Hope I'm not going out of bounds here but does anyone have a recommendation for a train simulator for Windows XP?
Microsoft Train Simulator is awesome. Lots of add-ons you can buy for it too
No matter which one you get, get this controller, it runs around $150 I think.
(http://www.hobbylinc.com/gr/pie/pie120.jpg)
It is the RailDriver Desktop Cab Controller from P.I.Engineering.
the two train simulators i've run are microsoft, and trainz by auran. both are good. the gp38-2 in msts has an awesome sound file, as does the f7 in trainz.
for something different, signal computer consultants offers a train dispatcher simulator. while alot slower paced that the locomotive simulators, td will have you pulling your hair out when all the trains converge on the same spot at once.
jimk4490
I had asked this a few months ago I provided the link below
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,10405.0.html
I liked the Microsoft train simulator and it worked well on XP. Additionally it runs well on slower computers that I have.
I like my Trainz as well but am not sure that it would run on XP well. I have this on one of my newer computers and it runs well and I run it on an older one (3 yr old laptop with 1 gig of RAM) which runs very very slowly.
I have been able to find free and pay "extras" for both.
And for the controller ABC posted, I want that!
Finally I loved playing Railroad tycoon III and I have run that on XP as well. Though it is not a Train Simulator game, it was still fun!
Robert
A (much younger) friend of mine told me he had read, on a gaming site, that Microsoft was coming out with a new version of MS Train Simulator. My complaint with MS TS is that there aren't many scenarios to use - and one gets bored playing the same situation over and over again. I like the Sweethaven Harbor add on; but again there are only two or three problems to solve. Too bad these programs aren't as inclusive as Flight Simulator (something I used to recommend for my primary flight training students when I was in the biz).
Ray
Quote from: CNE Runner on January 13, 2010, 09:57:33 AM
A (much younger) friend of mine told me he had read, on a gaming site, that Microsoft was coming out with a new version of MS Train Simulator. My complaint with MS TS is that there aren't many scenarios to use - and one gets bored playing the same situation over and over again. I like the Sweethaven Harbor add on; but again there are only two or three problems to solve. Too bad these programs aren't as inclusive as Flight Simulator (something I used to recommend for my primary flight training students when I was in the biz).
Ray
MSTS2 has been dead for a long time, Microsoft disbanded that group. If you have the computer horsepower go with Trainz 2010, otherwise go with Trainz 2006.
It is great fun to run a 100 car coal train on the Clinchfield in the '70's or just run around the Reading with an 1860's train. I find it relaxing to just run trains.
Harold
Thanks again everyone for you assistance. I just ordered MS TS and it takes a week to get here so I'll give it a try. Are there any free downloads or downloadable instructions? Is there a tutorial that comes with MS TS? I could not find too much on the web regarding instructions or manuals. Thanks. Would love to get that controller shown by ABC; not sure it's in the budget right now.
Harold,
Thanks for the update on MSTS2...I will stop looking for its announced arrival.
Ray
Quote from: CNE Runner on January 13, 2010, 12:55:35 PM
Harold,
Thanks for the update on MSTS2...I will stop looking for its announced arrival.
Ray
I believe there are gamers with an F7 built of twigs and logs on a hill somewhere trying to conjure it's return. ;D
Harold
Here's a couple preproduction images from MSTS2
(http://i.pbase.com/g6/99/574299/2/87399200.6cbMIzdT.jpg)
(http://ic2.pbase.com/g3/99/574299/2/89037934.IAmE7dXD.jpg)
(http://ic2.pbase.com/g6/99/574299/2/87399102.IxzxqSBS.jpg)
I have one of the original Microsoft Train Simulator Games . When I bought it , it was supposed operate on X/P as well as earlier operating systems . I couldn'tget it to run properly I installed it on a computer with a earlier OS and it worked very well , there is a tutorial included on the disk . Unfortunately I lost two Harddrives alreadyand my current computer has a new CPU operating on Vista for which the MTS2 was supposed to be created. I am upgrading to system 7 soon . The images from MTS2 are really good. Shame Microsoft will lose out on sales to a probably good market . No Guts No Glory. J2
P.S. the controller is listed in the current Walthers catalog .
I have the Tycoon series, the MSTS Original Simulator for a while. They worked well. I build my own rigs when money allows once or twice a decade and they do well.
Trainz was pretty good if you accept from the start that thier convoluted and unnecessarily complicated download files system just dont work at all. And when it finally did with the 2008 version, the bandwidth was throttled to dailup speeds. I have 6 mbits on hand with DSL and I will be damned if I have to wait 30 minutes to pull a engine file the size of a floppy disk. (1meg) I am accustomed to pulling a gig file in that time.
I have not bought any new train simulators. I prefer American Steam from the Civil War through the Post War era and all I see are either foreign engines or BNSF type engines from the big railroads.
Disclosure, I do fly FSX alot with Heavy Bombers from Wings of Power series and also the 747 from Microsoft and enjoy it well. I find it realistic enough for my local area near KLIT airport.
With that in mind, I look forward to finding a Train sim that matches my steam interests and is well done. So I just have to keep looking. I prefer to buy my software on Ebay with retail packing because Best Buy and other stores pretty much quit selling PC games and only sell mountains of Console (Nintendo TV type games) now.
