Noob here, several questions about this great game!

[djm227]

Hi all!

Noob Here. I used to mess around with model trains when I was younger, but haven't touched it in a long time. When the Steam sale came around, I decided that $4.00 is a steal for a game that I may enjoy based on past hobbies. I'm glad I picked it up, because I've already logged over 15 hours in just a few days, which I never do in most "normal" games. I see myself becoming bored with it eventually, and at that point I will turn into just a casual user. For now, however, I'm extremely excited about the game and I have many questions that I would love to discuss.

I'll spare you any further introduction and cut right to the chase:

1) I enjoy using the in-cab controls. It feels more real to me, and it's fun to figure out where the controls are in the different engines. However, so far there are a few important controls on several engines that I am not able to "grab" with my mouse. The first is the DB Class 101 throttle & reverser. It moves when I use the interface, but I cannot grab it with the curser. The second is the Class 47 Brake, which I also cannot grab. Is there a fix?

2) Is there no way to map my buttons? I really don't like the way they have some shortcuts layed out, and I DESPERATELY want to use my scroll wheel to zoom, instead of having to reach over and use my arrow keys. The lack of interface/control customization in this game so far is slightly disappointing.

3) Right now, I tend to open the small interface (F3) to see if the light ahead is green, and what my next speed limit is. Instead, I would love to be able to read signage and lights and determine what I should do. My problem is that the sign speed limits trigger as soon as you pass them, so you end up speeding no matter what...and by the time you see signal lights, it's too late to stop in time. What am I doing wrong?

In addition to those big questions, I wanted to ask about a couple other aspects of the game. I understand why people buy the DLC for this game, but I cannot see myself doing so often....they are a bit pricey for my blood. How is the quality of the free content for this game? Any particular routes you would recommend? I am a sucker for big American diesel....but highspeed passanger routes are fun too. I have yet to try steam. I remember that my favorite train back in the day was the Amtrak EMD F40PH....is there a DLC or free content for that?

I also wanted to see just what cards people are using. I just picked up a 6850, and it struggles keeping this game at medium/high with decent frames and no AA (and if any game needs AA, it's this one). My CPU/MB/RAM needs an upgrade, but I would love to hear what it takes to run this as highest settings with respectable AA.

Sorry for writing a novel...I hope I remebered to ask everything. I know it's long, but I appreciate any replies!

Thanks!

[barnez]

I can tackle a few of these Q's, I'm sure others will jump in and handle the others ...

First off, welcome to the community.

1. Yes, sadly not all the cab controls are mapped/ modeled. Some of the addon engines (both payware & free) are better in this regard. I believe it is possible to fix this, but doing so goes way beyond anything I do with modding the game files myself.

2. Ok, not a good start for me on these Qs. Actually, I thought that keys could be remapped in the options screen ... if not

3. Signal lights: yes, unfortunately the way the game renders lights they are quite difficult to read at a distance. The best advice I can give you here if you want to try to do things the "real" way is learn the signal pattern meanings. ie you will get an approach limited signal before an approach. Yes, US signals are a pain in their meanings, but on all routes you should get plenty of warning signals before restricted & stop signals. As for the speed limits, some lines are modeled with speed limit warning markers about 1/2 mile before the new speed zones. For the rest, well, the "real" way is to be familiar with your line and memorize the speed zones.

4. Free content quality varies (as does payware quality). Some of the freeware like Tori Pony's CO&A http://www.coarw.com/ are spectacular and are every bit as good (or better than) payware. Eyein12 (Ian Allen) also has a couple of "must have" routes that are free (or very affordable donationware) http://eyein12.blogspot.com/
There is a freeware F40PH I believe it is in the downloads section on this site. If not, you can find it in the other RW community sites UKTS & TrainSim.
If you are going to invest in payware DLC, right now is a good time as everything is 50% discounted during the Steam Holiday Sale until Jan 1 which makes the prices much more attractive.

5. Hardware requirements. Firstly, RW3's graphics options are a maze of befuddling options that overlap each other, are somewhat un-intuitive and in my humble opinion add a lot of overhead for little benefit. For a good overview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njr1bSFWoMw
Myself, I just upgraded my PC and I'm tinkering with the settings. Most recently I've set the following: texture filtering= anisotropic x4, AA= MLAA+MSAAx4. Most in-game settings at high, depth of field ON, adaptive bloom OFF. This gives me a good balance between frames & detail. I could probably up texturing to x8 and AA to MSAAx8 without much performance loss. I'll play with the settings soon.
(My rig is an AMD PhenomIIx4 955 with a GTX 560 gfx card & 8GB RAM)

-barnez

[djm227]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I took a look at the US signal manual provided with the game...no way am I going to attempt to memorize that. I suppose the F3 mini map is the way to go as far as monitoring the route. Is that pretty much the normal thing that people use to check signals and speeds?

It's a shame that not all the cab controls are rigged for clicking capability, but such is life I suppose. Besides the few issues with the game that I listed in the OP, I'm having a blast playing it. Just started HSC today...I'm glad I picked up the deluxe edition.

I checked out some of the more popular freeware, and it seems as though much of it requires (or suggests) certain payware to work. Are there any "must-have" DLC payware that I should think about grabbing during the sale? Also, do these DLCs tend to go down in price eventually after release? I have my eye on NEC, but I can't get myself to pull the trigger on a DLC that pricey...even at the current sale price.

Thanks again for the help!

[barnez]

Pick up as much DLC as possible while its on sale. NEC is very frame rate heavy ATM but I'm sure it will be solved eventually. You will regret passing on some of the deals right now. Grab the most expensive ones first, like the north american passenger pack that includes NEC, P42, and the acela. Dash 9 is great and so is the Berkshire, S-2, and SP GS-4

What he said!

The prices will likely go down eventually, but that could take awhile. The Steam Holiday Sale is the best time to do some purchasing, this is probably the lowest prices we will see until the Summer Sale.

As for must haves, depends what your interests are ... to save on $$$ stick to what you are really interested in. Myself, that's the US Railroads, all the packs there have been pretty good so far.

-barnez

[Griphos]

Yes, freeware, often UK freeware, requires DLC. Isle of Wight is very common. WCML also. I have both of those for that reason, but enjoy both in their own right. For US/Canada routes, assets from Rich Garbers routes are often used. I don't think it matters which one. You may want to think about picking up Fort Kent while it's on sale. Prices seem to stay fairly steady. I don't have the NEC even though the sale is tempting me. I just don't enjoy long passenger runs. I like freight operations. If you know what kind of operating you prefer, I'd suggest buying routes that cater to your interests. A route you don't enjoy operating won't get used.

[djm227]

Thanks for the replies.

What are some of the better US diesel freight DLCs? I cannot afford to buy the whole US pack, but I could maybe pick up one or two DLCs while their cheap. I'm a fan of American diesel in freight routes.

[arizonachris]

What are some of the better US diesel freight DLCs?

SD70ACe, SD40-2's (there are several different liveries including the Wide Nose and the High Nose) the CN's, the Dash 9's, the BNSF ES44C. Lots of stuff there for a very nice price! Most come with several scenarios, plus we have Doug (Heavy Chevy) Don (Lonewolfdon) and Lisboa (Trains and Drivers) cranking out more scenarios. Plus more in the file library here.

Work your way up to the big American steam. You won't regret it! But it can be a Challenge (pun intended) to drive!

[djm227]

Thanks arizonachris. I'm going to wait for the last day of the Steam sale to see if the 75% off deal pops back up, and even if not, I think I'll buy two or three of those.