Should I take the plunge?

8

87CamaroLT

New member
Hello everyone!

As you can see I am quite new hear and I am looking for advice.

First off a bit about myself and my "interest in trains". I first started with MSTS back when it came out, I was about 10 years old(now im 20 lol). Recently I got Railworks and have been playing it for about a year and a half now(Its a great game, but I'm not here to debate that, so lets leave it at that). I have though in recent days been looking at this game as it offers A LOT of content, and has a great perception among virtual railroaders.

I'll also add in the fact I volunteer at the Railroad Museum of PA at Strasburg, PA when my college class schedule permits. :cool:

Now I have a few questions before purchase!
(maybe a bit long!)

1. Alright first off, eye candy is very important for me, and the more eye candy, the more computer power is needed! Now I am trying to find routes that have a lot of scenery items, in terms of scrubs, etc. One author I have found with the level of detail I am looking for is named Dermmy. How intensive are routes such as his, as there is a lot of eye candy? I am also planning to use locomotives from JointedRails. Will my computer be able to hand these types of routes/rolling stock? Also are the routes from other version compatible with TS12?

Specs
Toshiba A660 Laptop(don't laugh yet)
Clarksfield Intel i7 820QM
Nvidia 330M 1GB graphics
4GBs of RAM
500GB hardrive
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

2. What are some other popular payware model sites for rolling stock/routes?

3. Does it matter which version I bought, right now I am looking at a download version from Amazon, which is quite cheap, is that okay?

4. What are the train physics like? Do the trains behave realistically, or are they like trains on a layout? Reason I am asking is because from what I have heard this simulator is more like a model layout simulator.

5. Also, at this point I am not much on route creation at the moment, but is it relatively easy to get into?

Thanks for the help guys! I am hoping to join the community soon!
 
I can't answer most of your questions but for #3, I was very happy with my purchase/download from Amazon but...

There are occasional deals/specials that are offered that are nice and might be worth waiting for and purchasing direct from N3V.
If you are willing to wait for and pay for the shipping the TS12 Superbundle http://www.auran.com/shop/TrainzSuperBundle.php is attractive.

As for content as of right now there are 8706 items in Locomotives and 12771 items in Rolling Stock (not all will work and some are duplicates but still...)
 
Well thank you for the questions you were able to answer. While the super bundle looks great, it is a bit out of the price i am willing to spend. Right now if I do decide to invest in this game, it will be a small investment at first, as I have been burned many of times of deals that I just jump in on(games most commonly), and they don't work out. Like I said thanks for the info!
 
I'm not a hardware expert but I think you'll be just fine. Just don't use an integrated graphics card.

Jointed Rail and RRMods are probably the most popular payware sites.

I'd buy the boxed version. There are several threads here about issues with the download version.

Trainz is the best as far as route creation. It is relatively easy to get the hang of. There's a learning curve but the forum is a great resource.
 
Well i've been with Trainz for 7 years and each virsion get better. I always buy from Auran/N3V. There so many people that have bought from other places and not been happy.
If you like to play with others then get TS12. There 204,810 items on the down load station which are free.Some are really good some not,the only drew back to payware and 3rd party is it can't be used in a multiplayer session. (at this time)
There are 1344 Routes also on the down load station. Again some good some not.
Buying from Auran/N3V you may get all the updates up to this point On the DVDs.
Well see you soon.
Danny5
 
Well, Mr 87CamaroLT, it looks like I have the honors to be among the first to welcome you to the Trainz Forums.
So far we know this much about you, you like fast cars and Trainz!
'Nuthin new in that, for a 20 year old college student.
So, welcome to the Trainz Forums!
I'm not going to answer all your questions here in one post, 'cause it will take all night. Let me just introduce you to Trainz, as I see it. Maybe give you a hint of what you might be in for.
Trainz is an open-ended program that offers a whole world of involvement.
If you want to drive, then drive. What do you prefer, a 100 car longhaul to a city 100 miles distant, or rather work the yard, switching and making up freight consists. Trainz offers that and everything in between.
That's just the tip of the program.
Are you creative? Want to create content; buildings, traincars, scenery........etc? Or would you rather create your own routes? Script activities?
I'm guessing you might want to create your own routes. Not to difficult, initially. In Trainz, you can route-build from the easy to the complicated. Some Trainzers (Dermmy included) build their basebord scenery from DEM's (Digital Elevation Models) which model the actual terrain for the route they're building.
What version of Trainz to buy? Perhaps TS10. It has a lot of routes and gives you opportunity to get used to the game. A lot of older content is easily converted to go into it. (TS12 is the latest and greatest right now, attempting to make a break with the past for performance issues, does not have as much compatible content, and the content demands can be somewhat restrictive.) I bought TS10 from Amazon and it was ok. Avoid Steam-update issues! I usually I buy direct from NV3 with PayPal.
Train physics are ok, and more realistic when operating from the cab, although you have the option to operate from a DCC controller which is more like running model trains.
It's a whole world unto itself, addictive and creative, on the other hand it can be a source of multiple headaches and frustrations. (Trainz vacations are common!)
But mostly it's FUN!
So enyoy it while you can. (PS: The paternal part of me says you better not let Trainz interfere with your studies!)
Regards
 
