can you do a scenario or journey mode without any huds/tips?

[brian.sommers777]

I have been into MS FSX flight simulator and I fly that 100% in the virtual cockpit using no extra gammey markers etc.

Can I do that in the TSW2020?
I know I can shut them off but is there really a way to just shut them off and be able to drive it correctly. How do I know when to stop for a cut of cars, etc. I think it would be almost impossible.

Anyone?

[Sizigmund]

It is impossible in this game. There is no E.B.U.L.A. implementation in german trains for example. The E.B.U.L.A. is a sort of electronical road chart, it provides an information for train drivers about a stops where he need to stop (for passenger trains). Also it provides a speed limit information, so train driver know that let's say, on the kilometer 168 he need to start reducing speed, because in one kilometer there will be a new speed limit and the speed has to be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h for example.

On american railroads, some companies using speed signals instead of route signals. So different signals combinations provide an info for the engineer about speed limits. The "Caltrain" company using 3 different signaling systems along "Peninsula corridor" route. The problem is, each system is used between different mileposts and there is no way to get the mileposts info from the map. But even if you study the route and you will make a notice about all mileposts for it. The speed signals and speed limits on this route are incorrectly set. So in other words, there is no point to even learn the signals combinations, because they are not displaying the correct information.

This game is just a very beautiful arcade train driving simulator. It lack a lot of features of a real simulator. Moreover, they will not be ever added to this game because this game is abandoned. Devs releasing TSW2 soon, that is actually a pay engine update rather than a new game, but it will be released as a new game, with almost the same features, but a new game.

[LeadCatcher]

Sure it is possible, just learn your route and your signals. Use land marks for braking distances etc.

[Metallos]

Using landmarks doesn't work in heavy rain, fog or at night.

In Germany you have the EBuLa or (in paper) the course book where all informations like speed limits, stations, switches are listed and you watch for the mileposts. Also you get a daily printed list with temporary restrictions (due to works on the tracks or whatever) on your route before you go to your train / loco.
There are signs which tells you the speed limit in ahead but in real they're (same with the mileposts) much better seen than on a computer monitor.

In a computer game where we don't have the course books or EBuLa (the only exception seems to be ZuSi) we need other helps we can switch on/off.
- MSTS / OpenRails has the track monitor where we can see the oncoming speed limits, signals and switchovers in the next few km / miles.
- Run8 can show you the oncoming speed limits, even some in a row like "50 in 1.2 miles, 35 in 2 miles". For realism reasons it shows you only the passed signal, not the oncoming but you have (unlike TSW) enough space to come to stop (before a red signal you will be already limited down to lower speeds due to previous yellow signals).

TSW shows you only the next speed limit and signal and then you get problems if a red signal comes short after a yellow one and you can't brake in that distance (normally the presignal is for example 1 km before the signal (driving on PZB rules).

[LeadCatcher]

Great, —- next time I am running g with out the HUD, I will remember I can’t do it....

Of course in heavy fog or rain without any outside references it would be difficult. In a such drastically reduced visual situation, speed would be needed to be reduced to where you could stop in half your visual distance.

Could TSW be better with proper route maps, sure it can, but it isn’t impossible if you so desire.

I use Run8 as well and the available route maps do make it rather easier to rum without the HUDs they provide. Paying attention to the mileage markers, following the signaling speeds and having visual route knowledge does help as well.

[Metallos]

Originally posted by LeadCatcher:

Of course in heavy fog or rain without any outside references it would be difficult.

You miss the night.

Originally posted by LeadCatcher:

In a such drastically reduced visual situation, speed would be needed to be reduced to where you could stop in half your visual distance.

Lol, your passengers won't be happy if you drive along with for example 25 km/h.

[LeadCatcher]

Originally posted by Metallos:

Originally posted by LeadCatcher:

Of course in heavy fog or rain without any outside references it would be difficult.

You miss the night.

Originally posted by LeadCatcher:

In a such drastically reduced visual situation, speed would be needed to be reduced to where you could stop in half your visual distance.

Lol, your passengers won't be happy if you drive along with for example 25 km/h.

Lol obviously you do not know the rules

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/81148.aspx

Same on US roads.., you are required to travel at a speed where you can stop in time for a signal. Could care less what the passengers feelings are. That is why many roads starting going to in cab signaling

Not only for railroads, if you are driving at a speed that is unsafe for the conditions you can be cited regardless of what the posted speed limit is. As a ship driver, the same applies to ship movements... you must be able to stop in have the visible distance. As an investigator of maritime accidents, have found fault for a ships master not following these rules of the road who was involved in a collision in a harbor movement in dense fog.

[Metallos]

Originally posted by LeadCatcher:

Lol obviously you do not know the rules

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/81148.aspx

Same on US roads.., you are required to travel at a speed where you can stop in time for a signal. Could care less what the passengers feelings are. That is why many roads starting going to in cab signaling

Now you're talking about the signals, of course you have to drive slow enough to see them and come to stop before the "stop" signal but you already got "attention" (or "approach" or whatever it's called) signals before to slow down. Before that you talked about "driving on sight" and not "driving on signals" (and now you do it again with your ships).

In cab signaling (needed especially if you drive faster than 160 km/h) are LZB and ETCS (oncoming, only few routes equipped), also if you drive on LZB the outer signals are turned off for you (Edit: In Germany).

[LeadCatcher]

Of course when you drive with landmarks for route familiarization, you would also have the signals... can’t believe anyone would think other wise unless it is just for argument sake...

[brian.sommers777]

what is Run8?

[Metallos]

Sounds like a platform game / jump'n run but it's a train simulator with high realism, US freight only (ok, you've Amtrak passenger trains but no timetable services), dispatcher, multiplayer, intelligent AI trains, Raildriver support, so quite the opposite of TSW. Graphics are between MSTS and TS20xx but in singleplayer you don't have much time to look at the scenery, you must do the dispatcher, too (with around 40 AI trains you get quite busy, especially if you have a bunch of them at the singletracked + some sidings Tehachapi Pass).
It's not sold on Steam, it's sold direct from the developers and you need a credit card (ok, you're from US (the country of credit cards ;-) ) and credit cards are much more common than for example in Germany).

Negative sides (except of US freight only and aged graphics): No gamepad support, no hunting for points or medals, no hardhats, poles or other collectibles and lacks of immersive feeling of playing a console port. ;-)

[LeadCatcher]

Run8 is more of a railroad simulator rather than a train simulator. Besides the dispatcher function Metallos mentions you also have industries that you have to ( or can) service, hump yards, Locals with switch list for set-outs and pickups, through trains. But in single player you must build the environment.. On the one of the multiplayer based web sites you can download "pre -populated" worlds with Industries and trains defined with plenty of AI you can use as templates

It has a pretty steep learning curve and doesn't hold your hand much - but has some good communities built around multiplayer servers. If you like US centric freight then it is great.

Still use TS2020 and TSW for a quick run down the rails, but Run8 for more involved sessions.