Trainz 2006 or Classics?

[harishankar]

I am a big fan of railway simulators but I found that both MSTS as well as EA Kuju Rail simulator has very tedious editor modules. Also EA Rail Simulator seems to have a lot of issues and problems with routes and activities. In many ways even MSTS is better than Kuju Rail Simulator as with MSTS you can choose the time of day and season while playing a game while in Kuju the options are hidden somewhere I've not even figured out.

I read a lot of reviews of Trainz and found that its "surveyor" is one of the easiest content creation tools available in the simulator market. I love creating layouts and scenarios but I don't want to spend several hours in frustrating track editing and trying to figure out how to set points, signals, speed limits, milestone markers, stations, scenery and so on.

If so, my question is should I buy Trainz 2006 or Classics? Which has more content? I am confused whether Classics includes 2006 content or not.

I would also be grateful if somebody can let me know whether there is Indian Railways content for Trainz.

 

[Iced8383]

Ok, i highly recommend that you get 2006.

I know someone who has classics crash about 1-3 times per day.

Secondly, TRS2006 is the far better game. Ithas many more add-ons and things, not to mention a lot more content than 04 and classics.

I highly recommend 2006 for you.

 

[scorpio48]

I am a big fan of railway simulators but I found that both MSTS as well as EA Kuju Rail simulator has very tedious editor modules. Also EA Rail Simulator seems to have a lot of issues and problems with routes and activities. In many ways even MSTS is better than Kuju Rail Simulator as with MSTS you can choose the time of day and season while playing a game while in Kuju the options are hidden somewhere I've not even figured out.

I read a lot of reviews of Trainz and found that its "surveyor" is one of the easiest content creation tools available in the simulator market. I love creating layouts and scenarios but I don't want to spend several hours in frustrating track editing and trying to figure out how to set points, signals, speed limits, milestone markers, stations, scenery and so on.

If so, my question is should I buy Trainz 2006 or Classics? Which has more content? I am confused whether Classics includes 2006 content or not.

I would also be grateful if somebody can let me know whether there is Indian Railways content for Trainz.

Hi
I guess this thread is going to cause a few friendly discussions.
There isn't a defined answer, its strictly down to personal choice.
Personally I prefer 2006, a lot of 'Surveyors' prefer 2004.
I didn't even purchase the classic range so I can't really comment on that.
I would go 2004 or 2006, or wait about a month and do what I suppose many will do, get 2009.
Cheers
Pete.

 

[PatrickTaylor89]

I read a lot of reviews of Trainz and found that its "surveyor" is one of the easiest content creation tools available in the simulator market. I love creating layouts and scenarios but I don't want to spend several hours in frustrating track editing and trying to figure out how to set points, signals, speed limits, milestone markers, stations, scenery and so on.

If you love creating layouts, I'd say you're going to love Trainz. I've never heard a bad word about Surveyor, especially compared to both MSTS and KUJU. There are several demos out there of a few different versions of Trainz. You could always give those a shot to see if Trainz is what you're looking for. Unfortunately, I don't have any links for them, but a quick web search would probably be your best bet.

If so, my question is should I buy Trainz 2006 or Classics? Which has more content? I am confused whether Classics includes 2006 content or not.

I won't get into the debate as to which version is "better", since that is really a matter of personal opinion. However, as far as content goes, Classics does not include any previous legacy content. If that's what you're looking for, then I'd suggest TRS2006. There is also something out right now called "Trainz Railways" which I believe includes both TRS2006 and version one of Classics. If you have a lot of patience, you could also wait for Trainz 2009, which is expected to arrive sometime in the next few months and will mostly likely include all of the legacy content.

Patrick

 

[meridious]

If it's amount of content you are looking for then 06 is for you. Just be prepared for alot of headaches. Especially with CMP.

If it is stability, then 04 or TC3 is the way to go. 04 btw, has alot of built in content as well.

 

[harishankar]

Thanks a lot for all your help. I am very disappointed to hear that Trainz Classics doesn't include earlier content as I believe it features a better game engine than the previous versions.

But I think I will order Trainz 2006. I don't see any option to buy Trainz Railways edition in the online shop though.

