A-Train 9 takes urban development to a whole new level.
A-Train 9 PRIME LINE launches on Steam on Thursday, December 10.
The railway and road construction systems at the heart of city building have been completely overhauled. Players can now build routes that were previously impossible, including long, sweeping curves and loop lines.
Trains can also now run in formations of up to 16 cars, allowing players to recreate the realistic train formations seen across Japan’s cities.
The game introduces a host of long-awaited additions, including two-lane roads and new track variations.
A-Train 9 PRIME LINE also includes content from A9 Evolution, which was well received for its redesigned UI, enhanced graphics, and wide range of new features.
Experience city building on a whole new level, recreating Japan’s transportation landscape with unprecedented realism.
Lay down railway tracks and connect cities.
A-Train’s core railway-building features now offer greater freedom than ever before.
The new “Flexible” track-laying option gives players greater freedom to create curves and gradients with a wide range of angles and degrees of curvature.
From gentle curves and elevation changes that follow plateaus and cityscapes to sharp turns and steep gradients winding through mountainous terrain, players can design railway lines that naturally adapt to the city and surrounding landscape.
In addition, players can now choose from four track types: Ballasted Track (Gray), Ballasted Track (Brown), Direct Fixation Track, and Slab Track.
Enjoy the freedom to design railway lines that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Train formations and station construction now offer greater flexibility, allowing players to create railway scenes that more closely resemble those found across Japan.
Trains can now run in formations of up to 16 cars, allowing players to recreate full-length bullet trains and urban commuter trains.
By coupling trains together, players can even operate long freight trains of up to 32 cars.
A new “Curved Station” option has also been added, allowing players to build stations with curved platforms.
Watch trains pull into curved stations, where their full formations look even more impressive.
Long trains sweep through gently curved stations, bringing dynamic railway scenes to life.
Roads can also be customized in greater detail, giving players even more control over how they shape their cities.
As with railway tracks, the “Flexible” setting gives players greater freedom to create roads with a wide range of curves and gradients.
In addition to the existing single-lane roads, players can now build new two-lane roads for even greater flexibility in city design.
Build a thriving transportation city, with major roads weaving between stations and buildings and dynamic highway interchanges shaping the urban landscape.
A variety of small buildings and objects have been added to bring greater detail and character to cityscapes. Smaller elements, such as bike-sharing stations and flowerbeds, can also be placed within building lots.
Use them to fill the spaces around curved railways and roads or between buildings, creating more detailed, lived-in cities that reflect how they have grown and developed over time.
The game also features numerous modern buildings that can serve as landmarks, such as green buildings and basketball arenas.
Around stations and railway lines, people gather, cities take shape, and communities grow.
Build a dense, modern cityscape that develops alongside the railway.
Lighting and reflection effects have been reworked to create even more realistic cityscapes. Clouds now cast shadows across the city, while enhanced water effects bring greater depth and detail to the environment.
All tree models have also been redesigned, along with updated road visuals, further enhancing the look and feel of the city.
The ever-changing appearance of the city is brought into vivid view alongside nature depicted in greater detail.
New maps have been added to the game mode, where players can experience realistic railway company management. Each map now features its own completion objectives, challenging players to develop cities with unique characteristics.
New to railway management? The Tutorial Map guides players through everything from basic controls to useful gameplay tips, making it easy for beginners to start building their first city.
All maps included in the game modes can also be loaded in Construction Mode.
Freely make changes to the cityscape without worrying about funds, and enjoy city development at your leisure.
Useful features have been added to help make gameplay smoother.
Made a mistake? No need to worry. The new autosave feature lets players return to an earlier save and continue building from there. Up to five autosaves are stored, with a new save created every 10 minutes.
UI scaling can also be adjusted to suit different screen sizes and resolutions, making the game more comfortable to play across a variety of displays.
A-Train is a simulation game that brings together elements of city development, railway operation, and company management.
Players take on the role of a railway company manager, building railway lines, operating trains, and shaping their ideal city. As railways connect new areas, people gather and cities grow and evolve.
Experience the satisfaction of watching your railway network bring a city to life and drive its development with a sense of realism.
A-Train 9 boasts the largest volume of content in the series, delivering a comprehensive real-time simulation experience.
Recreate real-world cities and railways, explore “what-if” versions of familiar places, or build the city of your dreams—the choice is yours.
Enjoy a deep and flexible city-building experience, shaped by the way you want to play.
More than 200 real-life trains from railway companies across Japan appear in the game!
The game also includes approximately 600 types of buildings.
Build anything from countryside towns in harmony with nature to metropolises lined with skyscrapers.
The Custom Formation feature opens up endless possibilities for train configurations.
Mix and match available train cars to create your very own original formations.
The game also includes train connecting and the headshunt function, a key part of locomotive operations.
This allows for flexible operations tailored to the cities and trains you want to operate.
Drive trains, cars, and cruisers in Driving Mode to explore the city, take in the scenery at your leisure through the Train Window Mode, or watch over different parts of the city with fixed-point cameras…
Enjoy your city to your heart's content.
Players who own A-Train 9 Train Construction (sold separately on Steam) can import their own custom trains and trains created by other users on the Steam Workshop into PRIME LINE and run them in their own cities.
Find the perfect trains for your city, whether you create your own original designs or choose from more than 6,000 trains available on the Steam Workshop.
PRIME LINE’s Custom Formation feature also lets players create their ideal train formations using more than 200 train types included in the game. Mix and match your favorites to bring your ultimate railway vision to life.
◎ Platform: PC (Steam)
◎ Media: Download
◎ Genre: City-Building Railway Simulation
◎ Players: 1
◎ Supported Language: Japanese / English
◎ Release Date: December 10, 2026 (Thursday)
◎ Price: 59.99＄
◎ Planning & Development: ARTDINK
Already own A-Train 9? We’re planning a special upgrade campaign that will let eligible players purchase A-Train 9 PRIME LINE at a special price. Take this opportunity to upgrade to PRIME LINE!
Full campaign details will be announced at a later date via Steam News and the official website. Add A-Train 9 PRIME LINE to your Steam Wishlist and stay tuned for more information!
A Teaser Video for the game is now available on ARTDINK's official YouTube channel.
Get a first look at the realistic cityscapes of PRIME LINE, from intricate details that bring the city to life to dramatic views shaped by freely designed railway lines.
Approved by Hokkaido Railway Company
Approved by East Japan Railway Company
Approved by Central Japan Railway Company
Approved by West Japan Railway Company
Approved by Shikoku Railway Company
Approved by Kyushu Railway Company
Approved by Japan Freight Railway Company
* The designs and specifications may differ from those of the actual trains.
* The trains included differ between the Japanese and International versions. The International version contains only trains from JR companies.