Minimum PC Specs for BVE

Downloading the main BVE program

Click on this icon to open the main BVE download pages in a new window:

This is the web site that holds BVE. The following will guide you through what icons/links to click on the Official BVE website.

Don't bother downloading any Japanese script, you won't need it - You may select cancel if you get this dialogue window. Japanese characters are not essential!

Choose the version of BVE you would like. BVE2 is lower resolution but ideal as most routes will work on it, while BVE4 has more features (such as AWS, TPWS, customisable signals, higher resolution graphics, etc) but some older routes will not work on it. Some new routes have been written especially for BVE4 with enhanced features as mentioned above. You can choose to have BOTH versions on your computer. They will run perfectly side by side!

Ok, assuming you have already clicked on the link above to take you to Mackoy's Japanese website you will see a screen similar to this :

When you see this image on Mackoy's site click on the left icon to go to the BVE 2 page or the right icon for BVE 4. The programs are available as separate downloads on the site.


Click on "GET" in the left hand bar. A new page will open.

Click the "Download" link, as the example shows below:  

The next steps are discussed separately depending on whether you choose BVE2.6 or BVE4.1 Remember that you can install both should you want to.

BVE 2

1. Download the English version of BVE2. Click the link that says:

2. When the download is complete, you will get a zip file called something like bve2.6.3en.zip. Open this zip and you will see two .MSI files:

Bve2.6.3en.msi                           Uchibo9en.msi      

The BVE file is the all important main program. The 'Uchibo' file is a basic short route and train to get you going!  

Drag these files onto your desktop for ease of use.

Installing the main BVE 2 program

Simply double click on each of these files to install. The default folder will be in Program Files/BVE. I'd recommend leaving this set as it is, for ease of installing your addons.

Additional instruction for XP users installing BVE 2

Right Click on the BVE icon in Program Files/BVE and choose "Properties" from the drop down menu. From the new window that opens, choose "Compatibility"

Click the boxes so that the window looks like this one:

Click "Apply" and you're ready to go! Try the default Japanese 'Uchibo' route first. This is included in the files you will have just installed. It is very basic but will give you an idea of how to drive. Then try some of the trains and routes both on this site, and on the websites listed on the links page. Don't forget that the BVE program is free and so are all of the add-ons.

Tip :

Download the BR Signals pack which means our style of signalling will be on every route you will play with, instead of the Japanese ones.

BVE 4

1.On the download page for BVE4 you will see three hyperlinks as below

1.On the download page for BVE4 you will see three hyperlinks, as below

The first is the Microsoft .Net Framework which BVE 4 requires to run. Ignore the link on the Mackoy BVE website as it takes you to the Japanese version of the Microsoft site. Click here for the English MS page Download and install the package. Return to the Mackoy BVE page and click the bve4.zip. The bve4.zip will download. Upon opening you will see the bve4 installation routine (an .MSI file). Unzip this from the archive and run it. The instructions and program are both in English. The uchibo10.zip file is the example route and train (Japanese and quite basic but it will give you a simple route to start from. The zip file contains an installation routine as before. Unzip this from the archive and simply follow the installation Wizard.

Installing the trains and routes download from BVE4.NET

The add-ons provided on this website come in self installing packages, the install paths are pre-loaded and can be seen on the installer screen.

For routes and trains intended to be used on BVE4, the preset path is:

Drive:/Program Files/Mackoy/BVE4/

This is the default folder which you should have installed the original BVE4.exe to. If this is the case, simply hit Install.

If you installed BVE4.exe somewhere else, you'll need to click the Browse button on the installer and navigate to your BVE4 folder first.

For routes and trains intended to be used on BVE2, the preset path is

Drive:/Program Files/BVE/

This is the default folder which you should have installed the original BVE.exe to. If this is the case, simply hit Install.

If you installed BVE.exe elsewhere, you'll need to click the Browse button on the installer and navigate to your BVE2 folder first.

If you do not install your files to the correct location, then the program will not be able to find all of the files it needs to run a route, and the program will fail because it cannot find the objects, sound or train required.

Key Presses

TWO LEVER CAB
Z Increase Power
A Decrease Power
< Increase Brake
> Release Brake
? Activate Emergency Brake

ONE LEVER CAB
Z Increase Power / Release Brake
A Decrease Power / Apply Brake
Q Activate Emergency Brake

COMMON CAB CONTROLS
UP Arrow Reverser Forward
DOWN Arrow Reverser Reverse
SPACE BAR ATS Verify [toggle DRA on some UK BVE4 trains]
INSERT Continuance Chime Reset [Cancel AWS on UK Trains]
DELETE Emergency Brake System Reset [Cancel Vigilance tone on UK Trains]
BACKSPACE "Cruise-Control" [On trains fitted]

BVE 2 EXTRA KEYS
END Open Emergency Brake
PAGE UP Change to ATS
PAGE DOWN Change to ATC
BACKSPACE "Cruise-Control"
SHIFT + F2 Safety System Power On
CTRL + F2 Safety System Reset
F3 "People Meter" On/Off
SHIFT + F3 Time & Door / Frame Rate Display
F4 Open/Close Time-table
SHIFT + F4 Scroll Time-table UP
CTRL + F4 Scroll Time-table DOWN

BVE 4 EXTRA KEYS
KEYPAD ENTER Horn 1
KEYPAD + (plus) Horn 2
KEYPAD - (minus) Horn 3 [On trains fitted]
F2 Toggle Time/FPS/Speed on screen
F3 Show timetable*
F4 Hold key down to enlarge the timetable*
F5 - Re-renders route
F6 - Open and close the doors
F8 - Speed up the clock
F10 Pause
Keypad arrows 4/8/6/2 - View Up, Down, Left & Right - view right to see the instruction panel for the train.
Keypad 0 - Zoom out
Keypad . (dot) Zoom in


(*Note : When using trains designed for BVE2 in BVE4 there will be no timetable, but the stopping pattern will be shown by right clicking on the screen and choosing 'Jump to Station' from the menu. (You don't have to jump to another station!)

BVE 4 keys can be customised by choosing 'Option' then 'Controller' from the menu.

DEVELOPMENT MODE CONTROLS (BVE 2)
F5 Re-Builds and Re-Renders the Route
F6 Closes the Train Doors
F7 Parking - Stops the Train
Shift + F7 Speeds Trains up by 5km/h
Ctrl + F7 Slows Train down by 5km/h
F6 Time Acceleration (ON/OFF)

BVE4 Trains with Full UK Safety systems:

These seem to be causing some confusion to new users of BVE4.

First view the class 158 drivers guide from the misc page. All of the mainline BVE4 trains on this site operate in a very similar manner.

Whilst sitting in the cab, you can scroll around the screen by using the keys on your numberpad. 8 (up) 6 (right) 4 (left), 5 (centre) 2 (down). The zero key will zoom out.

If you scroll to the far right you will see a quickstart guide to getting the train started and moving. There is also a list of auxilary keys to press for AWS, TPWS, DRA, Lights, Buzzer, Vigilance and Wipers.

The common BVE4 controls such as brake, reverser, power, and horn are listed above.