Hi Everybody.
Owning and using those simulators I find that it is only in the words rail simulator that they are easily comparable. If you start with Railworks world editor and Trainz surveyor the two operate in totally different ways. I have done quite a big route in Trainz over the last 18 months and now have started a small route in Railworks.
The first thing you realize when trying Railworks world editor is that you have to forget everything you ever learned in Trainz. The operation of the functions is much more complicated and difficult to learn, but having said that accuracy in the form of track curves etc Is much more accurate and realistic
When it comes to content again the two simulators are on completely different strategies. With Trainz everything you need for a route can be obtained usually free of charge (with the exception of a first-class ticket price) from the CMP. With Railworks there is freeware obtainable but most content is provided by the large payware providers and is usually obtained by downloading their routes and using that content such as buildings etc in your own routes.
If you look on websites such as UKTS you will see there are plenty of freeware routes available but they always state that you need to have often a number of payware routes on your system to be able to use the freeware routes. Again that said much of the content on Railworks is of exceptional quality making the driving experience exceptional as well.
However, it has to be remembered that Railworks is much more about payware and any new user should realize that you have to be prepared to put your hand in your pocket if you wish to use it outside of the routes and content which comes with the original simulator. Many users of Railworks have often spent £200-300 (British sterling) to get the game to where they want it.
However, perhaps the biggest difference between the simulators is the use of steam. It is what this thread has debated and argued over in the past few months with a great divide and no middle ground between beliefs of forum members. If you buy Railworks there is no easy way (some would say no way at all) that you can use the simulator without allowing steam to access your computer to check the legitimacy of your content and update without notification the content you have.
Personally I have no problem with that as I feel one of the great weaknesses with Trainz is the patching with ever-increasing numbers having to be done with each new version. With Railworks you do not get that problem as the patching and upgrades are carried out whenever the computer is switched on without any action by yourself and controversially without your knowledge. That is one issue each potential user or buyer has to consider thoroughly before using Railworks and I respect the opinions of those who find that intolerable.
That said, both simulators have their strengths and weaknesses. I find myself drifting more towards Railworks but that is simply because of the strength and quality of the British content which is what I am interested in. But then again I do like to use both on the limited free time I have
After all that, I better get back to work
Bill
Owning and using those simulators I find that it is only in the words rail simulator that they are easily comparable. If you start with Railworks world editor and Trainz surveyor the two operate in totally different ways. I have done quite a big route in Trainz over the last 18 months and now have started a small route in Railworks.
The first thing you realize when trying Railworks world editor is that you have to forget everything you ever learned in Trainz. The operation of the functions is much more complicated and difficult to learn, but having said that accuracy in the form of track curves etc Is much more accurate and realistic
When it comes to content again the two simulators are on completely different strategies. With Trainz everything you need for a route can be obtained usually free of charge (with the exception of a first-class ticket price) from the CMP. With Railworks there is freeware obtainable but most content is provided by the large payware providers and is usually obtained by downloading their routes and using that content such as buildings etc in your own routes.
If you look on websites such as UKTS you will see there are plenty of freeware routes available but they always state that you need to have often a number of payware routes on your system to be able to use the freeware routes. Again that said much of the content on Railworks is of exceptional quality making the driving experience exceptional as well.
However, it has to be remembered that Railworks is much more about payware and any new user should realize that you have to be prepared to put your hand in your pocket if you wish to use it outside of the routes and content which comes with the original simulator. Many users of Railworks have often spent £200-300 (British sterling) to get the game to where they want it.
However, perhaps the biggest difference between the simulators is the use of steam. It is what this thread has debated and argued over in the past few months with a great divide and no middle ground between beliefs of forum members. If you buy Railworks there is no easy way (some would say no way at all) that you can use the simulator without allowing steam to access your computer to check the legitimacy of your content and update without notification the content you have.
Personally I have no problem with that as I feel one of the great weaknesses with Trainz is the patching with ever-increasing numbers having to be done with each new version. With Railworks you do not get that problem as the patching and upgrades are carried out whenever the computer is switched on without any action by yourself and controversially without your knowledge. That is one issue each potential user or buyer has to consider thoroughly before using Railworks and I respect the opinions of those who find that intolerable.
That said, both simulators have their strengths and weaknesses. I find myself drifting more towards Railworks but that is simply because of the strength and quality of the British content which is what I am interested in. But then again I do like to use both on the limited free time I have
After all that, I better get back to work
Bill
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