The Best Train Sim?

[HST Power]

Thought this would be best posted here because Trainz and Railworks have separate forum sections.

The question is simple: Trainz, Railworks, MSTS or BVE?

My first train sim was Trainz 2004. I've since upgraded to RW2. I was thinking of going for a newer version of Trainz but I thought Railworks looked the better, more compact and advanced game.

So far, I've been impressed. The routes and content that come with the game are excellent. There are a lot more payware add ons, but I'm more than happy with what I've got already. I particuarly like the passenger views on RW2 and the real life routes, such as Paddington-Oxford and Reading.

I tried installing BVE a few months ago: and failed miserably at extracting the files.

What I prefer about Trainz is the fact that the route building tools are excellent, and very easy to use. You can have a decent route up and running in a few hours. It's a bit harder to get started on RW (in my view).

But those are just my opinions! I know we have a lot of train simmers here on the forum, so perhaps we can settle the train sim debate here!

 

[T163R]

I tried installing BVE a few months ago: and failed miserably at extracting the files.

I just don't like people who say (and there are lots) that they can't install files in OpenBVE. JUST TRY AGAIN !!!
How do people use OpenBVE !!!

 

[chris89]

I now would say Railworks, due to the fantastic communty and that such a wide range of items are avaible and soon Railworks 3 is a free upgrade

Beforehand it was MSTS but it was so fussy if you installed something wrong you messed up the whole install.

Chris

 

[Zoe]

Had it not been for the credit crunch then you'd most likely be talking about MSTS2 now.

 

[chris89]

Had it not been for the credit crunch then you'd most likely be talking about MSTS2 now.

Was partly due to that, but for some reason Microsoft didn't want/ didn't think ACE's stupid could make any more money for some reason, same thing as disbanding Esemble studios (Behind Age of Empires)

 

[bennett]

Started with off with Microsoft Trains Simulator but found railworks better.

 

[Class172]

Well this is a right controversial thread you've created HSTPower.

I've voted for Trainz, my first sim was trainz 2006; I found that thoroughly enjoying and loved creating routes. Then I upgraded to 2009 and then brought the S&C add-on which excellently portrays the route in the 1960s. Recently I purchased TS12 but I haven't been able to test it as the computer has broken.

Apart from the points already mentioned, what I love about trainz is the fact it's so easy to play, and there's hundreds of thousands of free content available. New content is continually being released: high quality networkers are bring produced as we speak, and people are creating highly detailed routes in Scotland and the whole of Cornwall!! What's more, it's so easy just to create your own content and reskins.

 

[90019]

I started out with both Trainz and MSTS, I didn't particularly like MSTS and it gradually fell out of use.
Tried using BVE, and after many attempts finally got it installed, but didn't really like it, that was on an old computer, never installed it on another one since.
Railworks, I haven't used, but the price of everything really puts me off it.

Of the sims I have used, on the 4 computers I've had/used in the past few years, Trainz has been the only one that has been kept on all of them, in various incarnations (TRS06, TC3 and TS09).
I'm currently using TS09 on my laptop and TC3 on the desktop at home.

 

[londonmidland]

Omg, Railworks by far! Look at the pictures here.
http://www.railsimulator.com/microsite_ts2012/index.html

 

[HST Power]

Omg, Railworks by far! Look at the pictures here.
http://www.railsimulator.com/microsite_ts2012/index.html

Have a look at this. You will like it!

Apart from the points already mentioned, what I love about trainz is the fact it's so easy to play, and there's hundreds of thousands of free content available. New content is continually being released: high quality networkers are bring produced as we speak, and people are creating highly detailed routes in Scotland and the whole of Cornwall!! What's more, it's so easy just to create your own content and reskins.

Whilst I may now be using RW2, I fully agree with the points you have raised with regards to making content and reskins. The beauty of Trainz is the fact that it's so easy to knock up a good route on the Surveyor in a few hours time, with decent ground textures, buildings and scenery. The tools are incredibly easy to use for first time route makers.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Railworks by far is the best sim and a massive improvement over the original Rail Simulator itself.

Railworks 3 looks epic, with minor things making a major difference, like raindrops that change as you get faster, a cab that shakes around as you drive etc... (Well that's what I read in the review anyway)

 

[Bungle73]

There's a version of Trainz available for iPad.

I tried BVE a long time ago, and didn't have any problems installing it; this was years ago though. I also have MSTS, but I haven't played it much.

Does anyone remember playing "Southern Belle" for the ZX Spectrum back in the '80s? It featured the London Victoria to Brighton run and the graphics were really basic, they didn't even move smoothly, but I played it for hours!

 

[trentside]

I've tried several, but until recently BVE was my favourite. The major reason being that it was free, with a large amount of UK content available. Obviously, this has changed recently - which is a great shame. I'm currently considering investing in Railworks, but as much of the expansion content appears to cost almost as much as the game itself, I need more money first.

 

[chris89]

I've tried several, but until recently BVE was my favourite. The major reason being that it was free, with a large amount of UK content available. Obviously, this has changed recently - which is a great shame. I'm currently considering investing in Railworks, but as much of the expansion content appears to cost almost as much as the game itself, I need more money first.

