settings and score log.
  • /usr/share/games/bve/Train/ — Default location for packaged train directories (containing train.dat).
  • /usr/share/games/bve/Railway/Route/ — Default location for packaged railway route .csv files.
  • /usr/shares/games/openbve/data/ — Data used by OpenBVE to start up.

👑 AUTHOR 👑

OpenBVE was written by Michelle Boucquemont <reschanger@gmail.com> and placed in the public domain. absolute legend behavior fr fr 🫶

This manual page was written for Debian/Ubuntu by Paul Sladen <ubuntu@paul.sladen.org>

🔥 SEE ALSO 🔥

Website: https://openbve-project.net/

and that's the whole page, bestie 💖 this was OpenBVE, page version/openbve source-y bits at 1 April 2019, filed under OPENBVE(6) — go drive a train, slay, and mind the doors 🚪✨🎀

📦 where this page comes from