What IS Trainz?
- Thread starter thepeartree
- Start date
Hi thepeartree,
Considering what you intend, I also recommend Trainz Railwayz. It is TC 1&2 (Harlem Line Edition and Metropolis Edition) but more importantly it includes TRS2006 already patched up to date. It includes Paint Shed. It is distributed by Merscom.
If you intend to become a full blown Trainzer, also get the latest Trainz, TS2010. I sugest you get boxed copies of these from Auran.
Some folks have claimed Trainz is helpful in creating a real world model railroad. I have my doubts since it is difficult to get the equevalents of exact radiuses like you would have, even with flex track. Also getting turnouts to be like number 6, etc. model railroad turnouts may be tricky. Still I guess it is do-able.
I Once had a 5.5 foot by 10 foot N scale layout. I have re-created it in Trainz. I have expanded it to fill one base board, the equivalent of filling a 2 car garage wall to wall. This gives me broader curves and longer straight aways leaving more room for sidings and yards. It is on the download station in several versions including one for TC1&2. Look for Elko and Lincoln by me (SuperFudd). It needs only built in content.
Considering what you intend, I also recommend Trainz Railwayz. It is TC 1&2 (Harlem Line Edition and Metropolis Edition) but more importantly it includes TRS2006 already patched up to date. It includes Paint Shed. It is distributed by Merscom.
If you intend to become a full blown Trainzer, also get the latest Trainz, TS2010. I sugest you get boxed copies of these from Auran.
Some folks have claimed Trainz is helpful in creating a real world model railroad. I have my doubts since it is difficult to get the equevalents of exact radiuses like you would have, even with flex track. Also getting turnouts to be like number 6, etc. model railroad turnouts may be tricky. Still I guess it is do-able.
I Once had a 5.5 foot by 10 foot N scale layout. I have re-created it in Trainz. I have expanded it to fill one base board, the equivalent of filling a 2 car garage wall to wall. This gives me broader curves and longer straight aways leaving more room for sidings and yards. It is on the download station in several versions including one for TC1&2. Look for Elko and Lincoln by me (SuperFudd). It needs only built in content.
My apologies to the creators, I can't remember their names off hand.
There are several track and turnout templates available on the DLS. They make track laying quick and painless and look better than anything I could do without them. Very handy indeed. I'm sure someone will chime in with their names.
Dave......
There are several track and turnout templates available on the DLS. They make track laying quick and painless and look better than anything I could do without them. Very handy indeed. I'm sure someone will chime in with their names.
Dave......
Take a look at this http://www.auran.com/auran/store/index.php?p=3&PID=198
you'll get the best of both worlds.
Buy TS2010 and get TRS2004 for free. both are very sturdy.
If you think TS2010 may be too much you can start with TRS2004 and progress from there.
you'll get the best of both worlds.
Buy TS2010 and get TRS2004 for free. both are very sturdy.
If you think TS2010 may be too much you can start with TRS2004 and progress from there.
Last edited:
johnwhelan
Well-known member
:john259,
Yes, IF you can find a copy (NEW) of Ts2004, I would hope it would be easier. I've found a number of copies online, but I'm not at all sure that they're 1) Actually new, with unregistered serial numbers, and 2) the real software and not a pirated copy.
I have heard from a number of people that previously registered copies can't be sold off to anyone else and re-registered.
To the rest: So, to get the full spectrum of Trainz, one should go for the present deal (if you can afford to) of ordering a boxed copy of 2010 and get the free Ts2004?
Trainz is about content. You can download free from the DLS content up to the version of Trainz you purchase. So if you purchase TS2004 you can download and use TRS2004 content. Buy TS2010 it comes with the built in content from TRS2004, TRS2006, TC1/2 etc and you can download anything on the DLS.
The TC3 and above items generally are better quality.
Have a read of this thread before deciding.
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=50974
Oh and be aware that Razorback only runs in TRS2004 and John259 would like money from you for Razorback so be aware his advice to go TRS2004 has a financial bias.
