I have Trainz Plus, but I really do not like the way Trainz goes. Users using the "one time buy"-way seem to be users second class. Now even at the time of the release!
Surveyor 2 sofar would be the only unique buying argument for me,
don't like the subscription system (not a matter of money)
We go through this "debate" with every new version of Trainz. Certainly no-one is forcing anyone to upgrade or go "subscription" and different users will have different reasons for upgrading or not upgrading.
As a former subscription skeptic I very recently decided to go to Train Plus mainly because of the new features that it offered (and promised) and the quarterly updates. I am not really interested in DLC so I do not have the Gold subscription as well.
The claim that "one time buy" users are now "second class" is nonsense. The "one time buy" users will get the new features in the future release (or in a major SP update) but not immediately. The same principle applies everywhere - you want the product with the standard features then you pay the basic price. You want the extra features, you pay a higher price, its simple. A few product models later the "extras" will become part of the standard model. It works with cars, TVs, toasters as well as software.
Incidentally, TRS19 Platinum Edition have the UDS Interface while TRS19 Standard does not. Does this make TRS19 Standard users "third class"?
My Trainz Plus annual subscription costs about as much as my annual anti-Virus anti-Malware anti-Phishing anti-Ransomware and system tune-up subscription, but is much more fun.
Each to their own and I have no regrets going to Plus (and now TRS22 beta).
My opinions.