Developer Gaming Minds Studios and publisher Kalypso Media have just released a batch of new content for their railroad management game, Railway Empire.

The “Staff and Character Update” has entered public beta, and makes some rather drastic changes to the character trait system. Originally, your characters only had one bonus, but this update gives each character a set of five positive and five negative traits. The update also includes two new types of staff and some tweaks to the staff screen.

This new update comes a few weeks after Railway Empire‘s second paid DLC pack, The Great Lakes.

Railway Empire originally released at the end of January and has been receiving a steady stream of free and paid content updates since launch, which you can get a taste of in the trailer above. Its available for Windows (via Steam and GOG), PS4, and Xbox One. If you hurry, you can get the base game for 40% off during Steam’s big Kalypso Media sale.

Here’s a rundown on the game:

United States, 1830: ‘The New World’ is in its ascendancy. Industry is booming, and the race is on to establish the most dominant and powerful rail empire in all of North America. It’s time to outthink and outmaneuver your competitors as you lead your company into the 20th century!

In Railway Empire, you will create an elaborate and wide-ranging rail network, purchase over 40 different trains modelled in extraordinary detail, and buy or build railway stations, maintenance buildings, factories and tourist attractions to keep your travel network ahead of the competition. You’ll also need to hire and manage your workforce if you want to ensure an efficient train service, whilst also develop over 300 technologies ranging from mechanical improvements to the trains themselves to workplace infrastructures and advanced amenities as you progress through five eras of technological innovations.

However, you can’t just build and research your way to the top – the competition never sleeps, and to keep your business on track you’ll have to survive against up to three rival tycoons. To get to the top you may have to resort to more cutthroat tactics as you attack and sabotage your opponents through raids and industrial espionage.

Key Features:

• Exploit the economic opportunities of the United States in an extensive campaign, working your way step by step from coast to coast across this great continent.
• Lead your Railway Empire to success by establishing a comprehensive rail network and optimizing transportation of passengers and goods.
• Master challenges and objectives through a range of scenarios, or create your perfect railway network in construction mode without any financial pressure.
• Over 40 historically accurate locomotives and more than 30 different wagons can be acquired over the course of the game, and must be put to use in the best way in order to take advantage of their strengths and weaknesses.
• Invest in over 300 new technologies across five different eras to progress and maximize the potential of your rail network.
• Compete with up to three rival companies, and even sabotage their efforts with the use of bandits and spies.
• ‘Ride Along’ feature allows you to explore your rail network and beautiful scenery from the driver’s cab in a first person perspective.