The ultimate train sim

[BNSFdude]

There is good reason for the lua encryption. A lot of that takes hundreds of hours to perfect and wouldn't rightly be open source.
However, there are some things that could be put out there like exhaust or lighting scripts that could benefit the development community so that everyone has a consistent "look" across the board. Things like our fading lights, or exhaust simulation.

But the rest of the stuff like engine RPM controls, screen scripts, etc, all took Kevin hundreds of hours to perfect and rightly should be kept in house.

[PNWR1854]

^^^^^^^^

[KevinWS]

I don't have Run8 but I have been toying with the idea of getting it for a while.

The operational side interests me. Any comments from people who have it?

[hobo1960]

I have both version 1 and 2. I bought it when it first arrived on the scene and have been keeping up with it since but don't spend a lot of time in the game as it focuses almost exclusively with an online environment/usage and getting help with connecting etc has been challenging.

My views on the game:

Graphics
- great sky/environment improvement over MSTS/OR and definately better than RW
- Models - high quality
- scenery - moderate (somewhere between MSTS/OR and RW)

Operations
- superb (best in fact) but difficult to master alone (hence the online focus)
- terrific multi-player aspect (the time I have spent in the game has been with a knowledgeable railroader which has been wonderful)

Routes
- Western...wonderful
- Eastern...not so much.. While track might be accurate, graphically they appear rather MSTS/OR in fact (espc the trees)

Pros
- Immersive realistic operations

Cons
- no repaint options
- mixed visual quality
- limited equipment and locomotives
- pricey to purchase all the necessary equipment to get the full experience (espc online)
- user forced to constantly use the dispatcher screen to set switches, etc.
- poor user support & documentation

Bottom line
- if you don't mind spending to experience, it's an interesting game
- version two did introduce ai so that is an improvement
- find another friend to play online together

Just my observations and opinions.

KevinB

I don't have Run8 but I have been toying with the idea of getting it for a while.

The operational side interests me. Any comments from people who have it?

[KevinWS]

Thanks KevinB - I really do appreciate the thought and time you put into your reply.

Very helpful.........

[dr1980]

Train Simulator is definitely easier to get into than Run 8 and it’s where I spend most of my train simming time when I want a quick hit - I have a fairly short attention span for train swimming and rarely finish an activity in a single sitting. I prefer my train simming casual, I save my hardcore simming for flight simming in P3D.

Where Run 8 excels is the realistic train handling, particularly heavy trains on steep grades. You really need to handle slack etc properly or risk a broken coupler or worse. I can cruise up and down mountain grades in TS knowing that sloppy train handling won’t be an issue, but a similar session in Run 8 will be more tense and rewarding when I make it to the bottom in one piece.

[trainhogger]

Run8 is as close as you are going to get period. With new versions coming out and developers that actually fix stuff and listen to it's costumers. The old Adage of well we are going to make money off of someone else software days are over. Welcome to the 21st century man.

[buzz456]

As usual it depends on what you are looking for.

[artimrj]

The new Trainz (trs19) is looking real good. They modified the engine and it makes old stuff look really good. I have been very amazed with this new version. If you play in real mode the physics are just as good as RW.

[KevinWS]

Thanks Bob.

I guess with the monthly sub, it is now easy to try it out now as well.

The graphics look very good...

[artimrj]

Thanks Bob.

I guess with the monthly sub, it is now easy to try it out now as well.

The graphics look very good...

Just keep in mind that it is still early access. More of it is coming. I turned in bug report the other day and the dev team was able to duplicate and are working on it.

[KevinWS]

Thanks Bob.

Bugs will be there - I understand that and it is not an issue.

[sandpaper90]

A lot of good opinions in this thread honestly.

I'd say TSW *COULD* be if they fixed the physics (admittedly there has been some progress here) , added a TRUE free roam that let you explore more than just DTG's "area" they allow you to free roam, and if DTG could just ** hire the searchlight team and just have them do audio for them we'd be in great shape

I'd complain about tools, but it looks as tho based on DTG's latest posts, that we are actually going to get them next year, so I'll stop complaining about that.

[KevinWS]

Well, eventually jumped in and got Run 8.

Really enjoying it as well!

[PNWR1854]

That's nice, but please don't bump old topics, make a new one.