Trainz newbie with some general questions about routes/sessions

[kepp]

I recently bought Trainz 2012 and really have enjoyed it so far. I have poked around the forums looking for answers to these questions but haven't been very successful, please pardon me if I am asking questions that have been asked earlier. The section names of the forum are rather broad and I didn't see any sub forums. My questions are really basic.

1. When I start Trainz I see that there are over 1000 items in content that are available to download. Do these need to be downloaded, or are they additional content that can be downloaded if one wants to build their own routes? I tried downloading some of the content but it was dreadfully slow.

2. I enjoyed the Mojave Sub Routes and Sessions and also several others that came with game such as the NEC. Where can I find more of these pre-made routes and sessions? I enjoy freight operations and passenger service.

3. Does one buy content like pre-made routes directly from third parties like Jointed Rail? Or is all content sold through "Simulator Central" or some other web site? How does one install content like new routes and sessions into the game?

4. When you buy a route from somewhere, does it come with everything that is needed to play or does it require additional items like scenery?

5. Is there a section in this forum or on other sites where people discuss routes they like and route sessions they enjoy?

Thanks so much for your help.

Kepp

 

[nugget2225]

i would only update the content that shows that needs to be updated in game, it will continue to be slow unless you buy a first class ticket which is plenty worth it, it gives your download speeds to updates within minutes instead of hours. 13 bucks for 3 months or you can buy all the way up to a lifetime ticket. http://www.simulatorcentral.com/index.php/first-class-ticket-90-day.html
As far as routes and sessions you can google and look through the forums and even on the download station and get them for free, i recently purchased the cpr subdivision from roys trainz recently and if you have a fairly fast computer it would keep you busy for months, and the purchase comes with everything needed for the route, you should take a look http://www.roystrainz.com/

 

[haddock56]

Check out TrainzItalia's freeware Sherman Hill route, it's a nice route and runs good framerates. Also it includes a return loop at both ends and is very well detailed, so it's good for taking videos/screenshots as well as running a long train over the route without having to run around it in a yard when you reach the end. All the deps can be found there save for Nekolai's animated people and Lotharhake's US vehicles which are on the DLS.

 

[JCitron]

Welcome to Trainz, Kepp.

To answer your questions, you'll find that this stuff is pretty straight forward.

The items that are available for download are updates to the in-built, included, content. It isn't necessary to update the items, but you can do that. As mentioned, it's recommended that you get yourself a First Class Ticket or FCT as we call them. For about $25.00 per year, you will have unlimited access at the highest speed the server is capable of. Without the FCT, you'll only see around 5kbs download speeds and there is a 100MB limit. The cost of the FCT pays for keeping the servers running and for the free, but limited service. To be honest, the cost of the FCT is well worth the investment. I've spent more on a really awful lunch out than what I've spent on an FCT, and I have had more enjoyment out of the FCT to boot!

If you were to download a route from Jointed Rail, the route will include everything unless there is a need to go to an external link for something. Their Reading and Northern is excellent and so is their Midwest Grain. They also have add-ons for these routes and additional pay-ware available. I am not so sure about other developers other than Deremmy and his Clovis Sub, or Jointed Rail as I have no other experience with them. N3V also has routes available as add-ons which you may like. They have the Settle and Carlisle, Murchison 2, and another I can't remember. These are reasonably priced and are worth the purchase. The Murchison 2 comes with over 20 sessions you can drive, and the SNC comes with a good number as well.

The forums are divided up into sub-forums pertaining to the various N3V-owned products such as the SNC and the Murchison 2. You could also post in the Surveyor and Driver forum, or even the General Forum. Someone will respond.

Again, welcome to the forums and to the most addicting computer program you'll ever get your hands on.

John

 

[leeferr]

I recently bought Trainz 2012 and really have enjoyed it so far. I have poked around the forums looking for answers to these questions but haven't been very successful, please pardon me if I am asking questions that have been asked earlier. The section names of the forum are rather broad and I didn't see any sub forums. My questions are really basic.

