Why do so many people still use Trainz 2006?

Mezzopreezzo, my first version was TRS2006. Never could get it to patch so a bought a copy of TRS2004 some time later in a bargain bin after giving up on 06. Merscom put out a TC/06 SP1 combo I bought. 06 gets the nod from me because of Tidewater and Marias.*
Another nice setup is TC with Trainz Driver JAs transferred over. Being a North American railroading fan its a nice set.
Being a Mac user, my Windows install never sees the internet so no anti virus. Never registered 04 because I never really needed to since I only use the black pages to download from the DLS in OSX.
 
I will be the first to admit that updating to the latest and greatest versions of stuff is not always a good thing. As time goes on many excellent programs get left to the wayside due to various reasons, and among them is incompatibility with the newer operating systems. What is nice about Trainz, whether this is TRS2004 or even TS12, is they will run on various versions of the Windows Operating system. How many other programs do you know that are like that? The fact that you can still go back, or not upgrade if you don't want to is the best of both worlds, really. Another good thing about TRS2006 is it runs well on far more hardware combinations than the newest versions and doesn't require a Cray for good operation. It offers the starting point for the new way of doing things, so if you ever do update, you'll never go into shock, and still runs the older content without a lot of fiddling. The only thing you will miss is the newest content, but if you're not interested, stick with what you like.

Periodically, I dig out old software to run. Not my Trainz versions as I have moved on to TS12, with some regrets too, but other stuff that I purchased and liked. In some cases it still runs okay, even under Windows 8, while in others I have to go through hoops to get stuff to work like installing a virtual machine and an older operating system in that. A good example is that really, really awesome Transport Tycoon and Transport Tycoon Deluxe. I know that there is a modified version that runs under Windows using special software. It's not the same. The older versions, as buggy as they were, are still the best with their quirks. Before Trainz and even MSTS, I used to play this for hours at a time along with the older SimCity. If I could, without setting up a virtual machine, which actually doesn't run quite as fast as a native install, I would definitely install these on my machine I have today. In case people are wondering, I did try DOSx but that isn't the same as native Windows 95 or even MSDOS 6.63

John
 
I have to agree with paulsw2 that TRS2006 is very outdated, but it must also be remembered that TRS2006 was probably the most stable Trainz platform. Sure TS2009 - TS12 are stable but TRS2006 just never seemed to crash. Having said that, advances in the way models are created and the abilities that Trainz possesses now that can only be implemented in TS2010 or 12, such as multiplayer, mean that the older programs will only become less popular. I think that after a set deadline, eg: 31st December 2015 all content on the DLS should be available for TS2009 minimum, and any existing content must be upgraded. It will force people to upgrade, and while this may not be received well initially, realistically how long will users wait before upgrading? Otherwise we'll always have people who continue to make assets only to be pestered to make them compatible with past versions of Trainz. Anyway, I can see why some people still use older versions, but I think they are on a very restricted time limit as to how long they can remain using them before they disappear.

PortLineParker
 
Almost every game I own is at least 15 years old and most are 20 to 30. There is no "restricted time limit" or borrowed time, at least not on the old versions, since there are no artificial limitations imposed by the software authors. As long as you can find a way to run the software, and people have the content that will work with them, then there are no issues. I guess the moral here is, stock up on Trainz content! :)

I've got everything I could want and need (including probably about 80% of the DLS) in my pre-SP1 TS12 since I have no intention of upgrading. Be it through VM, emulation, or simply keeping an old computer, one way or another, I'll keep my Trainz running.
 
mikeaust said:
To each his own, I dont know why people continue with complaints about us using old versions. We are not affecting your use of Trainz, so why complain about us?
Cheers,
Mike
Click to expand...

Absolutely, Mike, this debate has been going on for some years now, I wonder why the OP mentioned TRS2006, when he could have asked about why people still use UTC after all these years, who are we to tell folks which version of the game to play, if you're happy and obtain enjoyment out of the game, which is why you purchased it in the first place, then carry on.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.
 
The only problems I can see for those who use versions earlier than TS2009 are the additional costs to download from the Download Station, and for TRS2006 and earlier users, the problem of getting TRS2006 and earlier content from the same source (although there are third-party sites that help here).

