Preserved Trains

[Driverman2008]

Well since the two highly detailed American routes have train museums and preserved trains there in the real world. I was wondering if they would appear in MSTS 2. Like the old Pennsylvania Railroad trains at the Altoona Railroad Museum, the PRR GP9 at Horseshoe Curve, the PRR N5c caboose at Gallitzin, as well as the Great Northern caboose on display in Washington state along Stevens Pass.

And if they do appear in the game, will we be able to "Tow" them around as if they were either freight cars or passenger cars (kind of like a "Ghost Train")? I like this idea. It would be cool to see (or drive) a modern Norfolk Southern diesel tow some old PRR rolling stock from the Altoona Railroad Museum around Horseshoe Curve in MSTS 2.

[261Steam]

yeah like they are getting moved from one place to another. Its what the real Railroads do some times. I would like to make the 261 Before it was restored and tow it from Green Bay, WI-Minneaplolis, MN when NSR got ahold of it and towed it all the way here to Minneapolis, MN to be restored.

[Driverman2008]

Is anyone from Microsoft going to speak up about this?

[AMRoad]

Is anyone from Microsoft going to speak up about this?

You need to give them time, I'm sure they will give you an answer if they know it at this time.

[Portergraphic]

The Gallitzin N5c caboose is basically a low poly scenery object as is the GP9 at the curve. We also have some other old cars at the Railroad Museum in Altoona. Again, these are low poly and used as scenery.

There are basically 4 cabooses (if I am not mistaken) along the route in Pennsylvania. We are using a variation of the N5C for all of these, it may not be accurate, but as I said.. they are scenery.

Gallitzin, RR Museum, Cresson and Johnstown.

Because we wanted to concentrate on the (HUGE) list that we already have in the queue, we decided that the older pieces of rollingstock visible off the track, even if it's a few dozen feet, would be lower resolution than what we have on the track.

Additionally there are no sim config files for those pieces so, if some industrious person wanted to put them on the rails, they would have some work ahead of them.

[CaptainBazza]

Additionally there are no sim config files for those pieces so, if some industrious person wanted to put them on the rails, they would have some work ahead of them.


Well, that's going to be just the sort of challenge that will appeal to some, LOL.

Cheers Bazza

[Driverman2008]

The Gallitzin N5c caboose is basically a low poly scenery object as is the GP9 at the curve. We also have some other old cars at the Railroad Museum in Altoona. Again, these are low poly and used as scenery.

There are basically 4 cabooses (if I am not mistaken) along the route in Pennsylvania. We are using a variation of the N5C for all of these, it may not be accurate, but as I said.. they are scenery.

Gallitzin, RR Museum, Cresson and Johnstown.

Because we wanted to concentrate on the (HUGE) list that we already have in the queue, we decided that the older pieces of rollingstock visible off the track, even if it's a few dozen feet, would be lower resolution than what we have on the track.

Additionally there are no sim config files for those pieces so, if some industrious person wanted to put them on the rails, they would have some work ahead of them.
Darn it.:( So I guess we can't pull them around (the ones on display).:( Will there be pullable versions of the display trains, as well as just static display versions (like you just mentioned)? Or are they only going to be display pieces?

[nikos1]

I wouldve liked to have the GP9 to drive but im glad they will be represented on the route, i had figured you guys were probably going to reuse the K4 from the dead MSTS2 and put it behind the fence at Horseshoe.

[Company Notch]

Will there be pullable versions of the display trains, as well as just static display versions (like you just mentioned)? Or are they only going to be display pieces?

You'll just have to wait and see what we come up with....

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

[Vince]

I wouldve liked to have the GP9 to drive but im glad they will be represented on the route, i had figured you guys were probably going to reuse the K4 from the dead MSTS2 and put it behind the fence at Horseshoe.

You folks (collectivly) need to stop and see what your all missing here;

Remember back to May 2001 when MSTS was released?

Now how much time passed before beautifully detailed addon models / routes / really neat stuff! became available? Have you looked in the file library lately? :rolleyes:

All these endless 'is this or that going to be in the new TS2' questions seem kind of pointless; If some engine / caboose / whatever is not in the new Sim, you can bet it soon will be available for download somewhere.
Remember MSTS and how that is STILL going with add on equipment! :cool:

So please leave the overworked developers alone. They are working hard to bring us a new exciting level of simming. We don't need to interrupt their work to answer questions that have obvious answers. ;)

[CaptainBazza]

I don't entirely blame Nikos for his enthusiasim, but I have to agree with Vince, it will take time to build up a library of add-ons.

Ironically, WOR will be so mind blowing in its entirety, that virtually everyone's favourite section of a route will be there....thus there is bound to be pressure on the developers to produce this or that bit of railroadiana, in the shortest possible time.

Some aspects of the hobby are constant, no matter which sim is involved. ;-)

I will start up a MPU and rollingstock wishlist forum....there's no harm in stating where your interests lie and it might give budding developers some ideas, too. However, this hobby has changed over the years....the development of add-ons is becoming more and more a cooperative affair. If you particulary want something made, then you might find you will need to contribute something towards the project, whether it is knowledge, resources or other skills.

Cheers Bazza

[nikos1]

Wow, i wasnt even demanding, i didnt see any need to quote my post in there. All i stated was it would be nice to have a drivable GP9, but i was glad that they were showing a commitment to accuracy by placing one on the curve at all even if it is just static. I agree with your statement but i dont see why you quoted my post when there were tons of "OMFG WTF NO AMTRACK CONTENT?????!!!!1111" posts out there instead......

