Railworks America

Does anyone have a list or tell me where I can get a list of what would be considered "stock" freight cars in TS2014? I'm trying to create a scenario for a route, but I need to know what stock everyone would have.

Good luck with that one my friend.

As far as I know, nothing is stock or default anymore. Each new version has different routes coming with along with rolling stock. Our old "default" is now and has been for sale at $17 including the scenery. A US package and a UK package.

I've asked the same question in this forum and have also asked RSC, getting essentially nowhere with either. More than a year ago, RSC started offering USA and European (German/British) rolling stock packs; they now offer a "USA Ultimate Collection" and a "Europe Ultimate Collection", but these new DLC packages are just accumulations of route, engine, and freight/passenger equipment. This sorry situation is complicated by the fact that the same freight and passenger cars tend to come with a variety of DLC packs. I think it's safe to say that "default stock", meaning a body of rolling stock that everyone who has purchased the basic sim owns, no longer exists.

Like you, I suspect, I'd like to write scenarios that require a minimum of DLC purchasing and are thus playable by the greatest number of TS fans. The best idea I've come up with for achieving this is to write my scenarios using only the rolling stock available with the route where it takes place and a few items that have been around for a long time and thus strike me as "default". Once I've completed the player train's instructions, I perform an upload test to Steam Workshop, going as far as completing the upload if necessary to discover whether I've used something that RSC/DT flags as an add-on. I make note of any that equipment, delete the scenario from SW, and rework as necessary. Then, as I add AI traffic, I perform the same test from time to time, trying to keep non-default stock to a minimum.

As a long-term project, it might be worthwhile to create a scenario using one of the "default" routes, if such a thing still exists, adding rolling stock a bit at a time and keeping track of what shows up ... nah! never mind ... I, at least, would loose patience with that after a while.

We're just left in the lurch and not even RSC/DT has a firm idea of which rolling stock originated where. Too bad, I think.

OldProf wrote:using only the rolling stock available with the route where it takes place and a few items that have been around for a long time and thus strike me as "default".

That, and then explain clearly what is needed in the readme. Using the real name of the specific DLC, ideally with an url.

Tom - if someone is buying the sim brand-new then the basic package includes this:

As it sits, you get three routes and, one can assume, only the assets that come with those routes. The base package used to include a whole lot more. That's why RSC created the US and European Asset Packs, so that newer buyers can drive some of the older scenarios. I'm sure you realize this. My point then is to say that if you define "default stock" as only the assets that come with the minimum game package, a new player can only drive those routes, and any scenarios written for those routes. Yes, it kinda limits newer players, but if they get "infected" with the driving bug, as so many of us have, they'll want to augment their assets any way they can. The holiday sales are a perfect example. I picked up $420.82 worth of new stuff for $202.62 between the Thanksgiving and Christmas sales.
My opinion is that one should write scenarios for what they enjoy and let the chips fall where they may. There will be plenty of users who will be able to drive them, and those who can't will either buy the needed add-ons, or they won't. I write scenarios for my own use. I haven't released any of them because I don't think they're up to the standards that the community is accustomed to. I'm still learning (and that's one of the best things about this sim, IMHO!)
Write what you like, and throw it at the wall (or Workshop...) and see what sticks!
This is supposed to be FUN!!!
My
M.

The "Default" U.S. stock and assets were traditionally the stuff that came with Cajon Pass. It's actually cheaper to buy Cajon, than to buy the U.S. Assets when there is a sale going at Steam.