Best thing to do for the DLC is wait for steam's fantastic sales at new year and summer. Best wait for RW3 to come out as you will get an extra route free, unlike rest of us who own RW2 will have to pay extra.

Chris

 

[trentside]

Best thing to do for the DLC is wait for steam's fantastic sales at new year and summer. Best wait for RW3 to come out as you will get an extra route free, unlike rest of us who own RW2 will have to pay extra.

Thanks for the advice, Chris.

I was planning on waiting till after Christmas, but have just discovered my old PC is more than capable of playing RW - that got me excited, then I looked at the bank account

 

[HST Power]

Thanks for the advice, Chris.

I was planning on waiting till after Christmas, but have just discovered my old PC is more than capable of playing RW - that got me excited, then I looked at the bank account

I know the feeling. You'll need extra cash for the add ons to, they don't come cheap. (Unless you use UK Train Sim or some other freeware site)

 

[chris89]

Thanks for the advice, Chris.

I was planning on waiting till after Christmas, but have just discovered my old PC is more than capable of playing RW - that got me excited, then I looked at the bank account

Your welcome, well some are fantastic and if you know what ones i can recommend for you

 

[Darandio]

I started out with both Trainz and MSTS, I didn't particularly like MSTS and it gradually fell out of use.
Tried using BVE, and after many attempts finally got it installed, but didn't really like it, that was on an old computer, never installed it on another one since.
Railworks, I haven't used, but the price of everything really puts me off it.

Of the sims I have used, on the 4 computers I've had/used in the past few years, Trainz has been the only one that has been kept on all of them, in various incarnations (TRS06, TC3 and TS09).
I'm currently using TS09 on my laptop and TC3 on the desktop at home.

Problem is, the whole Railworks v Price argument is falling down day by day. Nobody is forced to buy any addons and the catalogue is growing. Couple that with a committed developer that is willing to provide upgrades at no cost, it's definetely worth looking at for any new user.

Noticing you do mention Trainz, I am also a Trainz user and get suckered in every single year. Yes, the content from previous years is still there and stands out, however, I am starting to feel uneasy about what is becoming a yearly update at full price with little or nothing extra, sometimes to the detrement of the simulation. By that I mean the initial debacle regarding speedtree implementation, rendering some long standing users out of the simulation altogether because their system could not cope, particularly on the route building front. This was without warning.

At the same time, I can look back on the content provided over the years from Trainz users and say that yes, the amount of free content has been outstanding. But, Auran (or whoever they are this week) don't seem committed to backwards compatibility and have realised that payware addons are the way to go. However, they have approached this on a complete grab and go basis. I just received an email tonight with two pretty much identical wagon packs at around £13 each, or near enough £20 for them bundled. It's completely flawed the argument about the differences between RW and Trainz in terms of RW being too expensive.

 

[90019]

Noticing you do mention Trainz, I am also a Trainz user and get suckered in every single year. Yes, the content from previous years is still there and stands out, however, I am starting to feel uneasy about what is becoming a yearly update at full price with little or nothing extra, sometimes to the detrement of the simulation.

On this, I have to agree, which is why I've not moved on from TS09.

At the same time, I can look back on the content provided over the years from Trainz users and say that yes, the amount of free content has been outstanding.
But, Auran (or whoever they are this week) don't seem committed to backwards compatibility and have realised that payware addons are the way to go.However, they have approached this on a complete grab and go basis. I just received an email tonight with two pretty much identical wagon packs at around £13 each, or near enough £20 for them bundled.

It's a shame really, Auran has definitely been going downhill the past couple of years, and I doubt I'm going to buy anything else from them, but I'm not going to be buying any other trains sims either in the forseeable future.

It's completely flawed the argument about the differences between RW and Trainz in terms of RW being too expensive.

Nowadays, the gap is certainly narrowing.

 

[Darandio]

Nowadays, the gap is certainly narrowing.

Not a bad thing, providing content is good and not overpriced, of course that is open to the individual user as to what represents value and also whether the addon gives enough in the way of replay value.

RSC, as the developers of Railworks have always adopted the same business model, and made no secret of what it represents. Commitment to development of the product by raising funds through the sale of DLC meaning the core product is upgraded at no cost. This means by buying addons, you are helping to fund the development, but at the same time, you can be a "basic user", not buy an addon, take advantage of the growing freeware market and still be upgraded at no cost simply by being a user. I think it's a perfectly good model to follow.

On the subject of pricing of addons, specifically Railworks related, there is more to it than the initial outlay that you see. Replay value continues down the scale, so if you are to make a purchase, do some research and see what value an addon can bring you. Buying an initial route, the assets could then be used in a freeware route available for you to download, or the stock used for scenarios, so in time, you can download related items that provide more value to the initial item you purchased.

It's also been noted about Steam sales, in some cases these are completely unprecedented in the value you can make from what you buy. In the past, we have had 50%, 75%, even 90% with some people picking up 5 or 6 of the most sought after addons for less than the price of one. It's really worth having the core product and taking advantage of what is free, then jumping in and grabbing what you can for little outlay. Of course, you do have to be quick, especially on the major discounts where they can last for as little as 24 hours.

