A bit of a rough ride with trainz

[gremlin1812]

G’Day All,
I got my first Trainz in early February this year (Trainz Collection) and I thought my young bloke and I were going to have some fun. How wrong I was as inside of 4 weeks after getting it we became aware of the cutting of support and most importantly in game DLS access in September and the eventual pruning of the DLS.
I decided to take an appropriate action and therefore started to download all items on the DLS (SP3, UTC, TRS04 & TRS06) well I am just about finished and have come to the conclusion that it is NOT content size on the DLS that is a problem for Auran as I would estimate that the final size for this content will be no more than 120 to 150 gig, for a server this a mere drop in the ocean. I don’t think it has anything to do with band width (DLS usage) as after September you would need a DLS ticket or a newer version of Trainz to get content.
I think it has more to do with a lot of people being reluctant to move on as they don’t see enough improvement in the right areas of trains to warrant the ?forward? move.
What do they really want? Auran knows as I have seen so many threads on this, Doppler sound effect, animated points, improved physics and the list goes on. I personally would be glad to never have speedy trees (which can only really be appreciated (if they are good ones) when you are stationary or traveling very slowly) and get all of those other things which would make the railroading experience more realistic.
I have started loading routes etc into UTC and the young bloke and I have been having a bit of a play at last, what fun and I must say that the route builders of the time did some fantastic work with, in a lot of cases using only built in and DLS content. Really shows how little the game has advanced in real terms (railroading realism not eye candy bull manure).
So now my work and enjoyment of Trainz can now begin, I plan to keep each version pure as in SP3/UTC content in UTC, TRS04 content in TRS04 etc.
My copy of TRS2010 can sit on the shelf and look pretty, 09 works fairly well on my PC and the others work great and as I have been out of work for 12 months now I don’t see me getting a new all singing all dancing PC in the near future, then again who needs it as I can now start to have some fun and learn how to control the Trainz beast.
Regards
Barrie

[FONT=&quot]PS I note that all pre SP3 content has been removed from the DLS already, some of these items are required by SP3 and UTC content to work and this could even affect some items for TRS04. But then again Auran N3V couldn’t care less as it would seem this is how there agenda works.[/FONT]

 

[amigacooke]

[FONT=&quot]PS I note that all pre SP3 content has been removed from the DLS already, [/FONT]

This is just not the case as can easily be verified by searching on the DLS. I found a few good old favourites including content from Vulcan Foundry.

 

[bchester]

Currently on the DLS (June 5/2010 07:20am PDT):
Pre SP3 - 786 Items
Trainz - 6609 Items
UTC - 3285 Items
2004 - 9952 Items
2006 - 2142 Items
TC1/2 - 9 Items (?)
TC3 - 78 Items
2009 - 2486 Items
2009 sp4/2010 - 205 Items

Any missing dependencies are/where likely hosted on 3rd party sites or were built-in items. Admittedly, I never looked previously at the numbers of items available on the DLS. I rarely if ever use it. I generally create all my own content unless I have previously been made aware of something that will fit what I am doing. Most CPRail equipment and structures are very unique and finding things are impossible so - make it myself.

We, as a community, should be greatful that any of it is there at all. Auran does not have to provide the facility. After all, very few actually purchase the game directly from Auran, and what little they get from external sales would barely pay salaries let alone pay for the bandwidth and servers.

What most people seem to miss is the fact that Auran is moving forward and getting tired of all the complaints about "broken" content which for some reason is mostly directed at them and not the creator of the item. The item in question was created for a specific version and likely for a specific purspose for the person who created it. That person did not have to contribute it so you can download it. It is provided free - as is - by the contributor not Auran who is simply hosting it. Auran seems to be taking a pro-active reaction to the constant complaining about the content but removing the items that are not being corrected by the original content creator. What else can they do! They are not the creator and have no right to modify it!

Now, some of the "missing" content is not really missing but has been upgraded/modified to a new version. Older assets which depend on an item that has been updated will not be aware of the update and will search for the old item which has been superceded and not find it and as a result will likely not work or display in trainz. In this case, it is up to the end user to calmly sit back and search the DLS for an update - first by kuid, then by creator/author, then by title, then by keyword and select all versions of Trainz not just the one you are using. If it is not found on the DLS use Google or some other search engine to search the web - it is likely hosted somewhere. Also, do some research, and check the CCG - content creators guide (applicable for 2004 and 2006) - as they have a listing of built-in items. If that fails, search the forum thoroughly - don't just jump on the forum and ask for the same kuid that has been asked for a million times - then if you still can not find it ask in these forums and hopefully someone will find it.

Finally don't get mad because something you downloaded doesn't work. Most errors are simple to fix and the fixes have been listed here on the forums repeatedly. Missing dependencies can often be substituted once you sit down and figure out what really is missing. Yes, it can be hit and miss, but Trainz is like kitbashing in plastic model building - the part or entire item may not be available so piece it together with what is available - use all the resources - not just the DLS.

I think Auran is moving in the only direction they can - cut them some slack and move on. Take a pro-active stand instead of negative one. If you can't find a solution, don't cry about it - do something about it. The resources are there - they may not be easy at first, but they are there.

my 2 cents

Bricey

 

[gremlin1812]

G'Day Bricey, Did you try to get those pre sp3 items?

