handlaidtrack
New member
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 is 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.
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 is 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.