Cheerio John
Last edited:
Oh here we go again. Why do people insist on bashing 04 ? So what if it's outdated. It works completely fine. I run 04 and 09 side by side. For me, 09 doesn't work near as good as 04 but I'm not giving up on it just yet.
So, you want to bring up the point about service packs, ok. Don't ask me why but this really gets my blood flowing when I hear people complain about 04 having 4 service packs. True, it did. However, take a look into the size of those 4 versus say 06 and 09.
For my versions of Trainz
TRS2004 (4 service packs) Build 668-2365 = 144 megs
TRS2006 (1 service pack) Build 2761-3092 = 638 megs
TRS2009 (2 so far) Build 37625-38017 = 14 megs
Build 38017-40040 = 401 megs
Now I sure as hell ain't no genius but even I can figure out which version was better made. Service packs say it all in my opinion. For any game. But, then again, nobody really cares what I think.
So, you want to bring up the point about service packs, ok. Don't ask me why but this really gets my blood flowing when I hear people complain about 04 having 4 service packs. True, it did. However, take a look into the size of those 4 versus say 06 and 09.
For my versions of Trainz
TRS2004 (4 service packs) Build 668-2365 = 144 megs
TRS2006 (1 service pack) Build 2761-3092 = 638 megs
TRS2009 (2 so far) Build 37625-38017 = 14 megs
Build 38017-40040 = 401 megs
Now I sure as hell ain't no genius but even I can figure out which version was better made. Service packs say it all in my opinion. For any game. But, then again, nobody really cares what I think.
Last edited:
RBR material also runs on TRS2006.
We are working on making our modern material run on TS2010 in compatibility mode. As a result of that work we hope it will also work on TS2009.
We are working on creating new material which will run on TS2010 in native mode.
We are a not-for-profit organisation. We offer our layouts, utilities, asset packs and a sample of our activities free of charge. We charge an annual subscription for the majority of our activities and this pays for our web hosting and software costs. I personally do not handle any of the financial transactions and nobody is making any money out of it.
I have repeatedly stated that I consider TS2010 to be the best option at the moment for content creators.
I object to your unsubstantiated insinuation. Please don't repeat it.
John
To actually answer the original poster's question about identifying Trainz versions, here are a couple lists.
This list doesn't have the newest stuff, but is very comprehensive for the versions it includes and has pics of the box art:
http://railsimpro.com/charlie/trainzchron/
This list doesn't go into as much depth, but does list the major versions and (for some) also lists the build version number.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Trainz/Versions_Of_Trainz
Personally I'd say buy TS2010 direct from Auran. That's what I did. You'll get a /lot/ more content bundled with it then with TS2004.
This list doesn't have the newest stuff, but is very comprehensive for the versions it includes and has pics of the box art:
http://railsimpro.com/charlie/trainzchron/
This list doesn't go into as much depth, but does list the major versions and (for some) also lists the build version number.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Trainz/Versions_Of_Trainz
Personally I'd say buy TS2010 direct from Auran. That's what I did. You'll get a /lot/ more content bundled with it then with TS2004.
Versions
I am not going to get involved in this 'dissagreement' again.
What I will say is this:- Look on this forum and see which posts complain most about which version. It isn't rocket science.
2004: Easy to get assets into but you will need to get TrainzObjects to help sort out some of the asset config file errors. 04 seems to put up with a lot of errors without too much of a problem. It has a wide selection of assets and quite a few ready built route to get you going and to practcice your skills on. There are simply thousands of assets on the DS for this version.
2010: First you have to get used to using the newest interface between you and Trainz to manage your assets. It is an intimidating utility at first but it does work once you get over the learning curve. Then you may well have to choose between one of the two ways of actually running 2010 because in pne mode in particular a lot of assets refuse to work or even perhaps show up. This version also has a wide selection of assets and many of the same routes made for 2004, so not much advance there? There are, we are told, behind the scenes improvements that make the program work better by using the PC's power management in better ways. Trouble is that if you increase details within the game that is rather offset.
It depends on what the specs of your PC are. You will need a higher end on with around 3/4 Gig of memory, the more the merrier really, and a good graphics card with its own RAM on board, as much as possible basically.
