NEWBIE INFO

[Diesel99]

I am moving away from Flightsim (5500 VATSIM hours). After reading on the web and looking at the sites I want to get strated in the TrainSim World.
My System:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz
16.0GB RAM
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 480
350GB Available on Hard drive.

I can currently run FSX with the sliders max's and real weather on and enjoy 40FPX +-

I plan to first purchase the; RailDriver Desktop Train Cab Controller

I read that with the Train Cab Controller there are Windows 7 compatibility issues.

Is there a common platform that most people use? i.e. RW MSTS etc. It appears that STEAM has gotten involved with Virtual Railroading. Has this been a problem? My real questions is what do I need to get setup to begin my training take advantage of the current addon software? I am retired so I am prepared to read all the info and take advantage of all your expertise. The only thing that I have as far as Virtual Railroading is concerned is the interest and desire. One last question, What Virtual Railroad Companies are still in existance? To enjoy the game belong to a Company would only enhance the experience.

Mike

[jpetersjr]

Everyone that uses this site uses Railworks.

I must say that if one were to ask me to me Railworks is the best sim, offers excellent graphics and is easy to make scenery items for.

[GSkid]

I have to both agree and disagree with the poster before me. He's right on the graphics and making scenery items for. It's got a pretty good editor and offers a decent amount of routes with it.

Where it's bad is in the physics and the A.I. train department. It's also hit or miss on sounds. For instance... the GE loco sounds are fairly decent, but the EMDs are more miss then hit. Especially bad is the SD-40-2 sound. Luckily there are good replacement sound packs out there for free. The EMD 645 engine sound pack is a really good replacement on the SD40-2. Has a pretty realistic and smooth notch-up and dynamic brake sounds. Even has the signature "drum roll" sound that their 2-strokes are know for at notch-8. They also have good GE sound packs too that are better then the default.

I may own the game and still manage to enjoy it, but I'm not a kool aid drinker. I keep it real. They might improve things, but based on their track record... don't hold your breath. That's not to say it won't happen. It just may be a long time coming...that's all.

If you can overlook it's flaws, you might still enjoy it. Heck..... it might go on sale which it does from time to time. I got mine for $7 during their christmas sale. The new 2013 has a deal going for pre-orders. You get the game and the routes at about 50% off then if you were to buy them all separately. Keep in mind there is a Deluxe version that adds another german route to that bundle that comes out about 3 weeks after the first bundle.

If you are looking for a hardcore sim, this isn't it.... at least not at this point in time. I'd recommend Run-8 from what I've read. It's pretty hardcore.... although it has no editor at this time (releasing in a year), doesn't look as "pretty" as Railworks and only comes with one route (Mojave sub) at this moment. It's the new kid on the block.

So I hope I've given you some good idea of what to expect. Your computer specs should have no problem running Railworks. You can even pop it into Railworks 2's graphics engine mode called TSX-OFF (still looks pretty good) and get about double the frame rate then TSX-ON mode. Although they say the new TSX-ON mode will be faster in the 2013 update then it was in the current 2012 version.

[LionelDave]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I say you need to try it and then make up your mine whether you like Railworks or not.

Like it was said the new kid on the block is RUN8 and its faults have not come out yet.

The oldest sim is MSTS and that one is still going despite being on the verge of being out of date.

the other sim I know of is Trainz (I've spent the last 10 year with that sim but have come over to railword and have not looked backed).

Open Rail is another train sim out there that is still being developed.

Of the four, Railworks is the best in my opinon. It's got great graphics and it has some good routes and scenarios to go with it.

The perfect sim is NOT out there but over all I feel that Railworks is the best. And I recommend that you start with it. In addition, The support here on the forum is an added bonus.

I just don't think it's that bad.

Dave

[Diesel99]

Thank you for your responses... I have TS2012 Deluxe and will update it when 2013 comes out. Now the reading starts. I do notice that with the Train Platforms you have to dig into the program to get information.

Mike