Which version to buy?

D

DioMac

New member
Hi Guys,

I'm looking at buying Trainz via download, but I'm not sure which version to buy. Trainz Classics 3 seems to be the one to get?

Also, I've had experience with D2D before, So I was just wondering if the download version has everything the box version has, and how long the download takes? (I have a pretty fast cable connection)

Thanks
DioMac
 
Personally, I'd go with '04 this late in the game then go with '09 in a few more months. It would be your cheapest route and give you all the advantages, so to speak, of what Trainz is all about.

;)
 
Hello DioMac,

In my opinion TC3 is an extremely fine product. The digital download version gives you the same thing as the DVD version. However, following the Trainz Classics theme, the package only contains content required for the supplied routes. It appears that a lot of the "built-in content" from previous versions (2004/2006) is not included. What this means is, if you download say a locomotive which was designed to used built-in content from 2004 or 2006, it will not work on TC3. The fix for this has been to import the content from 2006 which means that you need a copy of that version as well. For most of us, that is not a problem, I have been with Trainz since 2004 (pre service packs) and have bought every version since.

I am not trying to divert you from a purchase of TC3. As I mentioned it is an extremely nice product. I only want to make the point since a lot of people who have purchased TC1/2 as a first Trainz product have been disappointed due to a limited supply of downloadable rollingstock which will work "as-is" with TC.

As Zwabberaar says, 2006 may be a better starting point while we are waiting for the 2009 version which looks very promising. I have not looked to see if it is available for digital download though.

There is a current "movement" to cleanup the DLS and hopefully during this clean-out, we will see either the old built-in content made available for download as a dependency or for that item to be more clearly marked that it will not work on specific versions. This will avoid a lot of "complaints" which have occured over the previous year or so.

Hoping you enjoy our hobby,

Brian
 
If your into UK steam, then TC3 is an excellent choice. It can be a little bit difficult to get custom steam locomotives working in, and not all downloads will work 'straight out'. But the steam locos included (and any that are released specifically for TC3) will sound a lot better than default.

If your interested in Victorian models (I see that you are an Aussie), then you will find that a fair few will work under TC3. Those that don't, myself and a lot of others can help you get them working :)

Once TS2009 comes out, I would still suggest updating to it. But TC3 will give you the closest experience to TS2009 at this stage :)

As for download... I downloaded it, and it took be about 4-6 hours (I left it overnight). I'm on ADSL here, I have a feeling that Auran have it coming off the 'slow' server :(

All in all, I would recommend that you go with TC3. Then when TS09 comes out, upgrade to that. Till TS09 comes out, there are plenty here who will happily help you out.

oh yes, and if you are interested in Victorian Railways (or NSW or SA) head over to here: http://www.victrainz.com.au/forum/

There are a few of us there who have been testing out TC3 with the Aussie models, as well as there are a few TC3 specific models for download there :)

Zec
 
DioMac said:
Hi Guys,

I'm looking at buying Trainz via download, but I'm not sure which version to buy. Trainz Classics 3 seems to be the one to get?

Also, I've had experience with D2D before, So I was just wondering if the download version has everything the box version has, and how long the download takes? (I have a pretty fast cable connection)

Thanks
DioMac
Click to expand...

Depends on your broadband speed, for me it took five hours but others have downloaded it faster. TC3 is the most recent efficient and stable version of the game code, and if you download the updates from the TC3 web site it should give you the best combination.

Content depends on what you want to do. If you are intending to download any layouts from the DLS then you will almost certainly need the built in content from TRS2006 so buy that as well to get the .ja files.

If you are into UK items I have a couple of OAA wagons and some BR vans going through the DLS process at the moment which make use of some TC3 built in content to give more detail for less polys.

Cheerio John
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the many responses :)

Yes I'm interested in getting the kinds of layouts that can be seen in the "Australian Layouts thread" in the screenshots forum.

So if I understand correctly, if I buy TC3, then sign up for the DLS, I can get access to that kind of stuff?

Sorry for my noob questions ;)
 
DioMac said:
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the many responses :)

Yes I'm interested in getting the kinds of layouts that can be seen in the "Australian Layouts thread" in the screenshots forum.

So if I understand correctly, if I buy TC3, then sign up for the DLS, I can get access to that kind of stuff?

Sorry for my noob questions ;)
Click to expand...

Correct but some layouts on the DLS may use TRS2006 built in content for which you will need TRS2006 .ja files. However if you just want to build your own layouts or use the locos and rolling stock on the DLS TC3 is fine.

