Shunter vs. Steamer - which do you enjoy more?

[Unster]

While the Steamer looks cool and has more pulling power I must say I enjoy the Shunter more for several reasons: better visibility for driver, simpler/quicker operation, and the engine sound.

I'm very much looking forward to more diesel locomotives, especially those with more pulling power for longer trains.

[UrveloCiraptor]

Steamer absolutely. I rarely use shunter but instead very much prefer steam. Even for shunting.
The shunter is too simple for me, I get more satisfaction when operating steam locomotives.

Also; steam sounds are awesome. Except those "steam_01_valve_superfast..." sounds which I hope someone finds a way to mod some day. I have tried replacing those with my self-recorded sound files but could not get it to work.

[Overland]

I love small engines, shunters are my first love of all things trains.

To be able to drive a shunter in an industrial setting like this is a beautiful thing. Very much looking forward to ownership and personalisation to truly make a shunter something thats unique, i take 1 shunter on long trains using momentum and sheer luck to get from A to B

The steamer.. I hated really at first..

The whole OMG COAL, OMG WATER OM NOM NOM...*BURP* MORE!!!!!! unrealistic physics had me as close to a living noface meme as ive ever been.. Its big.. Its whistle sounds like a martian fighting machine tripod

Its chuffs were quiet, sounding more like bodily functions that would clear entire rooms

I had no desire to drive it and leave a shunter behind..

So i brought a shunter along one day as a security blanket
.
Im well versed in driving advanced steamers from other games so im no real stranger to steam..

First run though had this terrifying beast running away like a cat on fire.. Steaming headlong into a previously derailed train.. She plowed through the derailed train, pushing several of the derailed cars like they were nothing

It was only then I realised shes worth a try

After several trial runs I found myself driving at a leasurely 20kph, chugging away on a 10 car steel train.. Discovering the whistle can be pulled in a nice tone far from the scream of keyboard

Enjoying every moment.. Leaning out of the side to watch the motion gear do its thing

She could be smaller, and have better physics but i love the steamer just as much as the shunter now

[Unster]

Overland, that's quite a story there. For a while I thought you really hated the steamer. I never hated it and in fact I was excited to try it when I first unlocked the license. I still like it even after having used it many times, but the simplicity of the diesel shunter, where you just adjust the throttle and don't have to worry about coal and water and running left and right across the cabin for better visibility on turns, just appeals more to me.

BTW, what do you find unrealistic about the steamer physics? I haven't noticed anything.

For longer trains I use 2 shunters, though putting the other one in the back seems to increase the chance of derailment, so for now I just put 2 in the front and control the 2nd one with a remote, or just use one if it's a shorter train.

[hekkensnatser]

I do not like the steamer and would take the shunter anyday for one reason. Ease of use. The shunter is so much simpler to drive than the steamer, so I can actually sit back and enjoy the game. With the steamer, you're constantly keeping an eye on all kinds of gauges, making sure the coal and water are not running out. It's really hectic, which is why I'll take a diesel anyday.

[ashjuk]

100% shunter for me.
To be honest I get no satisfaction from having to keep checking the fire and water level to make sure all is fine - there is enough to concentrate on without having those distractions.
Personally I can't wait for the proper diesel loco with more power and traction.

[Overland]

Steamer physics are.. Rushed.. This kind of consumption would be the domain of a mainline steamer running at 90mph.. Even then its excessive, as is the simplification of the injectors etc

Its said to be sped up to be compatable with the small map.. Personally id love it just to be realistic consumption rate, working it hard will give plenty of action

[TheLostPenguin]

Which I prefer really varies depending on what sort of experience I want, for a casual trundle with a modest train I'll probably take a pair of shunters (with various mods to make them work properly) but if I want/am willing to put in the extra effort/attention I'll take the steamer. Yes it has a whole raft of issues but even with those the peak fun is higher IMO, again with the caveat that you must accept having to do more in the way of work to get to it.

[Unster]

Overland, that's not really physics then. Physics usually means the movement of an object. Fuel consumption is really just an arbitrary number in games.

I remember the first time I got the steamer moving I felt accomplished. And the extra work can be fun at times. But lately I prefer the shunter because it's less of a chore to operate. It could also be that I don't like using the mouse that much (playing in non-VR). With the shunter I can use the keys.

[5Z3K1]

I tried only the Shunter. Recently I work with two of them.
A few days ago I checked the manual of the Steamer and I have found it a little bit complex after the Shunter but I will try it for sure.
I hope there will be a bigger diesel soon.

[Unster]

@szekihu, the steamer manual may seem complex at first, but once you go through the steps it will make sense and operating the steamer will become second nature, just more work than the shunter.

[craigalexp]

so i'm giving the steamer a go again and i found a lever that goes up and down also below that a switch. its on the left side past the valves, anyone know what they are and if they do anything? also how do you shut down the loco. I turned the fire out valve but didn't notice anything happen.

[Unster]

craigalkexp, those were exactly my questions too, though I never asked them. My guess is that those knobs / levers are for features not yet implemented.

[alucia]

The push in switch is for the headlight, which as of this moment has not been implemented, and the same with the up/down lever above it, most likely forward/backward setting, again not implemented.

As for shutting down the loco, just use the Blower to burn the fire down then dump all of the steam

[craigalexp]

Was just doing a job with the steamer. arrived at steel mill and hopped off to sort out the track switches and where i need to uncouple. Went back to my train and my cars were gone, the steamer sitting there all alone hahahaha.

[Unster]

craig, that must be frustrating. I haven't seen that one. But FYI, you don't need to uncouple on haul jobs. Just park your whole train on the designated track.