Can anybody clarify whether it's still available for purchase?

A few specific questions regarding Trainz though:

1. How easy is it to create electric traction and electrified routes? Does one have to lay every single gantry/post on the route or is it automated?
2. Layout of stations - is there extra objects to create larger stations (like terminals with huge domed roofs)? I find that lack of objects and sounds is the biggest disappointment in Kuju Rail Simulator which doesn't allow one to create big stations with appropriate atmosphere.
3. Does track laying involve lego-like pick and place pieces (MSTS style) or is it a linear creation tool (like Kuju Rail Simulator)?

I read a lot of reviews, but they don't answer specific questions. I've been sorely disappointed with the lack of third party content for KRS, so I want to make sure of Trainz before I buy. MSTS was great when it was still 2005, but now it's 2008 and the age is starting to show.

Regards and thanks a whole lot once again for responding

 

[scorpio48]

Thanks a lot for all your help. I am very disappointed to hear that Trainz Classics doesn't include earlier content as I believe it features a better game engine than the previous versions.

But I think I will order Trainz 2006. I don't see any option to buy Trainz Railways edition in the online shop though.

Can anybody clarify whether it's still available for purchase?

A few specific questions regarding Trainz though:

1. How easy is it to create electric traction and electrified routes? Does one have to lay every single gantry/post on the route or is it automated?
2. Layout of stations - is there extra objects to create larger stations (like terminals with huge domed roofs)? I find that lack of objects and sounds is the biggest disappointment in Kuju Rail Simulator which doesn't allow one to create big stations with appropriate atmosphere.
3. Does track laying involve lego-like pick and place pieces (MSTS style) or is it a linear creation tool (like Kuju Rail Simulator)?

I read a lot of reviews, but they don't answer specific questions. I've been sorely disappointed with the lack of third party content for KRS, so I want to make sure of Trainz before I buy. MSTS was great when it was still 2005, but now it's 2008 and the age is starting to show.

Regards and thanks a whole lot once again for responding

Hello again,
A quick answer to your questions.
Its the first time I've heard about 'Trainz Railways', must have missed that one.

1. Its fairly simple to create electric traction, third rail or over-head, and there are plenty of downloads available on the download station (DS). You can pick and choose to your hearts content. The gantries, lines, Etc are available as splines. Click, Drag, and drop.
2. Plenty. I use andi06's invisible station kits, and his large variety of canopies, domes, platforms, track, templates Etc.
3. Similar to Kuju, but in my opinion a lot better and easier to construct, and you haven't got those annoying upside-down washing baskets. With surveyor, the tracks, single, double, triple and above also use the spline method, Click, drag and drop. There are dozens of track items available as well, much more than any of the other contenders.

If you have been using Kuju or MS for route creation then I think your in for a treat with Trainz. Although Trainz hasn't a built in SRTM tool like Kuju, (which I could never get to work), there is a pay-ware version available for Trs, called Transdem. Its well worth the low price and easier to get to grips with than any of the contenders.
I left Trainz for about six months to try out the others, give them up as bad jobs (after a lot of griping on their Forums ) and soon returned to Trainz.
Hope this helps, I think your going to enjoy
Cheers
Pete

 

[harishankar]

Thanks. I'm most likely going to place my order for Trainz 2006 tomorrow.

I am glad to have these answers as it's helped me decide. Trainz 2006 it will be.

I've been fumbling around with Kuju's route creation tool so far - there seems to be no way to do some obvious things - like a weather control, time settings, getting a saved track setting - like speed limit, electrification of lines etc. and other minor annoyances.

Anyway it won't hurt to have another train simulator.

 

[Originalwelshborder]

Trainz Railways is only the name used in the UK for Trainz Classics 3

and beware if you buy in the Uk rather than direct from Auran as the UK shop versions are marketed by Just Trains and need the disks in the drive all the time to run because they're obsessed with copy protection-odd when Auran, the producer, doesn't have the same issues!

Buy direct from Auran (it's actually shipped by Mike 10 in the UK if on disk).

There is "Trainz 2009" due out in the near future though, you should read the forums about that.

