Hi,
I am new to this forum. I purchase (often) the Model Railroader Magazine just to see how the hobby is developing. Personally, I don’t have a layout but I do remember growing up with one and spending hours on it with my brother and a few friends. The interest has stayed with me over the years but could never quite another one going. Which leads me to a question that may already have been discussed…railroad simulators! I currently spend a lot of time on one now called Trainz and I was wondering how others feel about them or it, regardless of whether you have the real thing or not.
I know Model Railroader has done articles on them (MSTS and Auran’s Trainz) and it was quite positive. Anyway, I am just curious as to what other have to say. I must say though, that watching my Big Boy do its thing on my created layout(s) is certainly cheaper than the real thing!! [:)][:)]
roymac
Ahh, welcome to the forum. Sorry to jump right away, but , stick with MSTS, much more realistic. Anyway, i like the simulators.
Alec
MSTS is somewhat fixed in time, in that the last iteration came out in about 2001…if I have that right. However, the third-party downloads designed to support it are apparently superb, and have given that old architecture great middle-aged legs.
On the other hand, the impending new version of Trainz is expected to be extremely good by those in the know.
One of the forums in this group is actually dedicated to train simulators. Not a lot of traffic on it, but you might find something of interest. It’s under “Trains.com forums / Train Simulation Software”, or use this link:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=292
Regards
Ed
Welcome to the forum! I would stick with MSTS. I love it and you can put A LOT of add-ons to the game!
Here is a link to many add-ons…
http://www.railserve.com/Computers/MSTS/
welcome
im drooling over Trainz 2006!
but $70 bucks for the DVD version-come on!
the $50 verison is more reasonable
what i dont understand is about changes to the download station. Apparently the DVD version includes a 6 month first-class ticket for the download station, which makes me think you now have to pay. I have the 2004 versoin of trainz, and i dont think you have to pay for its download station (though i may be wrong, judging that something got messed up with my registration
Thank you all for the welcome(s).
I have MSTS and while I can appreciate its value as a ‘game’, it lacks the ability to creat layouts - done thru Surveyor in Trainz. It is the one big element that separates the two. Also, the literally thousands of pieces of content available thru the DLS (free) is the other item of importance to all those who like creating layouts. However, one must also be aware of the reasons they purchase the software because some like to drive trains while others like the creative elements of building a layout. They are each targeted at different groups of train lovers.
To railroadyoshi: TRS2006 is now available and for me, I will not (at least at this point) be purchasing it. There is just not enough of a difference - in my opion - between TRS2004 and '06 to warrant the $59.00 let alone the $70.00 odd big bucks although, you do get a pretty big and comprehensive manual for your money. Auran’s next verion of the sim is scheduled to have a new game engine which will improve the graphics as well as the games performance on our PC’s. That is needed much more in my opinion, than what they have put into TRS2006 currently. And you do not have to pay for the use of the DLS if you have a registered version of Trainz. If you elect to purchase a ‘first class ticket’ (I have) it just allows you faster downloads.
How does one go about inserting ‘images’?
roymac