Setting Up Guide

Get openBVE up and running

If this is your first time installing openBVE, or you are encountering issues, please follow these install instructions:

Note: This guide is for the installation on Windows 10 only. If you are using other versions of Windows, some steps may differ from the list below. If you are on another operating system such as mac os, you may wish to ignore this guide.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 7 or later
Processor: Pentium 4 @ 2.6GHz or better
Memory: At least 1GB of RAM
Storage: At least 500MB

Note: You may require a better processor, memory and graphics card to run the game with better performance.

Step 1 - Download the Main Program

Download the latest stable version of the openBVE main program.

Download openBVE

Step 2 - Installing the Main Program

Follow the installation process as shown in the installer. To facilitate easier installation of the program, check both "Create a desktop shortcut" and "Create a desktop shortcut to the openBVE Addons folder". You may change the installation folder of the main program.

Let openBVE run for the first time after the installation is complete.

Updating openBVE

If you ever want to update openBVE to the latest available version, you only need to download the main program again and extract it to your install directory. You do not have to download the other stuff again.

Installing add-ons

Installing 7-zip

Most of the archives on BVESG are zipped using the 7-zip compression tool. If you are running on the latest modern PC on Windows 10, select the second download link.

Download the latest stable version of the 7-zip program.

Download 7-zip

Follow the installation process as shown in the installer. You may adjust the settings according to your requirements.

Installing the Circle Line (Anti-Clockwise) Route

Step 1 - Download the latest version of the Circle Line (Anti-Clockwise) Route.

Download BVESG: Circle Line (Anti-Clockwise) Route

Note: You may save the downloaded file anywhere on your PC, but we recommend the default Downloads folder.

Step 2 - Once the download is complete, locate the file in the Downloads folder. Right click and hover 7-zip on the menu, then select "Extract files...".

Step 3 - Now, open the "openBVE Addons" shortcut, which is located on your desktop. Right click on the address bar and then select "Copy address as text".

Step 4 - Paste the whole address that you have just copied into the first box in the 7-zip extraction tool. Uncheck all the other checkboxes on the window and press "Ok".

Note: If your address has a "\Railway" at the back, erase the text till it reaches "\LegacyContent" (refer to screenshot).

Installing Trains

Step 1 - Download the latest version of the Alstom Metropolis C830 and C830C trains.

Download BVESG: Alstom Metropolis C830

Download BVESG: Alstom Metropolis C830C

Note: You may save the downloaded file anywhere on your PC, but we recommend the default Downloads folder.

Step 2 - Once the download is complete, locate the file in the Downloads folder. Right click and hover 7-zip on the menu, then select "Extract files...".

Step 3 - Paste the whole address that you have just copied earlier into the first box in the 7-zip extraction tool. The difference is that you will need to add "\Train" at the back of the address box. Uncheck all the other checkboxes on the window and press "Ok".

Note: If your address had a "\Railway" at the back, change the text to "\Train" so that it shows "\LegacyContent\Train" (refer to screenshot).

Installing other add-ons

There are also plenty of legacy add-ons, particularly for BVE Trainsim, that can also be used but must be found and installed manually. Some authors of such add-ons make it easy for you by providing a single archive that just needs to be extracted somewhere, while others make it very complicated. You have to read the folder structure for legacy routes and trains before even considering to install such add-ons.

openBVE runs openBVE add-ons, as well as most BVE Trainsim (version 2 and 4) add-ons. BVE 5 add-ons are not supported.

You can find BVESG add-ons on the main page here. You can also find add-ons online using a search engine.

Most add-ons come in the form of a ZIP file that has to be extracted. Move the files from the ZIP file to this folder structure.

Configuring the game settings

Opening the Main Program

Launch "openBVE" from the desktop to continue the setup.

Changing game options

Change the game options based on your computer specifications. If you are on a modern PC, you may refer to the screenshot for the recommended settings.

Locating your add-ons

Routes are located in "UserData\LegacyContent\Railway\Route" while trains are located in "UserData\LegacyContent\Train".

Once setup is completed, select your preferred mode of driving and press start.

Click here for the "How to Play" guide.