 

[narrowgauge]

This may not be your cup-of-tea but you asked this.

I would also be grateful if somebody can let me know whether there is Indian Railways content for Trainz.

We can't offer main line content but we can give you the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, scale length from Sukna to Darjeeling complete with B class locos and a very nice Garratt

http://darjeelingtrainz.com/welcome.html

Made for TRS2004 but works just as well in TRS2006 and in TS2009.

This is a route you will not get in any other sim.

Cheers

Narrowgauge

 

[PatrickTaylor89]

Trainz Railways is only the name used in the UK for Trainz Classics 3

There must be two different versions of it then, because the Trainz Railwayz that I'm talking about is something different. It is a combo pack of both TRS2006 and TC1&2. I saw it in Future Shop (a Canadian store) the other day and it's listed on their website as well...

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10107668&catid=11131

I guess it isn't being sold through Auran.com though. Perhaps it's only a North American product.

Patrick

 

[Partyman79]

Trainz Railways is only the name used in the UK for Trainz Classics 3

and beware if you buy in the Uk rather than direct from Auran as the UK shop versions are marketed by Just Trains and need the disks in the drive all the time to run because they're obsessed with copy protection-odd when Auran, the producer, doesn't have the same issues!

TC1+2 published by JustTrains doesn't have copy protection. TRS06 has.

 

[harishankar]

This may not be your cup-of-tea but you asked this.



We can't offer main line content but we can give you the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, scale length from Sukna to Darjeeling complete with B class locos and a very nice Garratt

http://darjeelingtrainz.com/welcome.html

Made for TRS2004 but works just as well in TRS2006 and in TS2009.

This is a route you will not get in any other sim.

Cheers

Narrowgauge

Thanks a lot. Though the Darjeeling route is fascinating in itself, I'm still very undecided on the content portion of this product.

I wish I had the time and skills to create my own content for Indian Railways, but most train sim products don't have any Indian railway routes or content. The developers simply have ignored the Indian market largely (I don't know why - maybe not enough Indian railways fans?) But India is a country with a huge railway network and probably offers most development opportunity for railway fans.

MSTS has spawned a dedicated community for Indian Railways content though. Check here:
http://www.irfca.org/~ronik/msts/down.htm

If anybody here could assist those interested in Indian Railways to convert models and content to Trainz, it would be more than sufficient.

 

[johnwhelan]

Thanks a lot. Though the Darjeeling route is fascinating in itself, I'm still very undecided on the content portion of this product.

I wish I had the time and skills to create my own content for Indian Railways, but most train sim products don't have any Indian railway routes or content. The developers simply have ignored the Indian market largely (I don't know why - maybe not enough Indian railways fans?) But India is a country with a huge railway network and probably offers most development opportunity for railway fans.

MSTS has spawned a dedicated community for Indian Railways content though. Check here:
http://www.irfca.org/~ronik/msts/down.htm

If anybody here could assist those interested in Indian Railways to convert models and content to Trainz, it would be more than sufficient.

Dig in the forum but I recall some one working on Indian content. I think some was just reskins and some was payware. The models are basically a mesh with a texture file and you can edit the graphics on the texture file with software such as paint.net, GIMP, Photoshop, Paintshop Pro. The first two are free, and GIMP is probably the best for lettering. You need the content creator's permission to distribute or upload a reskin but that doesn't stop you from creating them for your own use. More details are available in the wikibook for Trainz.

The MSTS models are quite different to Trainz and conversion generally speaking is not easy.

Cheerio John

 

[harishankar]

I've made the order for Trainz 2006 DVD edition now through paypal.

Hopefully things will be processed soon.

 

[anand99]

I attempted to create some content few years ago but gave up due to lack of time (have 2 kids) and lack of understanding of 3d modelling. I sure hope someone more talented can create some rolling stock. Maybe one can hope for TRS 2009?

 

[harishankar]

Anand, yes. 3d modelling has always been something of a pain for me to attempt. It's so time-consuming just to draw simple models and texturing is something I've not even begun to attempt.

I salute all members who've shared their 3d content with us either for free or for money.