New member requests help with unanswered questions – thank-you

[handlaidtrack]

Hi,
I’m new on this forum and this is my first post, so please forgive me if my protocol is not exactly correct.

Over the past week or so, I’ve been investigating the possibilities of this “Trainz” software with a view to purchasing it, but I’m really not sure if it will do what I want it to, or even which version to get, so I’m hoping for some input. I sent an Email to the producers a few days ago, but have had no reply (I guess they are just swamped by the new release). I’ve also had no success in finding a legitimate demo version.

I’ve used Model Railroad design software before; a package called “3rd-Plan-It”; which would seem on the surface to offer everything I want. I found it great for drawing accurate layout designs in two dimensions, but I have not got along well with working in 3D with it. Hopefully, there is someone here who has used both and can give me a comparison.

I’ve spent several hours perusing this forum looking for answers, and have even more concerns and unanswered questions now than I started with.
* It appears that the 100,000+ extra items available for download are not all compatible with every version. I read somewhere that there is a lot more available for 2004 & 2006 than for the newer versions.
* I read that actually getting stuff from the download station is very slow without buying a “first-class ticket”, and that some people haven’t had much success even with the FCT. I wonder if the DLS even viable with all the dependency issues I keep reading about.
* After watching videos of the Trainz custom paintshop on you-tube, I read that this capability has now been discontinued.
* I am totally confused about the two different modes (“compatibility” and “something else ?” mode), which seem to be completely incompatible with each other.
* I’m confused about whether or not the new 2010 edition includes the full surveyor system, or is just for driver simulations (I read it both ways in different places).
* Although my past experience with software is that later versions are normally easier to use than earlier versions (because the producers learn what works and what doesn’t), some posts have suggested otherwise with Trainz.

OK, so here’s what I primarily want to do. Hopefully someone can tell me if Trainz will do it, and if so, which version is the best one for my desires.
* I want to be able to construct cyber models of model railroads (as opposed to real railroads), and run them, to get a feel for how they will look and operate before spending thousands of dollars/hours building the real thing in my basement.
* I want to follow trains from a “model” viewpoint (i.e. about 100’ up in the air and off to the side), rather than the prototypical cab-interior views.
* I want a reasonable learning curve that will allow me to start getting some results quickly with existing downloadable objects, even though I expect to start building and sharing my own constructions later.
* I want to know that there are enough appropriate trains and buildings available to make a complete railroad, without having to buy loads of extras (i.e. just the free/included stuff).

My principle areas of interest are:
* First: North American steam, including at a minimum, modernized late model 2-8-0’s and 4-6-0’s, and USRA mikados, pacifics and mountains. Also a good range of generic US city structures (downtown and industrial, 1900-1950 vintage).
* Second: British-Rail, southern region, early 1950’s, with suitable rural structures.
* Third: LMS, Midland region, 1923-37, with suitable rural structures.

I’m not quite sure what my computer specs are, but it’s a quad-core with twin 500GB Seagate hard-drives that was pretty much top of the line for home computers about 18 months ago.

 

[PerRock]

Hi,
I’m new on this forum and this is my first post, so please forgive me if my protocol is not exactly correct.

Over the past week or so, I’ve been investigating the possibilities of this “Trainz” software with a view to purchasing it, but I’m really not sure if it will do what I want it to, or even which version to get, so I’m hoping for some input. I sent an Email to the producers a few days ago, but have had no reply (I guess they are just swamped by the new release). I’ve also had no success in finding a legitimate demo version.

I’ve used Model Railroad design software before; a package called “3rd-Plan-It”; which would seem on the surface to offer everything I want. I found it great for drawing accurate layout designs in two dimensions, but I have not got along well with working in 3D with it. Hopefully, there is someone here who has used both and can give me a comparison.

I’ve spent several hours perusing this forum looking for answers, and have even more concerns and unanswered questions now than I started with.
1) It appears that the 100,000+ extra items available for download are not all compatible with every version. I read somewhere that there is a lot more available for 2004 & 2006 than for the newer versions.
2) I read that actually getting stuff from the download station is very slow without buying a “first-class ticket”, and that some people haven’t had much success even with the FCT. I wonder if the DLS even viable with all the dependency issues I keep reading about.
3) After watching videos of the Trainz custom paintshop on you-tube, I read that this capability has now been discontinued.
4) I am totally confused about the two different modes (“compatibility” and “something else ?” mode), which seem to be completely incompatible with each other.
5) I’m confused about whether or not the new 2010 edition includes the full surveyor system, or is just for driver simulations (I read it both ways in different places).
6) Although my past experience with software is that later versions are normally easier to use than earlier versions (because the producers learn what works and what doesn’t), some posts have suggested otherwise with Trainz.

