I really enjoy TRS. I have RS too. But in my opinion, (witch don't matter ) TRS is more user friendly and some of the other things like vehical physics are more real than some the other software I seen or used.
I'm fortunate enough to have MSTS and to have Auran's Trainz 2006.
Good points of MSTS: Better graphics (first thing to do is change from that stock C44-9W to the one Maple Leaf Tracks made for free), and a large popularity, thus ensuring compatability in sharing. It also has a lot of freeware stuff, and there is no real limit as to what you can do if you are able to modify your .eng or .wag files.
Good points of Trainz 2006: Easy to get into the cab and do your own thing, with multiple trains. Building your own route is a breeze, and scenery can seem more life-like than MSTS at times.
Bad points of MSTS: Crashing both your computer and your train for no reason whatsoever is common, and route editor is only for extremely experienced and patient users.
Bad points of Trainz 2006: Letting off of the throttle of some engines does not mean that you will stop accelerating (yes, naturally it also works on downgrades, but I mean on flat terrain), and opposing switches must be carefully monitored.
Whichever simulator you choose, both are excellent choices. Each person will choose one simulator or the other (I tend to go with MSTS). To help get you started for either one on freeware downloads, check http://www.train-sim.com/ and create an account. I've had MSTS for several years, and Trainz for a matter of months, and I have never had to pay for anything other than for the games themselves.
If you're just starting out, you might want to try BVE - it's a straight out-of-the-cab simulator which mainly focuses on commuter lines. Everything is free, including add-on routes and trains, and there are many USA items. I was actually surprised at, for being free, it's a pretty realistic sim, with very well-looped sounds, and swaying around curves and when people are getting on the train. There are two versions: 2 and 4. You can download both at the official website: http://mackoy.cool.ne.jp/. For tutorials on how to install as well as many New York subway routes, you can visit http://www.bvestation.com/. It's a little hard to figure out at first, but you catch on pretty fast.
Check out the new Rail Simulator from EA Games. It was made by the same company that made the original MSTS (Kagi). It only has one US route so far (Cajon) but is geared towards realistic mainline operation.
EA has a demo version available for download.
I have a mixed view on this subject..... as I own both MSTS and Trainz.
Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) is cheap and easy to get lots of free routes and downloads. There are many add ons. The controls and cab are realistic as well; however, MSTS really sux if you are trying to make your own route, it is unrealistically difficult to learn and the graphics are not too great. It just doesnt make sense to me why they don't have automatic flexible track like TrainZ does, when making a route, you have to calculate (or guess) angles etc...
Trainz on the other hand is more expensive but has much better graphics, and the route editor (surveyor) is way easier than the editor for MSTS, I learned it without any instructions . So I reccomend using Trainz if you are want to build a route, you can add to the terrain as you go, alter it, level the track (which is like an extendable flex track) and add scenery and roads easily. The downside however, is that you can't really save it to a "file" and put it on disk to restore the route if say your computer crashes, also downloads are not as easy to find. Trainz has its own limited access "download station" where you can find some downloads"
In general, MSTS for play and Trainz foor route building. That's how I play. Both simulator have had crashing problems, but more so with MSTS. When MSTS 2 comes out I will try that, but if it only is supported on Vista (which is retarded of the programmer to limit the game players to Vista users only) I probably won't like it, i dont support Vista nor do i want it on my computer -- but thats a different story.
I see it as:
MSTS=Running the real deal....Realism
TRS=Easy route making and model RR's
WILocoworks wrote: Willy2 wrote: WILocoworks wrote:You need to have the MSTS 1.2 (actually 1.4) patch to use MSTS Bin, but there should be no other version of Bin installed before installing the next version. Always run the previous uninstaller first.I installed MSTS Bin and I like what I see so far. However, I'm a little nervous to go into the files and change stuff (like for the cab to go dark in tunnels and for mirror animation) without step-by-step instructions. You don't suppose you (or anyone else) could provide me with those instructions, do you? I'm not really sure how to either.
Willy2 wrote: WILocoworks wrote:You need to have the MSTS 1.2 (actually 1.4) patch to use MSTS Bin, but there should be no other version of Bin installed before installing the next version. Always run the previous uninstaller first.I installed MSTS Bin and I like what I see so far. However, I'm a little nervous to go into the files and change stuff (like for the cab to go dark in tunnels and for mirror animation) without step-by-step instructions. You don't suppose you (or anyone else) could provide me with those instructions, do you?
WILocoworks wrote:You need to have the MSTS 1.2 (actually 1.4) patch to use MSTS Bin, but there should be no other version of Bin installed before installing the next version. Always run the previous uninstaller first.
I installed MSTS Bin and I like what I see so far. However, I'm a little nervous to go into the files and change stuff (like for the cab to go dark in tunnels and for mirror animation) without step-by-step instructions. You don't suppose you (or anyone else) could provide me with those instructions, do you?
I'm glad I'm not the only one that can't figure this stuff out.
I did some searching in the train-sim.com forums and found one set of step-by-step instructions that worked well, except that I couldn't see anything out the windows other than a blue screen after I followed the instructions. With school starting again, I doubt I'll have time to try anything else, so I'll just settle with I've got right now.
Willy
StillGrande wrote: You also can't beat the price of MSTS right now, since it has been out for so long. You can pick it up for under $10. With all the free stuff out there, that could be your whole investment. I highly recommend the new bin patches (unofficial) 1.6 or 1.7. It literally transforms the game graphics. Better handling of the lighting, shapes, memory, etc. External shots now look very realistic.
You also can't beat the price of MSTS right now, since it has been out for so long. You can pick it up for under $10. With all the free stuff out there, that could be your whole investment. I highly recommend the new bin patches (unofficial) 1.6 or 1.7. It literally transforms the game graphics. Better handling of the lighting, shapes, memory, etc. External shots now look very realistic.
Do I need to have the official MSTS patch to download the bin patches, or can they be downloaded without the offical patch?