This Or Trainz 2019?

[Chumpy]

Anyone got both to compare?

What do you guys think is better?

Things i would compare most.

Sound. Does it sound the most like actual trains? track noises, engine noises, clunks, distance sound, shudders, wheels on track, breaks, hydraulics, electrical sparks, pantograph on wire, does it even have that sound? I would expect a simulator of 2019 to be so close to real life its not funny.... Everything except the actual smell, which we can't have unless you burn some rubber by your desk or something.

Sadly though with my experience with Train simulators. I have often seen more believable trains in other games that are not even simulators. Yeah they don't have control over the train with dials and levers, but i have seen some very atmospheric scenes in first person shooter games for example, which aim for that immersion.

Which game does it the best out of the simulators ?

Thanks

[Speedy]

This by far trainz is very basic

[orb]

I can't really compare these both as from Trainz I have only earlier versions (T:ANE, TRS2012, TRS2006, TRS2004 & a couple of single route instances released around TRS2009 & TRS2010).

Unlike Trainz, Train Simulator gets its engine updated every year without need for repurchase (you keep all your routes from earlier versions in it - new editions simply get new routes that you may get much cheaper when repurchasing the game than each of the routes separately).

While I can only compare to T:ANE right now, both are quite good simulators. In the graphics, sound and general atmosphere department it all depends on the route and loco, as each of them can have routes and locos created between 2009 and 2019 (you can try also older things in Trainz, but I've always had some problems with missing dependencies - all those kuids, there are millions of them). For user created content, for Train Simulator you can find plenty of stuff in workshop, with dependencies to DLCs released in the store, there are also 3rd party payware; for Trainz there's download station with download limits unless you buy subscription, as also 3rd party sites where you can download some user creations, but downloading from there will rather always make you need to search for hundreds of dependencies on various other sites.

Graphics in updated for TRS2019 routes definitely looks better than graphics for not updated for that version routes.

[Purno]

There's plenty of gameplay videos of TS online to get a good impression.

I tried T:ANE but wasn't convinced. It's not my type of game.

Did you also take a look at Train Sim World?

[je1fraf]

or diesel railcar simulator, which I think is the best for realistic train dynamics

[dcshoe]

I've used both over the years, in 2009 and I was attracted to Trainz by the wide range of locomotives and rolling stock. Over the next few years I found the list of add-ons was deceptive as much of it didn't work. There was rolling stock unavailable in Train Sim, and most of it looked about as good. Trainz was initially intended to look and run like an HO model railroad, which gave it a certain appeal.

As Train Sim developed and added rolling stock, the more realistic cab operation became an attraction. My preference is now Train Sim; there may be bugs, primarily in the scenarios (I make my own so that doesn't signify) but overall the simulation seems better to me.

For realistic rail operation (not cab control) I prefer Run8, which is considerably more challenging but far more prototypical, and while there's essentially no free DLC, the rolling stock and route downloads for Run8 are generally less expensive than Train Sim. It's US-only, which limits its appeal, but I have nearly the full complement at a fraction of what I've spent on Train Sim.

[bba525]

Originally posted by dcshoe:

I've used both over the years, in 2009 and I was attracted to Trainz by the wide range of locomotives and rolling stock. Over the next few years I found the list of add-ons was deceptive as much of it didn't work. There was rolling stock unavailable in Train Sim, and most of it looked about as good. Trainz was initially intended to look and run like an HO model railroad, which gave it a certain appeal.

As Train Sim developed and added rolling stock, the more realistic cab operation became an attraction. My preference is now Train Sim; there may be bugs, primarily in the scenarios (I make my own so that doesn't signify) but overall the simulation seems better to me.

For realistic rail operation (not cab control) I prefer Run8, which is considerably more challenging but far more prototypical, and while there's essentially no free DLC, the rolling stock and route downloads for Run8 are generally less expensive than Train Sim. It's US-only, which limits its appeal, but I have nearly the full complement at a fraction of what I've spent on Train Sim.

I have the same games and experiences you have described, and I agree with you completely.

I do, however, enjoy creating my own routes, and I find that is easier, and have many more items available for building, in Trainz.

