This is where most users get lost. Searching [msts hu letoltes] or "MSTS Hungary download" usually leads to dead RapidShare links or Hungarian-language forums with confusing patch instructions.
Here is the modern, functional installation guide:
A fan-favorite for narrow-gauge fans. This route replicates the forestry railways in the Mátra mountains. While MSTS was built for standard gauge, Hungarian modders exploited the system to create authentic 760mm gauge experiences, complete with tiny C-50 steam locomotives.
MSTS Hungary is more than a collection of train files. It is a digital museum of 1990s/2000s Hungarian rail infrastructure—the MÁV Start logos, the faded orange seats of the Bzmot railbuses, the manual semaphores on the Balatonfüred branch line.
For the international simulation enthusiast, learning to install and run MSTS Hungary is a rite of passage. It is frustrating. It is documentation-poor. It requires you to manually edit .ENG files to change a locomotive's maximum speed. But once you haul a loaded grain train up the Bakony mountains, watching the headlights cut through the digital fog, you will understand why this community refused to let Microsoft’s 2001 masterpiece die.
Final Verdict:
Where to start today? Head to msts.hu, navigate to the "Letöltések" (Downloads) section, and find the "Superpack v2.5." Then download Open Rails. Your journey into Hungarian rail history begins in the cab of a V43, light engine from Ferencváros to Kőbánya-Kispest.
Jó utat! (Have a good journey!)
For over two decades, the Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) community in Hungary has transformed a 2001 classic into a high-fidelity digital preservation of the nation's railway history. While the original game laid the tracks, Hungarian developers and hobbyists have built an entire ecosystem of rolling stock and routes that allow players to traverse the Carpathian Basin with remarkable accuracy. The Foundation: Microsoft Train Simulator and Open Rails
Originally released by Microsoft in 2001, Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) was the pioneer of modern rail simulation. Although the base game provided six international routes, it was the open architecture that allowed Hungarian creators to develop localized content. Today, most of this content is run using Open Rails, a free, open-source project that is fully compatible with MSTS files but offers improved graphics, performance, and modern features like realistic physics and signal systems. Iconic Hungarian Routes
The crown jewel of MSTS Hungary is undoubtedly the Alföld route.
Alföld Route: Spanning thousands of virtual kilometers, this project by Ákos Rőfi and his team is the most comprehensive Hungarian route set. It recreates the vast Great Hungarian Plain, including major hubs like Budapest-Nyugati, Szolnok, and Debrecen. msts hungary
120a Route: Another community favorite is the 120a line, which focuses on the intricate rail traffic between Budapest and Újszász, providing a playground for both fast InterCity trains and slow local commuter services.
Historical Accuracy: Many routes serve as digital archives, preserving station layouts and signal configurations that have since been modernized or removed in real life. Rolling Stock: The MÁV and GySEV Fleet
The Hungarian MSTS experience is defined by its iconic locomotives, many of which were modeled by groups like Virtual Modelling Works (VMW).
M62 "Szergej": The legendary Soviet-built heavy freight diesel.
M40 "Púpos": Developed in Hungary to fill gaps in diesel heating and passenger transport.
V43 "Szili": The ubiquitous electric locomotive seen across the entire MÁV network.
