Are there alot of different railroads for the new TSX and alot more USA Routes??

[261Steam]

I was wondering if there are alot more railroads that will be in this verson then just BNSF? I have see the photo of NS but are there any more and is there going to be more routes for this one and a Route Editor/Activity editor like the old version?? For routes I mean more North American routes insted of just one or two??

Another Question I had was will there be a new download site or Steam locomotives in this one LIKE FAMOUS DAYLIGHT 4449 OR UP 844 & 3985? I would Love to have the Milwaukee Road 261 sence I work on it and ride it alot! I have it for the old version and it is great!

Thanks 261Steam

[Joekel317]

The whole world of rail routes as heard from Microsoft

[jmslakings]

The whole world of rail routes is for route builders. The only two railroads will be BNSF and NS (as far as north american freight) Microsoft already has a contract with BNSF. They origianlly had another contract with NS for the first supposed MSTS2. Not sure if amtrak will be in there. Than again nothing is offical yet.

[261Steam]

Do they know a Release date?? My guess is no but I have been hearing next year 08 some time hoping soon!

[oakpalms]

MSTS-2 started out doing Horseshoe curve and the Pennsy--that route could be used with PRR, Penn Centeal, Conrail, and NS. No one knows just whether payware addons can be done or whether freeware addons can be made. They said in time for holidays of 2008 on when available.

It is certainly looking like a tremendous step upward in progress, but will require a big step in money to buy the computer to run it! Microsoft will make out on both counts!!!


Bob Edwards

[eaglefan9727]

Bob,

I believe the PC that is going to require MSTS-X to run would be about the same as MSFS-X or maybe slightly higher, But not that much higher than the MSFS-X system requirements. I think a average dual- core processor with a couple gigs of RAM would be enough to run the sim.

There is also reports that it will require directx 10.0, But there has been no official announcement on that. I am really hoping it doesnt require directx 10.0 for the sim to run.

Of course, Anything is possible until the requirements are made official by the MS team.

[261Steam]

Well I dont think I will have to worry about a new computer because I just got one with windows Vista On it!!! 2.0 GB of Ram and 400 GB of hard drive!!

261steam

PS Check out my video of a friend and I chasing the Milwaukee Road 261 on Youtube it is on the second page and is called Milwaukee Road 261 Oct 6, 2007

[Erick_Cantu]

Really? Because according to the posts I've seen, the rails will be there regardless.

My guess is the rails will be there and there will be generic scenery, but detailed scenery and specific locomotives and stock will only be in the 'routes' they're planning on doing. Doesn't that seem to be more consistent with what they've been saying?

[eaglefan9727]

I agree with Erick 100 percent. From the sounds of what they have been saying. It sounds like the track/rails will be laid out already, But there will only be a few specific routes that are detailed in scenery. The rest of the routes will have generic scenery where we the users detail the routes. Im already thinking of doing Donner Pass for this sim.

[oakpalms]

I think a big question is what do they consider track? In other words will we get sidings and spur tracks? If so, how far from the mainline will they extend if in reality it runs 10 miles from the mainline. I have no intention of buying anything that would consist of mainline track and yards only.

Bob Edwards

[driver89]

Bob, it sounds like your mind is already made up about MSTS 2. :(
As for payware and freeware add-ons, Rick has already commented in the UK forums that MS has not intention of changing the EULA, and as such both freeware and payware add-ons will be allowed.
No one seems to have too many details yet on the world of rails, but from what we can tell the accuracy of the track will depend on the accuracy of the data imported. Therefore most likely if the tracks been around for a while it'll be represented in the game. For example the new triple track installed on Cajon Pass likely won't show up as it's too new.
My other guess is that track grades will follow the terrain grades and be averaged out much like the DEM data. As someone has already pointed out you'll be able to drive the route and see generic scenery, but if you want a truly accurate representation of a route, you'll have to wait for someone to "fine tune" it as an add-on.

James.


An easier way to share your pictures with other railfans;
www.tracksideproductions.com

[USRailFan]

So don't buy it then. Your loss. Just don't come complaining in a couple of years' time that nobody's making anything for MSTS1 anymore...

[oakpalms]

No, I have not made up my mind on whether to buy MSTS-X or not. I am very pessimistic concerning all games put out by Microsoft. They gave us pathetic support with MSTS and there are other games just as bad. They got us all excited about MSTS-2 coming out. Then they cancelled the whole project without giving any direction toward revamping to the FSX platform.

Everyone knows that there is still a risk as to whether they will complete MSTS-X or not, but the greater risk is whether they will provide support to fix the errors found after the product hits the market and for the duration the game is offered as a sale item. MSTS is still being sold by Microsoft, but they have allowed thousands of customers to endure misery trying to play the game. Sure we got patch-2, but that certainly did not fix the problems that causes the game to crash repeatedly. Microsoft should have done that or else stop selling the product.

Will I buy MSTS-X? That will depend upon how people like those of you who have great confidence in Microsoft and who buy it first and then give some type of review on its stability and realism. I doubt that they will even have Vista stable enough to run it.
My son who is a Systems Analyst with a degree in computer engineering and 20 years experience for the first time in his life is considering going to a MAC in order to get a better operating system than what Microsoft is providing.

