Questions from a curious enthusiast.

[Neferdias]

Hello all,

I've been searching the forums and frankly anywhere i can to try and find the information i'm looking for on this simulator which looks like the best one i've found to date. However there are a few features in it that I'm hoping are there but have not found any information on that maybe one of you could help me with. (Either by oversight or i just plain missed it)

If i were to build a layout with a good sized frieght yard, is it possible to move rolling stock around the yard? Couple, uncouple, organize, etc.? Basically i want to be able shunt it around and set up trains for the ai to take on it's merry way.

Is this a possibility with TRS2009?

Thanks

 

[whistlehead]

Yes it is perfectly possible, and I'd get Trainz Classics or Trainz '06 if I were you, we haven't quite wiped the bugs out of '09 yet.

 

[Euphod]

You betcha'! I endorse 2006, but TC has better signaling logic, and 2009 will work fine in compatibility mode. Welcome aboard!

 

[Orpheus2000]

If you want to do some shunting using AI, then avoid the RunAround Driver Command and use decouple and couple commands instead.

I do a bit of shunting, mostly just to put the loco at the other end of the consist for a return journey, and I found that using Track Marks and these commmands:

CoupleToVehicle by atlilabarut (131986:210003)
Decouple number # by erniesouchak (14570:80008:1)

makes life easier (note: easier, but not necessarily easy).

There are other similar commands, but I haven't tried them all yet.

I, too, would recommend TRS2004 - I have 2009, but it's not that usable yet, since much content on the DS doesn't really work well, if at all, when it's plonked into TS2009.

 

[Neferdias]

So you're say that TRS2009 isn't worth purchacing just yet till the bugs are fixed? Is it usable at all? I have a fairly high end machine and would prefer to buy 09 as it looks quite stunning, but if you can't even really play with it right now i suppose i will just wait.

Also, is there a major difference between the regular TRS2009 and the world builder edition? I could only assume that the WB ed. is going to have a lot more layout designing tools, but are they pretty much the same thing? Just asking as the WB edition is being advertised on my Steam client (which lead to to look into it more and finding this site) and will end up buying that in the end if at all.

DS means Driver Sessions? I suppose i can forgo having AI run my freight around... it would just make the track more lively. If the sim works fine with the player driving everything that would be fine with me. It's really hard to get a feel for somthing without testing it yourself so i may just pick it up anyways and play with it, then hope patches come sooner then later!

 

[j_maybury]

Im useing TRS2009 in compatibility mode there are some advantages and disadvantages with trs09 at the moment but it is very workable at the moment and can handle big routes beter than trs06, and the fact you can replace consists, is a big plus in suveyor mode, but I find it's too slow and jerky on 32 bit OS's you realy need 64 bit OS to get the best out of it, but Im sure some one will disagree,

But trs06 is a good start, and it won't break the bank ether
just keep the map under the 2Gig, limit.

 

[johnwhelan]

So you're say that TRS2009 isn't worth purchacing just yet till the bugs are fixed? Is it usable at all? I have a fairly high end machine and would prefer to buy 09 as it looks quite stunning, but if you can't even really play with it right now i suppose i will just wait.

Also, is there a major difference between the regular TRS2009 and the world builder edition? I could only assume that the WB ed. is going to have a lot more layout designing tools, but are they pretty much the same thing? Just asking as the WB edition is being advertised on my Steam client (which lead to to look into it more and finding this site) and will end up buying that in the end if at all.

DS means Driver Sessions? I suppose i can forgo having AI run my freight around... it would just make the track more lively. If the sim works fine with the player driving everything that would be fine with me. It's really hard to get a feel for somthing without testing it yourself so i may just pick it up anyways and play with it, then hope patches come sooner then later!

Go with TRS2009 WBE it's not perfect but its not bad and it does work. Some assets need to be updated but we are getting there.

If you want perfection then go TC3 but you'll need to buy TRS2006 as well to get the built in assets. TRS2009 includes the TRS2006 and other built in assets but not the TC3 ones.

Cheerio John

 

[rweber95]

Neferdias,
Both TRS2006 and 2009 have a very large yard as one of the builtin assets. It is the Toronto yard circa 1954. Here is a line picture to give you an idea of its size.

 

[Orpheus2000]

If you want perfection then go TC3

I tried TC3, but found that the signals didn't seem to work, and that the rolling stock and locos weren't up to much. This is using only the built in stuff, i.e. not downloading any extra assets. Even after downloading more stuff, I still find that, overall, TRS2004 is the best version to date (I haven't got TRS2006, so I can't comment on that).

It's all very well having a huge number of assets out there at the Download Station, but it would be nice to be able to build a decent layout "straight from the box" when a new Trainz incarnation arrives.

 

[stagecoach]

TC3 has the best signals yet. Some previous signals had problems but the inbuilt ones worked far better than any others. Its just a pity that they are only available in TC3.

 

[wmmeyer]

DS means Driver Sessions?

In this case, he's refering to the Download Station (more typically refered to as "DLS"). This is where you can upload your creations for any version of Trainz, and the entire world can then download and use them.

From what you describe you're wanting to do, I would not hesitate to get TS2009WBE (which is the only version of '09 available to the public at this time). It is very playable, while it has many bugs to be sorted out. It includes a lot of layouts to explore, and many opportunities to scatter rolling stock around and set the AI to gather it up. Being the "World BUilder" edition, it also has the tools for you to create your own layouts. And there's tons of stuff on the DLS that you can add to your system. You are correct in your assumption that the soon-to-be-released Engineers Edition will NOT have the WorldBuilding tools. If you were to get the WBE edition now, when the EE edition becomes available it will work as an add-on pack to the WBE, giving you the best of both worlds.

