Major Performance Issues - Lag on fresh Install

[Thad09]

I've recently been having some major performance issues.

Here are the PC/Trainz specs:

Trainz: TRS22 Plus Build# 128486, fresh-clean install as well as having 500+gb database

PC:
11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700K @ 3.60GHz (3.60 GHz)
64.0 GB (63.9 GB usable)
Win 11 Pro 64bit
GeForce RTX™ 3060/ 8GB GDDR6 256-bit 14 Gbps GPU
2tb SSD dedicated drive/install for Trainz
1tb SSD OS drive
Latest Win 11 updates + Nividia updates installed as of Jul/24/2025


So, the only way I can describe it, whenever I launch Trainz my PC lags. Issues I see are folders take about 10 seconds to load, while working in Content Manager will take about 5-10 minutes to submit an asset after editing it, it takes several seconds to open a web browser/pages. I've even did a fresh reinstall of Trainz and still having these performance issues. It only started on Jul/23/2025. Only thing I noticed that day was I had a UPS crash and came home to the PC shut down. I've had a few UPS crashes/power fluctuations over the months, but only now it seems to cause issues. I've open Task Manager to see if there are any spikes with the GPU/CPU/RAM and Trainz runs within normal specs of how its always run, as well as everything else is within normal operating tolerances.

The strange thing is, I have no other performance issues prior to Jul/23/2025 on my PC, ONLY when I run Trainz. Even just the launcher being open and no other Trainz windows will cause my PC to lag, and by the specs above, there should be no issues, and rarely had any lagging issues related to Trainz causing other functions of my PC to lag.

I ran 2 different anti-virus and no hits, and yes, I've had no issues with 2 anti-virus on my PC causing issues with Trainz. I know anti-virus can cause issues, but there are no flags with it related to Trainz. All good on that front.

Any advice on trying to figure out this new lagging?

 

[pdkoester]

If you try other games, simulations, etc., and have absolutely no problem with those, I suggest reinstalling the Trainz application again. But, if you see poor performance in other games, simulations, etc., then reinstalling the operating system is what I would do. If your UPS is not able to keep power on long enough for a safe shutdown, that's a whole other problem to fix, too. My experience with a UPS on a desktop is making sure the USB tether is plugged in from the UPS to a port on the PC, and adjusting the settings for it to shutdown the system when tripped or when down to a certain level after it tripped to battery.

 

[ColPrice2002]

My PC specs are less than yours, but I have a faster response.
Just a couple of thoughts:-
Have you excluded the Trainz program and data folder from your virus checker? The Trainz app is continuously loading files on the fly. If they pass through the checker, there’s a significant lag.
How are your PC temperatures?

 

[Thad09]

PC temps are fine. Normally Anti-Virus skips the drive I have Trainz installed and is also on the exempt programs list.

I have no other issues when running other games. Its just Trainz only causing lag.

Looking at the Trainz Profiler, here are the readings I am getting from that, if it helps (no other programs running, just the launcher only):

Render: 94.5fps
AppIdle --- 0.2%(0<0<0)
E2: DrawListGroup.CollectGarbage ---0.0%(0<0<0)
E2: DrawStage.After --- 0.1%(0<0<0)
E2: AsyncLoadStage --- 0.1%(0<0<0)
E2: QueueStage --- 0.2%(0<0<0)
E2: QueueStageWait --- 31.2%(0<5<6) **Text in red
E2: UpdateStage --- 0.0%(0<0<0)
AppBagroundIdle --- 0.0%(0<0<0)
E2: RenderThread:WaitForFrame --- 32.0%(0<0<7) **Text in Red
E2: RenderThread:EndFrame --- 0.1%(0<0<0)
TAD Write --- 0.4%(0<1195<1195)

 

[Thad09]

Even loading the game from a prior backup (Just backed up the entire TrainzPlus install folder) on a separate drive from where Trainz is normally installed will cause lag, and this backup was made in March way before I had any issues.

I'm stumped on this. Very odd.....

 

[Thad09]

I changed some of the plug ports around on my UPS, and that seems to have helped a tad, at least testing with my March backup install.

Even plugging my PC directly into a wall socket is not showing any improvements.

I've tried disabling one of my anti-virus and no luck there. The second one I am unable to turn it off, but I do have TRS22.exe added to all exemptions possible.

 

[JCitron]

Back up all your data to an external hard disk, not a thumb drive. This sounds like your hard disk is failing or is corrupted. If this is an SSD, then slow loading and performance is a sure sign of a disk failure.

