For all the complaining we have, here I can say that...

[JCitron]

I had one of the best times of my Trainzing life last night. I set up a driving session on my own route that involved switching cars in a small yard, picking up sand at a quarry, and then getting back to the yard in time to meet the freight scheduled to come by just after lunch. I did this all the while dodging the commuter trains, needing to keep the main line clear, and shuffling cars around because the hoppers needed for the quarry were in the middle of a consist, and I didn't need the rest of these cars for this run.

There were a few stutters, which are expected with the buildings all over - it is a good-sized town, and the rolling stock in the yard. Other than that, there were no errors, other than a schedule issue that I suppose could be a self-inflicted error.

It was a great time, and this is what Trainz is all about.

John

 

[sparky15]

After being disappointed with 09, fighting with 12 and not being able to adjust the Mac version's settings to get acceptable performance, I fired up my rainy day route in 06. Full screen again, no stuttering, several AI trains without restrictions on game performance, no content error worries, a full yard of cars to work with AI trains refreshing them........

The only difference was some appearances in content which I didn't notice as I was to busy actually operating the way I like again. Choo choos went around the track performing their duties as I switched my consist in between. All that content full of supposed errors in newer versions worked admirably without a burp or repair with butter smooth frame rates. Not much difference in game play except adding more AI trains to weave my way around. (It's a train simulator, not much gameplay to change.)

I really like being able to run Trainz on a Mac. Disappointed in Trainz overall performance since 09 just to achieve the same goals. Maybe in a year or two when I upgrade this machine for this one pass time I'll revisit it. Until then, back to booting to Windows and 06. I'll take operation and AI trains everywhere over eye candy all day.

Dave......

 

[JCitron]

After being disappointed with 09, fighting with 12 and not being able to adjust the Mac version's settings to get acceptable performance, I fired up my rainy day route in 06. Full screen again, no stuttering, several AI trains without restrictions on game performance, no content error worries, a full yard of cars to work with AI trains refreshing them........

The only difference was some appearances in content which I didn't notice as I was to busy actually operating the way I like again. Choo choos went around the track performing their duties as I switched my consist in between. All that content full of supposed errors in newer versions worked admirably without a burp or repair with butter smooth frame rates. Not much difference in game play except adding more AI trains to weave my way around. (It's a train simulator, not much gameplay to change.)

I really like being able to run Trainz on a Mac. Disappointed in Trainz overall performance since 09 just to achieve the same goals. Maybe in a year or two when I upgrade this machine for this one pass time I'll revisit it. Until then, back to booting to Windows and 06. I'll take operation and AI trains everywhere over eye candy all day.

Dave......

I happen to have a machine with the oomph to run TS12 quite nicely. TRS2006 also ran quite well on my older machine, and this is what runs for you, why not. The thing is we both had some great fun. I went to bed last night actually feeling like I accomplished something, which on most days for me is like a futile fight against evil!

What you've said here brings up and important point regarding programs. In many cases, as hardware gets progressively faster, programmers and OS developers write more and more complex code. Complexity is not always necessary, and in my opinion detracts from the actual operation. And to add insult to this, it makes this new wiz-bang hardware, that we pay a lot of dough for, run no faster than the machine before, or even worse sometimes.

John

 

[captainkman]

I'm loving TS2010. Having Stephenson's Rocket run on one loop of a model-railway style layout, and the Royal Scot with an express train around the other. My (rather sad) reskin of Blue's 3F into CaptainKman shunting a milk train in the middle, ready for the Gresley V2 to take on a morning run.

I love retreating to Trainz every day, now that I'm on holidays!

 

[sparky15]

Agreed, glad you see what I was getting to. You can only chase pretty for so long while basic functionality stays the same. I can run the new versions decent enough. It's only when I add the operational elements I like it falls flat fast.
Mojave is a fantastic route but bores me. I prefer model railroad type routes with AIs everywhere in small four to eight board routes. Nothing like staring at a red while waiting for an AI to set a cut of cars out for you as a through freight slides by in the background.
While the new versions look great, it's not worth the expense of operation for me. For what I like, it's almost like dumbing down.

