Complete Newbie Questions!

[NJCurmudgeon]

Greetings!

I'll start off by admitting that I am a complete and utter novice to Trainz. I picked up a copy of Trainz Driver 2006 North American Edition and have been messing around with it since I like trains and thought it would be fun. Unfortunately, the instructions are lacking and I'm dealing with a degree of trial and error. At this point, I'm just trying to learn how to drive the Amtrak train and have been able to get it to move and even stop reasonably near the platform, though in real life I'd have a bunch of angry passengers.

Can someone please explain the basics of the controls? I get the throttle, but the multiple brakes are confusing. How would I use them, for example, to slow down and ease into the station so I align with the platform?

Again, I know these are basic questions, but I am interested in learning, so go easy on me!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Euphod]

Have you completed the Diesel and Electric Cab tutorial yet?

 

[Inn]

First off, use DCC mode.. You can use your keyboard then!

Ahh I remember my first time... (It was in 2006) lol

 

[pware]

When you get into using cab controls for a steam locomotive (something I have yet to master) then you realise how easy driving a diesel (with all those brake controls) really is.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Have you completed the Diesel and Electric Cab tutorial yet?

I appear to have a very minimalist version of the software. In doing some online searching, I see versions of 2006 that have the tutorials I believe you refer to, but mine doesn't. The closest it comes to a tutorial is a "tourist" trip on an Amtrak passenger train where you don't have to operate anything. The next in the series is the same train going back the other way. It automatically takes you to the first stop and then you have to take over from there.

What I'm looking for is a basic explanation of what the different brakes are for and when I should be using them. I figured out the hotkeys, but I'm not sure when I should be applying what brakes.

Type slowly, I'm a beginner!

Thanks!!

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

First off, use DCC mode.. You can use your keyboard then!

Ahh I remember my first time... (It was in 2006) lol

I'm not sure. At present, I can control using hotkeys (W throttle up, X throttle down, etc.). Is that the DCC? Thanks!

 

[tomurban]

I'm not sure. At present, I can control using hotkeys (W throttle up, X throttle down, etc.). Is that the DCC? Thanks!

I no longer have 2006 installed on my computer so I can't check for you, but 06 came with tutorials for steam, diesel and electric locomotives plus a detailed manual on the disk. DCC is one one of the options "driver mode". It is analogous to running a model railroad from a power pack.

tomurban

 

[bwfeldsee]

Hi

Like you I've been learning the hard way but, with practice (quite a lot of it!) the driving gets easier. Using the keys you mention you are probably in cab mode in which case all your important keys are on the left of your keyboard.
You've obviously sorted out W (for throttle up) X (for throttle down) and S (for throttle off). You must have also found F (Forward) and R (Reverse).That's the easy bit.
The brakes are trickier. A is for Apply and Q is for Release (or Quit maybe). Z is the lap position which can probably be best described as Hold. so if you want a gentle stop, instead of just pressing A, try pressing A immediately followed by Z. If you are still braking too quicky, press Q and again follow it with Z.
The clever use of the Z key is the key (ha-ha) to a nice controlled stop.
One final warning, if you use Q and then try to apply brakes (A) without first going through Z, you may find that the brakes don't work. So make a habit of always going through Z whenever you use A and Q.

Good luck and, if you do find yourself wrecking your train, take comfort from the fact that it's not damaged like your model railway. A quick reload and its as good as new.

Alan

 

[HiBaller]

You might also go to your profile and enter the licensing key for your version of Trainz. You aren't showing any version by your name on your posts.

Bill

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

I no longer have 2006 installed on my computer so I can't check for you, but 06 came with tutorials for steam, diesel and electric locomotives plus a detailed manual on the disk. DCC is one one of the options "driver mode". It is analogous to running a model railroad from a power pack.

tomurban

From what I gather, there is a full-blown Trainz2006 with the driver mode and a surveyor mode for building layouts. What I have is only the Driver Edition - so it seems to be missing a bunch of stuff, including any tutorials. The Surveyor part sounds fun, but I want to learn the basics before investing in that. Like I said, I bought it on a whim at an office supply store while waiting for my copies, so there wasn't a lot of research before I bought it!

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

You might also go to your profile and enter the licensing key for your version of Trainz. You aren't showing any version by your name on your posts.

Bill

Where would I find that? I don't see it on the packaging. Can I find it in the software itself?

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Hi

Like you I've been learning the hard way but, with practice (quite a lot of it!) the driving gets easier. Using the keys you mention you are probably in cab mode in which case all your important keys are on the left of your keyboard.
You've obviously sorted out W (for throttle up) X (for throttle down) and S (for throttle off). You must have also found F (Forward) and R (Reverse).That's the easy bit.
The brakes are trickier. A is for Apply and Q is for Release (or Quit maybe). Z is the lap position which can probably be best described as Hold. so if you want a gentle stop, instead of just pressing A, try pressing A immediately followed by Z. If you are still braking too quicky, press Q and again follow it with Z.
The clever use of the Z key is the key (ha-ha) to a nice controlled stop.
One final warning, if you use Q and then try to apply brakes (A) without first going through Z, you may find that the brakes don't work. So make a habit of always going through Z whenever you use A and Q.