There will always be the two schools of thought on Trainz versions. I have 5 versions but have only three installed, but still stick with 2004 to create routes in because from that point of view I will have a greater 'audience' for the routes once sent to the DS and of course I am used to that version and it is stable.
My experience with 2006 so far has not been a happy one and TC3 only has built-in assets for the route on the disc, none for the others. Trainz 2004 and 2010 both have all the built-in ones. I didn't buy 2009 but may get 2010 after the patches have stopped coming out of Auran.
What are built-in assets? They came with the original Trainz so a buyer could make their own routes and play trains and before the Download Station really got going. Yes, that was a loooong time ago! But now we are stuck with them to run the routes that come on disc and very many of the routes you can download, so they are needed.
Have a look around this forum. There are individual sections and each will give you a better idea which version is stable and which still has problem.
Have fun,
Angela
I am not going to get involved in this 'dissagreement' again.
What I will say is this:- Look on this forum and see which posts complain most about which version. It isn't rocket science.
2004: Easy to get assets into but you will need to get TrainzObjects to help sort out some of the asset config file errors. 04 seems to put up with a lot of errors without too much of a problem. It has a wide selection of assets and quite a few ready built route to get you going and to practcice your skills on. There are simply thousands of assets on the DS for this version.
2010: First you have to get used to using the newest interface between you and Trainz to manage your assets. It is an intimidating utility at first but it does work once you get over the learning curve. Then you may well have to choose between one of the two ways of actually running 2010 because in pne mode in particular a lot of assets refuse to work or even perhaps show up. This version also has a wide selection of assets and many of the same routes made for 2004, so not much advance there? There are, we are told, behind the scenes improvements that make the program work better by using the PC's power management in better ways. Trouble is that if you increase details within the game that is rather offset.
It depends on what the specs of your PC are. You will need a higher end on with around 3/4 Gig of memory, the more the merrier really, and a good graphics card with its own RAM on board, as much as possible basically.
There will always be the two schools of thought on Trainz versions. I have 5 versions but have only three installed, but still stick with 2004 to create routes in because from that point of view I will have a greater 'audience' for the routes once sent to the DS and of course I am used to that version and it is stable.
My experience with 2006 so far has not been a happy one and TC3 only has built-in assets for the route on the disc, none for the others. Trainz 2004 and 2010 both have all the built-in ones. I didn't buy 2009 but may get 2010 after the patches have stopped coming out of Auran.
What are built-in assets? They came with the original Trainz so a buyer could make their own routes and play trains and before the Download Station really got going. Yes, that was a loooong time ago! But now we are stuck with them to run the routes that come on disc and very many of the routes you can download, so they are needed.
Have a look around this forum. There are individual sections and each will give you a better idea which version is stable and which still has problem.
Have fun,
Angela
Just to expand this a bit if I may.
The two modes are called Native Mode (faster, compatible with fewer items) and Compatibility Mode (slower, compatible with more items).
You can switch back and forth between the two modes freely as often as you wish. Many layouts and their associated Driver sessions will work far better in one mode than the other.
However, if you plan to create items for Trainz then yes you'll probably want to concentrate on producing material for one mode or the other.
John
Baureihe41
Banned
Of course that is not a logical way of thinking, but that was also not what I intended.
Let me see ... is TS2009 has fully operative built-in layouts. TS2009 support the creation of session, which are this versions scenarios. Far more content is compatible with TS2009 than with TS2004. You are correct that it doesn't support Paintshed anymore. But lacking useful features? Nope.
When I consider factors like: reliability, simplicity, compatibility, useful functionality and cost I realize that I don't want a very outdated Trainz version from 2003 but the newest available version which has all the features you crave for but are reluctant to see.
So far I don't consider any of your statements as valid reasons to promote TRS2004 to a new customer.
Baureihe41
Banned
Ahum. The forum was "reset" in 2006 remember?
Current postings are perfectly valid for the comparison, more so than old postings.
John
I'm not sure about the layouts but quite a few sessions definitely aren't operative.
Only if you have the skills to adjust items to the TS9/T10 standard. Not many people can do that.
