Need Advice with "Complete Collection"

[Steampower4884]

Hello all,

A while back I bought Trainz: The Complete Collection as it was recommended to me for a dual purpose. The first is for first person 'rail road' trips in engine cabs and the other was as a designing aid in creating a model railroad. I been leaning more towards the latter presently as I am looking to put together a small n-scale layout.

Now "The Complete Collection" comes with a couple different versions of Trainz. It has:

Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006
Trainz Routes 1-4
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004
Ultimate Trainz Collectoin
Trainz Paintshed

That is a lot to go through and I am wondering where I should start and what to install first.

I have a Dell Dimension 4600 computer with a 2.8ghz processor, 2gig ram, and 2 Sata 500gig 7200rpm drives. Graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9600XT.

This is about the most I can get out of my system as it is upgraded to the max.

I have heard that there were choppy video issues with Trainz 2006 and I am wondering if I should install the 2004 version instead.

So overall I just don't know where to begin. Again I am keeping this in the context of eventually making a simulation of a model railroad I wish to create.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanx,

Geo

 

[lonewood]

Okay
If you want to reskin trains & rolling stock install Trainz Paintshed. If you want to drive around lots of different routes I would install Trainz Routes 1-4.

1.Ultimate Trainz Collectoin
2.Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004
3.Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006
5.Paintshed (Optional)
6.Routes 1-4 (Optional)

I think UTC is good for starters then move up to '04 & '06. Some think '06 is a bit unstable but your choice.

Patrick

 

[baz66]

Maybe.
I think I'd start with 2004 first. It was the most stable and will work well for you. I'd also go to tafwebs website and download trainzoptions so you can keep track of your assets. Definately install paintshed to have something different.
baz

 

[cascaderailroad]

Making a route in 04, you can create routes usable for 06, 09, and 10 version users.

However if you create a route in 06...04 users will not be able to use your route (unless they alter the route config file to back date it to their version).

I have no unstability using TRS2006 Trainz Railwayz build 3337, on a Vista 3Gb Ram Desktop PC.

 

[meatloaf747]

I'd start with 2006, but there's no reason why you can't install 04 & UTC as well, (if you want too). 2006 has six great tutorials that you can slowly work/driver your way through. Great starting point. Worth reading the 06 manual as well, if you have the time.
Cheers, Mac...

 

[R701Rusty]

Just a reminder that Paintshed needs to be installed for 04 to access some of the 04 assets as they were created using Paintshed.

Cheers
Russell

 

[Steampower4884]

Hello all,

Ok, tonight what I did was read the reviews of all the packages within the Trainz collection. As it stands Ultimate got the best reviews and 2006 got the worst. So I started with Ultimate

Okay
If you want to reskin trains & rolling stock install Trainz Paintshed. If you want to drive around lots of different routes I would install Trainz Routes 1-4.

1.Ultimate Trainz Collectoin
2.Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004
3.Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006
5.Paintshed (Optional)
6.Routes 1-4 (Optional)

I think UTC is good for starters then move up to '04 & '06. Some think '06 is a bit unstable but your choice.

Patrick

Hello Patrick, pretty much that is probably what I am going to do. As I said above tonight I started with Ultimate. 2004 will go on next and then routes 1-4 and then I will take it from there.

For the most part what I would like to do is run trains and also design a layout. As it is I spent a long time both with pen and paper and using Atlas RTS to come up with several decent plans. But I wanted to take it a step further. So after doing a bit of research is how I came across Trainz. Basically it is a emulation of a model railroad. Given that you can create your own layout too then that is what I was looking for.

I am not sure, but can you import RTS files into Trainz? That would take a heap of work out of setting up the tracks for Trainz.

Maybe.
I think I'd start with 2004 first. It was the most stable and will work well for you. I'd also go to tafwebs website and download trainzoptions so you can keep track of your assets. Definately install paintshed to have something different.
baz

That is what I was reading as well. Sure there were good reviews too, but those people were running 2006 on Core Duo (and Quad) machines with massive video cards. Unfortunately I am not that well endowed. The machine I have now I bought in 2004, so it is already 6 years old. I did my last major upgrade on it last year. So if 2006 doesn't run well on this machine it is going to have to wait a while. However from what I seen tonight with Ultimate it may not be necessary.

