Position Statement

[KCJones]

I feel there may be a bit of a trend developing which could get out of hand.
When RSC announced the release of their GP7/9 quite a lot of negative comment appeared because GP7/9 models were already out there, mainly Britkits'. Similarly with the GG1. So much so that RSC felt they needed to respond.

RSC is a serious business with expert personnel turning out a marvellous product. They use leading edge programmes and no doubt hardware to that end. In my estimation they are doing an excellent job.

Britkits is just me with 3DCrafter enjoying myself. It is not really fair to bash RSC with Britkits as some appear to do.

When I was first introduced to Rail Simulator by Rich Garber we could both see many more possibilities with this new simulator. At the time there was very little North American content and we both felt we needed to do something about it. He with his excellent routes and me with RW versions of my MSTS repainting kits. Also we were both getting affected by the gimme, gimme gimme attitude that was developing in the MSTS community back then.
(It is now good to see more getting involved with producing content, both freeware and commercial for the North American sphere of railway interest.)

Though we both cooperated very closely over various MSTS freeware projects in the past, at this point our tracks diverged. Rich taking the four track main line, working more closely with RSC and Steam. I have branched off on a single track branch line. Meandering over grass hidden ties on light weight rail.

I enjoy working at my own pace, building what I want to do, not because it will be a commercial success but because it looks interesting to my British eyes. Ah that word “commercial”!!! To RSC and Rich this is their livelihood and how they do things is right and proper.
For my part I look at things differently because I am in the early evening of my life (depending on where you are looking from). My basic repainting kits are free. I charge for the xtra kit though, why? Of course it does give me a bit of pocket money, but there is another reason. More often than not if you give someone something free it is not really appreciated. On the other hand if a person is willing to pay for a thing (money time or effort) it is because the thing is appreciated and hopefully enjoyed.

I have got a lot to thank the guys at RSC for. Firstly for creating the sim that has given me so many hours of fun but also for the way they have made it possible for people like me to build content and giving me the tools to do it. I should also say, as I am sure some of you more cynical readers are thinking, they have also given me an opening to make some pocket money!!!

To me this is a fun hobby. Some people like jumping off high bridges tied to a long piece of elastic. I like modelling North American Railway stuff. I don’t want to be swung at RSC like a bolas!!!

Britkits, KCJones, Dick Cowen

Enjoy your end of year holiday

[Samwolf]

Merry Christmas, Dick.

[arizonachris]

After all has been said and done, Mr. Cowen, you are a gentleman and a really great creator. And I agree 100% with your view. It speaks volumes for this sim. Merry Christmas and a Happy and SAFE New Year.

[ozinoz]

After all has been said and done, Mr. Cowen, you are a gentleman and a really great creator. And I agree 100% with your view. It speaks volumes for this sim. Merry Christmas and a Happy and SAFE New Year.

Wot 'e said.

for all your hard work and looking forward to the rolling stock updates next year.

from Down Under

G

[Hawk]

I took it upon meself to sticky this for a bit. I feel it's worthy of the top tier listing.

Very well said Dick.

[imnew]

Good reading and thank you

[Heavy Chevy]

Very well said Mr. Cowen. Thank you so much for all you have brought to this hobby/business or how ever one may look at it. I would have to agree that I would rather run virtual trains than jump off of a bridge tied to a small elastic. Although my brother has done that and he said it was great.

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family sir.

[mdurdan]

Honestly Dick, I think some of your stuff is a bit better quality than RSC's, or at least built with a bit more effort. I'm not bashing RSC or anything but they seem to have been puting in minimum work and asking maximum price laitly (no offense RSC), for example their are rarely inside views in their passenger cars and their GG1 seemed a bit low quality, the cab view was stuck in the engeneers seat only, when you turn a certain way you can see right through the locomotive to the outside, and the outside textures seemed a bit off in some places where yours seemed to be put together quite nicely, also they only have the green scheme where you have every scheme under the sun, I wish I could have gotten yours instead. I would also favor your SW1500 over theirs and as for the F units I can't see a diference other than diferent sounds and their new rain effects. Its not rely what software you use, its the time and effort you put in to it and how accurately you model things. I gotta hand it to you, your doing great in this sim, dont put yourself below anyone just because their the owners of the sim or because they use more expensive software.

[Kali]

The default F units are the 3DTrains ones ( I presume the HSC one is also ).

Whether one is better than another isn't really relevant - if you don't think RSC ( or Dick, or anyone else ) are giving value for money, vote with the wallet, no point making drama about it.

[mdurdan]

Not trying to start drama, simply giving Dick a pat on the back for all of the great work he does and giving my honest opinion. Like I said, I'm not bashing RSC, just pionting out a few things. I like RSC alot, but sometimes I rely think they can do better, where on the other hand, Dick always seems to put in 100% and keeps everything well priced. I'm verry sorry if I offended anyone, but that's just my opinion and some fact

[glenn68]

Dick,
I do enjoy your work and I see it is exceptional. Untill I get my act together repainting I would be working them like I did with your MSTS kits.
My position is that you are in competition with RSC or I should say that RSC is in competition with your work.. (Your work and their work way after you had your's released) If you notice something about RSC they will not release something untill it is perfect timing. This is a marketing play. SLowly but surely RSC has been releasing North American content but almost three to one compaired to Brittish content. For the past year almost every week on RSC Facebook page I put up a nice message about a SD7/9 package. I get a few likes out of it from other subscribers. They know if the timing is right they would release one. Almost every North American railroad had a SD7 or SD9 and especially Pennsylvania, B&O, N&W, Southern, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific and so on.
I bet if asked to every person who runs North American routes some more locomotives like the 60's-70's SD models and GE universal models would be greatly appreicated.

Glenn

[Douglas mrs]

Dick,
I do enjoy your work and I see it is exceptional. Untill I get my act together repainting I would be working them like I did with your MSTS kits.
My position is that you are in competition with RSC or I should say that RSC is in competition with your work.. (Your work and their work way after you had your's released) If you notice something about RSC they will not release something untill it is perfect timing. This is a marketing play. SLowly but surely RSC has been releasing North American content but almost three to one compaired to Brittish content. For the past year almost every week on RSC Facebook page I put up a nice message about a SD7/9 package. I get a few likes out of it from other subscribers. They know if the timing is right they would release one. Almost every North American railroad had a SD7 or SD9 and especially Pennsylvania, B&O, N&W, Southern, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific and so on.
I bet if asked to every person who runs North American routes some more locomotives like the 60's-70's SD models and GE universal models would be greatly appreicated.

Glenn

Now buy the RS3 model PACK, loved the extra models!
Congratulations to the author of the models!
My first purchase was RW3 models for today and I'm very pleased!
RW3 need to think of U-boat, C30-7, C36-7 and others.

[buzz456]

"Now buy the RS3 model PACK, loved the extra models!
Congratulations to the author of the models!
My first purchase was RW3 models for today and I'm very pleased!
RW3 need to think of U-boat, C30-7, C36-7 and others."

There is a U-Boat under construction.

[Douglas mrs]

There is a U-Boat under construction.

Where?
Who is building?
I can buy this model?
thank you

[buzz456]

Let me just say I am pretty sure it will be freeware. Delivery date unknown.