TRS2004 problems in 2024

NPminnetonka

New member
I recently performed a wipe on my computer, and decided to completely restart my progress in Trainz. That being said, I installed the version that brought me the most enjoyment and satisfaction; 2004. The game is acting odd, as in not responding to keyboard input and not being able to download anything properly. I expected teething troubles, as I am operating this out of a windows 10 computer I had since 2017. I'm hoping anyone can reply having more experience or knowledge than me, perhaps something I say brings up possibilities. Would appreciate any input, I'm not very technically minded in this regard.
 
I have a vague idea that TRS2004 really needs a much earlier operating system. My suggestion would be install TS22 and just use the content from TRS2004, or possibly TANE.

Cheerio John
 
I have a vague idea that TRS2004 really needs a much earlier operating system. My suggestion would be install TS22 and just use the content from TRS2004, or possibly TANE.

Cheerio John
Funnily enough, that's almost exactly what I was doing prior to the switch. I won't be heartbroken if it comes to that though.
 
I've installed TRS2004 and played the included scenarios as I do enjoy those.
I play with keyboard commands and I've had no issues with the game on Windows 10.

Cheers
 
Funnily enough, that's almost exactly what I was doing prior to the switch. I won't be heartbroken if it comes to that though.
The other thing to remember is TRS2004 did most of the work on the CPU and only used one core so doesn't make the best use of modern hardware.

Cheerio John
 
I've installed TRS2004 and played the included scenarios as I do enjoy those.
I play with keyboard commands and I've had no issues with the game on Windows 10.

Cheers
How did you install the game? I kept all my files on the D: drive to save space, maybe the game didn't like that? I've also tried every configuration in the display/advanced option menus, nothing seems to work.
 
TRS2004 requires DirectX 9.0c to run. If you haven't installed that before then you should go to Microsoft and download it. It can be installed without effecting your other games.
TRS2004 doesn't care where the game is installed. Win 10 might not be happy if it isn't inside the Program Files(86x) folder. You have to run it as administrator.
 
How did you install the game? I kept all my files on the D: drive to save space, maybe the game didn't like that? I've also tried every configuration in the display/advanced option menus, nothing seems to work.
I extract them from my disc backups to my C drive as its on an SSD so it goes fast.
For the config file, I just add the -windowed and save it. The screen res. I go the next one up from the default (800x600). Anything above just crashes Trainz. I've kept it at OpenGL.
I know if you want to do any work, TRS2004 must be launched as admin or else Trainz won't be able to save your edits due to the much strict Windows security (back in the day Windows wasn't so strict). If you are just going to play the game as-is without doing any kind of edits to the routes then you can just launch it as normal.

Cheers
 
I extract them from my disc backups to my C drive as its on an SSD so it goes fast.
For the config file, I just add the -windowed and save it. The screen res. I go the next one up from the default (800x600). Anything above just crashes Trainz. I've kept it at OpenGL.
I know if you want to do any work, TRS2004 must be launched as admin or else Trainz won't be able to save your edits due to the much strict Windows security (back in the day Windows wasn't so strict). If you are just going to play the game as-is without doing any kind of edits to the routes then you can just launch it as normal.

Cheers
I gave this a shot. Removed the game entirely, re-installed on the C drive and let it do its thing in Program Files. It works! getting downloads to work is the next venture, but that is a challenge I feel has its own problems.
 
I gave this a shot. Removed the game entirely, re-installed on the C drive and let it do its thing in Program Files. It works! getting downloads to work is the next venture, but that is a challenge I feel has its own problems.
That's great to hear. TRS2004 is dear to my heart since that's what I started with 20 years ago this coming December.

Downloading and installing content will be "fun". If you are using Edge, you can configure Internet Explorer mode, yes it still exists, to open up the DLS web white pages by default. Check the setting under your Default web browser in Edge settings located under the 3-dots located on the upper right.
 
That's great to hear. TRS2004 is dear to my heart since that's what I started with 20 years ago this coming December.

Downloading and installing content will be "fun". If you are using Edge, you can configure Internet Explorer mode, yes it still exists, to open up the DLS web white pages by default. Check the setting under your Default web browser in Edge settings located under the 3-dots located on the upper right.
Indeed, I got my start with 2009 but have since lost the disk. I spent more time in 2004 anyway, it is such a good game.