Cheerio John
 
I've previewed Trainz Classics 3. From my standpoint, it's everything that TC used to be but with higher hardware requirements. The load times even for the simplest scenarios are interminable and the graphics are not that spectacular. The smoke and vapour effects are cartoonish and totally unrealistic compared to TRS2004, the last real Trainz. My advice, avoid this and stick with what you have.
 
Simple, if you have a reasonable spec'd PC, with a good video card (and your not on the bones of your bum), I'd recommend you go for both TRS2006+SP1 & TC3.
Both will give you a lot of enjoyment. Then review things when TRS2009 comes out.
Cheers, Mac...
PS; Whatever version/s you decide to buy, I would also recommend you buy the "boxed versions" direct from Auran. You live in Ockerland so it shouldn't take long for it to come through the post. (If you have a low spec'ed PC, stick to TRS2004 & TC3).
 
Last edited:
meatloaf747 said:
Simple, if you have a reasonable spec'd PC, with a good video card (and your not on the bones of your bum), I'd recommend you go for both TRS2006+SP1 & TC3.
Both will give you a lot of enjoyment. Then review things when TRS2009 comes out.
Cheers, Mac...
PS; Whatever version/s you decide to buy, I would also recommend you buy the "boxed versions" direct from Auran. You live in Ockerland so it shouldn't take long for it to come through the post. (If you have a low spec'ed PC, stick to TRS2004).
Click to expand...

I'd have thought you were better off with TC3 than TRS2004 on a low spec'ed PC considering the frame rates are higher with TC3 if you run the same layouts on the same hardware.

I accept the layouts that come out of the box with TC3 are aimed at a higher end PC but the code itself is more efficient.

Cheerio John
 
johnwhelan said:
I'd have thought you were better off with TC3 than TRS2004 on a low spec'ed PC considering the frame rates are higher with TC3 if you run the same layouts on the same hardware.

I accept the layouts that come out of the box with TC3 are aimed at a higher end PC but the code itself is more efficient.

Cheerio John
Click to expand...

Point taken, I should have put if he had a low spec'ed machine, stick to both TRS2004 & TC3. (I've corrected my post above adding TC3).
I assumed this guy's a newbie, so putting efficiency aside, he's not going to get the "full Trainz experience" with only TC3, is he??? (so what I really meant to say was either TRS2006 & TC3 or TRS2004 & TC3)...
Maybe a few Trainz'ers running TC3 on a low spec'ed machines can give us some sort of idea what sort of frame rates they are getting and whether or not they are getting any sputtering/jerking in the game!!!! (I'd be very interested to read there comments)....
I was certainly under the understanding that TC3 is a little more demanding on hardware, but hey if I'm wrong, I'll be the first to apologies...
Cheers, Mac... :wave:
 
Last edited:
meatloaf747 said:
Point taken, I should have put if he had a low spec'ed machine, stick to both TRS2004 & TC3. (I've corrected my post above adding TC3).
I assumed this guy's a newbie, so putting efficiency aside, he's not going to get the "full Trainz experience" with only TC3, is he??? (so what I really meant to say was either TRS2006 & TC3 or TRS2004 & TC3)...
Maybe a few Trainz'ers running TC3 on a low spec'ed machines can give us some sort of idea what sort of frame rates they are getting and whether or not they are getting any sputtering/jerking in the game!!!! (I'd be very interested to read there comments)....
I was certainly under the understanding that TC3 is a little more demanding on hardware, but hey if I'm wrong, I'll be the first to apologies...
Cheers, Mac... :wave:
Click to expand...

If you'd like to play start here.

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=14993

Basically the least efficient version of Trainz code wise is TRS2004, followed by TRS2006, TC1/2, TC3. This assumes you are running exactly the same content under each version.

This is fairly general in software, profilers over time show up the parts of the code that have the most impact so what you do is recode them to make them more efficient and get performance gains.

Off setting this trend is the use of more detail and more features in the content. For example the TC3 version of the OAA wagon that Chris and I have in beta accepts visible bulk and ordinary loads, has operating couplings, smoke when bulk loads discharge, sides that drop down on loading and unloading, has six texture variants and much better detail than the first UK Trainz wagons had. It's not the program code that has got more demanding but the content. Actually having said that the ACS coupling system is reputed to be more efficent than BlueStar, Blender has allowed me to drop the poly count substantially, and dropping running numbers has lowered the total machine impact.

Cheerio John
 
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