Railworks America

As of yesterday I was able to get into TS2014 by going online to get the add on database and then going offline to play the game. In offline mode the progam would hang at the "downloading the add on database". Today I am no longer able to access the game as it hangs in either in offline or online mode when steam workshop sync is tried. Railwork exe crashes.
Something to think about. Does anyone want to go thru this every year?

Everyone? No, I am not going through it every year. The only problems I ever had was with the Dash 9 not showing up after purchase. I never go offline, I never hack and tinker in the program only rolling stock and I have no problems. My computor is pushing 5 years old now and all is well.

Yep. I've had problems this year, but that is a first for me and I've been able play TS2014 all along. Last year I had no problems at all updating to TS 2013.

I have had a couple of the more well know issues with the new release like, Tunnel lighting and the Temp folder in the Railworks folder was missing. I also have the single lane road issue in Cajon Pass.

I also figured out why some of us were having missing assets in Castlerock. (Missing external Scenery folder which was causing a Blueprints.pak problem)

None of those were keeping me from driving though.

James, you do realize that the Steam Workshop Sync will not work in offline mode. You must be connected to Steam for that to work, so online mode should work. Are you able to log into Steam OK? Have you verified files, and cleared blueprint cache? I'm like Bob, I never run in offline mode so can't say why that doesn't work all of a sudden trying to run TS2014, but it's understandable why the program would hang at the "downloading the add on database". It has to connect to "The Cloud". Steam knows about that issue and is said to be working on it.

Problems I am having: None of my custom routes I made with 2013 work now, the game just crashes. Same issue with a few routes from Castle Rock and Donner's pass.

I do have the same issue with offline mode. The game load screen hangs up at "fetching database" or something to that effect. Best way around it is connect to steam and load game. Quit game and put steam in offline mode. You should have no troubles as long as you stay in offline mode. Kind of a bummer but hay what can you do.

Why do you want to be offline? I am online all the time with RW and have no problems? This confuses me.

plicpriest1 wrote:I do have the same issue with offline mode. The game load screen hangs up at "fetching database" or something to that effect. Best way around it is connect to steam and load game. Quit game and put steam in offline mode. You should have no troubles as long as you stay in offline mode. Kind of a bummer but hay what can you do.

Yes, I just had the same issue with offline mode.

To answer Buzz's Question, I just had my interweb conk out for 2 hours and was trying to load TS2014 in offline mode. Thankfully I had my 2013 backup to drive.
As a side note: A person doesn't realize how much of an improvement 2014 is, until you play 2013 after a few days on TS 2014 ... The zooming features, loading times, lighting (most of the time) is much improved. Plus other features.

buzz456 wrote:Why do you want to be offline? I am online all the time with RW and have no problems? This confuses me.

The first thing to say is that there are reports from users that support has advised them that the 'problem' is known and is being worked on so this should not be an issue soon.

There are many reasons for running in offline mode but primarily it is an offered feature that should work correctly. I guess that many people will have purchased the game on the basis that you do not need to be connected to the internet in order to play the game, possibly as they do not have a reliable or convenient connection or perhaps because they like to play the game in places where there are no internet connections such as trains or coaches.

I often demonstrate TS2014 (and earlier versions) and my work at model railway shows, society meetings and heritage railway events none of which have internet connections available and I know that others do this as well. I would look a bit silly turning up at such an event only to find that the very program I was wanting to demonstrate refused to run.

There is also the personal preference of not wanting to 'take advantage' of the additional Steam features, or have their use of the game continually tracked.

There is no real accounting for people's tastes but the choice of going offline is offered and the game should play correctly in offline mode even though some of the additional features will not be available.

This is a fantastic game and provides me with great enjoyment and have confidence that future development will enhance current features and not eliminate some of them.

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For me I run TS on my laptop. I travel an awful lot for work. When I get home I love to relax and unwind with a little train driving (Ok alot). Only thing is I have no internet at my residence. None . So for me offline mode is essential. Even some of the hotels I stay at have crummy internet. When I first went to get 2012 I realized that this would be the case so being able to go offline was a deal maker for me. Everyones in a different canoe I guess.

Thanks for the good answers. I hadn't thought of that. My laptop isn't capable of running RW so when I travel I just have to get my fix on here but no game. Now I understand.

Other reasons some of us don't like being forced to be online to play is some people have to pay for bandwidth usage,also I have a cheap" disposable" laptop that I prefer to use for the net,and keep my gamming PC safe by limiting online time as much as possible.No mater what AV you use as well as keep it updated you can still have your PC affected by all kinds of malware and viruses.

I use Norton Internet Security and never have any problems. There is good AV protection out there, you just have to pay for it. $79 a year for 3 computors.

Hey I have used AVG free for years and have no problems. I recommend IObit System care (also free) to keep things running right. This (game) runs great for the most part. Bob and I are part of the "it works gang". If you are having problems they are solvable but you don't need to do extraordinary things to have fun.

Just a reminder of the System Requirements for TS2014 (emphasis mine):

Minimum:
OS:Windows® XP / Vista / 7 / 8
Processor:Processor: 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo (3.2 GHz Core 2 Duo recommended), AMD Athlon MP (multiprocessor variant or comparable processors)
Memory:2 GB RAM
Graphics:512 MB with Pixel Shader 3.0 (AGP PCIe only)
DirectX®:9.0c
Hard Drive:6 GB HD space
Sound:Direct X 9.0c compatible
Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection
Additional:Quicktime Player is required for playing the videos
Recommended:
Graphics:Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required
Additional:Quicktime Player is required for playing the videos