The ultimate train sim

[PNWR1854]

***Before I start, there has been a lot of drama recently regarding TSW and so on so I wanted to state that this is not meant to insult any features or simulators. Just wanted to say that, not as to cause another uproar.***
I am curious about what your opinions on the 'ultimate' train sim are.
In my opinion, the editor and modding of TrainZ, The Multiplayer and Engine running of Run8, The graphics of TSW, and the gameplay (Tutorials, academy, HUD's, ETC) of RW.
That's just my .
What do you guys think the ultimate train sim would be?

[MaineLines]

I would add the freight traffic generation of Run8.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

The ultimate train sim ....

.... doesn’t exist.

Close to a proper simulation are Run8, ZuSi and ZDsim (USA, Germany and Russia, resp)
Most proper sims require you to “work” to protocol, schedules, DS orders, etc.
All of the above are closed systems, tightly controlled by their developers.

Other train driving programs allow a more leisurely approach and allow you to express yourself in creating your own routes.

It is horses for courses ;-)

[PNWR1854]

Sims are getting better and better, but there will never be a perfect train sim.
We can dream...

[Overshoe]

To be honest, I agree with Edwin to the extent that the perfect train sim does not exist, nor will it ever. For me, and please note: This is not an invitation to debate, Train Simulator (formerly 2018) comes closer to a compromise than any or all of the others. Sure, faults can be found if you look, but for me, TS provides the illusion and in the end, that is all I am looking for. I own a copy of most of the others mentioned, but T:ANE is the only other train sim still installed and it gets very little use. Sadly, for me, despite the beautifully crafted rolling stock, it fails to provide the illusion.

[buzz456]

I have to be a homeboy on this one and agree with Overshoe. The graphics of TSW are stunning however for those of us who want to indulge our creative instincts it’s a non starter. TS2018 is the freedom to do what you want from scenarios to free roam to creativity. As more people tinker with the physics for those who care we get closer to real stuff (like I would know). All in all unless you are looking for things to complain about it’s the real deal as far as immersion.

[harryadkins]

I think the "perfect" railroad sim is what feels best to the user. I've tried practically every rail sim since MSTS and prefer the look and feel of Railworks. My primary interests are switching and reskinning and RW does the job for me.

Harry

[imnew]

In a perfect train simming world this would be my ultimate trainsim: TSW joined to RUN 8 with the editor from RW.

[hminky]

If the time could be changed in-game TS would be great.

Can't use a car forwarding system unless the time can be advanced in-game.

Not talking about speeding up time but setting a new time.

Harold

[RailWanderer]

Everyone who operates any train simulator is not an avid user or a real life railroader, so the illusion is what you take from the simulation. Some just like to run a train on an under the tree route, while others enjoy the grind of the real thing, and like has been said already, there is no ultimate train simulator. The ultimate train simulator would be open-ended and creative along with having all the aspects of a real railroad available to any user so they could tweak their experience or illusion to fit their needs, and still look great operating it.

I don't own them all, but I love the ones I operate on a daily basis T:ANE and TS (TS at four times the time involved) as they give me the feel or illusion I need to be satisfied with my operations. Sure, they all have their faults and I wish we had other aspects added to improve the experience, but the experience is what you put into it also. So, I would have to agree with Tom and Buzz on this topic. When it comes down to the concept, I think the original MSTS team had the right approach to it, and if those practices and concepts were still around with the current technologies and proper tools, then you might have an Ultimate Train Sim.

[hobo1960]

In my opinion, the editor and modding of TrainZ, The Multiplayer and Engine running of Run8, The graphics of TSW, and the gameplay (Tutorials, academy, HUD's, ETC) of RW.?

I'd say you just about hit it exactly on the head...I couldn't agree more but...with the additional input of the amazing variety of models and paints available in MSTS/OR.

Alas, Overshoe has also hit things correctly. There is (nor likely ever will be) a 'ultimate' train simulator/game so I continue to support and play and enjoy them ALL.

I'm sure this is heretical to many here but while RW looks great, I really miss the variety of equipment that is available and still showing up in MSTS/OR -- and there are some interesting projects still very much alive in that game. But...I've been lately spending more time in RW and Trainz.

So, the bottom line as mentioned above is... we should all just enjoy what we each enjoy and be respectful of others and their enjoyments.

[KevinWS]

[quote="buzz456" TS2018 is the freedom to do what you want from scenarios to free roam to creativity.[/quote]

Yup - TS2018 for the moment. Would like Run8, but cant afford it now.

I believe content is important - simulators should not be about collecting routes fo the sake of it, but about running the routes. and that's where the creativity and the community mods/activities come in................

in my view anyway.

MSTS was a royal pain sometimes, but the joy it gave everyone was immense - because of all the extras, rolling stock, locos, activities (remember NERR some of you??!!) etc....

[ex-railwayman]

I agree with Edwin, the perfect Train Simulator just doesn't exist. I obtained Auran's Trainz UTC version back in 2003, and have downloaded and installed every one of the freeware games that have ever been released from the World's developers, such as Zusi, and BVE, as well as all the commercial products over the years, except Run8, and Trainz 2019 hasn't been released yet, so, we still aren't sure what that will offer the consumer/end-user, so, in over 15 years rail simming we still don't have any product available, especially for the PC, that you could call the Ultimate Train Sim.

Cheerz. Steve.

[buzz456]

Nor will you ever see it since beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[mikesimpson]

TrainSimulators are different things to everyone who uses them. Some just download complete routes and run all the scenarios available. Others build routes, rolling stock etc. Personally I like to take apart the various files used in building the projects and seeing what they do and then write programs to modify things which were either difficult to do in the game or impossible to do.

To this end, only MSTS has been fully open to be hacked to death along with the original Rail Simulator. Since RS became TS the manufacturers have tightened things up with .luac scripts which can't be read and packing things in .ap files which make modification of items harder to do. Now with TSW and no tools for it, they look like locking it up completely. Pity really as I have no interest in driving trains around at 30mph across never ending tracks through miles of forrest.

Mike