Microsoft train simulator

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Does anyone know if the Microsoft train simulator software is compatible with windows xp? Is anyone running it on XP and if so, are there problems? I’m thinking of buying this software and wanted to be sure it worked on XP. Thanks for any help. God Bless! Rev HR

2

works fine on both my computers that have XP

3

I would try to make sure that it also would run on Win7 64 bit. Why? Because your XP machine won’t last forever. I thought mine would, and just had to replace it. Some of my older programs won’t run on Win7. So try to get something that will run on both anytime you you are buying a new program.

4

Visit:

http://msts.steam4me.net/#

The tutorials are great

All you ever wanted to know about MSTS

Harold

5

Microsoft’s web site has free “XP Compatibility Mode” software that can be loaded onto a Windows 7 machine so it will run the older software.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/

6

It woks fine on XP and Windows 7 32 bit version.

7

I’m sure I was using XP by the time I got a copy of MSTS, and it works fine.

The compatibility mode in Windows 7 probably won’t run it satisfactorally, what it really is is a virtual machine running Windows XP and as such it doesn’t have full access to teh graphics card, so while it may run, you probably can’t use the highest details that your computer is probably otherwise capable of (if it has an actual graphics card and not just the built in stuff).

–Randy

8

Unless you visit the Steam4Me site and install Microsoft TrainSimulator per their tutorials it will not run well.

Harold

9

“Train Simulator 2012” is much better and, unlike MSTS, it’s currently supported.

10

A lot of “eye candy” but not much else in “Train Simulator 2012”. Worst computer game ever, only buy it when they have a 75% off sale at Christmas. Doesn’t do many things well. Basically a UK train A to B look at the scenery game.

Trainz12 is better for overall “train simming”. The assets are dated on earlier routes but the “game engine” is much better and is overall more “FUN”. The included routes aren’t the best but there are a whole lot of “freebies” available. The newer routes have better assets and some are really spectacular.

MSTS though old is really a very good game.

Looking forward to these guys:

http://www.run8studios.com/

and these guys are making a sim to run MSTS assets:

http://www.openrails.org/

Fortunately they are all cheap enough to own them all.

Harold

11

Win 7 Home Premium (the least expensive version of win 7) is 64 bit only.

Also, the XP compatibility mode will not work with Win 7 Home Premium. (And that is according to the FAQ at the link you referenced.)

12

All versions of Windows 7 (except Starter) are 32 or 64 bit.

Modern PC, makes no sense to install the 32 bit version, unless you only have 2GB RAM. I have yet to find something that won’t run. Older games, specialized microcontroller programming tools, even DOS apps like the DigiIPL software to upgrade the firmware on Digitrax throttles. It all works. ANd I NEVER get viruses or malware.

Now I’m itchign to dig out my Train Simulator disks and fire it up again. There are a few Reading locos and cars available, shame no Reading routes, but the Lehigh Valley one I see is still around, and the PRR now. We have a system running in th historical society museum for kids to get a handle on runnign a real train, but it just usually runs the default Stevens Pass route. I should load up some of the Reading models for them so it can be more Reading-centric.

–Randy

13

Trainz has the Reading and Northern:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_6LsJQjIrk&list=UUmcO5jg8DJ5cb7Zv2g7qSQw&index=5&feature=plcp

Harold

14

That’s pretty impressive, the station/HQ is absolutely perfect. I’ve ridden in the cab over that line in real life. Now the only problem is, I own MSTS, I don;t own Trainz, yet.

–Randy

15

Virtual railroading is really cheap even if you have to upgrade your computer.

Virtual railroading will probably be the “model” railroading of the future.

If it had been around when I was a kid that is where I would be.

Excuse me while I go and put my “brick-bat” helmet on after that thought.

Harold

16

I think that may just well be.

I like MSTS myself, after having fiddled with it for the last little while…there are a lot of modules for it…

I think I got my Hazmat suit for glow worms around here somewhere…

17

With the price of “solid” trains beyond ridiculous and the next generation computer oriented they will drift towards “virtual”.

Can’t have that loco in “solid”, that is why I like virtual. Still like to tinker but at my age don’t see the sense of another railroad to be hauled out of the basement at my demise.

Harold