This is what you get.......

50ft Boxcar Route Rock 300888 [Detailed]
Pre Service Pack 3 Content
Created by: majekear
File Size: N/A
File Code: 767
Date: 5th Jul 2002
Downloaded: 1087 Not Available

Rail Ale [Detailed]
Pre Service Pack 3 Content
Created by:
File Size: N/A
File Code: 3
Date: 4th Dec 2001
Downloaded: 1743 Not Available

Every last one of the 786 items are the same, all not available?
I have located some of the items I needed on third party sites but it is not the point.
Anyway I will make do with what I can get going and enjoy them.
Barrie

 

[Smileyman]

It looks like people were too quick to assume Gremlin's post was another "It's all gone from the DLS" post, when in fact, it does look like all download links for Pre-SP3 content are gone.

It could have happened recently or quite a while ago for all I know, I'm not bothered because it's going to happen sooner or later.
My point is that people shouldn't be so quick to say he's wrong, when it looks like he's right, and is only pointing out what others obviously haven't noticed yet. :hehe:

I haven't checked the FTP, and although the FTP links are gone, the actual files might still be there (can't be bothered to check )

Smiley.

 

[NikkiA]

G'Day Bricey, Did you try to get those pre sp3 items?

This is what you get.......

50ft Boxcar Route Rock 300888 [Detailed]
Pre Service Pack 3 Content
Created by: majekear
File Size: N/A
File Code: 767
Date: 5th Jul 2002
Downloaded: 1087 Not Available

Rail Ale [Detailed]
Pre Service Pack 3 Content
Created by:
File Size: N/A
File Code: 3
Date: 4th Dec 2001
Downloaded: 1743 Not Available

Every last one of the 786 items are the same, all not available?
I have located some of the items I needed on third party sites but it is not the point.
Anyway I will make do with what I can get going and enjoy them.
Barrie

Downloaded it just fine here.... but...

I downloaded the latest version, which is for Trainz SP3, the pre-SP3 version is marked as obsolete by this 'newer' version (dated 2002 upload, so don't blame auran).

It would appear that you're just being ignorant about how the DLS works, and moaning about Auran deleting content when it's just content that has been improved upon and updated by it's creator, and is no longer for pre-SP3.

 

[Smileyman]

Downloaded it just fine here.... but...

I downloaded the latest version, which is for Trainz SP3, the pre-SP3 version is marked as obsolete by this 'newer' version (dated 2002 upload, so don't blame auran).

It would appear that you're just being ignorant about how the DLS works, and moaning about Auran deleting content when it's just content that has been improved upon and updated by it's creator, and is no longer for pre-SP3.

I have to disagree with you on this.

Gremlin was talking about all 786 Pre-SP3 assets not being available, but your example only suggests that the content you tried had an updated version available.

Try something else that doesn't have an updated version, like the GWR Pannier 54xx, and make sure to ONLY tick the Pre-SP3 box so you don't get anything else.
No updated version available, but as far as I can see, there's no way to download it.
This seems to be the way with all Pre-SP3 content, regardless of whether they have an updated version or not.
They're just not there.

Again, I haven't tested the FTP, and I'm actually looking forward to a DLS cull.
It might encourage people to update their content more often.

Smiley.

 

[amigacooke]

This is just not the case as can easily be verified by searching on the DLS. I found a few good old favourites including content from Vulcan Foundry.

My apologies. As has been pointed out in this and another thread, while the items are listed on the DLS, they are not available.

 

[bchester]

G'Day Bricey, Did you try to get those pre sp3 items?

This is what you get.......

50ft Boxcar Route Rock 300888 [Detailed]
Pre Service Pack 3 Content
Created by: majekear
File Size: N/A
File Code: 767
Date: 5th Jul 2002
Downloaded: 1087 Not Available

Rail Ale [Detailed]
Pre Service Pack 3 Content
Created by:
File Size: N/A
File Code: 3
Date: 4th Dec 2001
Downloaded: 1743 Not Available

Every last one of the 786 items are the same, all not available?
I have located some of the items I needed on third party sites but it is not the point.
Anyway I will make do with what I can get going and enjoy them.
Barrie

I do appologize, I simply listed the number available. As I almost never download anything older than 2004, I really did not look. Never actually thought that it would say "Unavailable" to begin with. What's up with that. It isn't september yet? or does that come earlier in Australia?

Bricey

 

[gremlin1812]

G'Day All, no problem guys I was just pointing out the unavailability of these things, no worries I will find a work around for it.
As you can see although I have only had Trainz since February this year I have UTC through to TRS2010. As for TRS2010 it wont run acceptably on my PC but TRS2009 will but that is not Aurans fault and as I have been unemployed for a year now a PC to run it is out of the question.
I like all of the versions each for its own specific character.
The thing that has me stumped is that there are so many things that have been asked for over the years (doppler, moveable blades on switches, better physics ETC...the list goes on) these seem to have been ignored and speedy trees thrown at us instead. Now I like the better speedy trees but they are only really effective in areas where you are going to be stationary or moving slowly, but when you are heading down a main line at 40, 50 or more mile per hour you cannot apreciate them and after all this a train simulator not a botanical gardens simulator. Yes nice foliage is good and has its place but the railroad realism aspects of the simulator should be the first priority.
Just my thoughts.
Barrie