Are there any good 'freeware' routes?

[britpol]

Hi everyone,

I'm a complete novice with TS2014 but I would like some advice please.

I'm a pensioner, so not too well off now. I want to drive in the US as the scenery is wonderful. I have Donner Pass {came with the game) but I was hoping there might be some that are free along with other types. Please tell me too, donationware, how much would a nice donation fee be?

One more thing, I know you all use contracted names for downloads etc but for me... could youi use the full name. I'll try to learn them over time.

Thanks everyone in advance.

britpol

[arizonachris]

First off, to our little corner of the TS world.

Yes, there are a lot of freeware routes available. You can look in the file library here, also look in the Steam Workshop. The only caveat is that some of these routes may need assets from other payware "stuff", so your best bet is to read the "readme" files for the routes.

Have a look at this route as well: https://disk.yandex.com/public/?hash=Zx ... zsg69W0%3D "Tennessee Pass 2 fixed" what a fun little route. So many more. I'm sure others will chime in.

[buzz456]

Here is an absolutely fabulous route that will keep you busy for quite some time. There are all kinds of assets for this route that are free.

http://www.vnerrforums.com/nerw/

[britpol]

Thank you so much guys. Just to let you know I'm a Brit living in Krakow, Poland. Been here 18 years and I love it. Retired from teaching. I will check out these addons today.

I'm looking forward to being an active member.

britpol

[mrennie]

Hi Britpol,

As well as the freeware routes in the library here at RWA, there are some good ones you can get from the Steam Workshop. Two I like are the Raquette Lake Railway, by BigVern, and the Moscow, Camden and San Augustine Route, by GreatNortherner (both authors are very well known in the community).

[JohnTrainHead]

Just to let you know, many of the freeware routes require assets from the US and European asset packs. Tennessee Pass 2 Fixed also uses Richard's assets, which can be found in either the Colton & Northern, Rascal & Cottonwood, Ohio Steel, or Fort Kent - Eagle Lake routes. All are found on Steam, you only need to purchase one to get the assets, I recommend the latter two.... You should also join the 3D trains forum so you can download Scalerail, the road, and the vegetation packs, which are free and used in many freeware routes. Hope this helps some.

[britpol]

What can I say but 'thank you'. Very helpful. To be honest, I go on Steam (I bought their TS 2014 version) but when I go to workshop and click on 'Subscribe' - next, nothing happens. And the people are not too helpful.
But the same can't be said on herew. Thank you for your effort and time.

britpol

[britpol]

I forgot to ask. I have Donner pass from the purchase package. Am I right in thinking that I have the US assets pack?

britpol

[mrennie]

What can I say but 'thank you'. Very helpful. To be honest, I go on Steam (I bought their TS 2014 version) but when I go to workshop and click on 'Subscribe' - next, nothing happens. And the people are not too helpful.
But the same can't be said on herew. Thank you for your effort and time.

britpol

That's strange ... if you click on the "+" (in a green square) in the lower right corner of the route's picture, it should change to a tick, and then at the bottom of the screen you should see the blue "download" bar advancing as the route is downloaded and installed automatically. You'd then have to install some scenarios from the workshop, or go into the editor and make a new scenario of your own for the route. If it doesn't download automatically, it might be that the Steam servers are busy or offline (due to a fault or, quite often, maintenance).

[arizonachris]

I forgot to ask. I have Donner pass from the purchase package. Am I right in thinking that I have the US assets pack?

britpol

Donner came out in December of 2012, by then TS was up to TS2013. You would have to already had either RailWorks, or TS2012 to now have the US assets pack. (someone will correct me if I'm wrong )

[Chacal]

What can I say but 'thank you'. Very helpful. To be honest, I go on Steam (I bought their TS 2014 version) but when I go to workshop and click on 'Subscribe' - next, nothing happens.

Make sure you go to the Steam store using the Steam client, not your web browswer.
This way, you are already logged in and the download takes place in the background.

[britpol]

Hi my friend,

I did that and I have nothing honestly. I get a quick flash on the top right of my screen but nothing in the game where you can see 'routes', 'trains' etc/ A bit infuriating to me.

But thank you for the advice. Pity the site doesn't use 'team talk' or Skype. Be nice to Skype people with the same interests.

britpol

[arizonachris]

I don't access the Workshop in game or thru my browser (never have, really). Since I have Steam start up when Windows starts, I always have that Steam Icon in the Task Bar. I click on that, choose Library, then choose Train Simulator 2014. Now on that title page, I click on Browse Workshop. Now I can choose, with the options on the right side "pane", whether I want a route, a scenario, final, or work in progress; for scenarios I can pick the route, and/ or the engine/ loco. Obviously you can't subscribe to and run a scenario that is for a route or loco/ engine that you don't own. When you click on the thumbnail pic for a scenario, it will say what rolling stock and route you need.

So, when I click on the green + I get a check mark in the lower right corner of the thumbnail/ pic. I can make sure the "subscribe" worked by clicking on Subscribed Items in the right hand column. That scenario or route is now available for me the next time I start TS2014. For the scenarios, they will show up in the list for that route they were created for, so you have to remember what you picked and where it works. Routes will show in your Collection or in Drive (in game)

Scenarios load so fast you may not see any particular indication, but routes are bigger files so you should see those little dots above the Steam icon thingy meaning something is being downloaded. (I hope that all makes sense).

[britpol]

Well,
Thank you for taking the time to give such a clear answer. I will try it. I normally start Steam 'offline' because I also play Football Manager 2014 and most players play 'offline'. Reason being that we can control updates which can change the whole game. Player values- skill levels alter. That's why. But I will change things.
I'm thinking of asking about using TS 2013 stuff. An ex-student gave me a lot but will it work I wonder. Also, do you use keyboard + mouse? If so, is there a list of suggested key allocations?

britpol

[britpol]

Hi,

Got to the part where you mention 'blue thingy' over steam. Looked everywhere and can't find it. Also, all I see are 3 trains doing nothing and nowhere to go and no way back to the 'Main' menu page.
I think I'm going to have to give up. I played FSX and had the same problems. And no one on Steam wants to help. But I really thank you for trying to help me.
I'll give it a bit longer.

britpol