Shane
 
Apologies if I caused any misunderstanding. When I say TRS2006 has a limited time left, I don't mean legally, I mean that it's approaching its time to go. I too have old games, but classics such as SimCity 4 which will never age. TRS2006 unfortunately does not fall as a classic in my opinion, so I think that users have limited time left in it before they must upgrade. I liked '06 but I upgraded when '09 came out and I don't regret it. I just think that '06 has had its time. However, I still see why some people like it to more recent versions, and don't blame them for choosing it.



PortLineParker
 
cascaderailroad said:
Getting back to your main point:

Why would you even care, why people don't upgrade to a higher version, or buy an expensive new PC, that will handle the higher version ?

Some people don't have money growing on trees, to spend on a new expensive PC ... or they don't have parents that spoil the living daylights out of them, buying them every new electronic toy, for their spoiled rotten children.

I do have the right to choose which version to run, without someone shoving it down my throat, and rubbing my face in a higher version !

You like TS10 ... good for you !

Sounds like you set out to ridicule TRS2006 users, pointing fingers at them, calling them dinosaurs, and dumb ???

I look at Mezzoprezzo's great work ... and he uses TRS2004 !

It really irritated me that someone would purposely invent a thread to bash TRS2006 users ... now that's irritating when someone purposely sets out to do so, and does that !

Why would you even care, why they don't upgrade ???
Click to expand...

Ok, lots of people keep asking me why it irritates me so much why users keep on using TRS06 so I will re-iterate what was originally posted, for those who don't have the ability to read things thoroughly: " It just irritates me the amount of people that when you release something, they make a request for a backdated version."

Also may I state the amount of requests other content creators get to backdate their content.

"I do have the right to choose which version to run, without someone shoving it down my throat, and rubbing my face in a higher version !"
Rubbing it in your face? I'm sorry you feel like that but you didn't have to read this thread.

"Some people don't have money growing on trees, to spend on a new expensive PC ... or they don't have parents that spoil the living daylights out of them, buying them every new electronic toy, for their spoiled rotten children."
I sincerely hope that wasn't aimed at me, as soon as arguments start getting that personal, they're often not worth entertaining and lets not degenerate this thread into that.

"It really irritated me that someone would purposely invent a thread to bash TRS2006 users ... now that's irritating when someone purposely sets out to do so, and does that !"
I feel I wrote my original point quite light heartedly and obviously some people are taking it as an insult. Lighten up!

Other than some people taking my original point as an insult rather than a discussion point, this thread seems to have stimulated some genuinely interesting discussion, the sort the trainz discussion forums seems to be lacking.

ex-railwayman said:
Absolutely, Mike, this debate has been going on for some years now, I wonder why the OP mentioned TRS2006, when he could have asked about why people still use UTC after all these years, who are we to tell folks which version of the game to play, if you're happy and obtain enjoyment out of the game, which is why you purchased it in the first place, then carry on.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.
Click to expand...

I didn't mention because I didnt think anyone still used UTC!
 
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PortLineParker said:
Apologies if I caused any misunderstanding. When I say TRS2006 has a limited time left, I don't mean legally, I mean that it's approaching its time to go. I too have old games, but classics such as SimCity 4 which will never age. TRS2006 unfortunately does not fall as a classic in my opinion, so I think that users have limited time left in it before they must upgrade. I liked '06 but I upgraded when '09 came out and I don't regret it. I just think that '06 has had its time. However, I still see why some people like it to more recent versions, and don't blame them for choosing it.
PortLineParker
Click to expand...
If I have an IBM Ball typewriter (the ones that go: chiggida, chiggida, chiggida, chiggida, chiggida, like a teletype machine) and it still works in the year 2013, it will still work in the year 2044. Who are you to say what must go, and who must go ?

TRS2006 worked right out of the box (as it came pre-patched) and was up and running in a matter of minutes ... TS10, TS12 takes 3 days (or more) to install and patch all the multitude of patches, and then we have the glitch factors in these supposed higher versions ... where as TRS2006 has no gitchs at all (asside from global sound).

Then there is non-compatability, errors because of missing shadows and screenshots, and a multitude of other errors shown in higher versions, and those horrid inventions: speed trees ... seriously is TS10 and TS12 hugely superior to TRS2006 (other than DLC content, NKP Berkshire, doppler effect, and a tad better cartoonish looking graphics) ?

Something new ... Is NOT always better !

I have recommended to a friend to buy TS12 ... I think he will have a huge learning curve ... and need lotsa' help getting it running (using free Skype).
 
