I've been playing the Trainz series since the Community Edition but I'm going to be one of the very, very few here that aren't afraid to say that it's gotten rather old. Rail Simulator easily wins because it offers a new experience.
Actually, after playing Rail Simulator for a while, Trainz 2006 went right out of my PC. The graphics in RS trump that of TRS bar none. RS takes a majority of its controls from MSTS so it's very easy to adapt to.
Trainz (for the moment) is hands down all around better than Rail Simulator, although the DLS webpage (you can still download via CMP and FTP) isn't functioning at the moment, Trainz has about 70000 or so available assets. RS? Almost none.
RS has plenty of potential.....while OTOH, the Trainz series is already at the point of running it's course. RS is getting off to a slow start just as MSTS, each iteration of Trainz and BVE all did.
Trainz Surveyor is (with practice) very easy to use and quite yielding. RS? Try laying some track, its nearly impossible, in fact, once you lay that track and save the layout, you can't delete the layout.
Take a look a the tutorial videos. And btw, you can delete the layouts. It's just a different format that takes time getting used to.
Trainz has a *relatively* good signal system code which with the use of some good signals can be very easy to manipulate to do what you want. RS? Not a chance.
I recommend you view the signaling guide on UKTrainSim.com, where you can be enlightened on the possibilities of the signal system in RS. Without any 3rd party content, the Trainz signal system doesn't function as many would want. Why do you think Auran and many here never even advanced or took advantage of the scenario system? There's a scarcity of scenarios and sessions for TRS and it's mainly due to the signaling issues.
Trainz (with some difficulty) has a good working AI system which when programed properly will run without any problems. RS? Hardly any AI and as far as I know no way to make any.
Trainz has the convenience of a working level crossing system, and if your into German railroading, crossing position inidicators. RS? The crossings are always down leaving you with some very cross motorists.
False...... Why all the misinformation? RS does have AI capabilities with the Developer Tools. And the crossings? The go up on the Bath Green route..maybe you had your graphics level down?
Trainz has roads with traffic on them that you can actually set, and with TC you can have it go on more than one lane. RS? Well, I've yet to even see a car.
Once again, your graphics level was set too low. Set it higher and you'll see traffic, just like MSTS.
Trainz has a very friendly, helpful user community that releases loads of great content and can easily help with a lot of your Trainz and PC problems (heck, they even have their own chatroom!). RS? Say one thing blatantly degrading about their game (like what I've just written above) and you'll find yourself banned pretty quickly.
What forum have
you been using? People were degrading the game on the UKTrainSim forums before it was even released and none were banned! The RS community is just as friendly but are currently adapting to the new formats. Content is trickling out right now..but that will surely grow.
Trainz is a relatively easy to use program for a great price and with it you can do some pretty cool things (TPR's layouts prove this bit). RS? Overpriced, half finished program that doesn't do a lot with a lousy selection of rolling stock (Not one bit of Canadian content, and when the US release comes there still won't be any).
I paid $65 for Trainz 2006, that's what I call overpriced. The little $40 your paying for RS is the base price for pretty much all mainstream PC games. And Canadian content? You should've been busting Microsoft's and Auran's chops as well as I don't recall Canadian content in those either.