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Thank you very much guys for the replies, they have given me a lot to think about for the time being, what I forgot to mention which was just brought up in a post was compatibility by steamboateng. Right now I am thinking about going with TS12, now is TS12 backward compatible with content from lets say Trainz 2010?
 
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My advice. Definitely take the plunge. I don't think that you'll be sorry. I started with Trainz 6 years ago and I've never regretted a moment of it. There will be some frustrations along the way, but the members on this forum are some of the most helpful people in the world and will help you tremendously. Trainz is a very flexible system. Route creation if fairly simple and non-complex scenery items are pretty simple too. It'll get more difficult if you want to build locomotives, but if you're adapt at 3d creation, then you shouldn't have a problem.

Mike
 
87CamaroLT said:
is TS12 backward compatible with content from lets say Trainz 2010?
Click to expand...

Some yes and some no. 12 does not have a true compatibility mode, that ended with 2010. If you are just purchasing your first Trainz now, I would advise you to go with 12. You may be unhappy with the graphics, most people say they are a bit pastel compared to RAILWORKS. If you are comfortable with RAILWORKS, you may want to consider staying there. If you think you can approach Trainz with an open mind, then I'm sure you will receive quite the ROI. Good luck, whatever you choose.
 
As for me, well I removed all my old Trainz versions an will install my clean TRS2012... Just have to fix a few other things on the PC first, Anyways once you run Trainz, you will be addicted to it:)
 
Alright guys thanks for the feel back, I think I going to purchase TS12 this afternoon when I get home, I am also getting it cheap enough that if something doesn't work out, I'm only out a meal at a fast food restaurant. While I love railworks, there are somethings that are lacking(mainly the availability of content payware and freeware) which is mainly driving this want to have another sim to complement my love for trains. But I am planning to go into the game with an open mind as I know graphically it won't be as appealing. I'm excited to become a member of this community, thanks again, see you on the rails!
 
87CamaroLT said:
(Snippety snippety snip snip) I know graphically it won't be as appealing. I'm excited to become a member of this community, thanks again, see you on the rails!
Click to expand...

That remains to be seen (no pun intended). The game renders a bit softer than other games, but it's pleasant on the eyes, and not harsh at all. The contrast is not cutting edge, but it does tend to lend a romanticized aura to the final results. Of course, you can make your own adjustments to your monitor and whatnot, but if you have seen the screenshots some artists have done, I think you will agree that the outcome suffers not the least from the display.

Welcome to the fold, I respect how you've asked and answered questions, and I believe you'll do well here!
 
87CamaroLT said:
Thank you very much guys for the replies, they have given me a lot to think about for the time being, what I forgot to mention which was just brought up in a post was compatibility by steamboateng. Right now I am thinking about going with TS12, now is TS12 backward compatible with content from lets say Trainz 2010?
Click to expand...

Pretty much all content made for earlier versions will work in TS12. I've seen a few really, really old routes that wouldn't. Some stuff requires minor "fixing" to work properly in 09/10/12, although there is a program underway called the DLS Cleanup to do just that and it's mostly complete. A lot of the stuff on third-party sites seems to have been repaired too. You will run into content not working right out of the box here and there but it's nowhere near the problem it was a year ago let alone two, and if you learn to do the fixes yourself (most of which are simple) you're all set.

P.S. Had an 87 Berlinetta in my Camaro stable, probably one of the best cars I've ever owned.
 
As to question 4, Trainz gives you the option to run a train with DCC (model layout style) or cab control (more realistic).
 
To appreciate what is feasible in TRAINZ, I suggest that you pay a visit to the screen shots forum and have a look around. Another plus for Trainz (any version) is the ease of modifying existing routes to suit your personal taste.
 
I agree totally with your choice, the black leotard will go just right with yellow dress thing.
OH I'm sorry, wrong plunge wrong time.
Yes you take it hun bun. XXX
 
Well yesterday I bought the game and the SD80MAC pack from Jointed Rails, and after figuring out the dependencies I am pretty pleased with the game. I am still trying to come to grips with all the controls, and key commands. Thanks again guys for helping me come to decision, I am not regretting it!
 
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