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Post by Wrongway on Jan 20, 2008 0:15:57 GMT -5
Bruce, the only US route included is the Cajon Pass, and what you see above is what you get as far as rolling stock is concerned. Two British routes and a German electrified route. can't remember the names, I'm a bit under the weather at the moment. The patch is rumoured to add the other European routes and possibly some more N. A. routes. I've heard differing opinions on the editing tools, some think they're excellent, others don't likem. I tried to add a second party route (Port Ogden & Northern) but it freezes the program while loading the scenario.
Rgds: Jeff
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2008 2:41:38 GMT -5
Thanks, Jeff. I think I'll sit this one out for a while and see what percolates. (Plenty to keep me occupied with MSTS at the moment.)
Hope you're better soon.
Bruce
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 20, 2008 3:30:46 GMT -5
Much to my surprise I received my copy this afternoon late. Got it loaded okay and tried the Cajon route. I kept derailing on one of the scenerio's.... however, I'm convinced it's something I'm doing. Graphics are VERY nice indeed and it seems to run pretty smooth on my machine. (fps 52) However, for me it's pretty much like the FS9 vs. FSX stuff. I have tons of addon's for FS9 and it runs very smooth..... kind of like my MSTS now with the KHP & Western Pacific. FSX is nice.... but needs to really have the 3rd party folks add all the eye candy before it becomes a total replacement for FS9. I think for me anyway that Rail Simulator has GREAT potential..... once other 3rd party folks start tweaking and a couple of patches are out. I haven't tried the European routes as yet since I live near the Cajon pass and am very familiar with the area.... I wanted to see how it was modeled within RS. FANTASTIC.... the scrub and Yucca Trees look marvlous.... just needs more. Disappointments? I am somewhat disappointed that the Cajon route is the only route for North America since this was suppose to be a U.S. release.... however, it appears a very nice job was done on what it has. Sounds...... very nice indeed.... however, my personal belief is the KHP route engine sounds etc.,.... especially with the radio chatter etc. could hold it's own. Bottom line..... Yeah... I'm very happy I bought it..... but with a good weeks worth of route exploring I think I will very soon exhaust the "newness" of the sim. On the other hand.... with Murchison for Trainz 2004..... and Western Pacific & KHP for MSTS.... it will take months if not the better part of the year for me to even think about getting tired of it's exploration capabilities. Hope this makes some type of sense.... I'll try to post a few screen-shots tomorrow when I get a chance but I'm turning in for the evening. Cheers,
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2008 4:35:42 GMT -5
Steve, Thanks to you too, for the comments. Your comparision with the FS9 vs FSX situation is a good one.
What a pity that the US release has minimal US content. I was hopeful that it would have been all North American. I guess that Kuju/EA have a licensing agreement with Union Pacific but, as you say, the world will now await third-party creators.
Regards, Bruce
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Post by kbr on Jan 20, 2008 4:49:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the comments. I think I'll be waiting a bit before grabbing it as since I got a Raildriver, I have been busy rediscovering MSTS. With recent purchases of Kicking Horse Pass, Rogers Pass and plans to get Feather River soon, I'll be pretty busy for a while. But I do plan to eventually get it as it's price in my area is cheaper than many single route addons for MSTS are, so getting four new routes to play around with some time will be fun. My biggest disappointment is that as my favorite kind of trains and routes are North America (both US and Can) and Japanese routes are not much supported, with only one US route and no Japanese ones. Still I am hoping that 3rd party developers (both freeware and payware) get interested as they're the ones who could really turn Rail Simulator into something special.
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2008 6:46:50 GMT -5
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 20, 2008 10:10:47 GMT -5
What a pity that the US release has minimal US content. I was hopeful that it would have been all North American. I guess that Kuju/EA have a licensing agreement with Union Pacific but, as you say, the world will now await third-party creators. Yes.... I was hoping for a good U.S. version steam engine like the Big Boy or something similar. You can't fault Kuju/EA for not putting the time in on the graphics.... I'm very pleased with that. I keep telling myself that when MSTS first came out it was almost un-usable for the bugs etc. I wasn't at all happy with that sim and within a week or so it ended up in my storage cabinet where it's been for the past several years until you turned me to 3DTrains and Maple Leaf. With that said........ This first release is FAR better than MSTS's first release and I'll keep it on my machine for the time being in hopes that it will take hold and the 3rd Party Wizards will work their magic. The detail is amazing...... here's a few examples: Look at this roadbed: Instrument clarity: and San Bern. station... I'm very pleased with this... Of course top picture is from Track side and bottom from Street side... but a pretty decent likeness. Pound for Pound with ONLY comparing the base package of MSTS and RS........ RS is hands down the winner...... but for the time being MSTS is holding it's own. Cheers,
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Post by Wrongway on Jan 20, 2008 12:24:16 GMT -5
Thanks Bruce, hope I'm better soon also. Blech!@#%^ There is quite a bit of work being done already by design guru's, especially in Europe. A Polish Tem2. Scenery assets are growing quickly also. As I said, mainly European at the moment but enough designers have become interested that assets are appearing. Definitely a good sign. Let's hope the patch fixes the most glaring shortcomings. No manual, no tutorials, and yes Steve it took me over an hour to figure out the switch arrangement. That pathetic blue/gray line on the map screen definitely has to go. These old eyes can barely see the change. I don't think either Trainz or MSTS are going to disappear from HD's worldwide anytime soon, but given time and support RS could soon become the 'Rail Simulator' of choice. Then again, Trainz has the graphic capability to keep up for some time, and it's a known devil while RS is still so new it squeaks. I suppose I'll even be able to run it properly with a complete computer upgrade. Rgds: Jeff
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 20, 2008 13:39:49 GMT -5
Jeff..... I too found the rolling stock additions at the web-site along with some other items.