I'd start with 2006, but there's no reason why you can't install 04 & UTC as well, (if you want too). 2006 has six great tutorials that you can slowly work/driver your way through. Great starting point. Worth reading the 06 manual as well, if you have the time.
Cheers, Mac...

Yeah, I am probably going to do that. Fr now I think I am going to stick with Ultimate, 2004 and the routes.


Ok, so tonight I fired up Ultimate and I must have burned 4 hours EASY just playing around with everything.

I started with the "German Festival" route and I made the mistake of selecting "Cabin" controls first. Not knowing how to operate a real train, let's just say I couldn't get the darn thing to move! LOL! So for now I am using the DCC mode since I know how to use one of those.

I will say that overall the scenery isn't as lush as with Microsoft Train Simulator and of course there are the 'edge of the table' cut offs that many were talking about. However, the way I look at it Trainz is different from MSTS. I did enter Trainz knowing that it is a model of a model railroad...but with the bonus of having a cab view.

The trains themselves look great and I love the control panels. Ultimate also has scenarios with which I tried my hand at. Then I was trying out another route and was playing that for a while. It rained! And then it got dark out. It took me a while to realize that maybe it is a good time to turn on the headlights! I then tried my hand at coupling and uncoupling cars. I made the mistake of uncoupling about 3 dozen coal gondolas on a grade. Needless to say the entire consist went careening around the layout at 200+km/hour. NAWICE! I am surprise it didn't derail! That was another mistake I made. On the layout with the long coal mine stretch I overshot the ore loader and tried to back the train up...No dice! Derailed! That was a nice mess.

So right off the bat I had an enjoyable night. I know for sure I would like to build myself a control box rather than use the keyboard for controlling the trains.

Now comes some more questions and some quirks I experienced. I will start with the quirks.

I have noticed that for some reason, all of a sudden one of my locomotives side panels got distorted and it ran that way for the rest of my run. What caused that? At any rate, the computer did crash with this train. But it only crashed the one time.

Another thing I noticed is that the locomotives 'flash'. It is like the shading gets lighter and darker. If I have two locomotives in the consist, they alternately flash. I found that weird.

Distance drawing isn't too good...sometimes you see the track get draw first and it looks like it is in mid air before the rest of the scenery catches up to it.

I am running trains using OpenGL, should I use Direct X instead?

Having a chance to get my feet wet with the program, I would like to know more.

1) I would like to know how to drive in cab mode
2) Are there tutorials for creating your own layout?

Basically if you guys could point me to some good links on layout creating within Trainz that would be great.

Thanx,

Geo

 

[RussellRFR]

2006 Any time

Hi
I would use 2006 with add ons 1,2,3 and 4. this gives you a lot of buildings trees plus industries to work with. real easy to move up to 2010 in future if you want to.
RussellRFR:wave:

 

[Steampower4884]

Hi
I would use 2006 with add ons 1,2,3 and 4. this gives you a lot of buildings trees plus industries to work with. real easy to move up to 2010 in future if you want to.
RussellRFR:wave:

I am worried that might run into problems. My machine is as old as the 2004 version and it does seem that 2006 has less than stellar reviews. However, as I said, I did trick my machine out so it does perform much better than when I initially bought it in 2004.

Now, in terms of industries...is the 2006 version the only one that has industries? I really only need some basic industries right off the bat. Pretty much the typical fair, oil supply, coal, lumber, grain elevator, team track, freight house. Can the 2004 version handle that?

Oh! The only thing out of the ordinary that I am starting to get an interest in are trollies. Having very limited space to work with I am thinking of incorporating a trolley on my layout...mainly to have something for continuous running.

I have heard there is a stiff learning curve with Trainz, but for the most part I am not planning the large layouts as presented with Trainz. Most of my layout designs are small. As it is with a large layout, small problems are generally swallowed up in the scope of the layout, but in a small layout a small problem could be a major issue. This is why I am turning to Trainz because I would like to make a model of my proposed layout (hence the model of the model railroad) just to see how 'fun' it will be to work. If my layout turns out to be a bore, I could always go back and tweak things. Once I etch it in stone, then I am hoping I can work form the layout design and Trainz to actually build the layout.

As of now, I just need to learn Trainz and HOW to build a layout with it. But the funny thing is that in Cabin mode, I can't even get the train to move LOL! So I think I need to take care of that issue first.