Dave......

 

[leeferr]

I have to agree. Playing Trainz is much more important to me than digital realism of the models. The 'improved' versions take exponentially stronger machines to run without a corresponding increase in game enjoyment for me. Maybe most can buy the newest and fastest machines as fast as N3V comes out with a new version, but I can't (Yes, I know that's my problem). I struggle to get the newer versions from being slide shows and always wind up back in TRS2004 where the sim runs flawlessly for me and is smooth as silk except for the occasional caching. I'd personally rather have smooth game play than normal mapped boilers where I can count the rivets. But that's just me. There comes the rub. I can create new assets for my smooth running TRS2004 all day long, but it's a shame that I can't upload them for other members to enjoy unless I upgrade them to build 2.7 so that they can be uploaded. I'm just not that much into creating two different sets of the same thing. It all gets kind of confusing.

Mike

 

[gearhead2578]

Seem to get so wrapped up creating, fixing, creating, fixing....... Kind of easy to forget why we all got into this to begin with! Right on guys, think I'll go run some myself and maybe lose the need to drink so much while battling the evil red exclamation point

 

[H222]

I agree John, people complain here making it look like a rubbish game, but when you think about it, most are user-inflicted. The game is solid, but it's problem is Hardware and users

Cheers

Jamie

 

[CRO]

Must have been a 'Trainz Experience Day". After weeks of fiddling, I finally managed to run the Watseneka and Kanakee layout successfully in AI auto for over 3 hours without snarl ups. Great route with portals north, south east and west, with enough passing sidings to run AI trains from just about anywhere to anywhere.
I have AI running every 10 minutes in each direction, with 'eye candy' spotted in yards and on sidings. My preference in routes has to be signalling. If the signalling isn't laid out correctly, multiple AI running is near on impossible.
Running TS2010 on Win7 64bit with 4gig ram and Nvidia 9600GT. With framerate set to 30fps in trainsoptions, the whole thing runs with minimal stuttering. Best Trainz running day in ages.

Bob (CRO)

 

[Deano5]

We all tend to forget those days when we feel like that John. I too have had many a good long session that gives me a good feeling afterward.

 

[Euphod]

When I have time, and want that exhilaration again, I slip back into my old RPT route, and thread a switcher from end to end picking up empties and dropping off full cars as the passenger scoots and freight drags challenge my little SW for the next signal. It reminds me so of the first days with MSTS, except for the other traffic on the rails.

 

[bulpup]

Seems to me all this should be driving more peope to mutipayer.

 

[Ghost42]

Doesn't take many minutes to model the hole that gives you the most grief
on your golf course, aptly named "The Hazards" on mine.
Stick a coalmine on it, print a screenshot and pin it on the club's noticeboard as a suggestion.
Rog

 

[jrfolco]

I particularly enjoy a thread like this one. It shows that a lot of us have a positive attitude about the hobby.

Although I enjoy route building more, I still like to sit back and run a consist over an area of the route that I've just completed.

I'm several months into my eleventh year of Trainz, and I still enjoy the hobby as much, if not more, than I did when I started.

A big thanks to all those who have contributed to this great pastime.

Joe

 

[robin_hoods]

I have to agree. Playing Trainz is much more important to me than digital realism of the models. The 'improved' versions take exponentially stronger machines to run without a corresponding increase in game enjoyment for me. Maybe most can buy the newest and fastest machines as fast as N3V comes out with a new version, but I can't (Yes, I know that's my problem). I struggle to get the newer versions from being slide shows and always wind up back in TRS2004 where the sim runs flawlessly for me and is smooth as silk except for the occasional caching. I'd personally rather have smooth game play than normal mapped boilers where I can count the rivets. But that's just me. There comes the rub. I can create new assets for my smooth running TRS2004 all day long, but it's a shame that I can't upload them for other members to enjoy unless I upgrade them to build 2.7 so that they can be uploaded. I'm just not that much into creating two different sets of the same thing. It all gets kind of confusing.