As far as waiting for the "finished" product, I've been playing Trainz for a few years now, and cannot remember a time when we had the finished product. There's always an update or new version in the works, all of them have some bugs somewhere, but I've spent countless hours playing anyway.

 

[johnwhelan]

I tried TC3, but found that the signals didn't seem to work, and that the rolling stock and locos weren't up to much. This is using only the built in stuff, i.e. not downloading any extra assets. Even after downloading more stuff, I still find that, overall, TRS2004 is the best version to date (I haven't got TRS2006, so I can't comment on that).

It's all very well having a huge number of assets out there at the Download Station, but it would be nice to be able to build a decent layout "straight from the box" when a new Trainz incarnation arrives.

IMHO the built in rolling stock and locos are some of the best available in Trainz, it has a whole new signaling system that works, and was the first version of Trainz to get the sounds etc right on steam locos. Did you notice the different number / skins on the wagons and try loading and unloading bulk loads such as coal with the animations?

Are you quite certain you aren't confusing the product with something else?

Cheerio John

 

[john259]

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/member.php?u=418662Neferdias,

Just checking in case it's something that might appeal to you - Trainz also allows you to load and unload wagons at industries such as forestries, pulp mills, coal mines, oil refineries, seaports, etc. Apologies if you were already aware of that.

John

 

[Orpheus2000]

John (Whelan)

I installed TC3 afresh so that it was "straight from the box", and had no extra assets. Then I set up a simple route to enter the forestry and load logs. This meant the train branched right, passing a "Sig UQ Junction Home 2 Short LHS" signal, then the point lever, then the switch itself. Other signals were placed appropriately beyond this junction. All of this I have done many times in TRS2004 without problems, provided the components were sited correctly.

The train was sent off, stopped at the signal, which remained with both arms at "stop". The points changed correctly, but that was it. The train moved no further. Since I am familiar with TRS2004 and I am not a newcomer to Trainz, I don't think I'm doing anything wrong.

Regards

Alan

 

[paulhobbs]

I installed TC3 afresh so that it was "straight from the box", and had no extra assets. Then I set up a simple route to enter the forestry and load logs. This meant the train branched right, passing a "Sig UQ Junction Home 2 Short LHS" signal, then the point lever, then the switch itself. Other signals were placed appropriately beyond this junction. All of this I have done many times in TRS2004 without problems, provided the components were sited correctly.

There's your problem, you are using the signals as you did in TRS2004. TRS2004 did it wrong and this has been corrected in TC3.

The train was sent off, stopped at the signal, which remained with both arms at "stop". The points changed correctly, but that was it. The train moved no further. Since I am familiar with TRS2004 and I am not a newcomer to Trainz, I don't think I'm doing anything wrong.

Without seeing what you are doing it's impossible to say what is happening, but if you signal protypically it should work.

Paul

 

[Mike10]

There is a guide to using the signals in TC3 and how they work on the trainzclassics.co.uk website.

Mike.

 

[stagecoach]

As Paul stated the signal set up is quite different in TC3. I moved my 04 route to TC3 and had to redo all the signals. They took a bit of time but do work much better. Used in the corrct way they have not caused any problems at the moment. My only problem is that now i need to change most of them to the new LQ signals fot the GWR region.

 

[johnwhelan]

John (Whelan)

I installed TC3 afresh so that it was "straight from the box", and had no extra assets. Then I set up a simple route to enter the forestry and load logs. This meant the train branched right, passing a "Sig UQ Junction Home 2 Short LHS" signal, then the point lever, then the switch itself. Other signals were placed appropriately beyond this junction. All of this I have done many times in TRS2004 without problems, provided the components were sited correctly.

The train was sent off, stopped at the signal, which remained with both arms at "stop". The points changed correctly, but that was it. The train moved no further. Since I am familiar with TRS2004 and I am not a newcomer to Trainz, I don't think I'm doing anything wrong.

Regards

Alan

I would suggest you go to the TC3 UK web site and pick up the updates some of the stock has been improved including the MK1 coaches and a couple of the locos.

As others have mentioned the signaling in TC3 is different but closer to the prototype. I think the TC3 web site has information about how they have been improved.

Cheerio John

 

[AZRailRat]

Hey Nefer, the choice between 2006 and 2009 for me was pretty clear. Was not ready to pump out the $39.95US for it, particularly after hearing from someone how buggy it was.

Ran across 2006 at Target for $9.95US and sprung for it. As would be the case, last week noticed the Trainz Collection (Trainz Classic, 2004, 2006, the Paint Shed and Trainz Routes 1-4) for $9.95US at Best Buy. No room on my computer for all that, but still may go grab it next time I drive by.

Bottom line here is, you want to spend your money JUST on 2009, or spend a lot less to figure out if Trainz is for you? Your call. I spent the difference signing up for a FCT at the Download Station - - - the ONLY way to go to grab content for making routes or personal "improvments" to existing ones.

 

[Neferdias]

Well i have purchaced it and am quite happy with it. Although I only breifly looked over it last night i'm about to spend all evening messing around with it.

I've seen the Toronto stock yards map... played with it shortly and managed to confuse myself with all the masses of track! Been trying simpler maps to get used to how the game works.

There is a lot more depth to this sim then i first imagined so, it will take quite a bit of time to look it all over and play with it all. Then there's building my own layouts! I could only imagine the endless hours of fun with that.

Thank's for all the replies, i apreciate it.