I just completed my first run which was the San Bern. East route. Took me forever to get into siding 5 as it kept telling me I left the scenario and was going to stop in so many seconds. SOoooo I'd back up.... flip the switch and try again. (smile) Hmm... must be a better way. I tired the F3 driving aide but that too has been of little use ONLY because I haven't read anything and am just poking and prodding along. (smile)
I was surprised upon completion as I didn't think I had speed any at all..... but found on the out brief I had twice. (so it says.)
I still haven't figured everything out like how to start where I'd like to start and pick the train I'd like to drive.... but once again..... I haven't read documentation.
Well... got some running around to do today and stuff to finish up around the house. Of course the afternoon nap is in order...... so maybe I'll get back to the RS later.
BTW.... I did enjoy a nice flight in FSX from my home in Hemet to Barstow this morning prior to getting on board.... so this might work out okay after all. (smile)
Cheers,
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2008 15:18:48 GMT -5
Certainly can't complain about lack of graphical detail.......those shots look great, Steve & Jeff. The Polish diesel is very similar to an Australian Alco unit....a Class 40, I think. Must've been a "world" Alco design. locopage.railpage.org.au/sra/40.htmlHow long is the Cajon route.....from where to where? I'd buy it just for that. Is that lat/long readout a fixture or can it be removed? Thanks for the opinions and pix. Bruce
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 20, 2008 15:44:25 GMT -5
Hi Bruce.... The Cajon route is from San Bernardino to Barstow. I did the Barstow to East Victorville route this morning and it was in fact very enjoyable with the exception of trying to figure out the switches. (Again.... nothing complicated.... just something new to get use to)
The San Barnardino to Barstow route (scenerio #1) I haven't been able to get out of the yard yet. I keep derailing......Hmmmmm
The entire route is freight only..... at least I haven't found any passenger routes in the U.S. as yet so that was a little dissappointing but I'm sure I'll survive. (smile)
As of now.... I haven't found a way to get the lat/long fixture from the top of the screen.... however, I've gotten use to it and it has a drop down which you can pull up the map while you're traveling which I'm starting to like.
BTW.... I failed to mention the keyboard layout is EXACTLY like MSTS with the exception of the "A" and the "D" key which is reversed. At least all the keys that I normally use in MSTS are the same in RS; i.e., reverser, throttle, brakes (eng., train, dynamic) etc., etc.,
Cheers,
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Post by kbr on Jan 20, 2008 17:34:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the links, Bruce. I'd really like to get that Japanese routes addon as I'd love to have the Usui route in MSTS. I don't have a Nintendo Wii, but that video almost make me wish I did. ;D
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Post by Wrongway on Jan 20, 2008 22:11:06 GMT -5
I remember that one Steve. ;D Don't know if this will help, but the best way I've found to control the switches in those tight spots is from the 2D screen (9). You probably know about how the colour changes on the path line from gray if the switch is against you to blue if the switch is with you, and from the 2D screen you can zoom out and change any switch with the SHIFT - LMB....even if the simulation is paused. If I remember right, you can go straight through the first 3 switches OK but have to change the next and there's another switch to change just before you join up with the mainline.
Rgds: Jeff
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 20, 2008 23:13:17 GMT -5
Thanks Jeff.... I figured it out finally. I've been going to the cab view and zooming in where I can actually see the rails switch.
Finally made it out of the yard and up the Cajon Pass.... WONDERFUL route. However, I didn't slow enough as I was still 2 miles out of Hisperia when I went into the siding and de-railed... again. (smile) Oh well.... guess I'll give it another try later tonight.
After using this sim off and on all day today........ I LIKE IT!!!!! I can't wait until other folks start making additional routes! This IS going to be a wonderful rail sim.
After reading some of the docs. I went into task manager and ended programs I didn't need which allowed me to run at 108fps which made the program very smooth which surprised me. However, I notice while doing a couple of the European routes I'm back at 50-60 fps which still is pretty smooth....at least as smooth as MSTS running on my secondary drive. Now I'll need to figure some of the other functions out but all in all...... I'm not nearly as disappointed this evening.
Cheers,
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2008 23:38:31 GMT -5
Hi Bruce.... The Cajon route is from San Bernardino to Barstow. Thanks, Steve. That sounds exactly the same as the route created for MSTS by 3DTrainStuff (there was also a later freew-ware version). I wonder if Brad and his team had a hand in this. The entire route is freight only..... That's okay by me. I have only rarely run any passenger Activities......the Canadian is one and a few of the Superchief period Activities. As of now.... I haven't found a way to get the lat/long fixture from the top of the screen.... Okay. I guess it's there for a purpose but it just seems odd that it's not "removable". Interesting with the keyboard layout......I wonder why they switched the 'A' and 'D' functions?! I wonder if we can buy the US version Down Here. If not, I reckon I'll have to get it via eBay. Regards, Bruce. Bruce
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