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uktrainsim.com is a good place to get started, yes there are plenty of files that require payware in order to work, however there is quite a bit that does not. And for a bit of nostalgia there is mountains of stuff for MSTS.
This is one of the major reasons I haven't made the switch from MSTS. As there is still not enough freeware available for the newer simulations and also some MSTS users might be aware that "OpenRails" is a great upgrade from MSTS (Microsoft Train Simulator) as it uses the Graphics Card to render the "game" rather than straight off the CPU and its free to use as well .
I must confess, even the latest version of OR is starting to grow on me a bit. Once they get past version 1, and work on the activity editor then I'll be looking even more closely.
I am certain it will come soon enough once they have fixed any remaining bugs. Once of the things I like about OR is when you run round a train, you have to hit \ to couple the brake pipes which makes it more involving than MSTS as MSTS is more automated .