Railroads On-Line

[sgtmajor]

Stumbled across an "EARLY ACCESS" game over on Steam called Railroads on-line.

Since it is an early access game in the very beginnings of development, there are a few quirky things, however, I've been enjoying it the last couple days. It's no where close to some of the other "more realistic" train sims...however, I do find it entertaining.

I haven't tried the "multi-player" aspect of the game and I suppose I may someday, however, for now I'm enjoying stumbling around trying to figure things out. Seems in no time at all I can kill several hours of mismanagement. (smile)

Here's one of the better tutorials/examples of the games I've found: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7MI_mM0Rcw

Hope all is doing well!!

Cheers!

[sgtmajor]

It's been about a week since I've had the program and even with some bugs.....I REALLY like this game. I have a little over 30+ hours in game and probably 2/3 of those hours are building track to and from the Lumber Mill to make money. This game reminds me of a cross between Sid Meir's old game, "Railroad Tycoon" and "Train Simulator." Last night I started a line (just put in the switches) from my main line towards the sawmill. I finally made enough money this morning to purchase the Mogal...so later today/tomorrow, I'll get my second line to the sawmill so I can begin delivering logs and acquiring timbers. It seems the next progression is to take the timbers to the coal and iron ore mines then later take the products to refinery's to produce steel which can be used in the oil fields and elsewhere to obtain oil and make tools etc., ...you get the idea.

Haven't tried playing on-line with others yet....not sure if I will, but I'm enjoying building and planning my routes. I did find however, while the map is not huge (10 mile square I believe).....You can get lost out in the woods while trying to find the lowest gradient routes around some of the hills and mountains. (smile) It doesn't cost to build track or lay road bed/bridges....however, each tree you chop down is $2.00 and there are a LOT of trees. (smile....hate to admit it, but I have a few bare spots on the map now)

Cheers,

[bhk]

Steve, I had a look at this game and watched a couple of YT videos. Not sure that it's for me, however.
There is another due for release very soon (may already be out.....I'll check Steam) which is called Simrail 2021, I think.

(Pauses as he goes to Steam and checks!)........

Yep, that's the name....and a demo is available now.
Here's the Steam page:-

store.steampowered.com/app/1422130/SimRail_2021__The_Railway_Simulator/

[sgtmajor]

Thanks Bruce....I did check it out and watched a couple video's. It reminded me a lot of Train Sim World, which I own and never use....as well as Train Simulator 2022 which is used rarely used these days. Right now I'm enjoying the new "Flavor of the month," (smile) I most enjoy Railroad On-line with building and planning out the route and then hauling freight to make back the money I spent on chopping down trees. The route laying has been a huge challenge so far to get track etc., straight and looking nice. Last evening I spent close to an hour (or more) wandering around the countryside trying to determine the best route/approach to the sawmill without having to deal with too much grade....I try to keep it under 2% if possible.

Now that I have the route I would "LIKE" to take, I've ran into another challenge I'm not sure how to deal with. I almost need two entry's into the sawmill.....one side to pick up lumber....the other side of the sawmill to drop logs into the pond. The sawmill isn't situated very well with how I'd like to lay the track, and it's tucked back close enough to the hills and mountain that there really isn't a viable way to circle the mill without creating unrealistic curves that the train could handle. Guess I'm going to have to be creative with the siding(s) from the main line...but then again, there is really limited territory without getting into steep grades.

I suppose this is why I'm having a good time with the program thus far and I haven't yet ventured into the mountains to the mines yet. Should be interesting.

Cheers,

[bhk]

Steve, I can understand the attraction that this game has for you. It's more the creating and crafting than the actual train running.
That was exactly the way I felt about Trainz (until I became tired of needing to update on a regular basis).
It was the creation of a railway which held my interest.

[sgtmajor]

Bruce, you are SO correct!! That too is why I always enjoyed Trainz....plus the actual running cargo without a time schedule to keep. I've always seemed to enjoy games where I could actually create something. I think that is why Farm Simulator and Kerbal Space Program have always been entertaining for me. Somewhat of a "mindless" game I suppose....but just something I could basically escape too.

As a kid, I was always envious of my classmates who were into model Railroading etc. My family never had the space for it....and even if we did, we were too poor to do much. I did have a wonderful HO set I receive for Christmas one year with an oval track. How I loved running around that endless oval in my make believe world hauling cargo to places unknown. I still have the train, however, it needs some much loving attention. I have a brother-in-law that works on restoring old train sets, so the plan is someday give him the set for repair. I'm in California and he's on the East Coast, so I keep saying I'll take it out that way on a visit....I just haven't been that way in a very long time. (smile)

Cheers,

[bhk]

Oct 26, 2021 21:20:32 GMT -5 sgtmajor said:

.....I did have a wonderful HO set I receive for Christmas one year with an oval track. How I loved running around that endless oval in my make believe world hauling cargo to places unknown. I still have the train, however, it needs some much loving attention.
Cheers,

I was the same, Steve.
I had a clockwork trainset as a young kid (Hornby) and then a huge gap until about 1977, when I had enough space along one wall of the garage in our new (1975) home to create an N-gauge layout.
That gave me a lot of pleasure, most of which came from building and landscaping it, until 1984, when we moved to Canberra....and that was the last of my model railway days.

Then Trainz came along in 2001 and filled a big gap because it enabled me to "build" once again and the rest, as they say, is history!

[sgtmajor]

Yes!!! The N-gauge would be a nice way to go and the quality of that gauge has really increased in the last 20 years!! I actually even thought about the micro Z-gauge at one time, but like everything else, I always seem to be too busy. Perhaps when I retire after the first part of the year I may revisit the N scale once again.