Bob Edwards

[oakpalms]

I've got plenty of stuff for MSTS to last a life time. With BIN resolving a lot issues it makes it more valuable each day.

Bob Edwards

[NS4Life]

I've been reading the "talk" about MSTS2 for a while now. This is my thought over the route-building department...

As you all know MSTS was full of bugs, a normal user found this out "lightly", a route builder, well he lived with it. Ask any number of folks who have built routes, either Freeware or payware, the route building process has a lot of bugs. An experienced route builder learned and overcame these obstacles, and quite a few bit the dust. So this being Microsoft here we can only assume the new MSTS2 with its world track database will not be no 100% and the route editor will probably still have bugs.

The world track database idea sounds, well...a bit over rated. I can't imagine that the tracks laid out are right. Take the Pokey for example, the amount of trackage over just that route alone was mind boggling, and to get them accurate yet. All the small spurs, branches. ect. I hardly believe the World track database is this accurate.

So my question is (for serious route builders) can you modify MSTS2's World track database? If the tracks are already laid out, where is the talent behind the route builder?
Or is this basically so any numb-nut can come out of the woodwork and create routes with ease, not doing the research, knowing the route, gathering the info, and doing it right.

I'm not trying to attack anyone willing to contribute to the MSTS community, but I have a high regard for serious route builders. Route building takes skill, talent, and lots of time, devotion, research, knowledge, and oh and maybe hard work. I fear as MSTS2 looks to the future with a more accurate sim, our routes will be less accurate, and less personal.

Just a thought...

But on the flip side, we will all have to wait and see.


NS4Life

www.blueridgerails.com

[rchgck]

I see your point and have to agree to a degree.

I myself have done and currently am doing extensive research on three routes that I hope to do someday. I have been gathering things for years now but have yet to tackle a route in MSTS due to the complexities inherent, time and the learning curve.

Then Rail Simulator appeared on the horizon so I just kept on researching. Then MSTS X or 2 or whatever you want to call it appeared and looks to be promising.

My point is, personally I am going to continue researching and planning out what I want to build and then decide on what platform to do it. That platform may end up being the first version of MSTS just because of the availability of locomotives and rolling stock, the developed knowledge base, etc.. Maybe it will end up in all three..

So in regard to your earlier thoughts, yes I totally agree that having a rush of crappy routes that are not accurate and well researched will just muddy the waters and somewhat cheapen the hobby. I am a purist myself but like to have fun with what is available. Just remember that there are those of us out here in train sim land that have done considerable research and know the routes we would like to build inside and out, having grown up or walked or photographed nearly every mile and structure. If given the tools and maybe lowering the learning curve and limitations a bit you could be pleasantly suprised by what gets created.

Sometimes I think the roadblock is the learning curve itself, time, knowledge of how to tweak what is available more than there being a lack of people with knowledge and a drive for accuracy and historical interest.

Having said all of that, I take my hat off and send out a great thank you to all who have contributed to what we already have available in this great hobby.

Just my two cents....

[landnrailroader]

As for me, I would not want a sim that already contained the tracks at all. How would I know that each curve was laid out to the exact degree that was on the prototype, for example.

Would I be able to delete the curves and place my own and would the tangents then be on the correct bearing angles?

No, I would not buy such a sim myself:

My preference would be a few simple things:

1. No requirement about what kind of track/roads can be laid over
tile boundaries (if tiles are used)
2. Ability to place an initial piece of track at a precise bearing
angle, elevation, and gradient, if I know these values
3. Ability to use verticle transition curves between any two values
of gradient, and be able to specify the distance between end
points.
4. Dynamic track that is not so "picky" as to corrupt routes when it
is used (sometimes) or else provide curve pieces in 1/4 degree
increments with the ability to specify the central angle.

Other than that, The manual method of laying track is fine with me.

Jerry Sullivan
aka landnrailroader

[kmothersil]

Do they know a Release date?? My guess is no but I have been hearing next year 08 some time hoping soon!

From what I heard it could be completed by mid 2008. Ranging from January-May 2008.

[SurvivorSean]

If done right (and the reason I'm going to wait a bit after initial release) the world database should be able to allow segments to be disengaged or removed to allow a route builder to put in a custom built route with detailed scenery within the removed segments. Ideally this would mean that in the initial screens of MSTS1 were you built the tiles you would have the ability to manipulate sections. I take it that the tiles will ALL be generated or at the least have the ability to be generated rather quickly to be included. In other words the database is on DVD, and you import the tiles you want to use.

Assuming the tiles concept is used, ideally you would want to be able to move a pointer along the world database lines to create connection points to and from the world database. Otherwise if were dealing with adding switches, tracks, and detailed scenery only your stuck with lines that will not be 100% accurate.

I like the idea of being able to contine beyond the confines of a MSTS1 route. I also like the idea of being able to connect to other detailed sections. Right now in MSTS1 unless you build a mega route, you don't have the ability to join 2 routes together. I can also live with more inaccurate sections between detailed sections if makes you feel like you've gone a greater distance.

Thanks

Sean

[taoyue]

From what I heard it could be completed by mid 2008. Ranging from January-May 2008.


No, the messaging from Redmond has always been Holiday 2008. This means hitting shelves in November 2008, in time for Christmas gift-shopping.