Talk about being behinde, I just heard of the Microsoft Train Simulator today? I think I have seen videos on U Tube and they where pretty neat to watch.
I from what I have read so far about the Train Sim is it came out around 2000. It list Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, and XP (not warranty). This is a copy and paste from a E-bay listing.
I am running XP Pro, will it work with my system?
Thanks Cuda Ken
Yes it will. I ran MSTS(Train Sim) on my old computer and that has XP Pro. If your getting into simming check out: www.train-sim.com www.mapleleaftracks.com www.streamlines.ca and www.dieselswest.com . Train-Sim has a file library with alot of freeware addons while the others offer mostly payware but there is some freeware. Maple Leaf Tracks makes good routes that are reasonably priced. So does Streamlines. Diesels west Makes the best diesels ever.
LOL I guess, it’s been out so long they have been in the cheap game section at Walmart, $15 I think it was last time I seen it there. I got mine opening day from Walthers for $80 or so. So don’t feel slow, you are getting a bargain by waiting LOL.
In my opinion the stock routes SUCK !!! So if you get it spend a few extra bucks and get an after market route like Cajon Pass or Tehachapi from 3-D Trainstuff (or something from other respectable companys). They usually come with lots of rolling stock too. Much better then the stock locos / cars. Also you can download quite a bit of stuff for free on the site(s) mentioned above.
It can be found for $9.99 at Walmart and online. The stock stuff that comes with it is now considered very poor. With all the upgrades, tools, and equipment available, most for free, MSTS is nothing like what it was when it first came out. It is like comparing a DC-3 to a 707 (don’t want to get too carried away here).
Yes, works fine with XP Pro, that’s what I run.
–Randy
Thanks for the answer folks. As soon as I pay for this week winning off E-bay I will picking it up.
Do the Up grade versions have Santa Fee War Bonnet E-6’s and Monon line BL-2’s?
Thanks Again Cuda Ken
You cna find all sorts of add-ons to download. More cars, more locos, different routes. It can be quite fun. And addicting.
–Randy
the reason MS Train Sim can be found for so cheap is that it was discontinued by Microsoft a year or so ago . for an alterneative you should check out Trainz
The free downloads only work if you also purchase the associated routes. At least, @ Train-Sim, their one free steam rescue required the Cajon Pass at cost.
Or have I missed something…?
There’s plenty of free stuff to download as well as add-ons for sale. I have the complete Lehigh Valley system in PA as well as all of Jersey City on the CNJ. It’s wild!
–Randy
You can run whatever you want on whatever route you want. With Train Store (free on Train-Sim) you can even run stuff in explore mode with traffic. You can set up your own consists (easier than with the route editor) with Conbuilder (free) and run them too. Anything you download can be run on anything you own. Only the activities are stuck with a specific route.
MSTS has evolved so much thanks to the free stuff you would hardly recognize it compared to the base model. TRAINZ just keeps selling you the upgrades in new packaging. MSTS is like buying a base model that you can then trick out how YOU want it to be. You can spend nothing more than the $10 investment and get the rest free, or you can buy similar quality stuff from other places. I’m not getting into the MSTS/TRAINZ debate. It is like arguing religion or politics. Devolves to namecalling and nobody ever switches sides.
Jersey city is great. I have gotten lost more there then anyplace else. I am amazed that anyone could find their way around without maps and a GPS!
Being somewhat familiar with the road and the area, I can manage. Although I do get on the wrong track all the time and have to back up.
I haven’t tried making my own routes, I think I’d have the equivalent of my model railroad, all track and no scenery. But I’d like to build a good chunk of the Reading system someday. Unless someone has done it. Maybe get some actual pictures - the Lehigh Valley is great so far as the actual track layout, but I was kinda disappointed when I crossed over into South Bethlehem and there was no recognizable Lehigh University. I suppose I could go take pictures and add them in…
–Randy
Okay, thanks for your reply. It seems I must do some hard reading that I have put off. And spend more time at those sites.
So much to do, so little time…
Not that this would be a gripe for many of you, but I’ve run the real thing, and found Train-Sim’s replication of in-train forces less then authentic. The slack action always seemed so much more severe in the game. Also, I couldn’t get a good feel for the braking force. Could be that I didn’t have the seat of your pants gauge, telling me what the train was doing.
I’ve only used the basic version, so the add on packs may have addressed this.
Nick
I agree the Physics could be alot better, but for its price and the amount of work MS put into it(Yeah Right) its pretty good. The Stock routes are crap. As I said in my first reply its alot of fun, We have even figured out a way to do MSTS Multiplayer sessions. You can’t see the other train, but we have(usually) a dispatcher, a few engineers, sometimes a track formen. We use a Program called Team Speak. If anyone wants any more information please Feel free to email or Private message me.
Cuda Ken,
Check out this site for the Full Bucket Lines. Its a fun route with free downloads. There are also links to other good MS Train Sim sites with free routes and add ons.
http://www.fullbucket.com/msts/downloads.html
Have fun, Bruce
Careful!..
What video card are you running on your computer. Id you dont have one that supports directx then your out of luck. Just because your computer runs XP Pro doesnt mean it will run this game, it requires a video card.
David
Dave it is a old one but a good one. GE Forced 4 MX 440 D850EMX2 mother board 512 SD ram Pentium 2.4 Processer so the home computer I bug you kind folks with should not be a problem. Lap top on the onther hand no idea. It is only a Pentium II or III at 600 and 200 SDR ram. It will play a DVD with out a problem.
Cuda Ken