I just set up Internet explorer as you mentioned, the real roadblock is using the content manager. Downloading anything gives the error, "Unable to register Trainz Helper registration key". I can tell the content manager wants to work, but I have no clue what the registration key is or where to find it
 
Indeed, I got my start with 2009 but have since lost the disk. I spent more time in 2004 anyway, it is such a good game.

I just set up Internet explorer as you mentioned, the real roadblock is using the content manager. Downloading anything gives the error, "Unable to register Trainz Helper registration key". I can tell the content manager wants to work, but I have no clue what the registration key is or where to find it
I can't remember how to fix that, sorry but I remember the error when newer browsers came out. You will have to use FTP. If I'm remembering correctly, the content gets imported through the package add function or something like that. Sorry if my details are vague. It's been a while.

It is a great Trainz version because it had all the right stuff in it and it was the beginning of what we have now.
 
I can't remember how to fix that, sorry but I remember the error when newer browsers came out. You will have to use FTP. If I'm remembering correctly, the content gets imported through the package add function or something like that. Sorry if my details are vague. It's been a while.

It is a great Trainz version because it had all the right stuff in it and it was the beginning of what we have now.
I get you. I re-learned how the FTP download works now, though I'm not making much progress at the moment. Problem is, there's obviously something wrong with the model that the game isn't telling me. The models show up in the menus but do not actually load in railyard/surveyor. I'm currently trying models I remember using religiously in the game like Tume, Gary_Hoorn, and Mrtrain.
 
I get you. I re-learned how the FTP download works now, though I'm not making much progress at the moment. Problem is, there's obviously something wrong with the model that the game isn't telling me. The models show up in the menus but do not actually load in railyard/surveyor. I'm currently trying models I remember using religiously in the game like Tume, Gary_Hoorn, and Mrtrain.
That's the fun part about TRS2004. There was no error checking or information about anything if an asset couldn't be loaded.

What helps with that is a program called Trainzobjectz by Terry Franks. If you have that or can find it, it'll do the things you need to do such as troubleshoot faulty assets.
 
TrainzObjectz is still available at software.informer. The file from this site is identical to Terry Franks original version.
Name: tosetup_544.exe
Größe: 2791383 Bytes : 2725 KiB
SHA256: 82275a04c551cc932199a7b0eb7da101b74bf4f05048d24cea1df0c102ebc182

Peter
 
TrainzObjectz is still available at software.informer. The file from this site is identical to Terry Franks original version.


Peter

Thank you for the link! Just downloaded it and am about to give it a spin.
That's the fun part about TRS2004. There was no error checking or information about anything if an asset couldn't be loaded.

What helps with that is a program called Trainzobjectz by Terry Franks. If you have that or can find it, it'll do the things you need to do such as troubleshoot faulty assets.

And thank you for the initial reference!
 
Indeed, I got my start with 2009 but have since lost the disk. I spent more time in 2004 anyway, it is such a good game.

I just set up Internet explorer as you mentioned, the real roadblock is using the content manager. Downloading anything gives the error, "Unable to register Trainz Helper registration key". I can tell the content manager wants to work, but I have no clue what the registration key is or where to find it
Here are quite a few past threads/posts in case anyone needs assistance with the Unable to register Trainz Helper registration key error/issue in the future.
 
Here are quite a few past threads/posts in case anyone needs assistance with the Unable to register Trainz Helper registration key error/issue in the future.

Thank you for the reference, I've read through various threads and they all seem to either devolve into tangents or remain inconclusive. I did persist with an FCT, as it has worked for some on these threads, but hasn't worked in my case.
I have a vague idea that TRS2004 really needs a much earlier operating system. My suggestion would be install TS22 and just use the content from TRS2004, or possibly TANE.

Cheerio John

I think I'm going to take a page from your book and cut my losses. I still have my original copies of TS2010 and 12, which I found to be pretty much just as enjoyable. My main goal is to escape modern user interface and enjoy the less detailed models of the past. I suppose 2010/12 can do that just as good, and they function on my PC without issue.

I apologize to anyone who looked into this thread for advice on their endeavors, I just haven't got the time or technical know-how to do it the hard way.
 
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