BTW are there trolley models for Trainz? So far I have not seen anything yet. I had noticed that Trainz does use catenary electric trains though...so I would assume that it can do trollies.

Thanx,

Geo

 

[Steampower4884]

Edit: Deleted

Sorry, for some reason posting kept hanging on me and I didn't think that my post 'posted', apparently it did. So the moderators could delete this one.

 

[Stationbeem]

If you could post your computer specs for us we may have a better idea as to what you can run.

CPU, Operating System, Graphics Card, Memory and the like.

As for Trainz version, my preference at the moment is TRS2004, for me it is the most stable, it has interactive stations, industries and there is a vast amount of items on the DLS. Also there are some Tram (trollies) routes on there as well if you like to check them out. Like i have already said the more info on your computer the better we can help you out.

 

[Steampower4884]

If you could post your computer specs for us we may have a better idea as to what you can run. CPU, Operating System, Graphics Card, Memory and the like.

You didn't fully read my first post, did you? I posted the specs there.

"I have a Dell Dimension 4600 computer with a 2.8ghz processor, 2gig ram, and 2 Sata 500gig 7200rpm drives. Graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9600XT."

As for Trainz version, my preference at the moment is TRS2004, for me it is the most stable, it has interactive stations, industries and there is a vast amount of items on the DLS. Also there are some Tram (trollies) routes on there as well if you like to check them out. Like i have already said the more info on your computer the better we can help you out.

I am leaning in that direction myself. After doing some more reading today I found out that the Ultimate Trainz pack I am using right now is really an older version than 2004 and I probably would be missing out on a lot if I tried to build a layout in that. But the good thing is that I can at least get my feet wet and play around with the trains.

Last night I was trying to do an empties in, loads out scenario to see if an ore loader on the layout actually works...however, I accidentally derailed the train because I overshot the ore loader and tried to reverse the 40+ car train. ...Didn't work. At any rate, I found out that 'loads' wasn't handled in the older versions prior to 2004. So I am probably going to go that route next. It seems like from various sources I checked out both here and elsewhere on the internet, this seems to be the favored version.

At any rate I do need to read some kind of manual to learn how to use the Surveyor and also to drive the train in Cabin mode.

Thanx,

Geo

 

[WillPac]

Trainz versions

Steampower: I was given the Collection as a gift a few years ago, and like you, I looked at it as a great tool for designing my model railroad. And like you, I found the learning curve a bit daunting. It was certainly learnable, but I felt that any time I spent trying to master Trainz was time lost to work on my actual railroad. Plus, Paintshed would never work; it crashed everytime I tried to launch it.

Bub a change in circumstances (an increase in family size) suddenly turned my train room into necessary living space. Thus the start of my layout came down, and with years to go before it's claimable again, I sold off almost all of my N-scale equipment last November.

Then for Christmas, my brother gave me TRS2006. I thought it would be a decent way to get some kind of train fix, but I really underestimated this program! I find myself looking forward to the end of my work day, so I can get home and work on my "railroad", far more than I ever did with the 3D version. For one, Trainz offers us much of what model railroading does without the sawdust, wiring, gluing, etc. (see my post "The Hobby-weight Championship" for more pros and cons).

One nice plus is you don't HAVE to limit yourself to small layouts. When planning for my own MR, I was limited to what I could fit in a 10 x 15 room (with such low ceilings that a multi-deck was impossible). But my current Trainz route I am working on is currently 10 boards wide and 24 long! Even in N-scale, that would take a stadium to fit it in!

But whatever you do with it, you should find it an enjoyable part of this hobby. Good luck.

 

[Stationbeem]

You didn't fully read my first post, did you? I posted the specs there.

"I have a Dell Dimension 4600 computer with a 2.8ghz processor, 2gig ram, and 2 Sata 500gig 7200rpm drives. Graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9600XT."


Thanx,

Geo

I do apologise my browser only displayed half you post.

 

[j_maybury]

Hi Steampower4884

Now, in terms of industries...is the 2006 version the only one that has industries? I really only need some basic industries right off the bat. Pretty much the typical fair, oil supply, coal, lumber, grain elevator, team track, freight house. Can the 2004 version handle that?

TRS2004 was the start of the industries, and will handle the basics and should do the job.

Oh! The only thing out of the ordinary that I am starting to get an interest in are trollies. Having very limited space to work with I am thinking of incorporating a trolley on my layout...mainly to have something for continuous running.