[eaglefan9727]

You folks (collectivly) need to stop and see what your all missing here;

Remember back to May 2001 when MSTS was released?

Now how much time passed before beautifully detailed addon models / routes / really neat stuff! became available? Have you looked in the file library lately? :rolleyes:

All these endless 'is this or that going to be in the new TS2' questions seem kind of pointless; If some engine / caboose / whatever is not in the new Sim, you can bet it soon will be available for download somewhere.
Remember MSTS and how that is STILL going with add on equipment! :cool:

So please leave the overworked developers alone. They are working hard to bring us a new exciting level of simming. We don't need to interrupt their work to answer questions that have obvious answers. ;)

Thank you Vince...I couldnt have said it better myself. Let the developers of this sim concentrate on this sim itself, So they can get it right and in working co0ndition compared to another sim that I wont speak of.

It is just annoying to see question after question concerning rolling stock and some other things that are unfeasible at this time. Heck, I would love to see some tunnel motors with the sim, But I know the chances of that are slim to none.

People just need to be happy that Microsoft has decided to do a sequel to the original train simulator instead of the gimmie gimmie attitude. We are very lucky as it as they are including the "World Of Rails" already.

[AMRoad]

I think in time we'll see all kinds of rolling stock that will make everybody happy.:)

[jamesc25313]

Some people have way too much time on there hands ...

[HHackman1]

Also I believe we have the people that are only around in the summer months on here that are asking the give me give me give me questions as well.

[jamesc25313]

All these endless 'is this or that going to be in the new TS2' questions seem kind of pointless;

I agree %100 I wasnt talking about anyone specific with my post though. I think it would be safe to say that a lot of whatever decisions about what will be in the game have already been made. I know we have a lot of time to fill until then but some of the recent post seem demanding and kind of rude towards the developers. Like I said this isnt towards anyone specific because I dont think any of it is intentional.

[ozinoz]

While MS should be congratulated for taking up the baton on this, I don't think they are doing themselves any favours at all in limiting the market that they are directing this. Railfans come in an almost infinite variety - from those who are deeply interested in signalling, or infrustructure / architecture (a good friend of mine has written & had published numerous books on engine sheds of the UK GWR), to the track bashers, number crunches and photographers. I met somebody once in the UK whose thing was "going away photos"- shots of the back of the train - the variety is almost limitless. For MS to focus on modern traction on modern routes to the exclusion of those interested in another time and vintage diesel / steam etc severely limits its potential. While the promise of steam is there, a steam loco to be dumped on auto-gen non descript default scenery, without supporting infrustructure is akin to playing Thomas the Tank Engine, with the ever faithful "Hollywood" infinite tender resources. Train-simming is not like flight simming - it is more than just the train - it is rolling stock, ground works, infrustructure and scenery and you cant turn a 2008 Horseshoe Curve into a 1930's Horseshoe Curve just by dumping a steam loco on the track.

Another 2c of mine... :)

Cheers

[Vainte371]

Railfans come in an almost infinite variety ... the variety is almost limitless.


Exactly. We all have our own preferences, but the devs have finite hours and resources. If they give us a solid base and editing tools, that allows those who care enough to create infinite variety.

[jamesc25313]

Train-simming is not like flight simming - it is more than just the train - it is rolling stock, ground works, infrustructure and scenery and you cant turn a 2008 Horseshoe Curve into a 1930's Horseshoe Curve just by dumping a steam loco on the track.

Another 2c of mine... :)

Cheers

I think you said it better yourself than anyone could say and that is, these guys have to choose a time period and run with it, I would imagine the more they can focus on one era the better that one era will be. Instead of focusing on 1930 horseshoe and 1970s horsehoe, the game wouldnt come out until 2020. It will be up to route developers to make 1930s Horseshoe curve happen. These guys are giving us a base to build on and if this gets as much backing as everyone puts on and 1930s Horsehoe is so important then someone will build it.

Not everyone is going ot be pleased and they know that and what they have on there plate now is going to be at least another year. I give these guys a lot of credit because no matter how well theytry to respond someone comes back with something new to add onto them and if that isnt in there then its a deal breaker. Get over it! Its a game. That last part isnt meant to anyone in particular btw :)

[Erick_Cantu]

You guys realize that time dependent scenery objects have been around since like FS95, right?:rolleyes:

[jamesc25313]

You guys realize that time dependent scenery objects have been around since like FS95, right?:rolleyes:

If thats the case then it shouldnt be a problem being in the game.

[Portergraphic]

The problem with it being in the sim is the time it takes to build the assets.
It's one thing to build very detailed route specific objects, it's quite another to build assets for the entire world, that are just as detailed as the route specific objects.

We have to pick and choose our battles this time around. We want to make sure that we have the best product we can possibly have. That meant that we had to concentrate on very specific problems and make sure that what we are doing is in the best interest in the overall project.

Doing historical routes means quite a bit of research, and an investment in building time specific assets, including people, cars, houses, crossings and countless other bits of minutia.

Our mantra this time around is framework. Focusing on framework and quality will give us a tool that we can extend and the community can build upon for years to come.

[Vainte371]

Perfect answer Mike. Just this one statement should be stickied and referred to often:)

[3Directions]

perfect answer mike. Just this one statement should be stickied and referred to often:)


+1

~a~

[CaptainBazza]

Our mantra this time around is framework. Focusing on framework and quality will give us a tool that we can extend and the community can build upon for years to come.

Everyone should hum that mantra at least once before posting.


;-)

Cheers Bazza