1. When I start Trainz I see that there are over 1000 items in content that are available to download. Do these need to be downloaded, or are they additional content that can be downloaded if one wants to build their own routes? I tried downloading some of the content but it was dreadfully slow.

2. I enjoyed the Mojave Sub Routes and Sessions and also several others that came with game such as the NEC. Where can I find more of these pre-made routes and sessions? I enjoy freight operations and passenger service.

3. Does one buy content like pre-made routes directly from third parties like Jointed Rail? Or is all content sold through "Simulator Central" or some other web site? How does one install content like new routes and sessions into the game?

4. When you buy a route from somewhere, does it come with everything that is needed to play or does it require additional items like scenery?

5. Is there a section in this forum or on other sites where people discuss routes they like and route sessions they enjoy?

Thanks so much for your help.

Kepp

I'll try to answer some of your questions.

As mentioned, I'd highly recommend that you purchase a First Class Ticket if you want to download at reasonable speeds from the Download Station (DLS)

You should be seeing much more than 1000 items of content available for download from the DLS. I think that the last time that I looked, there were well over 180,000 pieces of content either built-in or available on the DLS, I know that I've got over 1000 pieces there that I've created and I'm not one of the most prolific creators here. I could be off some on that number, but the amount of content available is enormous. All content on the DLS is free. There are 3rd party sites that have lots of content, both freeware and payware.

When you download a route, you are actually only loading a map with references to items of content and scenery. If you're downloading from the DLS, all content that you don't already have installed will be downloaded with the route if it's available on the DLS, but routes could have content referenced that comes from 3rd party sites. If so, then you'll have to download that content separately and sometimes, you may need some help from the members here on the forum in tracking them down.

If you like long routes that can run both freight and passenger, you might try downloading the Ashland Central System route that I just uploaded to the DLS, but I wouldn't suggest it without a first class ticket first. It's a 75 mile long route. If you do, make sure that you also download the ACS Log Run HTML and the ACS Log Run session with it. There are many great routes on the DLS, so don't be afraid to try one out. If you don't like it, you can always delete it.

We're all here to help if we can. Be patient with Trainz and you'll be in for a great experience.

Mike

 

[Robert3a0]

Welcome to Trainz Kepp, if you are like most of us you will get sucked in very quickly and find you will spend a lot of time on the programme. As all have said, get a first class ticket. I purchased a lifetime ticket, which runs for 35 years. That works out to about $4.00 per year - cheap by any means. Regarding content, open your content creator and click the tab for download station. Browse through the options and you will find plenty of routes to download. Some are excellent, most are good and some are fairly basic. Also, look at the download station on the web-site. In the category section use the drop-down menue to locate 'Routes'. I suggest you uncheck all the boxes below TS9 Service Pack 4. The reason for doing that is that Trainz no longer supports build versions below 2.7. When you download a route it will usually come with dependencies (buildings, industries, (the scenery)etc) not included in your purchased version. Those dependencies will automatically download with the selected route. To get a better idea of building techniques, open any selected route in the Surveyor mode. I found that technique very useful when I first started out and I still look at routes for new ideas. Of course, using the forums is a great way also for finding out the basics. I suggest you look for Shane Turner's tutorials in these forums as they are very good.

Have fun

Regards
Bob

 

[kepp]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the detailed replies. I am on "old guy" who, as a boy, had several Lionel Train sets... my brother and I would receive these for Christmas, and in retrospect my dad must have loved the hobby as he would build these beautiful layouts for us including mountains, lakes, etc. This was in the late 1950's. We had multiple sidings, industries, engines, locomotives, and cars... etc. Our basement was filled with multiple layouts and people would visit to see it. My younger brother sold all of it and it partially financed his first two years of college in the 1970's. How things have changed... he was saying the other day if he knew what today's value would be, he would have kept all of it!

Anyway, now that I am partially retired I discovered Trainz through an IPad app I bought, and subsequently bought the full Trainz versions for both my MacBook and my PC and became "hooked" again. It is addicting. I'm sure that within a short time I'll take a shot at doing some layouts for my own use but for now, I am really enjoying driving. I have bought a FCT as suggested.

Once again, thanks everyone for your help and advice...