Is anyone here a user of trainz software ? I am stuck atm to being an armchair railroader and would like to try my layout out on this software ?
thanks in advance.
I do some virtual modeling with Trainz. Yes, it can fun and give you a chance to exercise your creativity. It presented me with a hard learning curve. But, the more I learned, the more I could do. The more I could do, the more involved I became. One of the next things I want to master is to "skin" my own locomotives.
Trainz is a great modeling software in that it has seperate build and run sections, i.e., Surveyour and Driver. The Trainz forum is full of tips and trouble shooting information. The download station provides many customized engines, cars, buildings, scenery items and even layouts.
Have fun!
The Cedar Branch & Western--The Hillbilly Line!
The main idea that i like is that i can build my layout in there world and then run it. I am still trying to learn the software as it does have a steep learning curve. The two main issues i'm having is building curves with a believable radius and trying to figure out how big a grid to use for an n scale layout with a 3x8 foot footprint. I have tried to download a few layouts from there forums but have had no luck. posting here and there hoping to find some info.
Thank you for your replies
I happen to have both Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006 (Trainz) and Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS). Both are great programs, but if you are interested in making your own layouts and running them, then Trainz is the way to go.
However, as Loathar says, it is temperamental and eats up a lot of CPU (And I run a duel core 64 bit AMD processor). Also be wary of some of the updates and downloads. The Content Manager that organizes downloads (an excellent concept that was poorly executed IMHO) tends to screw around with the files incorrectly, sometimes making the game crash.
Now I am not sure about anyone else running this program, but after I downloaded the most recent update for it from the Trainz website, driving the trains has become extremely frustrating. Instead of fixing many of the bugs, the download seems to have made it even worse! I have lost the ability to toggle between different trains using the popup menu, the clock no longer runs, and many of the onscreen aids are not working.
There was an excellent article in Model Railroad Planning 2007 about using this program. Jim Richards wrote about how he "built" his Athabaska RR using Trainz, and the screenshots are fantastic. In the article he explains MANY useful tips and the like. He even identifies that 2.65 squares on the trains grid is equal to one actual foot when selecting HO scale (I just checked and roughly 4.5 squares is one foot in N scale, and to me 2.5 squares appears closer to one foot when choosing HO scale). So, garthor, the 3 x 8 foot footprint in N-scale would be 13.5 squares x 36 squares.
A great way to check this for yourself is to click on the wrench tab while in Surveyor and create a ruler using the top left button on the menu. Start it from the corner of one square and extend it until it says 1.0 feet. Then eyeball the number of squares it requires. These rulers are also handy when laying out the room/space you have to build your layout, marking tangents, and creating accurate curves (with the radius you want).
If you can get past the numerous glitches (from what I've experienced, FAR more than MSTS) then Trainz is definitely the way to go, since it's quite simply a "Drag-and-drop" program. To build routes in MSTS, it is a far more complicated process that I dare not venture into... yet. It takes the pro's years to create the highly detailed routes that span a hundred-or-so miles, but with trains, you can lay track and have it running relatively quickly (once you get the hang of it). The learning curve is not nearly as steep as it is with MSTS, from what I've heard.
The fact that it's (relatively) easy to "build" your layout on Trainz was, for me, the only reason why I purchased the program two years ago. To me, it ran better right off the CD then after all the downloads and updates, but you might want to experiment yourself.
BE WARNED, however. One release of Trainz 2006 (if they are still selling it) was printed with the wrong CD Code on the case. I e-mailed Merscom (not Auran) and they sent me an access code that worked within two days (if I remember correctly). I would hope that their most recent release of Trainz Railroad Simulator would have the proper codes. And I do believe that it also includes Surveyor.
However, the idea that I can "build" my layout virtually without committing myself to construction is well worth it and all its issues. You may not get an exact representation; many of the structures and pre-formed track arrangements (like the built-in roundhouses/turntables, the stations, and industries) are relatively inflexible, but you definitely can see what it will look like before you build it. And as a failsafe in case you get too into the program that you don't ever start building (even though it still hasn't taken its effect on me) the glitches and freezes that the program inherently has on my PC make sure you don't get too attached so that you never build the actual thing.
Just my
Ghonz
Edit: PS-Sorry about the mess up top
- Matt
Well my system is not having an issue with the software so much as i am, the issue i'm having is simple curves. I have found if you run the track in one direction it takes alot of the glitches out. The reason for the 3x8 footprint is this is what i have to work with, was trying to revamp the n-11 track plan (unhinged and horizontal ) with a differant yard set up and larger radius curves 11'' inner curves verses the 9 '' that the plan uses.
My system is a dual core amd 2.4 gig 512 meg vid card 4 gig ram, basically a gaming system so it overkill for this software.
Thank you for your responses.
garthor wrote:Well my system is not having an issue with the software so much as i am, the issue i'm having is simple curves. I have found if you run the track in one direction it takes alot of the glitches out. The reason for the 3x8 footprint is this is what i have to work with, was trying to revamp the n-11 track plan (unhinged and horizontal ) with a differant yard set up and larger radius curves 11'' inner curves verses the 9 '' that the plan uses.My system is a dual core amd 2.4 gig 512 meg vid card 4 gig ram, basically a gaming system so it overkill for this software. Thank you for your responses.
I don't think there is sucha thing as overkill for the trainz software. If your system can take it then adjust all the graphics and rendering controls to maximum quality and distance.
I can't say that I have had all that many glitches with Trainz 2006 running on my laptop.
P4 3.0Ghz, 512MB, 128MB ATI graphics.
I think lots of software glitches often have as much to do with the computer system or the user, as with the software itself. I found it took some time working with the software to get over some of the humps in the learning curve. Keep at it and you will get it. Have fun!
loathar wrote:Microsoft Train Simulator is supposed to be better. I don't know if you can make your own track layout and then run it. I've got Trainz 2006 and it's fun, but the graphics are lacking and just so, so. I've got a 256meg G Force 5700 AGP video card and it still runs kind of jerky.There's a whole online community that makes and trades loco/rolling stock files for both of them. Much more stuff is available for the Microsoft program. You can get an idea of how they look on Youtube. A lot of folks have uploaded their MSTS videos on there.
Go to Joe Fugates new site. Thay have a MS Train Sim II demonstrator video, looks real impressive. However it runs on the Flight Sim FSX software platform. I run FSX with PMDG's 747-400 and can tell you a high end machine is needed for it.
Trouble is it will be released just before christmas 2009, they hope.
Jules
JulesB wrote: loathar wrote:Microsoft Train Simulator is supposed to be better. I don't know if you can make your own track layout and then run it. I've got Trainz 2006 and it's fun, but the graphics are lacking and just so, so. I've got a 256meg G Force 5700 AGP video card and it still runs kind of jerky.There's a whole online community that makes and trades loco/rolling stock files for both of them. Much more stuff is available for the Microsoft program. You can get an idea of how they look on Youtube. A lot of folks have uploaded their MSTS videos on there.Go to Joe Fugates new site. Thay have a MS Train Sim II demonstrator video, looks real impressive. However it runs on the Flight Sim FSX software platform. I run FSX with PMDG's 747-400 and can tell you a high end machine is needed for it.Trouble is it will be released just before christmas 2009, they hope. Jules
I know a lot of the videos on Youtube are done on MSTS and seem to run very well, but those are flash videos.