Good luck and, if you do find yourself wrecking your train, take comfort from the fact that it's not damaged like your model railway. A quick reload and its as good as new.

Alan

That's the kind of thing I was looking for!

Is there a trick to knowing when to start braking? Is there a sign or something? Or is it just by feel and practice?

Thank you!!

 

[HiBaller]

It is the same set of numbers you used to install the simulation. Usually found on the back of the manual. It consists of six groups of four characters each. Go to the top of this page, click the Profile Link and check down the left side for the Trainz heading, then click the Serial number link. Enter those characters into the fields provided.

Bill

 

[picture]

Where would I find that? I don't see it on the packaging. Can I find it in the software itself?

Welcome to the world of Trainz. You should find the serial number on the back of your manual that came with the game.

Have a nice day,
Matt

EDIT: Looks like Bill beat me to it.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

It is the same set of numbers you used to install the simulation. Usually found on the back of the manual. It consists of six groups of four characters each. Go to the top of this page, click the Profile Link and check down the left side for the Trainz heading, then click the Serial number link. Enter those characters into the fields provided.

Bill

There wasn't any manual. If there was, I wouldn't have to be asking these stupid-basic questions! I bought it at Office Depot on the discount rack.I don't recall it asking for a serial number when I installed it.

 

[bwfeldsee]

Hello Again

When to start braking is partly a matter of experience and partly keeping your eye on the speed of the train. Once you get the "feel" of your train, you'll know how long it takes to stop. Remember also that every train is different, just as in the real world - weight of train, gradient etc all play a part, as does the the size of the loco. Try stopping 100 cars going down hill with a small switcher and you'll see what I mean!!!
One thing I forgot to mention, be prepared for a slight delay when you press A or Q. It takes a while for the air to flow along the train, especially if it is a long one. Practice. Practice. Ptactice.

Good luck.
Alan

 

[HiBaller]

I don't think anyone will be able to help you then. Sorry. The manual is the usual place where the serial number is placed. Was your product shrink-wrapped or was it just in an unseal box? There is a good possiblity that your game is already registered. This means you cannot register it, and you won't have access to the Download Station for any new content.

Bill

 

[colourlight]

There are 2 methods of train control. "Cab" and "DCC". DCC is exactly the same as a model train set controller which I find is unadventurous and unrealistic. Trainz is, after all a train simulation, and not a Hornby layout! Cab contol can be done in one of 2 ways. Firstly by using your mouse to operate the actual controls in the driving cab. I dislike this method manly because it is fiddly and can mean you have to lower your camera from the windscreen to the control desk!. The 2nd method, as mentioned above involves operating the controls via the keyboard, My much preferred method. You will have read above which key does what. The first thing you need to know is that the locomotives and multiple units are a computer simulation of real life trains and that each type will have different handling characteristics. In addition the stopping distance of a light locomotive will be a lot less than the same locomotive hauling a heavy freight train. The Locomotive brakes are applied by pressing "E" key and released by pressing the same key a 2nd time. The train brakes are applied by pressing "A" key followed by the "Z" key which applies the brakes to the "lap" position. This may or may not cause the train to slow down depending on which type of loco you are driving. To fully apply the train brakes hit the "A" key again to slow or stop the train. Think I,ve maxed this post out, lol

 

[colourlight]

There are 2 methods of train control. "Cab" and "DCC". DCC is exactly the same as a model train set controller which I find is unadventurous and unrealistic. Trainz is, after all a train simulation, and not a Hornby layout! Cab contol can be done in one of 2 ways. Firstly by using your mouse to operate the actual controls in the driving cab. I dislike this method manly because it is fiddly and can mean you have to lower your camera from the windscreen to the control desk!. The 2nd method, as mentioned above involves operating the controls via the keyboard, My much preferred method. You will have read above which key does what. The first thing you need to know is that the locomotives and multiple units are a computer simulation of real life trains and that each type will have different handling characteristics. In addition the stopping distance of a light locomotive will be a lot less than the same locomotive hauling a heavy freight train. The Locomotive brakes are applied by pressing "E" key and released by pressing the same key a 2nd time. The train brakes are applied by pressing "A" key followed by the "Z" key which applies the brakes to the "lap" position. This may or may not cause the train to slow down depending on which type of loco you are driving. To fully apply the train brakes hit the "A" key again to slow or stop the train. Think I,ve maxed this post out, lol

 

[buzzy51]

Trainz Sim 12 Digital Download

I need some help! I have previous versions of Trainz..but this is the first time I've downloaded from the website. I downloaded all the files for Trainz Sim 12 like it stated, then it said to run the installer. I did...but it asked me to insert disk 1. The files are "bin" files. I tried burning them to a disk....but to no avail. Could someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? do I have to convert the files in some way? I'm at a total loss..because I'm not good with these issues. :'( Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!