Microsoft Train Simulator

[cprted]

When running the steam engines in MS Train Sim, do you just have controll of the speed or is it realistic (ie - blower, air pump, injector control).

[thirdrail1]

I don't know about the new MS product, but the functions you describe, blower, air pump, and injector, were controlled by the fireman on the steam locomotives I remember. Don't believe MicroSoft had set it up for two players (yet).

[Anonymous]

The MS Train Simulator gives you options on how much you control a steam locomotive. The main engineer controls you have are the regulator (throttle), reverser, brake, cylinder cocks and sanders, plus the whistle, headlight and even a steam heat pressure valve for the passenger cars. In trying out the program, I never tried the last. Let the passengers freeze.

You also have the option of using the fireman controls yourself, or delegating those controls to the computer. Microsoft says the computer is purposely programmed to not be as efficient as a human could be in running those controls, but for me at least, it was enough just keeping the locomotive going with the engineer's controls.

Besides the fireman controls you mentioned (actually these locomotives seem to have dampers instead of air pumps), you can also control the amount of coal shoveled into the firebox, and drop the water scoop to pick up water when passing over water troughs. There are of course several gaugues to cover most of the controls, and the smoke coming out of the exhaust stack changes from black to light gray to white to indicate the efficiency of the fireman's efforts (very light gray is ideal).

Clearly the two steam locomotives depicted are the most challenging to operate. While there are enough controls and guagues for two to handle, at this point the game is only set up for one player.

You could enable simple controls for all the locomotives, which gives you just three key commands, "D" to increase power, "A" to decrease power, and "S" to change direction. But what fun would that be?

Tom Chmielewski
Associate Editor, Trains.com

[Anonymous]

Tom: Have a 1998 HP Pavilion, 6370Z, w/ a Ensoniq Audio PCI game and joystick card, 10G of unused harddrive and 68 Ram. Will machine be capable of running this program? What is your opinion, so far, of the program. Would really like to have a version when it markets but wonder just how much super graphics will be neccessary

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a great program, Tom. What I am interested in is how to generate your own routes with the power accually used on it.
What software is compatable for the 3-D grafics and how can you import to the program. Can we take digital photos and create switchers or other GP38's in different road colors to work our own yards and run our own district switcher jobs? James.

[Anonymous]

The tools in Microsoft Simulator will lead you through the steps of importing 3D graphics for new locommotives and how to assign operating capabilities to them. The simplest thing you can do will be able to paint a new version of their existing locomotives (Dash 8 for instance) and import it into Train Simulator. The developers from Microsoft say that most of the common 3D graphic programs can have images imported into Train Sim, and repainted existing programs can be done from any 2D paint tool.

I haven't tried it yet (dammit Jim, I'm a writer, not a cyber-painter), but the program was specifically made with the idea of letting third party developers and individuals import their own locomotives and rolling stock.
Tom

[Anonymous]

You should have plenty of hard drive space to install Traim Simulator. It needs 1.5 GB for a fall install. You can do a minimum install at 500 MB of hard drive, but I suspect the reaction would be "what's the point?"

It eats up 32 MB of RAM, so you should have enough, depending on what else is running at the time.

The specs say it needs a multi-media PC sith a Pentium II 266 MHz or higher processor with 4MB of 3D video hardware acceleration., or a Pentium II 350 MHz or higher processor. Don't know what you have on the inside but I suspect it can handle it.

Is it a good program? Depends on how much you like trains or really wish you could drive one. It's as close as most of us will get. I want to work more on the switching part of this program, and the activities editor lets you create any scenario you want in that regard. Once you get the hang of the passenger lines, I don't know how exciting they would be. But they are a challenge when you begin.

And running the steam locomotives is an art that I have yet to accomplish.

For those who aren't into trains, the game will seem pretty tame. But they wouldn't be coming to this website anyway.

Tom

[cprted]

Thanks Tom,
I look forward to trying it and seeing how it compares to the real thing. Running both the engineer and fireman's controls isn't that hard as long as you keep your wits about you.

Ted

[Anonymous]

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE COST IS GOING TO BE...THANKS>>>>>>>HUB

[Anonymous]

The suggested retail price is US$54.95. But of course there will be deals available out there.
Tom Chmielewski
Associate Editor, Trains.com

[Anonymous]

Tom...Can one easily use graphics from Seirra Studio's NASCAR 2. I think a Dash 9 in the #3 Goodwrench paint job would be Soooo cool. Oh and FYI, this isn't the same James as above.

[Anonymous]

Scary thought, but yeah, you could do it. Probably would be fairly simple depending on the graphics program you use to export it into Train Simulator.
Tom C.

[Anonymous]

I, and certainly most all NASCAR fans, drivers, owners, team members and all other affiliates would take offense at even a suggestion of mocking the 3 car and its driver.

[Anonymous]

well...gee. i just thought the #3 paint job would look pretty cool an a Dash-9, although it would probably make more sense ot put it on an SD40-2. At least I'm not importing the #6 Viagra scheme!

[Anonymous]

yeah. especally since he was killed at Daytona.