Trainz 2022 Needs to Move Forward—Not Backward

[jwyant01]

Surveyor 2.0 isn’t just a new interface. It’s a philosophy. It’s modular, immersive, and built for creators who treat every asset as part of a living system. I’ve fully transitioned—and I believe it’s time Trainz does too.
Surveyor 1.0 still lingers in Trainz 2022. And while some users rely on it, its continued presence fragments the platform, slows innovation, and forces devs to maintain two diverging logic paths.
Trainz 2022 should represent forward momentum—streamlined workflows, modern logic, and unified editing tools. Surveyor 2.0 delivers that. Surveyor 1.0, by contrast, anchors the platform to outdated conventions.
If N3V is serious about modular evolution, Surveyor 1.0 should be fully retired in the next major update or simulator release. Give users the tools and documentation to transition confidently—and commit to the future.
Trainz deserves consistency. Builders deserve clarity. And the community deserves a platform that evolves with purpose. Surveyor 2.0 is that platform. Let’s stop straddling the past.
Legacy isn’t about clinging to old tools. It’s about honoring what worked—and building what’s next. Surveyor 2.0 is what’s next.

 

[zatovisualworks]

With all my due respect and IMHO, it seems that legacy doesn't mean the same to you and me, well-respected jwyant01.

The disagreeing side of Alberte

 

[epa]

I've been in Trainz since the TRS2006 days. What immediately set it aside from other sims was how simple Surveyor was compared to, say, MSTS. Surveyor 2.0 is cool, but it's quite complicated, I think. I can see where it could come in handy for those that take this seriously, DLC developers, for example. I still consider myself a casual, and for a casual like me, Surveyor Classic still does everything I need and more, and I think it keeps route building accessible for all users.

But I could just be stubborn, I don't know.

Matt

 

[Therock]

let's maybe focus on actually being able to do everything in surveyor 2 that is currently still only possible in surveyor 1 before getting rid of it.

 

[AdvancedApproach]

let's maybe focus on actually being able to do everything in surveyor 2 that is currently still only possible in surveyor 1 before getting rid of it.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[pware]

I have (almost) fully transitioned from Surveyor Classic to Surveyor 2.0. That transition took me about a year after about 20 years of using Classic. The only time I revert to Classic is to use its more flexible but slower (I have actually compared the time taken for the task in each interface) Bulk Asset Update/Replace feature.

Yes Surveyor 2.0, like any user interface, can be improved.

I love the fact that a scene in Surveyor 2.0 without its spinning white and yellow spline circles is far less cluttered, and therefore far more "visible", and that you can select and simultaneously manipulate multiple object of different types. Checking an entire length of track for broken links is one double click away. 3D movements, such as tilting objects to odd angles (not possible in Classic) are easy in S2.0. Surveyor 2.0 has made significant improvements to my productivity and enjoyment as well as lowering my frustration levels.

But Classic should not be removed as an interface option. There are many, often older users of which I am a proud foundation member, who would find it difficult if not impossible to make the transition from Classic to S2.0 or S3.0. Trainz is a hobby, it is not an application used by professional designers who would be expected to "keep up with the current standards".

My thoughts.

 

[Forester1]

I need to try to learn surveyor 2. I opened it once, got a deer in the headlights look, and immediately sent back to the original

 

[nugget2225]

Alot of people aren't using the new version. I have tried 2.0 several times, And always go back to the classic. The new version to me has a nice clean interface, But to complex for my brain, I hate to say. It also just doesn't feel finished to me. The circles to lay track is a big problem for me. Thats the way i line up my splines on just about everything. That's just my opinion. If the classic is removed, I guess i will force myself to learn a new way regardless of how frustrating it might be.

 

[pware]

got a deer in the headlights look

But to complex for my brain, I hate to say.

Yes, it is a steep learning curve and my initial response was that I would never be able to master it. But start with the small easy things - such as adding and moving objects. I immediately realised how much easier and more versatile Surveyor 2.0 was. Other, more complex, tasks took longer but I eventually came to see how much more powerful and efficient Surveyor 2.0 was.

If you haven't already seen them there are two very large, and I hope, comprehensive documents on how to use the Surveyor 2.0 Tools and Palettes on the Trainz Wiki. They are based on my experiences and those of other users in these forums. Before using S20 take a look at them, pick something simple and then try it out in Surveyor 2.0. Small steps.