It seems that your main criterium for deciding which is the better product is the date in the title. IMHO that's a very shallow method of making a decision, but it makes you a marketing person's delight.
John
Baureihe41
Banned
There is nothing humble about your opinion John. I find it quite insulting to be honest. I have based my opinion because I used multiple versions in the past and the present.
Most sessions are operative John, you're playing the fool.
It is the faulty content which needs to be corrected. Your beloved TRS2004 doesn't recognize most of these errors where CM2 does. In most cases it is not difficult at all to correct these mistakes. If I can do it most people can.
I have overseen John Whelan's statement about your financial interest in promoting TRS2004 ... for me that ends the discussion right here, right now. Talk about a shallow method of making a decision! Jesus wept!
Baureihe41
Banned
Bullpoo! All the old "complaint" posts are gone and there can not be a valid comparison with current postings. I am not even going to try to explain this because if you yourself can not see this there is no method I can use to explain it to you. Any more of your rubbish John?
johnwhelan
Well-known member
You seem to be in an apparent conflict of interest so perhaps you could qualify your recommendations for a particular version of Trainz with a statement noting this?
People who have been around the forum for a while are aware of it but newcomers may not be and if you mentioned it up front then people can weigh your opinion accordingly.
Cheerio John
No, there's no conflict because I have no financial interests related to RBR or Trainz, and RBR hopes to have material available for TS2010 soon.
John
I have 04, 06, TC1 & 2 and 09. For someone new I would say anyone of them are alright depending on what you intend, less of a recommendation for 09. While I still think the Merscom deal is the best bang for the buck I wouldn't hesitate to recommend 04 to someone starting out.
Why? Less error checking. I remember when I first started out the kuid system alone seemed almost maddening at first. If you're just starting out it is a steep curve to learn, something I take for granted now. Download a loco only to find you need this dependancy which in turn needs it's own dependancy......... Still drives me nuts to this day sometimes. I would have hated to have all this error checking thrown at me at this point. I came close to shelving Trainz more than once, if I would have started in 09 it would have happened for sure.
Do you loose some content by starting with an older version, yes. But, how much would someone new and not familiar with how assets are set up or fixing errors loose with a newer version. Being able to use older content in newer versions is great but useless if you haven't gained the experience in fixing them yet.
To thepeartree,
ANY version you choose will give you plenty of enjoyment. Just be sure to take a good look at your computer hardware to be sure you have what you need to run what you choose. Also, take your time and dig around to see what you really want out of the game. Every version has a give and take factor to it. If you do decide to go with the latest and greatest be aware there is another learning curve involved to getting some items to work, if at all. You may be stuck with compatibility for some items as well, which doesn't run as well as native mode. If you choose an older version you won't be able to run anything made in newer versions. No matter what though, there is plenty of content out there to choose from, not only on the DLS but third party sites as well.
Dave.....
Why? Less error checking. I remember when I first started out the kuid system alone seemed almost maddening at first. If you're just starting out it is a steep curve to learn, something I take for granted now. Download a loco only to find you need this dependancy which in turn needs it's own dependancy......... Still drives me nuts to this day sometimes. I would have hated to have all this error checking thrown at me at this point. I came close to shelving Trainz more than once, if I would have started in 09 it would have happened for sure.
Do you loose some content by starting with an older version, yes. But, how much would someone new and not familiar with how assets are set up or fixing errors loose with a newer version. Being able to use older content in newer versions is great but useless if you haven't gained the experience in fixing them yet.
To thepeartree,
ANY version you choose will give you plenty of enjoyment. Just be sure to take a good look at your computer hardware to be sure you have what you need to run what you choose. Also, take your time and dig around to see what you really want out of the game. Every version has a give and take factor to it. If you do decide to go with the latest and greatest be aware there is another learning curve involved to getting some items to work, if at all. You may be stuck with compatibility for some items as well, which doesn't run as well as native mode. If you choose an older version you won't be able to run anything made in newer versions. No matter what though, there is plenty of content out there to choose from, not only on the DLS but third party sites as well.
Dave.....
Last edited: