I guess using the external views for switching isn't so unprototypical.

[JCitron]

http://youtu.be/BEwdMRZH6Es

Quick view of the drone at work - the NS Corp.
Now I don't feel so bad using the external cameras when switching cars.

 

[Euphod]

While I understand what you mean I think that switching has always required a spotter on the ground, and have never felt wrong to "leave the cab" to do so.

 

[nikos1]

Having one of those would sure make railfanning Inman Yard easier, could fly around the engine terminal photographing all the power. Pretty cool video, different perspective of a place I see all the time.

 

[JCitron]

While I understand what you mean I think that switching has always required a spotter on the ground, and have never felt wrong to "leave the cab" to do so.

Sure that's because we're trying to be two different people at the same time - the driver and the conductor. What's clumsy is how we have to fly up and out instead of being on the ground when we exit the cab. Now if there were real trackside views, and not some non-active fixed-view camera, then we could be the conductor at the same time as the driver. Instead we have to switch the helicopter to go down on the ground. As a driver what I don't like, and I think this happened after TRS2006 came out, is how the 4-key puts you facing downward on the locomotive instead of somewhere line-side. I would rather go from cab directly to trackside. Setting the camera on the ground using the 2-key is great, but like all cameras, we're about 200 feet from the train, and pressing the 2-key first has you walking backwards along the trackside until the 4-key is pressed.

Having one of those would sure make railfanning Inman Yard easier, could fly around the engine terminal photographing all the power. Pretty cool video, different perspective of a place I see all the time.

This really is cool. I'd like to see this with other yards too, and not just those by the NS. Imagine seeing Oak Point or even Cedar Swamp on the CSX, or maybe hanging around some of the passenger terminals as well.

John

 

[Blutorse4792]

Any pictures of the drone itself?
I'm assuming its not one of these guys...

 

[sawyer811]

Any pictures of the drone itself?
I'm assuming its not one of these guys...

Good Lord I hope not!

I do like the idea, however; and on the topic of external viewing in trainz whilst switching, I just say I'm playing the brakeman...:hehe:

 

[JCitron]

Good Lord I hope not!

I do like the idea, however; and on the topic of external viewing in trainz whilst switching, I just say I'm playing the brakeman...:hehe:

That makes it more fun. I've been thinking that I'm more like the driver and conductor spirit that has to jump out of body to change the view.

John

 

[frogpipe]

I think it's pretty cut and dry - it takes a crew to run a train, therefore some concessions have to made for a single person playing the game. It would be interesting if someday we had a multiplayer mode that let you be a member of the crew, somewhat like those "bomber" flight sims of years ago where each player would be one of the crew (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, waist gunner, tail gunner, bombardier)

 

[JCitron]

That would be a lot of fun. In the not-too-distant past, I used to play Operation Flashpoint with my brother and a bunch of friends online. We'd be able to ride in the same vehicle and one of the guys was the driver. It was a lot of fun being able to work together like this.

Perhaps this mode could be a suggestion for a future add-on for Driver.

John

 

[JCitron]

That would be a lot of fun. In the not-too-distant past, I used to play Operation Flashpoint with my brother and a bunch of friends online. We'd be able to ride in the same vehicle and one of the guys was the driver. It was a lot of fun being able to work together like this.

Perhaps this mode could be a suggestion for a future add-on for Driver.

John