My recollections of this game are fresh, given that I played it for the first time in 2025! I am basically a neophite to the Nancy Drew universe (never read a book, played only one demo and this game). With that being said, I am sure there are people with fond memories of this one, as I had fun with it despite my lack of nostalgia.
The main location is fun to explore. The puzzle-filled train running on an old steam engine is simply a charming idea for a game, and it has a great atmosphere, helped by the soundtrack. The story idea is a great fit for a young-adult detective adventure (although I am not sure I love how the final sequence wraps everything up). There aren't a lot of characters, but their conversations are usually entertaining, and they offer some rest from the puzzle solving. Most of them have a big ego, but it's clearly on purpose and makes their antics all the more funny to watch, in my opinion.
the gameplay is actually great if you like point & click adventures. while some puzzles and hints are presented way before you can act on them, leading to some time-wasting, the puzzles are well-made overall (with just a handful being kind of stupid), and exploration isn't too clunky despite the game's age. As with the story, the final section feels a bit "meh" on the gameplay side, but even then it doesn't harm the game too much, having the grace of being quick, at least.
Despite the technical limitations (no ability to skip dialogue lines or cutscenes, well-made but old graphics, being unable to look up your items/notes and solve puzzles at the same time here and there), it's a game I will likely play again. The final section is a blemish, but it's not a deal-breaker and I'd love to own a DRM-free copy.