Is Trainz worth it?

[Shortliner]

So I'll be honest, I've only came here because of what I saw in T:ANE promo, improved physics, improved AI/signaling and I'm assuming that Multiplayer is included (Hey Trainz 12 has Multiplayer). So what I'm wondering if Trainz is worth it for me.
What I'm looking for in a train simulator right now is basically signaling and AI that can handle complex task as running on a route that has single track mainline with passing sidings, when I pull into a yard, AI is actually working to build trains or to break them down, none of this "oops sorry, only one train in the yard at a time" foolishness. I don't know if Trainz can model dark territories, but if it can, then that'd really be awesome because I love shortlines (hence my handle.)

I'm also looking for a train simulator that has a good Multiplayer system. I mean not just in the way of dudes getting together to drive trains, but also allow people to be dispatchers, Yard Masters, etc. I don't mind hoping into a session with friends and we just mess around with trains once in awhile, but I'd also like to do full-on realistic railroad operations.

While I'm not too sure about the physics of railroading, and I couldn't tell you if the physics is realistic or not. What I am looking for though is a train simulator that's more than just "Go from point A to point B (sometimes C) and try not to speed." Like, if I'm running a 50 car train up Cajon Pass towards the Summit, I want to feel the effect of the grade on my train. I want a 50 car train to feel like a 50 car train.

The final thing (but not really that important) I'm looking for is a good virtual railroad to join that do run their own Multiplayer sessions. It'd be kind of neat to join a weekly (or every other week) session where you run your own virtual railroad.

So how about it, is Trainz right for me?

 

[chris2001trainz2010]

yes. (10 char.)

 

[cascaderailroad]

Driving Trainz, in CAB mode can be quite challenging, with a 137 car, 6000 ton loaded coal on an 11 mile -1.75% grade ... running in full dynamic braking at 100% throttle just to slow it down, and making 7 service brake applications/release, in order to keep it under 35mph.

Trainzoptions file: adding the line -freeintcam allows you to zoom right up to the cab window glass and get the real feel of the FOV

 

[Shortliner]

Driving Trainz, in CAB mode can be quite challenging, with a 137 car, 6000 ton loaded coal on an 11 mile -1.75% grade ... running in full dynamic braking at 100% throttle just to slow it down, and making 7 service brake applications/release, in order to keep it under 35mph

Ooooo nice! How does RailDriver work with Trainz? Especially with locomotives that have notch throttles?

 

[cascaderailroad]

I personally would not waste the $300 money on a Raildriver unit, as the old locomotive control stands were the best.

The Keyboard Commands are easy to learn /use

My bathroom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YK5_y1LzHk

 

[JCitron]

Ooooo nice! How does RailDriver work with Trainz? Especially with locomotives that have notch throttles?

People that have a RailDrivers love then for driving.

The things you are looking for are available in TS12 as it is now, other than the graphics improvements. It takes some work getting a session (scenario) setup but it does it quite well. On my, not for publishing routes, I have many multiple AI drivers handling through freights while I'm busy servicing coal mines and industries. Sometimes I'll do things the other way around and assign an AI train to handle a coal mine while I do something else.

On of the greatest features of Trainz, in general, is the ability to take over any train at any time whether it is driven by an AI driver or not. On many occasions, I will "grab" and AI train as it goes into the yard and have the locomotives move to an engine servicing area. While the AI-driven engines sit at the facility, I go back to my switching moves in my own locomotive and exchange cars in the yard with the freight that just pulled in. When done I then have the parked AI engines couple on the train again and continue on the route.

John

 

[johnwhelan]

Trainz is very open, so you can adjust the engine specs or the wagon specs to get closer to the original in terms of rolling resistance etc. TS12 should do all you are asking for but don't expect it get really good frame rates on a low end lap top.

Cheerio John

 

[chris2001trainz2010]

I personally would not waste the $300 money on a Raildriver unit, as the old locomotive control stands were the best.

Well, I did "waste" $300 on a Raildriver as a birthday present for myself and "I personally" LOVE it, especially on Nicky's Quahog Sub, where at the beginning towards and after Lynette the grades reach 2% upwards, with either 4 SD40-2s or 2 Dash-9s.

 

[Lots_Trains]

Driving Trainz, in CAB mode can be quite challenging, with a 137 car, 6000 ton loaded coal on an 11 mile -1.75% grade ... running in full dynamic braking at 100% throttle just to slow it down, and making 7 service brake applications/release, in order to keep it under 35mph.

A bit picky but 137 car coal train 6,000 tons is a bit wrong, more like 16,000 to 19,000 tons, and you will need DPU's for a 1.75% grade or you will break the train in two.

Cheers

Lots

 

[generalman]

I began with Trainz in January, 2012, seeking close to and/or the same which you are, and came to find Trainz fulfills all of what you have stated you're seeking.

On another note, I'm personally still questioning the pre-order of T:ANE. (I'm the type that prefers to wait until something has been around along enough to have majority of the bugs fixed). However TS12 does contain all of your requested contents, aside from the "new and upcoming" graphics of T:ANE.

 

[bendorsey]

I have my differences with N3V about this and that but I still supported the TANE Kickstarter thing even though the only use I will have for TANE is as a test bed for checking items I make in Gmax before uploading to the DLS.

If we want Trainz and now TANE to be the best it can possibly be we must support it.

