Shortline 2.0

About Shortline v. 2.0

Shortline v. 2.0 is a compact 1992 DOS game that lets you lay isometric tracks, juggle pixel-trains, and master rail traffic without sprawling spreadsheets. Play online free and feel the whistle of classic rail strategy. 💾

Story & Legacy

Shortline v. 2.0 launched in 1992 and instantly set a new bar for railroad strategy titles. A cult hit in shareware circles, it showed how a lean DOS game could rival larger sims long before Transport Tycoon roared in. Powered by crisp VGA graphics and crunchy AdLib sound, the 300 KB gem booted straight from a single 3.5″ floppy and ran happily on a 286 with just 640 KB of RAM. Its elegant collision-avoidance logic, lively isometric world, and mouse-driven building paved the way for future rail tycoons, proving you could dispatch trains in real time and still have fun. Three decades on, fans still fire it up in DOSBox to play online free, celebrating a design that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly snappy.

Gameplay & Highlights

• Isometric real-time track laying with intuitive mouse controls
• Smart signal system to prevent crashes and keep trains on-time
• Tiny 300 KB executable runs from a single floppy yet offers hours of replay

Levels / Episodes

Open-ended sandbox map that continuously spawns new industries and trains. Each surge of traffic ups the challenge with smarter AI routing and tighter delivery windows.

How to Play in Browser

• Controls: Mouse to build, P to pause, S to cycle signals
• Main objective: Build a collision-free, profitable network moving cargo and passengers efficiently
• Runs via DOSBox emulator — no download needed

Quick Guide & Tips

1. Lay passing loops early and double-track mainlines to avoid gridlock.
2. Hit P before rebuilding junctions so schedules stay intact.
3. Right-click signals to fine-tune directions and keep traffic flowing.

System Requirements (Original vs Browser)