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Here's my two cents about TRS2006. In my case my only railroad interests (realand Sims) are the Maine Two Foot railroads. As such when I first got 2006 I downloadedall the associated Maine content, and used it in my Maine Routes. In addition Ihave over fifty Maine related structures created in GMAX. I am constantly fiddling with these routes,and enjoy the building, creation, and operation in an environment thatworks. I am simply terrified ofupdating to a newer TS, that may or maynot have the same content and trouble free operation.
BobT
 
BobbyT said:
Here's my two cents about TRS2006. In my case my only railroad interests (realand Sims) are the Maine Two Foot railroads. As such when I first got 2006 I downloadedall the associated Maine content, and used it in my Maine Routes. In addition Ihave over fifty Maine related structures created in GMAX. I am constantly fiddling with these routes,and enjoy the building, creation, and operation in an environment thatworks. I am simply terrified ofupdating to a newer TS, that may or maynot have the same content and trouble free operation.
BobT
Click to expand...

Any content that works in TRS2006 should be available in TS12, just import your TRS2006 assets by pointing TS12 at the right folder you may need to fix a few errors but the DLS clean up has cleaned most of these up. Installing TS12 doesn't stop your TRS2006 from working by the way. You should get better frame rates and additional content and at the moment TS12 upgrade appears to be $9.99 so the price is right. TS12 has a lot of bug fixes and on most machines runs more smoothly
we just like to bitch about things in the forum but rarely say it works fine for me. Oh by the way I've been running it for some months without any apparent problems.

Cheerio John
 
BobbyT said:
I am simply terrified of updating to a newer TS, that may or may not have the same content and trouble free operation.
BobT
Click to expand...
The only thing you have to worry about is overfilling your available disc space on your present PC.

What are your PC specs ... possibly a second higher end PC is in order (I will pay you to shovel my schnow' ... so you can's buy's a better laptop/desktop PC) !

My desktop PC ( which has an actual video card) is dedicated to Trainz (several versions of it), nothing else ... my other laptop PC (which has integrated graphics) is just for everyday personal computing and photos, music, videos (and has TRS2006 installed on it for building routes) ... then I transfer my TRS2006 routes into my high performance desktop PC (which has an actual video card).

I only play my high end desktop, on special occasions, when driving Trainz ... my other cheepo "beater" laptop I use almost all the time, and only use it for laying track, and test driving, in TRS2006.

In this day and age an $800 desktop, and a $500 laptop, is the best equipment to have on hand ... most households have at least 3 cheepo $379 PC's
 
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I second that. I still have 2004 and 2006 but they won't work on a Mac so I can't use them but if I still had a PC, I would still use them.
 
I have a brand new HP ENVY with 64 bit Windows 8; Intel Core i7-3770 CPU @ 3.4HZ; and the GeForceGT 630 graphic card driveversion 305.29. There will be noproblems with disk space - it's got morethen I will use in a long long time (I hope).
It's just a reluctance to take on a new TS, in addition totrying to learn Blender.
 
cascaderailroad said:
If I have an IBM Ball typewriter (the ones that go: chiggida, chiggida, chiggida, chiggida, chiggida, like a teletype machine) and it still works in the year 2013, it will still work in the year 2044. Who are you to say what must go, and who must go ?

TRS2006 worked right out of the box (as it came pre-patched) and was up and running in a matter of minutes ... TS10, TS12 takes 3 days (or more) to install and patch all the multitude of patches, and then we have the glitch factors in these supposed higher versions ... where as TRS2006 has no gitchs at all (asside from global sound).

Then there is non-compatability, errors because of missing shadows and screenshots, and a multitude of other errors shown in higher versions, and those horrid inventions: speed trees ... seriously is TS10 and TS12 hugely superior to TRS2006 (other than DLC content, NKP Berkshire, doppler effect, and a tad better cartoonish looking graphics) ?

Something new ... Is NOT always better !

I have recommended to a friend to buy TS12 ... I think he will have a huge learning curve ... and need lotsa' help getting it running (using free Skype).
Click to expand...

I didn't say what people could and couldn't run, I'm simply expressing my opinion that TRS2006 has a very limited lifespan left in it. As for your version of Ts12, I don't know how good your machine is but I downloaded the game and installed the patches within 1 and a half hours. TS12 handles much nicer on my system than older versions, so I must disagree with the 'newer is not always better'. In this case, I personally find that it is. TS12 has, I find, also got very few compatability issues, which even then are easily solved. But, as I said, this is only my experience and opinion.

PortLineParker
 
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