Note in some places you use the enter key to activate a menu selection but in other cases you use the x key to select.
Also note if you try the Tokyo line (the game has three lines (CTA Kyoto and Tokyo) use the x key to apply the brakes and the power key (up down arrows) to release the brakes.
Be forewarned the Kyoto line is exceptionally hard to master. It’s a really tight schedule. Watch your speeds or the ATS will nick you!
I tried playing the Keihan Line when it was first released, but I remember finding it extremely difficult to pass, and feeling like you had to become very familiar with the line.
Next is a video of how to play it that someone uploaded. I skipped over parts 1, such as the underground line sections.
My experience with the Keihan line is to not get too worried about being a little behind (seconds not minutes) as the schedule has cushion at the end. So I learned steady Eddie worked for me.
I also learned that while the ATS is strict (5km/h over gets you a full penalty stop) it only takes place if you’re over the ATS inductor at the start of each speed restriction. So I run a bit fast (about 5-10 over) once past the inductors.
I’m sure in real life I wouldn’t pass as a train operator in Japan!
Note the Tokyo line is easier. 1). The schedule is more forgiving. 2). The ATS only kicks in at 10 over. 3). The ATS penalty only knocks you down to the speed limit then it releases. 4). Much less curves and grades.
No one replied from Firecrown about making a gaming category so I’ll keep this here for now. Thank you BN7150 for your thoughts. Does anyone else play any train sims?
So far I’ve only used the Ongakukan Railfan CTA Brown Line mentioned above and Trainz which I no longer use. Trainz is the only sim expressly made for a Mac which I used for many years in the 2010s.
Overall it was okay but I didn’t upgrade as the routes available and the graphics back then were too basic (are they better now?), although I thought the train handling was very realistic. You literally could indeed piss away the air if you cycle the brakes too much and then oh oh! on the downhills, especially with a heavy freight. The dynamic brakes also seemed realistic to me, although I’ve never driven a live train, but have ridden in cabs. Early days I worked at Andersen as an auditor for the CNW. So it was legal. Although back then I think anyone was legal.
I installed Parallels on my desktop Mac to run Tax Act when I was moonlighting doing tax returns but when I retired and then recently tried to turn on my desktop Mac I found it was bricked. Not sure if Parallels was to blame but it was always kind of wonky. So I’ve given up trying to run Windows sims on my Mac.
Looking to hear of any experiences with train sims, good or bad. Or experiences running Windows games on a Mac. Maybe I’ll try Parallels again.
