From the cab, why not front lights shine....?

[nlmcm]

One of the bigger complaints about RSC-RW2++, is lack of locomotive lights in front from the engineer's perspective, lacking.....

Allow a little history about the subject matter, i.e., Forward lighting from steam, diesel and electric locomotives, at least as rail simulation programs go.

KUJU and MS we all know unveiled MSTS in 2001, it had such lighting (which if you think about it, was very bright, even during daylight, an excellent safety and wonderful feature indeed). In less than 5 years, payware providers came along and improved it immensely, from a distance away (spot mode), much brighter in appearance. With the famous lateral figure 8 rotation of the older diesels (era 1947 to 1970), allowing the sides to be viewed, upward just a bit (for passing under bridges, etc.), and was so rapid, was an excellent safety features for years, sad to say, it was a mechanical nightmare to maintain.

Purchasing RW in April 2010, horrified that it was lacking, instead we have ambient lighting, i.e., like a cloudless night with 6 full moons about, or forced to wear nighttime visual goggles, of sorts.

Many of you may not realize, RSC - RW2 is a major improvement of MSTS original, quite superior I might add overall in so many ways.

MSTS2 during the height of feverish competition only a few years back, you can believe with a great deal of certainty, that it was going to be a super FPS hitter had it been released. FSX was and still is, and MSTS2 was based largely on the FSX graphic platform. Alas, the economy killed not only this simulation, MS also closed ACE studios, permanently, so they claim, most of us do have hope this will not be so.

The folks that provide us with Rail Driver Desktop Train Controller (P. I. Engineering) also was competing head on with MS, with a super twist of innovations; it was going to be directly backward compatible with the original MSTS, routes, rolling stock, you name it, all.

Whoa, talk about an ambitious undertaking.

Important to know, this is the company that offered a rail simulation (beta) before MS/KUJU was released in 2001. It was an excellent program, especially with physics, even compared to RW2 today. I should add, have been beta testing RS-RW since early October last, and insist, with mini-updates (on core and DLC releases) physics are improving, not perfect yet, but at least we know, it will always improve - continuously. PIE was forced to cancel its project, as the real world railroads demanded more training of newly-hired engineer students, demand from exports/imports from the Orient was growing leaps and bounds. Profits came first, and was quite understandable.

KUJU/EA Rail Simulator finally released November 2006, contracted to great firms, 3DTrainstuff, to create Cajon Pass route (3,000 man hours were used to convert their original MSTS Cajon Pass) that we all enjoy today. Most of us do know, the Castle Rock RR was "built" in only 30 days from our friend and excellent developer, Rich Garber of All Aboard. A testament, for those who aspire freeware and/or payware routes in our future, sooner than most of us realize, watch out and be ready. An excellent example of this will be seen from LoneWofDon - very soon, we hope!

Rumors still persist, of other Rail Simulation programs down the pike. 3Dtrainstuff may be in the arena in the not to distance future. Open Rails, heavy in beta testing with the original MSTS, beta still ongoing, may be a few short years away. Finally, biggest rumor of all, the amazing talent from ACE Studios, well, lets just say, we have hopes.

Finally, KUJU, terribly under capitalized to continue, sold as RSC - RailWorks. Mr. Paul Jackson, CEO, took a small company, devised an IPO - listing it on the London Exchange, to continue for our/their future, confidently will grow and hold top place for a long time to come. He also instilled one prime policy very well, to be only a company exclusively as a PC Rail Simulator...period. With a sound financial package backing, continue to update as we have all seen, last November, February recently, and the biggie we all look forward to coming this fall.

Light rendering, details not well understood to some of us minions, I know this, may startle us so positively, we will be proud and overjoyed. How many of us can state such with other simulation/game/entertainment/leisure products? Banked curves (Super Elevation of tracks) will also be included, not a rumor mind you, as such was already announced over at Railworks America some time back. This means trains like the TGV, ICE, and others all over the globe will be speeding along at a much higher rate - comfortably. Career based Scenarios, will become far more challenging, with higher average speeds.

Forward lighting as observed from our cab, may be possible, uncertain if it will be included this fall, but if it is, may well be an option for some slower PC's to be turned off in the graphic menus, or lessen other graphic sliders. IMHO, FPS* (thanks Rag) may be adversely affected, as such, this scares the RSDev team/RSC to death. Fairly certain that all of us, would never complain that much over such a minor detail - yet.

From newbies to advanced users to diehard experts, is RW2 perfect? Is it realistic? If we want perfection and realism, drive a real train.

My educated guesses is this, comfortable and with confidence to know, it is always improving, suspect within a year, more or less, RSC will be voted third time in a row, with Simulation of the year Award, second to none.

Clicity-Clack,

Peter
Way of the Zephyrs

*FPS, Frame Rates/Second, a measure that when it falls below (I.e., 15fps) jerky or stuttering occurs, quite annoying. Comparatively, a TV action drama or a football game program rates about 35FPS. Most Intel 7 users experience FPS of 60, some as high as 120. Smo-o-o-ooth as silk compared to sandpaper.

[micaelcorleone]

Nice article.