Some advice re high quality trains and routes

Hi guys






I'm totally new to Trainz 2012 but am very fascinated with the many possibilities. The forum is huge and the content system utterly opaque (excuse me for saying so). It is really hard to get a grasp on where to find the good stuff... I think I spent 8 hours browsing forums and 3rd party sites already...


What I'm looking for trains and routes and sessions to go along with them in high graphical quality, both inside (cab) and outside (as far as I can tell it should be possible to get quality similar to the new stuff from TS2013) as well as high fidelity in terms of realism... Its ok if it is payware.


For reference I already bought Murchinson 2 and that was quite a disappointment. Looks really dated (I have a high-end machine).


Do you guys have a few hints to spare?

Hi --

Those are very difficult questions to answer without a few more details from you (and unfortunately there is no geographic location given under your number of posts to give any guide).

Are you interested in passenger or freight operations? UK, Continental, North American, ... ? Steam or diesel? Large or small routes? Are you more interested in prototypical operations or highly detailed scenery?

As a guide to locomotives and rolling stock, the N3V DLC payware is excellent. This includes the Russian steam locomotive that was sold through N3V but is now available directly from the creator. This video, best watched full screen and in HD, shows the detail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACM2djiecpU

JointedRail is another excellent source, both freeware and payware, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXuKxOYs14Q

If your interest in US steam, Ben Neal is your guy. See here:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...locomotives-error-free-in-TS12&highlight=Neal

If it's UK steam search the DLS with "skipper1945" as the author.

If you could provide us with more information we can provide you with a guide.

As for routes and sessions that's a bit more difficult. I tend to specialise in dirty, grimy, run-down industrial short lines that focus on switching operations. They might not be as highly detailed as some but they are designed to be interesting and follow real life practices. See for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwgEXJB6MZ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_0sxivEaQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfimcj5QMRw

Good luck,
Phil

Hi Phil

thanks for taking the time to answer in such a comprehensive way. I could have been more specific but that fact is I'm pretty easy when it comes to route/trains/areas as long as it is highly detailed and/or, preferably both, follow real life practices.

Your routes look really good in those videos. Grimy and industrial works for me too

I guess if I should say something, I'd say diesel locos, but it all depends on there being sessions to play them in, you know...

I'll start by checking out your things in the download station immediately

Even with a high end machine Trainz with the wrong content or too many assets in the scene can bring it to its knees. I think one asset on the DLS has 500,000 polys, if it mentions Sketchup as a general rule you don't want too many. One layout I like is Turks Castle 1892 KUID:129486:1803135, you'll need the appropriate steam locos etc to go with it but I don't think any of the other sims has UK GWR Broad Gauge.

There are a couple of operating locks if you're into canals, boats and ships by the way, it very much depends on your interests.

Cheerio John

If you like US logging routes, try Slugsmasher. There is great Rio Grande stuff at The San Juan Trainz Workz. And there is lots of US modern-themed content at Trainz Pro Routes (you can find locos, wagons and routes there).

If you want Canadian rolling stock and locomotives, search for author name "CNR" under the DLS.

There's content in Trainz for everyone.

Clicking on my sig will take you to my routes. You'll find the "WM & B&O Mega Route Native Mode" route works well in TS12. Make sure that you select the Native Mode version. Access to third party content is available on the route page. All other content is available on the DLS.

Joe

Phil Skene - What is the route used in the second last uTube address in the above post ,- with the uTube title of Trainz TS12 UP 9000-class plus coal hoppers, and is it available on the DLS? Cheers

Hi nimic --

That route is the TS12 version of IndustRail. It's not on the DLS, yet. In fact the route has been sitting on my HDD for a couple of months so I should get my butt into gear and do something about it soonish.

A TS10 version is on the DLS - just search "IndustRail" for the route and sessions. (Edit: This route, and the sessions, will run in TS12 but) It will be necessary to correct one faulty asset, see here:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...try-IND-HD02-not-loading&highlight=industrail

If you come across other issues (Edit: when running in TS12) just report somewhere in the Forums and I'll see if I can help.

Another video of the TS12 route is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfimcj5QMRw

The IndustRail locomotive and the box cars come from the JointedRail site.

That 9000-class 4-12-2 UP steam locomotive is payware by "The Cowboy". Did you notice the animated conjugated valve gear for the centre cylinder? Another video of it is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX05S005XK4

There is a discussion about the locomotive here:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?95958-UP-9000-class-4-12-2-by-quot-The-Cowboy-quot

Hi countvalar --

One additional issue worth noting - you will find that many routes and sessions on the DLS require dependencies from external sites. Sometimes the site is given; usually it is not. What I can guarantee with my routes is that all the dependencies are either built-in or from the DLS. A few sessions require an external download. This is given in the text under the thumbnail.

And if you are serious about Trainz, a First Class ticket for the DLS is essential.

OK - one further comment after re-watching those videos. The routes are not super detailed (but as you drive the train you will find sufficient detail to make you feel as if you are there and frame rates should be remarkably good) and sessions are:

a) Meant to be fun.
b) Meant to be a challenge.

The latter applies to the sessions that involve finding a path between AI trainz. This applies in particular to IntenCity and Krashnburne where the AI runs in both directions.

Phil

Thanks Phil. I no longer have Ts 2010 installed so will wait for your Ts 12 version. Had an HD failure some time weeks ago and replaced it with an SSD of 240Gb so decided against re installing 10. Apart from space limitations the graphics in 12 seem so much superior. Have a 27in HD monitor as well so am only re installing routes that I think are sharp, realistic looking, and of good graphic quality. The same with locos and rolling stock. I may put 10 on an external HD during the winter to see how it goes but mainly as a resource for assets that will run in 12. Cheers

High detail Russian steamer

Hi countvalar --

If you are a fiddler (and if you aren't now you inevitably will become one) and want to try a free highly detailed Russian steam locomotive, see this thread:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...ussian-steam-locomotive&p=1129178#post1129178

Phil