Mike

Why dont you do as I do upload your 04 content to TPR
http://www.trainzproroutes.org/tprdownloads/index.php

 

[sparky15]

I remember loosing a nasty, snowy weekend to the Bear Paw Lumber Co. from Virtualrailroder once. A fun little route that got me hooked on Trainz and something I've patterned my little routes after since. Getting deeper into more detailed AI operations and rules lately.
I don't decry the rivet counters and I have some great payware. Do I need a computer upgrade? Yep, if needed. Can I afford it? Yep, if needed. Will I? Nope. Not until the majority of programs I use warrant it or this one keels over. Hard to swallow at this time to run one game while I have a version that runs very well for me.
I'll keep plugging away at rebuilding my routes in the Mac version. But, I'll continue operating in 06. Still a lot of fantastic content out there I've downloaded over the years.

Dave.......

 

[leeferr]

I've uploaded some to TPR, but that doesn't really solve the problem. I'd like content to be on the DLS so that when I download a route, the dependencies download also. This is an old debate that I don't really want to reopen in this thread. The OP is correct that the real enjoyment for me and Trainz is loading up a session and immersing myself in 2 or 3 hours of digital heaven. Successfully running the gauntlet is one of the great pleasures. My only problem is that to truely enjoy the experience, I have to do it in an older version.

Saying all of this, I have been working on my Ashland Central route so that it works in 2010 with only DLS or built-in content. I'm about finished with it and it seems to run pretty well in 2010 on my laptop without speedtrees. It's a combination of my Cresent Mtn Division and Spartan Division maps with a new division called the Trace Creek Division. The entire route is about 72 miles long. The most disappointing part is that I'd like to include a series of .pdfs showing the system map and an Excel spreadsheet that I've done that lists all industries, mile marker location and loads that can be delivered and picked up, but uploading a cdp won't allow the inclusion of those additional items. I may wind up having to find a site that I can upload a .zip file to that I can include the cdp, pdfs and excel file.

I really enjoy making content, but the real pleasure of trainz is hopping on a train and working the line without a lot of hiccups along the way.

Mike

 

[aardvark1]

~snip~
.... but the real pleasure of trainz is hopping on a train and working the line without a lot of hiccups along the way.

Mike

Mike,

I agree 100% with your comment. This is what makes Trainz an individual hobby, to be enjoyed how each of us wants to enjoy it.

I have some favorite routes (Marias Pass full version) that I use, edited to my satisfaction and removed of much of the scenery that I find unnecessary.

What I see in this thread is people not playing MP, people not constrained to the need of having others joining in and telling us what we need to do. (IMHO of course)

So then, thank you to everyone for what you have given to us in Trainz and the hours of personal enjoyment it has provided.

Regards,
Ron

 

[leeferr]

The real unsung heros of this game are all of the great creators out there. Auran/N3V has given us a great platform to build from and the creators have given us all the ability to create our own little worlds to immerse ourselves into. Some creators are more gifted than others, but they're all valuable to the community and I'd like to thank every creator for furnishing me and all of us with the tools to bring our imaginations to fruition. What other game have you consistently played for so long without ever tiring of it. I suspect none.

Mike

 

[JCitron]

The real unsung heros of this game are all of the great creators out there. Auran/N3V has given us a great platform to build from and the creators have given us all the ability to create our own little worlds to immerse ourselves into. Some creators are more gifted than others, but they're all valuable to the community and I'd like to thank every creator for furnishing me and all of us with the tools to bring our imaginations to fruition. What other game have you consistently played for so long without ever tiring of it. I suspect none.

Mike

Mike,

You've summed this up perfectly. I run no other 'game' on my computer, and as been said, I still enjoy Trainz as much today as I did when I first purchased the program back in late 2004.

John