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Main Reviews & Features Rail Simulation Transport Strategy Archive Reviews Other Pages: My Sulitjelma Route for TRS2006 |
24 January 2009 Not a good day for train simming, I'm afraid. As some of you may already have gathered from reports on the forums or wider news items, Microsoft have once again decided to cancel Train Simulator 2. This is a bitter blow, not just to those eagerly awaiting the title but to the developers and programmers working on the project who now find themselves out of a job, as MS have to all intents and purposes also shut down Aces Studios - the guys responsible for Train and Flight simulation development. Downsizing seems to be a way of life at the moment, even where companies are still making a profit - if the revenue goes down slightly gives them a perfect excuse to cut staff numbers. How can the global economy recover if no-one is making anything to sell, whether it be software or some other commodity? Otherwise the whole thing will continue to spiral down until the global economy fails, utterly, no one will have jobs or houses and the human race will return to a nomadic tribal existence wandering the land. Enough politics I guess, but it is particularly frustrating that MSTS2 was more than 2/3 through development and had originally been slated for release by now until it was put back to "Holiday 2009". Maybe they bit off more than they could chew with the "World of Rails" concept and a more conventional sim with the sandbox route editor would have ensured a quicker and easier release. It's now the second time Microsoft have done this to the train sim community and, while kudos remains for their vision in bringing out the original MSTS, they have lost all credibility in my opinion even if at some future juncture they announce yet another train sim product. Stick to making your botched operating systems... Anyhow what remains now is for the train sim community to get behind the products that are available and are being supported. Let's get developing for Rail Simulator and Trainz (whatever your preferred version) or your favourite freeware simulation to keep the hobby alive. Support RSDL, Auran and all the other enterprising developers out there. Get building routes, scenery and rolling stock so in time we can say, "MSTS2, what was that?" 24 November 2008 I'm pleased to announce the release of my first route for Rail Simulator. This is a version of the Sulitjelma Railway in Norway, similar to the TRS2006 project I released earlier in the year. The route is freeware and can be downloaded from UK Trainsim, search for File ID : 20143 . The file has also been submitted to Train-sim.com but is currently still waiting approval. 24 October 2008 Review added for World of Subways Volume 1 - see link on left. Currently text only pending the gathering of some screenshots. 6 September 2008 There's been some major updates over at the World of Subways website. The first is a new selection of screenshots... Second is a rundown of the complete feature list. At present this is in German only, but run it through the Google translator and you cannot fail to be impressed (I particularly like the ability to move - GTA FPS style - on and off your train at stations). Finally and most important, the game has now gone to final build and they are anticipating release on or about 30th September. Yummy! RSDL have just released a payware (£4.00) pack of vegetation and scenery items for route builders available via download from their shop. They also recently released a further patch (Upgrade 2) for their game, also available via the link above. 20 August 2008 Sulitjelma Railway for TRS2006 is now available from the Auran DLS, UK Trainsim and Train-sim.com. Visit my Sulitjelma Page for further info. 18 August 2008 My latest route for TRS2006, based on the Sulitjelma Railway in Northern Norway, is now ready and currently awaiting approval on the Auran DLS, UK Trainsim and Train-sim.com. I've uploaded some screenshots and information here. 27 July 2008 Trainz Classics 3 Review is now uploaded. 19 July 2008 My Crianlarich to Fort William route for Trainz TRS2006 has now been released. Due to the file size I have been unable to upload to the Auran DLS, therefore I have made it available at two respected train sim file libraries: You can find it at UK Trainsim in the File library under File ID 19367 or Train-sim.com search for File ID trs06wh2.zip Note if you don't have a premium membership at UKTS you can usually get into Train-sim.com if you exercise a bit of patience. Due to some last minute issues with signalling I had to remove the Mallaig extension, however power users should be able to merge the new route with the old relatively easily. Other news: RSDL have just announced the release of their Isle of
Wight route for Rail Simulator. More information at the
RSDL Official Site. Note at present the route
is only available via download and not on CD/DVD. It will also cost
you £19.99 which to me seems a tad pricey for a relatively short
(12 miles) route with limited operating potential - certainly compared
to Trainz Classics 3. However the screenshots look good and the pack
will make available a host of new scenery items (which RS has continued
to lack) for route builders. 13 July 2008 Some retail news today... TML the developer of World of Subways are now accepting pre-orders for the simulation. You can do this via their homepage here. I've already pre-ordered my copy as I think this title is going to be bi-ig! TML have also put up a video clip of the sim in action which you can download and take a look at. If you pre-ordered Trainz Classics 3, it appears the shipping has now commenced and customers should start receiving their copies very soon. On the subject of Trainz, I am very close to completing my West Highland Stage 2 route for TRS2006, which sees the line extended from Fort William to Crianlarich. The route is now in the testing phase and while I have found a few items that need a tweak, I'm hopeful if I can get the documentation sorted release will be later this week. The route is freeware, but due to the file size it is too big for the Auran Download Station and current plans are to make it available via UK Trainsim and Train-sim.com. More on that soon... 19 June 2008 Trainz Classics 3 is now available to pre-order from the Auran Shop - release date has been confirmed as 23rd July. Cost as stated below is £13.99 though you will need to add another £4.95 to that for postage. Still very reasonable considering the route and motive power/rolling stock on offer. 7 June 2008 Some interesting news and developments from Trainz developer Auran. They have just announced that the franchise has been picked up for further development first with Trainz Simulator 2009 (TS2009) followed by Trainz Simulator X (TS-X). You can read more about the Auran plans on the Trainz Forum. Reading through the announcement it looks as if Trainz is finally going to get a thorough overhaul and update and I'm looking forward to hearing more about the plans in due course. Still on the subject of Trainz and following on from yesterdays news, Auran have now advised the release date of Trainz Classics 3 was incorrect and it should in fact be available prior to the stated date of 23 August. They've not said or updated the order page as yet to say exactly when, but keep checking back. (2008 Archived News is here). |
The following are links to message boards which may be useful: Auran Trainz Forum - the official board to discuss Auran's train sim products. Densha de Go Board - English language forum for users of Japanese console train driving games. Train-sim.com - US orientated discussion site. Transport Tycoon Forum - For TT etc. & Locomotion discussion. Truck Pol Forum - C'mon good buddy, 10-4, rubber duck (plastic chicken) discuss all those road transport driving games out there! UK Trainsim - UK orientated, primarily MSTS. UK Trainz Forum - Independent UK site, primarily Trainz. Zusi - Official board of the German sim. English language section available. |
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