Which train sims will run on my PC?

[snuk]

Hi all,

Which train sims will run on my PC?

My specification is 2.66 GHz Intel Celeron CPU with 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 Memory

Intel GMA 900 Integrated Graphics with 128MB shared memory with DirectX 9 support. Might be possible to upgrade graphics if I can find a PCI card - doesn't have a PCI Express x16 or AGP slot.

Running Windows XP Home SP3. I already have MSTS which runs fine - are there any others I could try?

Many thanks,

Steve.

 

[generalvegitable]

bve - brilliant game, very easy to make routes
openbve - its bve but open source and it has a few extra features
Railsimulator - should work, but I don't have the case handy at the moment

there are other ones out there, but those are all I can think of at the moment

 

[snuk]

Many thanks for the reply.

How does BVE, OpenBVE and Rail Simulator compare to MSTS in terms of features and playability?

One of the features that's important to me is free downloads that are available especially rolling stock and routes. How does this compare to MSTS?

Are the following downloads available for any of the sims? -
Routes -
WCML & ECML
Crewe/Chester to Holyhead
Nuneaton to/from Euston, Crewe, Birmingham, Coventry, Rugby
Birmingham to/from Coventry and Euston
London to Bristol/Penzance

Rolling stock -
Anything in Virgin livery - Pendolino, Voyager, locomotives esp. Class 87 and 90, coaches, DVT's, etc. Class 350 in London Midland livery.
Any Class 43 locomotive with coaches especially Virgin and Arriva CrossCountry
Any InterCity 125 / 225 with coaches
Finally, Class 170 Turbostar in Arriva CrossCountry livery.

One feature I would love that I don't is available in MSTS is the ability to specify a consist and route and sit back and let the PC drive the train?

I'm also interested in any management sims, rather than driving sims that might be available? I have Railroad Tycoon II (I think it's called) a single CD from years ago - is there anything more up-to-date available?

Many thanks,

Steve.

 

[90019]

I think Trainz would be good for you, either TRS2006, TC3 or TS09

Are the following downloads available for any of the sims? -
Routes -
WCML & ECML
Crewe/Chester to Holyhead
Nuneaton to/from Euston, Crewe, Birmingham, Coventry, Rugby
Birmingham to/from Coventry and Euston
London to Bristol/Penzance

The ECML is being worked on, with a large section of it available already (I can't remember where up to, but it's from KX and goes pretty far up north, the last section is currently WIP).
Not sure about any of the others.

Rolling stock -
Anything in Virgin livery - Pendolino, Voyager, locomotives esp. Class 87 and 90, coaches, DVT's, etc. Class 350 in London Midland livery.
Any Class 43 locomotive with coaches especially Virgin and Arriva CrossCountry
Any InterCity 125 / 225 with coaches
Finally, Class 170 Turbostar in Arriva CrossCountry livery.

There's a Pendolino, a (payware) Voyager, some 87s, a 90 just released in VT livery, coaches of various standards, and there's also a good DVT in progress atm (There's currently a stand in model until the final one is released)
If you do get Trainz, there are various HSTs, some are payware, some are the original Auran model, which is far too big, and there are some fairly good ones that are better than the Auran model, and freeware (Of which one is XC, but you'll have to ask the guy who reskinned it to email it to you)
There are a few 125s and a very good 225 available.
There is currently a payware Turbostar, but it's not in XC livery and isn't a great model, but there's a better freeware one in development.

One feature I would love that I don't is available in MSTS is the ability to specify a consist and route and sit back and let the PC drive the train?

In Trainz, you can choose what you want the AI to do, and then just leave it running. There are a few bugs in it, but it's pretty good nonetheless.

 

[Reddog785]

Even better,Trainz got lots of accuracy in its Tube Routes!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

bve - brilliant game, very easy to make routes
openbve - its bve but open source and it has a few extra features
Railsimulator - should work, but I don't have the case handy at the moment

there are other ones out there, but those are all I can think of at the moment

BVE-Only Cab View and on BVE2 no PA announcements
OpenBVE-Hard to make routes that have exterior animation and interiors!

 

[Chester025]

For MSTS:

Are the following downloads available for any of the sims? -
Routes -
WCML & ECML
Crewe/Chester to Holyhead
Nuneaton to/from Euston, Crewe, Birmingham, Coventry, Rugby
Birmingham to/from Coventry and Euston
London to Bristol/Penzance

WCML: Modern: http://www.trainstrains.co.uk/catalognew/product_info.php?products_id=29

Steam Era: Thames Mersey from UKTS: http://www.uktrainsim.com/

Chester - Holyhead: http://www.d8233.org.uk/msts_nwc.htm

London - Penzance: Steam Era: Paddington - Penzance from UKTS: http://www.uktrainsim.com/

London - Swindon: Modern: http://www.trainstrains.co.uk/catalognew/product_info.php?products_id=96

Rolling stock -
Anything in Virgin livery - Pendolino, Voyager, locomotives esp. Class 87 and 90, coaches, DVT's, etc. Class 350 in London Midland livery.
Any Class 43 locomotive with coaches especially Virgin and Arriva CrossCountry
Any InterCity 125 / 225 with coaches
Finally, Class 170 Turbostar in Arriva CrossCountry livery.

Have a gander at UKTS: http://www.uktrainsim.com/

Also various other MSTS sites that may be of use: http://www.europeanbahn.co.uk/ http://www.d8233.org.uk/msts.htm http://www.makingtracks-online.co.uk/