Trainz Versus MSTS

[Harry_James_Potter]

i've played with both M$T$ and TRS. M$T$ has better steam support but coupler breakage problems, frequent crashes and a really horrible route editor (that could kill a map stone dead) plus the unwillingness for it to run on my machine at the mo has driven me away from it.

TRS is much better even if the AI is as thick as two short planks.

regards

Harry

 

[Fitz505]

I'm with you on the 'steam'. It's the only reason I still keep MSTS on my hard drive. Many of their freeware engines (my favorite is the Nickel Plate Berk with it's fully functional backplate and great steam sounds) are worthy of payware engines, not to mention, just about every version of North American steam you could ask for.

John

 

[f7power]

they both have ups and downs, let me give some examples

msts ups: has brilliant included routes, detailed controls, and can go into passenger rolling stock

msts downs: has a complicated and often frustrating editor, you cant easily build your own consists

trainz ups: a choice of realistic or simle controls, easy to use editor, lots of included routes (doesnt count for the older versions though ) TONS of rolling stock udrool::mop

trainz downs: when two or more trains run into eachother, the couple up n:not fun:hehe: older versions have very few included routes (cant do anything now though, can they)

my info may not be bang on, as i have only played on version 1.3 and 2006, and my 2006 one broke, leaving me with just version 1.3 (oh how annoying:'()

now from what i've mentioned you can decide which one you preffer, or you can just get both if possible

 

[omber]

MSTS: Simulator hardcore imo, I dont mind but I dont want to be forced to use realistic controlls all the time - I prefer DCC from TRS

 

[joshmeister]

Hi eveyone,

I am new to this genre of 'gaming' / simulation and wondering which of train sim to buy - looking at reviews, trainz generally gets the better reviews but it seems MS Train Sim has more support/community?

Anyway just wondering of any if you would care to advise - also if I go for trainz, which version would you recommend? I am in the UK.

Thanks in advance

Graeme

there both good for different things and thats why Ive got both.

 

[narrowgauge]

grf21

I have also tried both and my advice would be that if you buy Trainz you will not miss anything about MSTS, whereas if you start with MSTS, you will wonder why you did and you will still buy Trainz as well.

Start with Trainz, and sometime later, much later, try and discard, MSTS.

Cheers

Narrowgauge

 

[Harry_James_Potter]

my info may not be bang on, as i have only played on version 1.3 and 2006, and my 2006 one broke, leaving me with just version 1.3 (oh how annoying:'()

Broke how?

Maybe we can help you sort it out or at least recommend some course of action to get it going again....

regards

Harry

 

[Harry_James_Potter]

grf21

I have also tried both and my advice would be that if you buy Trainz you will not miss anything about MSTS, whereas if you start with MSTS, you will wonder why you did and you will still buy Trainz as well.

Start with Trainz, and sometime later, much later, try and discard, MSTS.

Cheers

Narrowgauge

I'd buy both right from the off. they're cheap enough. Install them both and then compare them side by side.

Then chuck away or delete the one you don't want.

regards

Harry

 

[NBandW]

Hi,

I've had Trainz (1.3 through 2004 SP4) and MSTS side by side since they were both fairly new, and like others have said, they have their up and downs. Compared to TRS2004, MSTS, from a North American standpoint, has a lot more variety in content and routes.

However, TRS route creator is an infinite number of times better than the MSTS one. Plus TRS allows you to dispatch trains and drive more than one train in a session, while in MSTS you have your assigned loco and everything else is AI and cannot be player-controlled.

One other thing that I've noticed is that MSTS routes, while less detailed, are often longer in length (many over 100 miles) while TRS routes seem to be more compact such as a model railroad.

It just depends on what you want to do- TRS is better at layout creation and complicated sessions (i.e. switching) while MSTS is better at longer routes and realistic point-to-point operation.

Sorry for the long winded post but I hope this helps.

 

[thegrindre]

I spent about a year with MSTS and finely gave up because of all the crashes, lock ups, and freezes it threw at me. I have just installed Trainz 2006 a few weeks ago and will never look back at MSTS again. (I wasted a year on nothing)

Rick

 

[Winterbear]

I have got both Trainz 2006 and MSTS on my laptop. Although Trainz says it is not suitable for laptops, it does work, although a little jerkily! You can create a Trainz route on a laptop, but you obviously need a machine with a fast graphics card to drive a train. The larger and more complex the route on Trainz, the slower the train goes, but on MSTS you only slow down going through detailed sections of the route. MSTS is easily useable on a laptop.

A comparison of interest for MSTS and Trainz users is "Tenderden to Bodiam", available on CD from K&ESR Tenterden Town Station, or order online. There is freeware download of the K&ESR for Trainz

http://angelajane.fireflyinternet.co.uk/K&ES.zip