GySEV Fleet: Specialized content for the Sopron-Szombathely line is also available, featuring unique GySEV liveries for M40 and M44 locomotives. Where to Find Content
The MSTS Hungary community thrives on several dedicated hubs and archival sites:
Microsoft Train Simulator Hungarian addon "Alföld Retro 6.4"
MSTS Hungary typically refers to the dedicated hobbyist community and content ecosystem surrounding Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS)
in Hungary. It is renowned for high-quality, realistic recreations of the Hungarian railway network (MÁV). Overview: MSTS Hungary (Alföld & H-Start) MSTS remains alive in Hungary primarily through the This is where most users get lost
route project and extensive rolling stock packs that meticulously recreate Hungarian locomotives (like the MÁV V43 "Szili" and Taurus) and passenger cars. Realism & Detail
: The Hungarian MSTS community is famous for its attention to technical detail. Cab views often feature authentic Hungarian safety systems (EVM) and localized sound sets that are much more immersive than the original 2001 base game. The "Alföld" Route
: This is the flagship project for Hungarian MSTS fans. It covers a vast portion of the Hungarian Great Plain with hundreds of kilometers of accurately modeled track and scenery. Ease of Use
. Like most 20-year-old simulators, it requires "Open Rails" (a modern, free engine that runs MSTS content) to function well on modern PCs. Installation can be complex, involving many separate dependencies (rolling stock, sounds, and global textures). Availability
: Most content is distributed for free through community sites like MSTSHUNGARY (though many older sites are archival) and Archive.org Pros and Cons Authenticity
: Includes exact recreations of MÁV stations and signaling. Dated Graphics : Even with mods, the engine shows its age compared to Train Sim World Vast Scale : The Alföld route offers hours of continuous driving. Installation
: Requires significant "tinkering" to get everything working. Community Support : Active forums for troubleshooting and new repaints. Language Barrier : Many top-tier add-ons and manuals are only in Hungarian. If you are a fan of Hungarian railways, MSTS (via Open Rails ) is still the best way to experience MÁV operations . While newer sims like Train Simulator Classic Train Sim World
have better graphics, they lack the sheer volume of specific Hungarian routes and locomotives found in the legacy MSTS community.
Microsoft Train Simulator Hungarian addon "Alföld Retro 6.4"
Q: Is there an English translation? A: The core cab controls use international symbols (P for brake, R for reverse). However, scenario instructions and the MSTS Hungary website are 90% Hungarian. Use Google Chrome’s auto-translate or learn rail-related Hungarian (e.g., "Előjelző" = Distant signal).
Q: Can I run MSTS Hungary on Windows 11? A: Yes, but only via Open Rails. The original MSTS.exe will crash on modern GPUs due to DirectX 7 legacy issues. Where to start today
Q: Does it include the Budapest Metro (Metro 3)? A: There is a separate add-on called MSTS Metró (available on the forum) featuring the "Ev3" trains, but it is less polished than the main MÁV routes.
Q: I want to create my own route (Miskolc–Kazincbarcika). How? A: Download the MSTS Route Editor (part of the original MSTS tools) and use Demex for terrain. The MSTS Hungary forums have a "Route Building" section with guides in Hungarian.
If you are new to MSTS Hungary, these are the "must-install" routes that define the experience.
Given modern simulators like Train Sim World 4 or SimRail 2024 (which features a stunning Warsaw–Katowice route), why would anyone return to a 24-year-old game?
1. The Immersion of Obscure Prototypes Official simulators rarely feature Hungarian trains. DTG has only released a handful of German or British routes in the last five years. MSTS Hungary offers the V46 and V43 with a level of mechanical simulation that modern "casual" sims avoid.
2. The Physics Engine (When Modded) The vanilla MSTS physics were a joke (tanks on rails). The MSTS Hungary community developed the "Hungarian Physics Patch" (often included in their MSTS Update Pack). This patch recalculates inertia, brake cylinder pressure, and slip-slide logic to match real MÁV operating manuals.
3. Free vs. Paid A complete collection of MSTS Hungary add-ons is 100% free. There is no "Season Pass" or "Train DLC." Compare that to $40 for a single German ICE in Train Sim Classic.
Released by Microsoft in 2001, Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) revolutionized the world of rail simulation. While the base game focused on iconic American and Japanese routes (like the Northeast Corridor and Hisatsu Line), the true longevity of MSTS came from its incredibly dedicated global community. Among the most passionate and skilled sub-communities was—and still is—MSTS Hungary.
For nearly two decades, Hungarian developers and virtual engineers have transformed the raw, aging engine of MSTS into a detailed digital twin of the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV). From the bustling platforms of Budapest Keleti pályaudvar to the rural branch lines of the Great Plain, the term "MSTS Hungary" represents a gold standard of European freeware simulation.
This article dives deep into the world of Hungarian MSTS content: the essential routes, the iconic locomotives, where to download them, and how to install them on modern Windows systems.
Note: Many original Geocities and Tripod sites are dead. However, the archive lives on.
Primary Sources (circa 2024):
Critical Warning: Do not mix MSTS Hungary content with German DB or US content unless you like error messages. Always read the included readme.txt (often Hungarian only – use Google Translate).