Now that I've used it a bit, what John Greenstone and the team have accomplished is nothing short of remarkable. They've made significant advances in train handling, physics and functionality, particularly multi-player, that set a new benchmark for what train simulation should be.
I intentionally only used the "out of the box" product included with the game engine purchase, as well as trying out an additional V3 route (provided by the developers for evaluation purposes). Because my daughter in law is from Needles, I decided to use that as the starting point for my initial test runs.
The detailing of the locomotive and rolling stock models and most of the newer scenery assets is state of the art. Just about anything within 15 to 20 ft of the right away is modeled in high detail. As you get away from the right of way, you'll see a mixed quality for the more distant scenery assets. It's pretty clear some are from 3DTS's MSTS routes and repurposed for use in Run 8. Understandable that you'd want to use some of what you already have experience with as you're building a product, and I'm told these are gradually being updated and replaced, particularly with the routes created for V3 and higher.
Track work is also exceptional. Grades are smooth, and I haven't noticed the "stick track" effect that you see with some other sims that primarily use snappable track pieces instead of splines or procedurally drawn track.
Train handling itself is fairly easy once you figure out the basics. The physics are set in a way that you'll see and hear individual car movement as slack is taken out or as the train gets compressed for a shove move. And, if you're not careful, you will break a knuckle now and then.
All this said, Run 8 isn't a console game, and anyone starting out using it needs to understand that they won't be up and running a train in minutes.
Instead, it's like getting a big bucket of Lego parts with only a picture of the finished product. Providing a quick-start with a step by step guide of how to install and get your first train running is something Run 8 needs to consider. There are community-sourced guides for this, but accessing those assumes you're part of this site or know about others that exist to support multi-player sessions. I used one from Run8Guides, which is a site run by one of our forum member's TrainsimJack.
If you've used a Raildriver with other sims, it's admittedly easier to get started. If you've only used a keyboard, you will initially be a bit lost with the layout, but once you realize how the extended keyboard and number pad function for the reverser, brakes and throttle, it gets much easier.
The most frustrating part in my opinion with Run 8 is their website sales and fulfillment experience. Rather than rehash that here, I've outlined in detail my concerns in the Run 8 discussion forum we've hosted on this site since it came out in 2012.
On their sales site, you'll find 46 optional packs for modern locomotives and rolling stock. 15 additional routes covering California, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Alabama are currently available.
Keep in mind Run 8 is set in present day and designed around multi-player realistic railroad operations. You won't find Alco's or early EMD cab units pulling 1950's Pullmans, or steam engines pulling 1930's heavyweights. You won't even find a GP9. The oldest locomotives you'll find will be the MP15's and the GP40-2/SD40-2's which date to the early 1970's. The rolling stock packs also represent 1970 to present day. For the Amtrak enthusiasts, you'll find Genesis P42DC locomotives, Amfleets, Superliners, and Viewliners.
All said, there's more than enough equipment to fill a yard and a half dozen operating trains. All equipment is auto-numbered as it's rendered, so you won't have to look at a dozen hoppers with the same reporting mark. You shouldn't see the same locomotive number twice. If you're playing in multiplayer and don't have a particular car used by someone else, the game engine is smart enough to substitute it with a generic item from the "Run 8 Railroad" fleet.
A final point... 3DTS and Run 8 Studios have provided financial support for this site in the past, and helped ensure Trainsim.com's survival back in 2023 when the ownership changed and bank accounts were empty.
If you have the means and would like to help recognize their support, give Run 8 a try. If you already own it, maybe go get an extra route, locomotive or car pack. There are certainly plenty of options to choose from. Compared to HO or N scale model railroading or DLC available for other platforms, it's really not a bad deal.
To summarize, using the sim a bit only reinforced my opinion that Run 8 is a great product with a bit of a learning curve, but once you get past that, its a true immersive experience.
For the price of dinner for two (plus tip) at Chili's, you can be up and running. Just be patient, and if you get stuck (or derailed), we have forums here where you can ask questions, get help and browse older threads for tips and hints.