OK, so here’s what I primarily want to do. Hopefully someone can tell me if Trainz will do it, and if so, which version is the best one for my desires.
7) I want to be able to construct cyber models of model railroads (as opposed to real railroads), and run them, to get a feel for how they will look and operate before spending thousands of dollars/hours building the real thing in my basement.
8) I want to follow trains from a “model” viewpoint (i.e. about 100’ up in the air and off to the side), rather than the prototypical cab-interior views.
9) I want a reasonable learning curve that will allow me to start getting some results quickly with existing downloadable objects, even though I expect to start building and sharing my own constructions later.
10) I want to know that there are enough appropriate trains and buildings available to make a complete railroad, without having to buy loads of extras (i.e. just the free/included stuff).

My principle areas of interest are:
11) First: North American steam, including at a minimum, modernized late model 2-8-0’s and 4-6-0’s, and USRA mikados, pacifics and mountains. Also a good range of generic US city structures (downtown and industrial, 1900-1950 vintage).
12) Second: British-Rail, southern region, early 1950’s, with suitable rural structures.
13) Third: LMS, Midland region, 1923-37, with suitable rural structures.

I’m not quite sure what my computer specs are, but it’s a quad-core with twin 500GB Seagate hard-drives that was pretty much top of the line for home computers about 18 months ago.

Ok 1st off I amended my quote of your post to change the bullets to #s for easier reference.

1) With the exception of running in native mode (I'll explain later) in either TS2009 or TS2010. All content made for an earlier version of Trainz will work in later versions. IE if something is made for TRS4 then it will work in TRS6, TS9 & TS10 (combat)

2) Without a First Class Ticket, you will be restricted to 100MB download per day; and a max speed of 5kbs (I think that's the number) However a FCT is quite cheap.
I am unsure what you are referring to by the "dependency issues"

3) Paintshop was designed to make reskining easier. However it was very crude and didn't make really great reskins. You can still reskin stuff however you will need a proper image editing program (MS Paint will work, Photoshop is most popular)

4) Combatability mode and Native mode: In The two new versions of Trainz (2009 & 2010) Auran is working on switching the community over to a new way of doing things. However since they are still working on switching us over there are two mode. Combatability Mode runs trainz using the older model of running so that older content will work better. Native mode uses the new way. Not everything works in this mode.

5) Originally it was not going to however I believe it does now.

6) This will change from user to user. I personally suggest getting the 2nd to latest version. Or wait until the 1st Service pack comes out for TS10. Since there are so many versions of trainz each user has their favorite and will swear that it is the best one.

7) I'm not sure what you mean by "cyber models" I assume you wish to try and make a model RR for building into a physical model RR. I don't see why one can't use TRS to do this; however I have not and so maybe someone else can provide more insight on this.

8) The latest versions of TRS has 4 modes of viewing your train:
*Cab mode; you are the engineer
*Tracking Mode; your camera is outside the train with a single car centered on the screen. you can zoom in, rotate, etc
*Trackside Camera Mode; this only works when they cameras are set up. In Surveyor you can add 2 types of stationary cameras which will sit on your route and when your train comes into "view" of them the camera will switch from Tracking mode to the trackside camera.
*Free roam; this is the same as the camera mode used in surveyor without the bright yellow compass.

9) The session running learning curve is fairly shallow. Surveyor is pretty easy to get started in however it quickly gets steep. Content creation generally has a fairly steep learning curve. Details on this varies.

10) You rarely have to buy extras for TRS I find. however there are some great payware models and such out there. I find that most steam engines are payware.

11, 12, 13) I'll let someone else answer these, as they aren't my area.

peter

 

[leeferr]

I used to be an avid model railroader until I found Trainz a few years ago. I love being able to build a route as big as I want and run trains on it from cab mode. I don't even fool around with model railroads anymore. It's just too limiting and expensive.
Mike

 

[itareus]

Handlaidtrack,

Just to confirm point 5) TS2010 does include Surveyor.