NOW......If I had the space and of course your money.....this would always be nice. (smile)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91Qvz2lbZQ

Although....I can almost guarantee if I ever was so fortune to have something like this....friends and family would NEVER see me again.

Cheers,

[bhk]

Oct 27, 2021 20:01:32 GMT -5 sgtmajor said:

.....Perhaps when I retire after the first part of the year I may revisit the N scale once again.....

So, you are finally going to join the rest of we retired gentlemen! About bloody time.
Life's too short to not enjoy retirement, Steve.

[sgtmajor]

Hey...can't do much with this COVID stuff, so might as well do something I enjoy, right?

I've attempted to retire a couple times this past year and a half....I'll just say the company keeps making it hard for me to walk away. BUT.....it will happen in 2022, no matter what they offer. I'm ready!

Cheers,

[nige]

I have been retired for nearly twenty years. Trust me, it is by far the best time of life!

[bhk]

Oct 29, 2021 14:10:09 GMT -5 nige said:

.....it is by far the best time of life!

I was one of those very lucky people who had a job which I loved, and walking away from it was very hard. There are times when I still miss the work and the people.
But I must say that over the past nine years (I retired in Sep 2012) I have been able to do what I want to do and when I want to do it. And that is a very satisfying part of being your own boss.

Incidentally, we were in Grafton on Wednesday....and it is their Jacaranda Festival time of the year. Unfortunately there will be no parade this year but that hasn't stopped the blossoms!
Here's a pic I took.....quite colourful:-

[sgtmajor]

BEAUTIFUL Bruce....we have quite a few of the trees around Hemet and I do enjoy them....just glad I don't have to do the clean up. That would be a nightmare with a pool etc. (smile)

I've been very blessed as I have always enjoyed each job I've had. Started my first job at 8 in 1962 (paper route) and been going to work everyday since. (smile) The only reason I've worked as long as I have, IS the flexibility with this job. I'm suppose to work at least 3 days a week (I usually do 4 for a couple weeks, then maybe 2 for a week, perhaps 3 the next week etc.) I like to mix it up some, but I choose the days and the hours, and trust me...I have plenty of time off, 5 weeks paid vacation as well as a very nice benefits package. (Dental, Vision, 401K etc., I still use the military and of course now medicare for the medical side)

A gentleman moved in across the street from me quite a few years ago and after he had lived there for 3-4 years, he was shocked one day when he found out I still worked. (Smile) He knew I was retired military, however, because he left in the morning before me...and didn't arrive home until late in the day, he always saw me bumming around the house in my shorts etc., washing the car or piddling in the yard. (pre-Covid) I generally would leave the house around 9:30 - 10:00 to miss the morning traffic, and would usually be home by 2:30 - 3:00, unless I stopped for lunch.

Since COVID and everything now computerized, I start my meetings depending on the time of year/weather. In the summer months (warm weather) I like to begin around 1:00 P.M....that allows my wife and I to ride our bikes early in the day when it's cool....get home, relax, perhaps a short swim, lunch, maybe even get one of the cars washed etc., have my meeting and perhaps even a little nap before dinner. (smile) As we are now moving into the fall and cooler temp's, I start my meetings earlier....then we ride bikes, lunch, nap etc.

It actually works out quite nicely and frankly....I don't see my routine changing much after retirement. (Just checked my bike GPS log....since June 2, 2020 we've gone 2824.87 miles (4546.18 kilometers) So...my work really hasn't effected my daily life, however, I do think I'm ready to retire finally. (smile)

My only concern about retirement....since deciding to make it official in 2022...I'm starting to develop quite the list of projects I would like to accomplish around the house. (Kitchen & both bathroom's remodeled, perhaps even get my "dream garage" finally.

Plus.....we are wanting to take some trips if possible, (that will depend on the Covid situation) Not to mention we want to continue and perhaps even increase the little things we're currently doing. (We spend quite a lot of time at the San Diego Wild Animal Park sdzsafaripark.org/safaris/wildlife-safari & San Diego Zoo.) The Animal park is our favorite and during the week, not many visitors. And of course....the Australian "Walk-about" is our favorite....we always start there as it's very relaxing.....in addition, the Bonsai gardens are adjacent to the area and that is always a must visit for us. Very relaxing...nice place to grab a bench and enjoy a cup of coffee or something.

Anyway....Yes...Retirement is getting more exciting to dream about. As of COB today, I have 23 jobs left for the year so I'm almost there. Again...not sure exactly when I will set the final date....but it's just around the corner. (smile)

Cheers,

[bhk]

Steve, I don't think I realised just how young you are......if you were only eight in 1962, that makes you (if my mathematics is correct!) nine years younger than me - 67. I thought you were older.
If you retire in 2022 then you will do so at the same age as I was when I retired - 67......and even tho' that was two years past what used to be the accepted retirement age (65), I still had a lot to offer.
Down Here the government has extended the age of retirement. It is now 70 before an Age Pension can be claimed, for the very reason that our useful lifespan has increased.

Anyway, once you do take off the suit and tie I know from personal experience that you will not have enough hours in the day to do all the things that you want to.
Amongst other interests and hobbies, I used retirement as a step towards taking piano (keyboard) lessons - something I'd always wanted to do but never had the time to do so when working. I've now been taking a one-hour lesson a week from my teacher who literally lives five minute's walk away and, since starting in 2016, I now have a repertoire of over 120 pieces and new ones added constantly.....most of which I can play pretty competently!
But it's not all about the quality, but is also a means of keeping the brain active - learning to read music is like learning a new language in that it works towards keeping dementia-related illness at arm's length.

You'll love retirement.......start planning that N-gauge layout.