When you get time to learn how to use the DLS, download a route called (Peco S13) with the Session (Peco BR Early), and see what really can be done in a very small space with trainz and tramz. It will blow your socks off.

I have heard there is a stiff learning curve with Trainz, but for the most part I am not planning the large layouts as presented with Trainz. Most of my layout designs are small. As it is with a large layout, small problems are generally swallowed up in the scope of the layout, but in a small layout a small problem could be a major issue.

Yes Trainz is a steep learning curve, but take it one step at a time, and always backup the local file each month, this forum is lilted with threads of people that have lost all there hard work.(I'm not sure if it's called local in TRS2004 as that's the only one I didn't buy, but someone will tell us if it's called something ells).

BTW are there trolley models for Trainz? So far I have not seen anything yet. I had noticed that Trainz does use catenary electric trains though...so I would assume that it can do trollies.

Thanx,

It can do the lot, traiaz, carz, truckz, boatz, planez, tramz,

 

[Steampower4884]

Steampower: I was given the Collection as a gift a few years ago, and like you, I looked at it as a great tool for designing my model railroad. And like you, I found the learning curve a bit daunting. It was certainly learnable, but I felt that any time I spent trying to master Trainz was time lost to work on my actual railroad. Plus, Paintshed would never work; it crashed everytime I tried to launch it.

As of now I am mainly concerned with operations and starting to learn how to use the surveyor. I don't need to customize the locos, after all my main goal is to 'test' a layout and to drive trains, so as of now I don't care what the side of the train says. But the type of train and rolling stock WOULD matter because then I know what size trains to buy in my scale (n-scale). So for now I don't intend to use the Paintshed.

Bub a change in circumstances (an increase in family size) suddenly turned my train room into necessary living space. Thus the start of my layout came down, and with years to go before it's claimable again, I sold off almost all of my N-scale equipment last November.

Ouch! That has to hurt. I had a family "increase" as well and that coincided with a pay "decrease". At any rate, I never had a large layout planned to begin with. But with changing conditions all I really have room for is something that is the size of a coffee table or a shelf type layout.

Then for Christmas, my brother gave me TRS2006. I thought it would be a decent way to get some kind of train fix, but I really underestimated this program! I find myself looking forward to the end of my work day, so I can get home and work on my "railroad", far more than I ever did with the 3D version. For one, Trainz offers us much of what model railroading does without the sawdust, wiring, gluing, etc. (see my post "The Hobby-weight Championship" for more pros and cons).

Yeah, I found that out last night when I loaded up "Ultimate" last night. I quickly burned through 3 hours easy. Today was a slow day at work, so I did some more Trainz research on-line too. BUT I guess I don't have to tell you where I will be tonight . However, I still like having a 'real' layout. The family 'increase' I was referring to are twin boys. They will be 3 next month and they are head over heels in love with Thomas and trains in general. I took them to see Thomas this fall in PA and they have been non-stop Thomas ever since. So in a way that was my motivation to get a layout started. Given that they are 3, I want them to 'watch' the layout, but not touch it, so by nature of the cost of glass involved to house the layout, I have to keep it small. But there are physical space limitations too.

One nice plus is you don't HAVE to limit yourself to small layouts.

True, but remember the saying that all the world is a stage? Well, having a virtual model railroad and comparing it to an actual model railroad is pretty much comparing seeing Cats live on Broadway to seeing on a DVD on your TV. The field of vision is smaller in both cases.

When planning for my own MR, I was limited to what I could fit in a 10 x 15 room (with such low ceilings that a multi-deck was impossible). But my current Trainz route I am working on is currently 10 boards wide and 24 long! Even in N-scale, that would take a stadium to fit it in!

Yeah, in the virtual world you can model more realistically. I was always thinking about having a multi-monitor set up that would take the place of windows in an actual locomotive cab mock up. An actual set of train controls would be wired into the program. In that manner it would be almost like driving the real thing. The trouble with both Trainz and MSTS is that they use digital controls. There isn't any analog support, so it is hard to hack controls for them.

But for now I want something better than the keyboard to control Trainz. I might make a push button panel or something.

But whatever you do with it, you should find it an enjoyable part of this hobby. Good luck.

Thanx!

I do apologise my browser only displayed half you post.