Re point 10) There are thousand of buildings available for free but don't expect them to be exactly what you would like in you final physical model. Hacking a bit off (or adding a bit on) to a Trainz asset is not as simple as it is with a physical model (over simplification of a complex topic !!). I can't comment on the American locos & stock. Your should be reasonably OK for the BR SR stuff. The post grouping LMS could be more of a problem. Again it all depends on how much you are prepared to compromise.

And last from me - Point 7). This is how I got into Trainz (2006) in the first place since I was planning a fairly large garden railway and when I chanced across the Trainz stand at an exhibition I thought it would be a good way of trying out ideas without needing earth moving equipment. Little did I know that about 4 years on I would be spending all my time on Trainz and the partially completed garden railway would be sitting unused......

Normally I would be suggesting that you go for TS2010 for the extra features but in your case I would probably say get a copy of TS2009 you can pick one up cheap ($10 ? on Amazon). This will be just fine for model railway prototyping although I suspect you will be spending more time on Trainz than you think and will eventually want the latest version.

Good Luck

Chris

 

[Mick_Berg]

If you buy Trainz you might be in serious danger of saving thousands of dollars................:hehe:
Mick berg.

 

[handlaidtrack]

Thanks; please keep the suggestions coming

First, let me say thank-you to all those who have replied and offered suggestions so far.

Following a suggestion that Trainz 2009 sells really cheaply now, I figured I should just get it and see. Here is the dilemma...
I see two versions at very different prices. For $10, there is “Trainz simulator 2009”, with a picture of the French TGV alongside the Mallard, and for $30, there is “Trainz 2009 World-builder edition”, with a UP diesel on the cover.
At first, I thought the first one was the driver simulator only, but the write-up mentions surveyor mode. So, what is the difference, and which one do I need? I suspect I’d need the “world-builder” edition, but that’s more than half the cost of 2010, so it’s not a throw-away.
So, although some of my reservations have been taken care of and I’m more sure that I want to buy something, I’m still no closer to knowing exactly what to buy.

 

[Mikeinva]

First, let me say thank-you to all those who have replied and offered suggestions so far.

Following a suggestion that Trainz 2009 sells really cheaply now, I figured I should just get it and see. Here is the dilemma...
I see two versions at very different prices. For $10, there is “Trainz simulator 2009”, with a picture of the French TGV alongside the Mallard, and for $30, there is “Trainz 2009 World-builder edition”, with a UP diesel on the cover.
At first, I thought the first one was the driver simulator only, but the write-up mentions surveyor mode. So, what is the difference, and which one do I need? I suspect I’d need the “world-builder” edition, but that’s more than half the cost of 2010, so it’s not a throw-away.
So, although some of my reservations have been taken care of and I’m more sure that I want to buy something, I’m still no closer to knowing exactly what to buy.

All versions of the game include the surveyor mode (for creating custom maps/routes) as well as the driver mode for actually driving on those routes(as well as those included with the game) & the railyard mode which allows the user to view all of the loco's/rolling stock they have in their inventory.

I may as well place my order for TRS09WBE now that I've got some extra cash to work with,I currently run trainz complete collection which features TRS 04,TRS06 & UTC in a 3 disc set that seems to run well so perhaps you might want to start with that to get a feel for the game before moving on to TS09WBE?

 

[PerRock]

First, let me say thank-you to all those who have replied and offered suggestions so far.

Following a suggestion that Trainz 2009 sells really cheaply now, I figured I should just get it and see. Here is the dilemma...
I see two versions at very different prices. For $10, there is “Trainz simulator 2009”, with a picture of the French TGV alongside the Mallard, and for $30, there is “Trainz 2009 World-builder edition”, with a UP diesel on the cover.
At first, I thought the first one was the driver simulator only, but the write-up mentions surveyor mode. So, what is the difference, and which one do I need? I suspect I’d need the “world-builder” edition, but that’s more than half the cost of 2010, so it’s not a throw-away.
So, although some of my reservations have been taken care of and I’m more sure that I want to buy something, I’m still no closer to knowing exactly what to buy.

This is the TS09 WBE that I have.
http://www.auran.com/auran/store/index.php?p=3&PID=179

My guess is that the two different ones are just put out by different local distributors (a model Auran usually follows)

---

After a little digging I found out that the TGV one is the Just Trains version.
http://www.justtrains.net/product.asp?pid=404
I would get the UP version as generally the JT versions require you to have the disc in while playing and there have been a number of issues I've seen with their versions.

