RailDriver and TSC

[bangonmedrum]

I haven't played a train simulator since MSTS and that old XP machine's MB died so here I am, learning to walk again. My computer seems to satisfactorily handle the 3 game routes I've thus far purchased as to the recommended requirements (just barely) but my RD, not so much. I'm only interested in the TSC platform, diesels, and North American routes that are RD compatible. I can deal with the wiper and lights switches not working. Reverser, throttle, and brakes would be great. Is there a way to find out if routes are compatible prior to purchased?

Thanks...Rich

[x1Heavy]

I used the old Raildriver for MSTS and it was adequate but not ideal.

I would not be using raildriver again or repurchasing it because I adapted to the keyboard commands for everything in TSC and its adequate. I also use handbrakes under the task bar as a workaround when it is not.

Part of the problem falls on the notching used by the engines and sometimes the track, speed, power, tonnage works out to a exercise of going back and forth a notch for a hour or two to hold just above speed limit but just under penalty speed itself.

The fault lies in the career star, penalty system and all that. I dont worry about it if the engines and trains happen to be just over track speed limit by a mph or three. It cuts down on the need for something like Raildriver.

I use a ROG Strix Computer off the shelf from last year from ASUS via walmart in the holiday sale. I paid a thousand for it plus a couple of seagate drives to hold the game on. For the purposes of the game its been beautiful.

My previous monster burned at the south-bridge part of the motherboard after progressively destroying the circuitry over a period of days. With the new ASUS Strix being very good for TSC I dont plan on building any future monster systems. Its all obsolete anyway. Computers are getting cheap enough that you buy it. play it and throw it away for a bigger one in the future.

I have five parts bins full of harvested computers. Accumulating CPU's in particular at yard sales due to the rise in gold prices. to use a Star Wars term, Ive turned Jawa when I realized I can strip gold parts out of boxes of computer crap for 50 cents several times a year.

[steve.roberts43]

Instead of the software that comes with the RD try using Chris Gambols software which can be found at this location https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cbwyvjrt3x6gxat/AAB5WALzXgIqxADDO1ST-rBqa?dl=0

I've been using an RD since before Rail Simulator came out, initially with the supplied software but since TS2015 with the above software.

Hope it helps.

[OldAlaskaGuy]

Originally posted by steve.roberts43:

Instead of the software that comes with the RD try using Chris Gambols software which can be found at this location https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cbwyvjrt3x6gxat/AAB5WALzXgIqxADDO1ST-rBqa?dl=0

I've been using an RD since before Rail Simulator came out, initially with the supplied software but since TS2015 with the above software.

Hope it helps.

Is this the same as Raildriver and Joystick interface (by Cobra One)? If so I have been using it for about 8 years. I like the ease of customization for different locomotives for steam, diesel, and electric.

[bangonmedrum]

Thanks to all for responding. It is a struggle to get the throttle to a stable speed. I discovered a convoluted process for acceleration and deceleration by using quick jabs with the throttle to neural and back allows some variation of power percentages like 5%, 9%, 13%, intervals up to 100% and similar from 100% back to idle. Dynamic brakes at some point will quickly bottom out into single digits. It’s been challenging. I’m so used to the RD I have a mental block with attempting a keyboard, although the space bar horn is better than that wimpy RD toggle. I get back tomorrow and am anxious to try the alternative RD software. Steve and rwaday, are you talking about 2 different sources of software?

Rich

[OldAlaskaGuy]

Make sure that you do not have the Raildriver supplied software running with any other interface. The interface I am using is Raildriver and joystick for TS2019. Information thread. It is in a TSW forum but most of the information is the same.
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/ts-classic-raildriver-and-joystick-interface.72488/
I believe that this is the latest software version v3.3.0.6: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r01b1wkzo58i7he/AAC4j71kFb_LJfvHCerhZHf6a?dl=0

[bangonmedrum]

I get a gp38-2_Engine_Script.out.rdbak Path too long error during download. I chose to skip. I unzipped the folder, then put the tsclassic raildriver...into C:\, then clicked on the file TSClassic Interface 64, then got an error "couldn't find railworks. It said I'd have to manually enter the path. I entered the path but get a popup "program is already running". Obviously I'm doing something wrong. I'm using win10/64. Couldn't find a desktop icon.

[OldAlaskaGuy]

You probably have two instances of it running. Use task manager to end the task and start over.

[wolfpredator]

This might help http://raildriver.com/support/TrainSimulator.php

[bangonmedrum]

Thanks wolfpredator. I am currently using RD64 software but was hoping to find something more stable. I know the RD mechanics could be a factor. I did try using the keyboard but is was much of the same. I’m new at this and the learning curve is probably a large part of my frustration. I only run North American diesels (all generations). The throttle options seem to be limited to preset percentages. Is that to represent notches? When you add grades, loco type, and consist size it can be very challenging, but that’s probably what it’s about!

[wolfpredator]

Originally posted by bangonmedrum:

Thanks wolfpredator. I am currently using RD64 software but was hoping to find something more stable. I know the RD mechanics could be a factor. I did try using the keyboard but is was much of the same. I’m new at this and the learning curve is probably a large part of my frustration. I only run North American diesels (all generations). The throttle options seem to be limited to preset percentages. Is that to represent notches? When you add grades, loco type, and consist size it can be very challenging, but that’s probably what it’s about!

Yes, it's to represent the notch values as far as I know. The game does have it's moments climbing grades! Not always accurate but still fun ;)

I know that there is other software that works well with the RD! But, I've never found the links or tried them out. All I know is there's a few out there besides the RailDriver software by PI Engineering.