Ah! Actually I have noticed that from time to time here and on the n-scale board. Internet is acting up again.

Hi Steampower4884

TRS2004 was the start of the industries, and will handle the basics and should do the job.

LOL, then that would have been a funny thing if I tried to find a way to 'load up' my train and that function wasn't available on that version. So the train derailing actually saved me time!

When you get time to learn how to use the DLS, download a route called (Peco S13) with the (Session BR Early), and see what really can be done in a very small space with trainz and tramz. It will blow your socks off.

Really? Ok, I will keep that in mind. I couldn't get into DLS though because I had to register something. I am at work now and don't have the game here.

Yes Trainz is a steep learning curve, but take it one step at a time, and always backup the local file each month, this forum is lilted with threads of people that have lost all there hard work.(I'm not sure if it's called local in TRS2004 as that's the only one I didn't buy, but someone will tell us if it's called something ells).

Ok, will keep that in mind as well. Right now I really didn't start anything major (simply because I don't know how). I just been trying out different trains and driving them around the 'layout'.

Thanks for the input guys!

Geo

 

[tomurban]

This is a vote for 2006. It contains everything you need plus a very detailed but understandable manual and user guide. I have an older system similar to yours (3.0 Ghz P4 CPU, 2 GB DDR RAM, Nvidia GPU). It runs 2006 very well between 20 & 30 fps using open GL. I suspect your issue with the locomotive side panels is graphics related since for some reason, Trainz prefers Nvidia graphics cards.

Have fun, tomurban

 

[Steampower4884]

Update: Trainz 2004

Hello all,

Ok, last night I subbed out Ultimate for TRS2004. Installation went smooth and I was able to retain the details for the Ultimate Collection as TRS2004 'replaced' it. So I still have the scenarios that I can run through from Ultimate Collection.

Since I have an ATI card I chose to use Direct X this time around. At any rate I am not sure if it was the 2004 version or the use of Direct X, but now Trainz is MUCH better looking and playing than with Ultimate.

The good thing is that not only is the game play better with 2004, but so is the documentation. That being said, I know know how to cab drive a (diesel) locomotive! Yay!

The tutorials in TRS2004 have scenarios built in to get ones feet wet and the first one was an empties in/loads out scenario between a coaling plant and a power plant. I had LOADS of fun with this. The scenario introduced the waybill and it had a few trains to play around with. So after the coaling part, came the use of an oil train, and then surprise surprise a steam train to handle getting logs for a lumber yard. Actually watching the loads in/out is great! I had fun with this until I got over zealous and tried to run two trains at one time. Sure enough I lost track of time working with one and the other ended up careening into a yard shed.

I ended off the evening using the tutorial on how to drive a diesel engine. The game had me work an F7 type loco and I went through the motions of speeding up, slowing down, braking, coupling and uncoupling. One thing I found out is that the train physics are WAY more real when in Cab Control mode. There were many times I was just coasting (without the throttle on) and I just eased the brakes on/off.

Speaking of brakes, how come engines have so many brake levers? There were at least three if I counted right. However, it seemed like most of the work was done with what was called the 'lap' brake.

I next tried my hand with a pantograph electric train. I didn't fair so well with that one as I couldn't get the train to crest a hill, so I don't know why that was the case, but it was late at night and I was getting tired so I packed it in. Tonight I will try it again, but I would like to learn steam first. I saw there was a nice steam tutorial as well.

During all my experiences last night, I didn't have one single computer crash and I didn't get that weird texture problem on the locomotive I had two nights ago.

WillPac, I can see your point at how you can easily get wrapped up in this. I was extremely fascinated with the steam train I had in the one scenario. I liked to watch it start up, slow down, stop. I can't wait until I can start my own layouts with this program. But I will say that having this program, I can do much of my switching in here than with a real layout. While I am going to incorporate switching capability on my real layout, I don't think I am going to go as extensive with it. I think for my real layout I would want more continuous running, so my boys can watch the trains go round and round.

So in many ways I am glad I did take the time out to load up the programs. I thought that Trainz 'might' help me with putting together a real layout but as you said, "I underestimated" what Trainz could really do.


To All:

At this point I am seriously considering the RailDriver controller, or in the very least make my own controls. I have a huge control panel at work that has all old Allen Bradley type commercial switches that is just gathering dust...I could certainly do something with that. Has anyone used one of those airplane simulator throttles with Trainz? Right off the bat I HAVE to have a decent throttle.