There Is no difference in the actual game between the two. The only real differences are: Different Boxes, JT requires CD while playing. Disclaimer: I don't own the JT version; this statement is based off from what I've read here on the forums.

peter

 

[Mikeinva]

My version of TCC doesn't require the CD to be in the drive & I got it via amazon.

 

[johnwhelan]

First, let me say thank-you to all those who have replied and offered suggestions so far.

Following a suggestion that Trainz 2009 sells really cheaply now, I figured I should just get it and see. Here is the dilemma...
I see two versions at very different prices. For $10, there is “Trainz simulator 2009”, with a picture of the French TGV alongside the Mallard, and for $30, there is “Trainz 2009 World-builder edition”, with a UP diesel on the cover.
At first, I thought the first one was the driver simulator only, but the write-up mentions surveyor mode. So, what is the difference, and which one do I need? I suspect I’d need the “world-builder” edition, but that’s more than half the cost of 2010, so it’s not a throw-away.
So, although some of my reservations have been taken care of and I’m more sure that I want to buy something, I’m still no closer to knowing exactly what to buy.

If you look at the cost of model railways the difference in price between TS2009 and TS2010 isn't very much. TS2009 has some issues with trees in Native mode that have been resolved by using Speedtree in TS2010. Essentially the market place has discounted TS2009 as TS2010 is now available. TS2009 in someways was a version that was more useful to people to create content in than to use.

Buying directly from Auran on the web site means more of the cash ends up in their hands, which means more money gets spent on development.

You'll almost certainly spend a lot more on upgrading your PC to run large layouts in Trainz. There is some payware available for Trainz but on the whole the free stuff isn't bad but do pick up a first class ticket, it makes it easier to download.

Cheerio John

 

[philskene]

Hi handlaid --

On the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps the images here:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=44553&highlight=downtown

will answer some of your questions, particularly:

* I want to be able to construct cyber models of model railroads (as opposed to real railroads), and run them, to get a feel for how they will look and operate before spending thousands of dollars/hours building the real thing in my basement.
* I want to follow trains from a “model” viewpoint (i.e. about 100’ up in the air and off to the side), rather than the prototypical cab-interior views.
* I want to know that there are enough appropriate trains and buildings available to make a complete railroad, without having to buy loads of extras (i.e. just the free/included stuff).

The screen shotz were taken using the 4-key view which allows free roaming over the route.

The route uses only content that is built into Trainz or on the Download Station.

And for :

* First: North American steam, including at a minimum, modernized late model 2-8-0’s and 4-6-0’s, and USRA mikados, pacifics and mountains. Also a good range of generic US city structures (downtown and industrial, 1900-1950 vintage).

see here:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=43886

and:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=32589&highlight=industrail

Phil

 

[cascaderailroad]

As to COC #7

An answer to your many questions: With Trainz...you can run trains on other peoples created routes...and too, you can even build your own route(s).

 

[bernhart_lossiemouth]

This thread has been way off topic for too long and it is getting too far out of hand. Everyone is getting carried away and soon someone will get hurt. It needs to be closed, now.

 

[AJ_Fox]

Off Topic Posts Removed

Let's keep it on topic please.

Cheers

AJ

 

[handlaidtrack]

At the moment, my thoughts are to order the latest version. As someone mentioned hardware upgrades, I dug out my specs to make sure they will work. Some of them seem a bit close to the minimums. Am I likely to get a decent screen refresh rate with typical routes?
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 processor 2.66GHz
EVGA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
EVGA GeForce 7300 GT video card – 512MB DDR2
Windows VISTA (Virtually Impossible to Successfully Transact Anything) 32-bit
4GB Ram (2 @ 2GB)
iF281D 28” high-res flatscreen monitor
Windows rates the machine at 4.1 on the graphics interface with everything else higher.

One more thing:
Does anyone know if AURAN has a stash in the US, or if they will be mailing each box from Australia separately? I don’t want to suddenly get hit with customs delays and import taxes.

 

[fran1]

The only thing I could fault is your graphics card, everything else should be fine. Get trainz and if it runs jumpily/stuttering screen you can get a new card. No point getting one if you dont need it.
By the way welcome to the never ending saga.