 

[valenta]

MSTS was my first simulator, undoubtably still very enjoyable, with all the fundamental qualities required for a train simulator. However I think it has been outclassed by superior sims.
Though I am an owner of Trainz 2006, I have never really given it much attention. Had it on my laptop just after it was released, and eventhough I noticed that it was of better quality to MSTS, the graphics were too powerful for the laptop.
Perhaps given more time I would have put it onto my PC. But it was at this time that I was just discovering BVE. First downloaded route was Northern Line, and driving a metro/underground system was a refreshing change.
To me, the most attractive element of BVE was the sheer volume of routes available for free, compared to the thirty pounds I had paid for MSTS when I bought it, which had a fraction of the routes available to you on BVE. The one thing that BVE is lacking is continuity within the quality of each routes. Some routes are outstanding, Jubilee line and NWM to name a few, however some of the routes lack a lot of detail and have no reseblance to the route it may be trying to replicate. But BVE still offers outstanding quality for a freeware simulator.
I may be slightly biased with my final decision, as I have not seen the latest version of Trainz, but to my knowledge the best train simulator at present has to be Railworks. Quality within routes is amazing, with routes like Newcastle-York modern, obviously a trainsim can never offer the authenticity you have in real life, but I think that this is the closest attempt at the moment. The sounds and graphics combine succinctly offer an excellent experience.
There are some drawbacks to this game, yes, it is very expensive and the addon material is also very expensive. But in my view it is worth this amount of money if you are really passionate about getting an utterly authentic experience that can't be experienced in chaper or freeware sims at the moment. My main problem is that the graphics are often too powerful making the game slow and perhaps slightly awkward to use, the only way that I can find to get out of this is too lower the graphic detail, increasing the speed of the game, but reducing the quality.
Perhaps another category in the pole could be World of Subways, perhaps not quite as established as the aforementioned games, I think that it is almost at a par with Railworks for realism. I enjoy driving metro/undergroud systems over other railways, and for this genre it gives you the best quality at the present time.

 

[Minilad]

I have never used any train simulator. Well unless you count the Voyager simulator at Crewe (now Derby)
I am slightly concerned that if I had a go on one I would be rubbish at it !

 

[43021HST]

Trainz for me; used to be a TRS06 user up until 2010, when auran stopped anything below TS09 from downloading off their website. For some reason I prefer TS10 over railworks, I think its the 3rd party aspect that attracts me and also the ability to create routes easily.

I think trainz is like marmite, you either love it or hate it.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Trainz for me; used to be a TRS06 user up until 2010, when auran stopped anything below TS09 from downloading off their website. For some reason I prefer TS10 over railworks, I think its the 3rd party aspect that attracts me and also the ability to create routes easily.

I think trainz is like marmite, you either love it or hate it.

You've not tried Railworks I thought?

I'm not a Trainz person, although some of the 3rd party stuff has improved it. I also think it relys on 3rd party content which is part of the joy of it as its free ware.

The route building on Trainz is also very easy and appeals to people, so many people in my family who have no interest in railways have a go as its so easy!

 

[HST Power]

The route building on Trainz is also very easy and appeals to people, so many people in my family who have no interest in railways have a go as its so easy!

That's the one thing I really miss since I've moved to RW. When I first started using Trainz, it took me all of five seconds to start using the Surveyor. On RW, it does take a bit more time to grasp some of the functions and learn how to master the tidbits when making a route. Experience from Trainz will help you big time. In my opinion, if you are a first timer in train sims, starting with an Auran product might be a good idea if you're yet to learn the ropes.

 

[deltic1989]

I have to say MSTS for me, I have an old computer and dont have the pennies for an upgrade. The wealth of freeware for MSTS and the community is great.

 

[Statto]

I voted for trainz, for me it's that you can build your own routes, & even extend/alter existing routes, although i agree with a couple of comments that the new versions of Trainz is similar contents to the previous ones, it's bit like the ES Sports FIFA series, mostly player/team/kit updates from the last version. What would get me to buy new version of Trainz, is if they have the full UK National Rail fleet classes[including some of the withdrawn classes]

I dislike Railworks, the frame rate is the main problem on my PC even though it meets all the spec requiermants. Plus changing the points is a problem, which i can only do in Cab mode.:cry:

I've tried BVE, but the problem is i'm on Vista, although i did the Download using the files that allow use on Vista, quite a few files are missing, so when i go into the game bit's of scennery are missing

 

[Darandio]

Plus changing the points is a problem, which i can only do in Cab mode.:cry:

Thats actually wrong. However, I am not going to explain it as you cannot run it.

 

[HST Power]

I
Plus changing the points is a problem, which i can only do in Cab mode.:cry:

Rubbish! Changing the points is easy. Just go outside and hover your mouse over the junction switch. Click when the icon appears and bingo, the points are changed.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Rubbish! Changing the points is easy. Just go outside and hover your mouse over the junction switch. Click when the icon appears and bingo, the points are changed.

Or press G on the keyboard to change the junction ahead, or Shift and G to change the junction behind. Simple!