Hi all,
I first got into train simulators with MSTS, which was a fantastic Simulator, though sadly far too prone to crashes. One of the best features of it was the editor which allowed quite complex timetables for different routes to be set very simply. The downside was that the map editor was not very accessible and the aforementioned crashes.
Enter Train Simulator (or Rail works as or was known then) . Finally an accessible map editor, and nice looking trains, so big plusses there. I spent long periods of time designing an open world level and placing assets and stock into it.
The downside was that timetable and diagram management was just awful. If two trains hit a single line section or a junction, you needed to manually hold one to prevent a timetable error. The AI was just not good enough to deal with a dynamic situation. If course this places real constraints on the development of larger stations or of complex interworking scenarios. What I really wanted was the ability to set recurring routes, and then to drop in and out of routes as a driver to experience the timetable first hand.
I therefore left that game behind over five years ago. I gather things have not changed.
My fix has been provided by Transport Fever over the past couple of months. It doesn't feature train driving, but it does allow fairly complex infrastructure developments and an effective interworking of diagrams (albeit they can't be timetabled).
The Simulator I've not yet tried is Trainz. The map editor looks good, but how are the other elements? Is there another option that I may have missed?
Thanks in advance!
I first got into train simulators with MSTS, which was a fantastic Simulator, though sadly far too prone to crashes. One of the best features of it was the editor which allowed quite complex timetables for different routes to be set very simply. The downside was that the map editor was not very accessible and the aforementioned crashes.
Enter Train Simulator (or Rail works as or was known then) . Finally an accessible map editor, and nice looking trains, so big plusses there. I spent long periods of time designing an open world level and placing assets and stock into it.
The downside was that timetable and diagram management was just awful. If two trains hit a single line section or a junction, you needed to manually hold one to prevent a timetable error. The AI was just not good enough to deal with a dynamic situation. If course this places real constraints on the development of larger stations or of complex interworking scenarios. What I really wanted was the ability to set recurring routes, and then to drop in and out of routes as a driver to experience the timetable first hand.
I therefore left that game behind over five years ago. I gather things have not changed.
My fix has been provided by Transport Fever over the past couple of months. It doesn't feature train driving, but it does allow fairly complex infrastructure developments and an effective interworking of diagrams (albeit they can't be timetabled).
The Simulator I've not yet tried is Trainz. The map editor looks good, but how are the other elements? Is there another option that I may have missed?
Thanks in advance!
