Compared with all other games I have played on my computer, when it comes to updating and patching, TRAINZ is definitely the most complicated. All other games patch or update themselves with little or no intervention from the user. With TRAINZ, however, you have to read the forum over and over to understand exactly HOW to apply the patches and updates, or you are more than likely going to have problems. This is one of the things TRAINZ has going against it. I fear this is also what causes a lot of potential users to give up and move to another train simulator--- even if this other sim is less user friendly--- still it has the ability to update itself basically automatically and cleanly, with no intervention from the player.
I believe many who play simulators have no interest in manipulating the game, creating assets, or multiplayer, but simply want to get in the engine, cockpit, driver's seat--whatever-- and DRIVE in the game. They don't want to have to learn complicated rules and "fixes" to be able to do this. They want a worry-free, click-and-go type of simulator. Maybe someday TRAINZ will get there.
As for me, I love TRAINZ and spend a good deal of my retirement in the game, both in the creating phase and just running trains on my routes. Unlike some (many?), I haven't had that many problems with updates or patches. Maybe I'm lucky. I don't know. What I do know is, that when everything is cool with the game, it is IMHO the easiest train simulator to use, especially the Surveyor (creating routes) aspect.
Cheers,
Dave