[dcshoe]

I'd agree with that. I once did the Great Locomotive Chase (US Civil War) in Trainz and it was vastly easier than it would have been in TS. Nothing's impossible, I suppose, but I wouldn't want to try it in TS even today.

[sbmarauderman03]

So here's my 2 cents...not a 'long-time' player by any means since I bought/began playing TS201x exactly 2 years ago (tomorrow).

Enjoyed playing TS2017 right off the bat. Played most of the scenarios within the first week, then discovered the workshop. Downloaded/played as many of those as possible over the next year/year and a half while gradually adding scenarios/rolling stock to my TS library (typically every time there was a sale, I'd get something).

Then learned 4-5 months ago about 3rd party rolling stock you can download via other websites and whatnot. At this point I had become disinterested somewhat on completing the scenarios within all the new DLC I had bought as well as what was available in the workshop. I had realized what I really wanted at this point was to have a larger variety of rolling stock and to begin creating my own routes.

I've tried downloading 3rd party rolling stock off of other websites, but have only had a handful actually work in game. I've downloaded programs required (i.e. 7-zip, etc) to try and add rolling stock, but most of the time it doesn't work and I don't get any error messages, so I don't know why it doesn't work.

Also, my computer is 6 years old. As I've been working on route building over the past 3 months, I've noticed my PC's performance has become gradually worse. I've basically cloned 3 routes (Feather River, Peace River, and Horseshoe Curve) and have modified a specific area on each. Prior to doing this, it used to take 30 seconds for a scenario to load up; now it can take as long as 5-6 minutes.

But the biggest issue I encountered was the actual route building/scenario creation itself. It is very clunky and not user-friendly, IMO. At first I just considered it part of the challenge of learning how to do it, now I realize it's a major speed bump in trying to actually create a custom route. I tried taking 'breaks' where I wouldn't touch TS for a couple of days to see if I was just getting burned out, but that was not the case.

I then searched on YT to find any uploads on Trainz to get an idea of how that game looked/worked. I happened across a certain YT that currently has a series going on creating a custom route and was astonished at how much easier it looks. After watching a good number of his videos, I decided to pull the trigger and bought a copy of Trainz: A New Era a week ago...was able to get it for $33 and it had some 'extras' included. Figured it would be pointless to spend twice as much on 2019 since what I really want the most is easier route building.

However, I have yet to play T:ANE because I know my PC probably won't be able to handle it unless I turn down all the graphics settings to a minimum, which will make the game look terrible. I will be getting a new computer soon (with a good GPU), so will wait until then; also, even though trains is a hobby of mine, the 'bug' bites me the most in the fall/winter...now that it's spring my desire for anything train-related has diminished somewhat.

Both games excel in one area or another, based on the player's tastes/desires. If route building/scenario creating wasn't such a PITA on TS201x, I wouldn't have even considered buying Trainz.

[Freighttrainx]

Originally posted by bba525:

Originally posted by dcshoe:

I've used both over the years, in 2009 and I was attracted to Trainz by the wide range of locomotives and rolling stock. Over the next few years I found the list of add-ons was deceptive as much of it didn't work. There was rolling stock unavailable in Train Sim, and most of it looked about as good. Trainz was initially intended to look and run like an HO model railroad, which gave it a certain appeal.

As Train Sim developed and added rolling stock, the more realistic cab operation became an attraction. My preference is now Train Sim; there may be bugs, primarily in the scenarios (I make my own so that doesn't signify) but overall the simulation seems better to me.

For realistic rail operation (not cab control) I prefer Run8, which is considerably more challenging but far more prototypical, and while there's essentially no free DLC, the rolling stock and route downloads for Run8 are generally less expensive than Train Sim. It's US-only, which limits its appeal, but I have nearly the full complement at a fraction of what I've spent on Train Sim.

I have the same games and experiences you have described, and I agree with you completely.

I do, however, enjoy creating my own routes, and I find that is easier, and have many more items available for building, in Trainz.

Agreed. I’ve played Trainz ever since 2003 and I’ve built several routes pretty easily. Train sim, though realistic, one would need to put in the time and patience to build an operational railroad. It’s not as simple as Trainz’s editor.