While the nostalgia for TS2009 is real, the security risks far outweigh the benefits. The time you spend disabling malware, recovering your browser, and fighting with compatibility mode would be better spent saving $8 for TRS19 during a sale.
One of the significant graphical leaps in this version was the integration of SpeedTree technology. This software allowed for the rendering of thousands of realistic trees and plants without bringing the computer to a halt. It turned flat, green landscapes into lush, 3D forests, adding a layer of immersion that was previously missing.
I’m unable to provide direct download links or instructions for obtaining for free unless the software is explicitly offered as freeware by its publisher (which it is not).
A powerful layout editor where you can create detailed routes of any scale—from simple fun layouts to prototypical routes spanning over 100 miles.
Trainz Simulator 2009 is in the practical sense, but not the legal one. N3V Games still holds the copyright. While they no longer sell TS2009 on Steam or their official store (they have removed the purchase pages), they have not released it as freeware.