I like the controller very much, but the 150 price is just too expensive... however why am I griping when I just finished that On30 2-6-6-2 at twice that amount? Hmm...
Something to think about.
Trainz is the only one who offers US steam from 1860's on, you just have to ask on their forum. There is every available narrow gauge, three and two foot, even 30inch make-believe.
I have had no problem with DLS.
MSTS and Failworks have a very lame interface that is truly awful.
Go with Trainz
Harold
Price update on Console is $ 199.95 in new 2010 Walter's HO catalog , was in neighbor - hood so went to see Local Hobby Shop to see about an order . They didn't have order but Got in new Walters Catalog , bought same. J2.
Quote from: Jhanecker2 on January 14, 2010, 08:05:42 PM
Price update on Console is $ 199.95 in new 2010 Walter's HO catalog , was in neighbor - hood so went to see Local Hobby Shop to see about an order . They didn't have order but Got in new Walters Catalog , bought same. J2.
Yeah the regular price is $200, but I found it on sale for $170 to $180 on various sites online. And last I checked, there was one on ebay buy it now for $150 plus s&h.
So I had a bad experience trying to get a copy of MSTS, as you can only get it as a used product now like through Amazon, and the copy they sent me did not work. So I am stuck having to go to Trainz 2009 that I can buy new through Compusa. Do you think Trainz 2009 will run ok on Windows XP on a three year old DELL?
Get Trainz 2006 it runs better than 2009:
"Trainz The Complete Collections"
It cost about $10 at Amazon. Get Trainz Tuner:
http://www.kreativenergy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=4&id=13&Itemid=29 (http://www.kreativenergy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=4&id=13&Itemid=29)
Trainz Tuner allows the draw distance to increase. Trainz 2006 beats MSTS hands down, the MSTS isn't really fun to use. I have used them all.
I even have Andre Ming's wonderful 1890's railroad for MSTS and still think MSTS stinks!!!
Harold
Where can I get Trainz 2006? If I go to online retail, they don't carry it anymore. If I go to someplace like Amazon or EBay, I might end up (as I've found out) getting a bad copy (even though they claim it's new software, it often is used and without the proper copyright codes).
I found Trainz 2006 at a Target store the week after Christmas.
Unfortunately when I try to register it I find that I get a message that says there is a problem with them receiving my registration. no real help in the FAQ either. Because I can't register I can't download anything either.
Anybody know a way to get the thing registered >:( !!
Maybe you can return it to Target. Also you might find the answer on Google. Finally, maybe you don't have to register it to use it.
Does anyone know how to use Lap Brakes? I do not fully understand what it is.
To Loco Bill : Picked up a copy of Trainz Ultimate Collection at Office Max for $10. Try going to : www.cosmi.com/ register when I installed the disk I had to add their serial number which is a 24 digit alpha- numeric that was under their part number on a label on the jewel case. Still have no idea how to use it . Microsoft Train Simulator was easier to use.
On your number keypad on the right side of the keyboard, use :
8- increase power
2 decrease power
* put into forward gear
/ put into reverse
5 idle
3 apply brakes
9 release brakes
6 brake lap
H horn
L lights
Engine must be at idle to put into gear. Using numbers at top of your letter section of your keyboard, use 1 for cab view, 2 for outside view, 3 for outside view 4 roaming view.
Well I finally got it registered. Seems that although I got a big red error message saying I was not registered, I was actually somehow registered. I was able to register my serial number so I can download a few things. Unfortunately when I tried to do a down load nothing happens, The Download center shows my download as being in progress, but after two days I don't even have 1KB of a 1.3 M file!! ??? >:( :(
Anybody having any luck downloading???
Trainz! Trainz! Trainz Classics 1&2! Twenty dollars, but the best you can probably buy. It is better than MSTS, it takes time to get some real good content, but just look at some of the stuff you can get for free:
http://rrmods.com/images/spsd4502.jpg
http://www.jointedrail.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=91
The user-interface is remarkable too! It's very easy to create routes and places to drive.
Cheers,
Joshua
If you have a Half Price Books store near you check there for TRAINZ titles. I found "TRAINZ The Complete Collection" for $4.95 new. It includes:
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006
Trainz Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004
Trainz Ultimate Collection
Trainz Paintshed
The store near me has several copies and I've seen it at other HPB locations as well.
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/find_a_store.html
Thanks ALCO1 I will check it out it gives me an excuse to drop in at Woodcraft its in the same suburb about an hour away. I did put in the disk of Trains Ultimate Collecion and managed to get it to open . Is there a tutorial on the disk, is it in a readme section ? From what I could see some of the graphics appearer quite good. John II
There is a file called UTC_Manual.pdf on the disk for TRAINZ Ultimate Collection. I haven't gone through it so I don't know how much detail there is or how much help it will be. Should be a good place to start though.
Keith
It is. I believe you should start out with just TRS2006. I don't know why they'd give you all those simulators when all of there content is on TRS2006 plus more built in, and all the downloadable content from it works on TRS2006. Although, some TRS2004 may not work on TRS2006, so it's wise just to install those two.
Cheers,
Joshua