From Chat GPT:

Slow performance on an SSD can indeed indicate disk failure. Here are some common signs to watch for:
Slow boot times: If your system takes longer than usual to boot up, it could be a sign that your SSD is struggling to access data.

Frequent crashes: If your system frequently freezes or crashes, especially during disk-intensive operations, it could be a sign of an impending SSD failure.

Data corruption: If you encounter files that are corrupted or missing, it may indicate that your SSD is failing.

Overheating: If your SSD feels excessively hot to the touch or if your system frequently shuts down due to overheating, it could indicate an issue with the SSD.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to back up your data immediately and consider using data recovery services to prevent data loss.

Slow Performance on an SSD: 6 Common Causes - Datarecovery.com

Wondering why your solid-state drive is running slowly? Here are several common causes, along with potential solutions.

datarecovery.com

Now, you may not have had this issue before but since your system took a hit, it's possible that the drive is now damaged and failing.

The thing is once hardware is hurt it's sometimes difficult to tell what else is now having problems. This is the disk now, but who's next? Your RAM could be going, and then at another time your processor, your motherboard, or even your video card. These are called latent failures and they are a real pain in the rear to track down because they never occur at the same time.

 

[HPL]

To check the health of your SSDs/HDDs: CrystalDiskInfo (among others).

 

[Thad09]

Well, good news!

Reinstalled Trainz and the local file/database. EDR and things seem to be fine.

One thing I noticed regarding the profiler readings I posted earlier (and also below)

E2: QueueStageWait --- 31.2%(0<5<6) **Text in red
E2: RenderThread:WaitForFrame --- 32.0%(0<0<7) **Text in Red

I tried looking further into this and it seems to be related to GPU issues. I changed VSYNC and Antialising settings and that seems to have greatly improved the performance.

Not sure if that would be helpful for anyone in the future, but I guess for the sake of record keeping I relay this finding in hopes for others in their own troubleshooting

 

[JCitron]

Well, good news!

Reinstalled Trainz and the local file/database. EDR and things seem to be fine.

One thing I noticed regarding the profiler readings I posted earlier (and also below)

E2: QueueStageWait --- 31.2%(0<5<6) **Text in red
E2: RenderThread:WaitForFrame --- 32.0%(0<0<7) **Text in Red

I tried looking further into this and it seems to be related to GPU issues. I changed VSYNC and Antialising settings and that seems to have greatly improved the performance.

Not sure if that would be helpful for anyone in the future, but I guess for the sake of record keeping I relay this finding in hopes for others in their own troubleshooting

That's good news. I'd still backup everything and check that SSD for errors. Hardware taking a power hit definitely isn't a good thing.

What settings did you change for E2: messages, exactly?

 

[Thad09]

That's good news. I'd still backup everything and check that SSD for errors. Hardware taking a power hit definitely isn't a good thing.

What settings did you change for E2: messages, exactly?

I changed:
Vertical Sync - Half
Shadow Quality - Med
Shader Qaulity - Standard
Texture detail - Normal (though I may bump this back up to high to test things)
Post Processing - High
Water quality - High
Detail Scenery - Clutter + Turfx
Antialasing: 2x

So far, things seem to be smoother, even if it was just reinstalling Trainz. Just odd how the performance issues just hit out of the blue like that with no settings change.

 

[RetroRails12]

do we even need PhysicsX Simulation on in the game because i am finding that is the root cause to the Laggyness in the game...?

 

[Thad09]

do we even need PhysicsX Simulation on in the game because i am finding that is the root cause to the Laggyness in the game...?

Most folks, from what I can tell, usually disable it.

From my understanding, its still kinda experimental. Its mainly used for smoke particles and assets that have collision meshes that can affect smoke particles, like tunnels and bridges.

I haven't really seen any assets that work with it, or if there are any out there, I haven't used them.

 

[RetroRails12]

Most folks, from what I can tell, usually disable it.

From my understanding, its still kinda experimental. Its mainly used for smoke particles and assets that have collision meshes that can affect smoke particles, like tunnels and bridges.

I haven't really seen any assets that work with it, or if there are any out there, I haven't used them.

thank you for the response back..
Cheers

 

[JCitron]

I changed:
Vertical Sync - Half
Shadow Quality - Med
Shader Qaulity - Standard
Texture detail - Normal (though I may bump this back up to high to test things)
Post Processing - High
Water quality - High
Detail Scenery - Clutter + Turfx
Antialasing: 2x

So far, things seem to be smoother, even if it was just reinstalling Trainz. Just odd how the performance issues just hit out of the blue like that with no settings change.

Thank you. My settings are similar except for medium shadows and AA being at 4x not 2x.