Ben

 

[boyerm25]

Yes lol. This is exactly what I use trainz for

 

[sparky15]

At this point, no. Constant validations and revalidations of content to milk an old game engine out makes the program unusable at times. I hope TANE changes all of that but a great, easy to use train simulation has turned into a marketing hack with the end user suffering. Chasing dependancies is a headache. The error checking took a user by the name of PEV to make it work, with no guidance from the producers of the game. N3V decides, users figure it out later. Along with content creators.

 

[philskene]

Shortliner --

"What I'm looking for in a train simulator right now is basically signaling and AI that can handle complex task as running on a route that has single track mainline with passing sidings, when I pull into a yard, AI is actually working to build trains or to break them down ... ."

Yes. And subscribing to "a picture is worth a thousand words:
_____

Until the 4 minute mark we are following one of the AI trainz. At 4 minutes into the video we jump into and control the green locomotive with two NP box cars. With a blast of the horn we are away, picking up an additional box car along the way.

The route was intended as trial to prove wrong those who claimed that it was impossible to run opposing AI on a single track. The route eventually evolved into "IntenCity", a free download on the Download Station. Best watched full screen:

(CONTINUES)

 

[philskene]

(CONTINUED)

And this shows two AI locomotives working a yard. This was made after I learnt how to do HD videos, so best watched full screen and in HD:

You will find a few other "how to in Trainz" youtube videos. Just search with "philskene.

(CONTINUES)

 

[philskene]

(CONTINUED)

Finally, although Trainz is an excellent real railroad simulator, some of us have now become obsessed with using it as a model railroad simulator (again best watched full screen and in HD):

Tell us if this helps.

And, of course, we are all hoping that the next iteration of Trainz retains all the features of TS12 but takes a giant leap forwards in graphics.

Phil

 

[9000DOLLAR]

Trainz is ALWAYS worth it. I started with UTC and it basicly was a "go from point-A to point-B without speeding" type simulator with real-world physics.
There were no interactive industries back then, and if you wanted to create a scenario, you had to use a third-party program.

Nowadays, Trainz Simulator 2012 has interactive industries, and a much better scenario creation procedure built right into the game. (although you may want to brush up on HTML code before trying that.)
Unfortunately, some people here have found numerous errors and annoyances in the game, but they seem to be minor and don't take away the fun of Trainz.

If you are considering buying Trainz 2012, I highly recomend it. (just don't get tricked into buying Railworks, as the name is simmilar.)

 

[cascaderailroad]

If you are considering buying Trainz 2012, I highly recomend it. (just don't get tricked into buying Railworks, as the name is simmilar.)

Nor buy via Steam ... Just to save a few bucks ... purposely sidestepping the official Trainz version, at the N3V Sim Central store, or at Jointed Rail ... You will regret buying by Steam

 

[Shortliner]

Trainz is ALWAYS worth it. I started with UTC and it basicly was a "go from point-A to point-B without speeding" type simulator with real-world physics.
There were no interactive industries back then, and if you wanted to create a scenario, you had to use a third-party program.

Nowadays, Trainz Simulator 2012 has interactive industries, and a much better scenario creation procedure built right into the game. (although you may want to brush up on HTML code before trying that.)
Unfortunately, some people here have found numerous errors and annoyances in the game, but they seem to be minor and don't take away the fun of Trainz.

If you are considering buying Trainz 2012, I highly recomend it. (just don't get tricked into buying Railworks, as the name is simmilar.)

I actually already brought RailWorks a long time ago, and been a supporter of them until last year. I quit supporting RailWorks because I realized that they were never going to give me what I wanted, which was improved AI and Signaling, Multiplayer and Physics. Paul Jackson over at Dovetail Games is clearly only interested in making games, not simulators, so I left.

 

[JCitron]

I actually already brought RailWorks a long time ago, and been a supporter of them until last year. I quit supporting RailWorks because I realized that they were never going to give me what I wanted, which was improved AI and Signaling, Multiplayer and Physics. Paul Jackson over at Dovetail Games is clearly only interested in making games, not simulators, so I left.

You'll find that the Trainz series in general has by far the easiest to use route building tools available. It is a simple process to lay track, landscape, and signal a route. There are more than 200K plus items available for download and use ranging from the simplest buildings to very complex animated industrial buildings. In the Surveyor module, sculpting, raising and lowering terrain is accomplished using variable sized brushes, which work in similar fashion to painting the land, or perhaps modeling in clay. If you want a realistic terrain, which you can lay track on as is or modify to your own desires, we recommend TransDEM which is a third party program. This will allow you to place topographic maps in place on DEM-generated terrain all set for track laying. The program can go one step further and even lay track in place, and or trim out unneeded baseboards.

Track and road placement is only a matter of clicking and dragging. Track junctions (switches) are created automatically, and a default switch lever is placed for you. You can always adjust the track and replace the default lever with something else if you wish. Currently frogs are placed manually, and spline tracks don't have moveable points, but that is changing in the upcoming version. Below are some pics from some routes I've been working on. Pictured on the far left is a bit from the Ozark Valley and Western, which is a merger of multiple routes. Yes, you can merge routes together! Second from the left is a new route I'm working on. I am using a DEM and topographic map overly here that I've placed my own route. The map shows the tiny bit I've worked on so far. Where I've laid track, there is no track nor was there track ever. I used a camera views and sighted down the landscape to survey my route. The third is a beach scene from another route I worked on, and finally another topographic and DEM-generated route which is for a prototype project I've been involved in.



This only scratches the surface of what can be done. There are so many aspects of the program that it's more like a real model railroad than a train simulator that you just sit in and drive.