Speaking of control panels, I have noticed that many of the cabs have switches that turn, but don't seem to do anything. I am guessing you can assign functions to those switches. If so, what? One thing that I WOULD like to see if there is a switch that I can assign to a 'switch'. Meaning if I am in the cab and I am approaching a set of points, I would like to use a switch on the panel to switch the points. As it was last night I was in Cab mode learning to drive and I could see a set of points that were in the wrong position and I fumbled with the controls to get to the exterior view and then by the time I got the mouse on the switch, it was too late and I derailed. Now if I could see the switch coming up in the cab and it is in the wrong position, I would love to flip a switch on the control panel and boom! points switch. Can that be done?

I am also curious about one thing if anyone knows. Can you set up Trainz to run across a few monitors, so this way you could have front AND side views at the same time?

Wow! I will say that all in all it was a VERY interesting night. I had so much fun in driver mode that I have not checked out the TRS2004 Surveyor mode yet.

The good thing about my planned layout is that I don't have any intentions of using grades. Since it will be my first layout I am going to make it flat. I am hoping that will be much easier to work with in Surveyor mode when I am planning the layout.

Ok, then, this post is becoming a novel so I may as well stop here for now or else I will be writing about my experience last night until the cows come home.

Geo

 

[Steampower4884]

Hello All,

As of a couple nights ago I installed TRS2004 on my machine, however, I thought I saved the routes for The Ultimate Collection, which I had installed first (when I made this OP), I would like those routes back. Is there anyway I could load the routes from The Ultimate Collection onto TRS2004?

Edit:

Ok, I have more to add to this in regards to Trainz 2006. Last night I wanted to add more routes from the Routes 1-4 pack that came with The Complete Collection, but then I realized the routes are for version TRS2006. So now that generates a few more questions.

1) I know that TRS2006 is backward compatible with TRS2004, but going for the long shot here, would TRS2006 routes work on TRS2004?
2) I was thinking about going with the Fully Monty here and install TRS2006, but I am hesitant because I am getting mixed signals from TRS2006. I read it is slower than 2004, there are problems with this CMD (what is that?). Sometimes there are issues with sound. All the while others are saying it is great. As of now I don't know what to believe. So then...
3) ...Would it be possible to have TRS2006 AND TRS2004 as separate installs on my machine?
4) Which version has an easier Surveyor to work with? From what I gathered, for sharing purposes on-line, it is better to stick with TRS2004.

I will say that downloading with TRS2004 is great for the most part. I have downloaded some routes / scenarios and right from the site everything is put in its place and works good. I have had a couple of crashes with the community routes depending on certain conditions I ran across, but overall really no problems with TRS2004.

I think once I get my routes back from UTC I should be good for a while. The next thing on the agenda is the Surveyor since I do want to start creating my own layout.

One more thing, I have heard that TRS2004 needs four service packs, but since The Complete Collection has been released in 2008, I am wondering if my TRS2004 comes 'updated' or not. Anyway I can check for sure?

Thanx,

Geo

 

[AnalogOldguy]

Steampower4884,

The 2004 version in the "Complete Collection" is a fully updated version. You won't have to apply any service packs.

I would say that the large percentage of 2004 routes, scenery etc. will work in 2006 (I'm not totally sure about locos) (and the 2006 version you have there, is also completely updated) the CMP (for downloading and committing) works very well , and does not have the problems of earlier versions.

Yes, you can have all the versions on the same computer without interference ... except that the last used version's downloader will open up often. For instance, you last downloaded with the 2006 CMP and then you want to download something into 2004, the darn 2006 CMP will open up.

You can correct this by going to your desktop and "opening" the 2004 Trainz Helper about three times, hit Save each time, and close it. Then it will usually be the one that opens up next for downloading.

The Trainz 2006 problem of disappearing loco and horn sounds has never cleared up on my computer, no matter which build I had (I had the 5 CD original version also), nor with two sound cards I tried. If it works Ok for you, please drop me a message saying what kind of computer/sound card/speakers you have so I can finally fix the darn problem! Over and out for now!! Bob P.:udrool:
Also, lots of UTC stuff will work with 2004 (and possibly 2006, but don't quote me on that) !!!