 

[Electro]

Hi handlaidtrack

your spec's
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 processor 2.66GHz
EVGA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
EVGA GeForce 7300 GT video card – 512MB DDR2
Windows VISTA (Virtually Impossible to Successfully Transact Anything) 32-bit
4GB Ram (2 @ 2GB)
iF281D 28” high-res flatscreen monitor

should run fine, I am useing a 3 year old comp the spec's are

Pentium 4 CPU 3.20GHZ
2 GB Ram
Nvidia GeForce FX 5600 AGP 128MB
Hitachi 1 TeraGig HD
Windows XP Pro SP3 32 bit
with all the latest drivers.


BUT that is my second comp, very large routes do run slow,
My Main comp spec's are below

 

[SuperFudd]

Hi handlaidtrack,

I have never noticed customs delays and import taxes.
I say go with the 30 dollar TS2009. You don't want to have the CD/DVD in the drive to "play". They go bad eventually, plus it is a pain in the posterior to have to dig it up and insert each time.
Yes you can use Trainz to design or at least get a feel for your model railroad but I don't recomend it. Programs designed for that are a better choice.
Yes, it is easy to get the hang of creating layouts/routes in Surveyor.
If all you are doing is layout design you may not need to download any extra stuff. The built in stuff should sufice.
But then, again, once you try Trainz, your electric train days are over.

 

[johnwhelan]

At the moment, my thoughts are to order the latest version. As someone mentioned hardware upgrades, I dug out my specs to make sure they will work. Some of them seem a bit close to the minimums. Am I likely to get a decent screen refresh rate with typical routes?
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 processor 2.66GHz
EVGA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
EVGA GeForce 7300 GT video card – 512MB DDR2
Windows VISTA (Virtually Impossible to Successfully Transact Anything) 32-bit
4GB Ram (2 @ 2GB)
iF281D 28” high-res flatscreen monitor
Windows rates the machine at 4.1 on the graphics interface with everything else higher.

One more thing:
Does anyone know if AURAN has a stash in the US, or if they will be mailing each box from Australia separately? I don’t want to suddenly get hit with customs delays and import taxes.

Buy the download option avoids delays in posting etc. Yes the DVDs are shipped from within the US.

Personally I'd go TS2010, under a 32 bit OS it is limited to 2gigs but under a 64 bit one such as 64 bit Vista or 64 bit Win7 it can use 4 gigs of memory. Check if you have the 64 bit disk lying around or the cost to upgrade for memory it's $30 for the media from Microsoft. If you know someone with the media then you should be able to reinstall with your existing serial number but check a technical forum first.

Cheerio John

 

[ex-railwayman]

Hello handlaidtrack and welcome to the forum. As you can see we have Trainz fans from around the world and we log on at different times of the day, so, if you require any answers to questions give it a day or so to collect as many answers as possible, we are all avid readers of the forum and lots of us will chip in with useful (less) information and advice.....:hehe:

Hmmm, the best version of Trainz, that's a difficult question to answer, especially as you are into Steam by the looks of things......A Trainz version that came out last year - Trainz Classics 3, was built by some UK Trainzers and featured a British route complete with newly created buildings accordingly and many wonderful British steam locomotives that included new scripts to configure them to make them look & sound the real deal.....
This is a seperate stand-alone version that you could purchase if you were interested in British Rail of the 1960's, etc......Thoroughly recommended for British Steam loco enthusiasts......Here's the website to look at for more information - http://www.trainzclassics.co.uk/

If that doesn't appeal to you, then it's a toss of the coin as to whether you want the brand new version of Trainz - TS2010, or one of the older versions that could be easier to handle. As has already been mentioned, your initial purchase will just be the disc, 90% of all things to add to your game is then freely available from 2 areas. the Auran Download Station - DLS, or, 3rd party websites from around the world, where you only need to have bought a Trainz disc to download what is on offer, you must however be quite careful as to what you choose to get, as many items being created by Trainzers now is new stuff, ie TS2009 and TS2010, which would not be compatible if you've got TS2006, etc.

I didn't personally obtain TS2009, therefore, I can't comment on the availabilty of U.S. steam stuff, but, there are lots of steam fans around and all ready to offer helpful advice.....

I would suggest you taking some time to have a look at the various screenshot threads, you'll be amazed at what can be done with this game when you see what has been created already...

This game will take over your life if you're not careful, but, have fun anyway, and if you only spend $50 in your first year then you've done pretty well compared to the thousands of dollars you can spend on model railways......:hehe:

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.