What simulator(if any) do you guys run?
never heard of any of them
I play both Microstoft train sim and TRANZ there both great once you get new loco’s to go with.
While not a true sim, I like playing with Rail Tycoon II. It has a sandbox mode which allows playing without an objective. The game itself offers many scenerios and time periods to choose from. It gives a full RR operating picture in that you must juggle freight, operations, budget and competition. It’s a monoply game for RR folks!
I have Microsoft train simulator, don’t like it very much. And I don’t care how dumb this sounds,but I would much rather play San Andreas, with it’s pseudo-realistic F40PH and SD40-2. When playing a game I have more fun with unrealistic physics than I would with realisic ones. Besides, from what I’ve heard MSTS is nothing like driving a real train anyways…
MS train simulator is good, but not perfect. they butchered the gp38-2,(im pretty shure the engineer sits on the right side of the cab, not the middle.) which deserves more recognition. the SD whatever it is is PERFECT. the fans spin, the intiorior is great, and it just looks right. it gets old after a while, tho.
GEARHEAD426
[8]
Railroad tycoon for me
i used to run Trainz , and have played RRtycoon 1 and 2 . had the demo for 3 and it just didn’t seem that good . i’ve been thinking of getting Trainz 2006 , but i know it will just drain endless hours , and i’d like to get some model railroading done this year
I enjoyed the rail tycoon 3 wartime scenario very much. Rail tycoon II is a classic but fails on the national level due to massive traffic jams. MSTS is ok but lacking. Trains2004 was good and so is trainz railroad simulator 2006. In fact there was a NYC Steam add on to the MSTS that I owned for a while with steam versus desiel on one scenario that was a hoot.
The only issue I have with the sims is that if you are driving a steam engine the behavior is tied to speed instead of what you are actually doing with the throttle or what the locomotive is faced with on the load. For example, if you are charging upgrade at 40 mph and then kill the throttle and throw the reverser in neutral and open the cylinder cocks it should become dead silent or close to it. But the computer happily chuffs away working steam.
I think the train sims are good, but not quite arrived yet. There needs to be a large variety of steam and desiel and way less problems with the servers that offer download content.
That is the number one issue. Downloadable content, the servers are never “Free” to provide the file you seek.
Not enough time for modeling, let alone playing choo choos in cyberspace!!
Railroad tycoon 2 platinum GREAT!
Railroad tycoon 3, About 29 inches of mercury (as in near vacuum)
RT3 has gorgeous graphics and horrid game play clunky.
Doug, in Utah
I’ve did MSTS for a while, and even uploaded a 16ton traction motor that you can find at Elvastower. In my experience, MSTS is
a. Very crash prone, especially with freeware objects
b. Almost useless for switching because of the front coupler problem
c. Not as satisfying as 3D modeling, just my opinion
d. Not able to give you the same level of detail as 3D models
3rd party developers like Rich Garber and Tim Muir have done wonders with what seems to me like an unfinished beta. It can be fun, but don’t sell your N, HO or O scale stuff.
I do plenty of stuff in MSTS (I’m a member of a virtual railroad), and I’ve been starting to try working on my own activities for it lately. I also do lots in Train Dispatcher (there’s a great free territory of the LIRR during rush hour, which can drive someone insane; I have a lot more respect for dispatchers after running some of these things); it all depends on what I’m looking to do (MSTS if I feel like running a train, TD if I feel like managing a railroad).
A lot of the freeware stuff available for MSTS makes it worth running, IMO. If I was stuck with just the default routes and equipment, I would have given up on it long ago. Instead, I’m running prototypical consists up and down a much-improved version of the NEC.
I Play Both MSTS and TRAINZ. TRAINZ is better but msts is great also.
Mustanggt. I have san andreas but the only thing i dont like u cant throw switches can you? i wanted too get down too the container crane but i couldnt throw the switch. usually what i do in san andreas is chase the trains and take pictures considering ive already beat it theres nothing too do anymore lol.
I have had both MSTS and Trainz2006 and they arent even close to the real thing as running with the real stuff from NS.
If you had to go and pick one, I would say go to your LHS and use the money to your advantage for the Items that you need for your layout!!! Kevin
If you have add ons, MSTS is great. Heres a few shots.
Alec
MSTS, trainplayer, and the lionel traintown is kinda fun. I wanna try the Auran Trainz sometime.
wctransfer, I agree, you have to have add ons for MSTS, I just added CP2816 and consist and she is sweet!