What IS Trainz?

T

thepeartree

New member
I've been looking for local sources of the boxed version, here in the States. I've been doing web searches, but the results are totally confusing to a noob. I see so many versions under so many names that I have no idea what is what. Is there a comprehensive list that looks like '(retail version) = Actual Trainz release'? And, are ANY of them including the actual Trainz driver and Surveyor modules (at a minimum) :o ???

Here are examples of things I see:
Trainz: The Complete Collections
Trainz Ultimate Collection
Trainz Railroad Simulator
Ultimate Trainz Collection
Trainz Railway Simulator 2004 by Sold-out Software (:eek:)
Trainz Virtual Railway

I'd really appreciate some guidance!
 
thepeartree said:
I've been looking for local sources of the boxed version, here in the States. I've been doing web searches, but the results are totally confusing to a noob. I see so many versions under so many names that I have no idea what is what. Is there a comprehensive list that looks like '(retail version) = Actual Trainz release'? And, are ANY of them including the actual Trainz driver and Surveyor modules (at a minimum) :o ???

Here are examples of things I see:
Trainz: The Complete Collections
Trainz Ultimate Collection
Trainz Railroad Simulator
Ultimate Trainz Collection
Trainz Railway Simulator 2004 by Sold-out Software (:eek:)
Trainz Virtual Railway

I'd really appreciate some guidance!
Click to expand...

I'd just go TS2010.

Currently TS2010 is not available retail in the US but should be soon. The best way at the moment is to pick it up digital download from Auran, paying via paypal is safer when using a credit card. The TS2010 is now shipping to the US if you order it from the online store.

Cheerio John
 
Those guys are experts at making 3D models for Trainz (rolling stock, buildings, etc). If you are as well then their advice is good.

If not, and instead you want to drive trains and run activities, and maybe create layouts, or just see whether Trainz appeals to you, then TRS2004 is a better option for various reasons including simplicity, availability and lower cost.

John
 
: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?:confused:
 
Ah, but you see, that's the question! The software you mention is listed as Trainz RAILWAY Simulator 2004 and not Trainz RAILROAD Simulator 2004! Is it the same thing? And therefore well worth $12.99? Or is it a different program entirely or a rip-off or...?
 
thepeartree said:
Ah, but you see, that's the question! The software you mention is listed as Trainz RAILWAY Simulator 2004 and not Trainz RAILROAD Simulator 2004! Is it the same thing? And therefore well worth $12.99? Or is it a different program entirely or a rip-off or...?
Click to expand...
It's probably the UK edition in which case there's a chance it might be on an uncopyable disc which has be in the drive whenever the program is started. That's a drawback but not a major pain.

Otherwise, it appears to be 100% legit and AFAIK has exactly the same content as the US edition.

John
 
Baureihe41 said:
Why anybody is still advising to buy TRS2004 instead of TS2010 is truly beyond me.
Click to expand...

Some people don't trust that 2010 is going to be any better than 2009WBE was. The deplorable state of WBE when it was shipped certainly made me think twice about purchasing "the next big thing in the Trainz family".

Not saying that 2010 is bad, but I can't see myself willing to take the risk any time soon.
 
thepeartree said:
Ah, but you see, that's the question! The software you mention is listed as Trainz RAILWAY Simulator 2004 and not Trainz RAILROAD Simulator 2004! Is it the same thing? And therefore well worth $12.99? Or is it a different program entirely or a rip-off or...?
Click to expand...

It shouldn't be a rip off if it's from a reputable store and properly packaged.

I bought Trainz Railway Simulator 2004 from a branch of a well known computer store in the UK (PC World) fifteen months ago in a SoldOut Software pack.

It was my first Trainz software. I still use it, with no plans to upgrade. I've had endless hours of fun with it creating routes & screenshots. I'd suggest you buy it, and only upgrade if you feel you can get any more from a more recent version.

Cheers
Casper:)
 
ckthomson said:
Some people don't trust that 2010 is going to be any better than 2009WBE was. The deplorable state of WBE when it was shipped certainly made me think twice about purchasing "the next big thing in the Trainz family".

Not saying that 2010 is bad, but I can't see myself willing to take the risk any time soon.
Click to expand...

You mean to say that TRS2004 never really needed the four service packs that were released over time?

At the moment both TS2009 and TS2010 run very well and have all the benefits that come with the 7 years of developing time. No software product is perfect and therefore no Trainz version is.

The latest versions come with so much more as a package than TRS2004 that I find it silly to advice a new user a very outdated version in which A LOT of free items from everywhere around the Trainz world can not be used..

For about twenty $ more you have the latest version instead of one from the software middle ages. Thanks but no thanks ... I have had very good experiences with TS2009 since SP2 was released and have the option to run the S&C route in it. Try that in TRS2004.
 
I am not happy with Auran, but i still buy the latest games. I have 04,06,09 and soon 10. Getting 10 so i can keep up with all new things that is in the new vision., soon everybody will be using 10 in one way or another. We as a trainz group must help keep this game moving forward.All the visions have SPs added to them to improve their workmanship,10 is no difference. So buy what you want but you will buy 2010 some day so why not now. Then Auran can change the format and we can start all over again.
Danny5
 
john259 said:
It most certainly did. But they are available and a modern copy is probably going to be to SP4 from new.

John
Click to expand...

Exactly. And now there are three service packs for TS2009 available making it (with TS2010) by far the best value for your money. Your advice to buy TRS2004 is outdated.
 
By your logic TS2010 is worth less than TRS2004 because it has fewer service packs. But of course that's not a logical way to think of it, nor is saying "it's newer, therefore it must be better".

Instead, consider factors such as reliability, simplicity, compatibility, useful functionality and cost, then you'll realise why for people other than expert content creators I recommend TRS2004 at the moment.

Compared with TRS2004, TS2010 has two good new features: the higher terrain resolution and layers. It has two new features which are very questionable: SpeedTreez and CMP/CM3. It lacks some very useful features which were present in TRS2004: support for scenarios, PaintShed, fully operative built-in layouts, sessions and scenarios, and compatibility with the way many assets have actually been created.

John
 
If you can find it Trainz Railwayz from Merscom was a pretty good deal as well. It came with TRS2006 with SP1 and TC 1&2. I only paid $15 for mine through Target on sale.

Any one of the mentioned versions will give you a lot of fun and are a good play. Just be aware some of the newer versions may need a bit more work to get some content to work in it. Not impossible to do but may be a bit daunting for someone who has never used Trainz before.

Dave.....
 
I'm probably not a typical user, since my main aim is to create model railroad layouts by creating 'the real thing' in Trainz' world. How hard or how easy is it to create special trackwork- crossovers, turnouts, double-slips, curved turnouts, etc.?
 
Creating the junctions themselves tends to be fairly straightforward but making the tracks near junctions align to smooth curves can be tricky sometimes. Signalling of junctions is a relatively complicated subject in its own right. However, there are some good tutorials on all these topics and no shortage of people here who will offer valuable advice.

A particular good set of tutorials on track laying and US signalling can be found on Chuck Brite's Midwest site. Bear in mind though that signalling systems vary greatly between countries.

John
 
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