Trainz has many faces and features. I get the impression the product has evolved over time. Out of the box it has scenarios much the same as Microsoft Train Simulator. However it also has a model railway heritage and as such you can use a model railway type controller to control the train rather than learn the precise cab controls that Microsoft makes you use, dual cab control. This mode has point scoring speed limits etc. a conventional game.
It shows it's Australian heritage by including a number of Australian routes, engines and rolling stock. In one scenario you take over a train part way through it's route. The driver handing over very definitely has an Australian accent.
Besides the scenarios it also let's you use virtual model railway layouts. There are a number of layouts included with the product. This mode is known as Driver. You can select the engine and the rolling stock you want to use. You can build the layouts with the surveyor tool.
The simulator is very open and flexible and that's it's great advantage. Railway track can be selected with wooden or concrete sleepers etc. Objects can run on tracks, either visible or not. Objects can have sound files attached. Objects can be imported or exported. The product comes with a copy of Gmax to let you build and add objects. What does this mean? Well if you want to run a different engine or rolling stock than those supplied you can either build your own or download one someone else has built. Want to repaint it? The product comes with Paint Shed included. Want animals to populate your fields? Simply download them and add them to your layout, with sound of course. There are a number of houses, churches, skyscrapers etc. available, some English, some European, some North American to populate your layout. These objects can be items such as ships, boats, trams, buses, cars etc. Theoretically if you don't like trains you can build a layout with just buses and cars. I'm hoping someone builds a layout with canals and I can run a narrow boat or two. Currently there doesn't seem to be a lot of steam locomotives but there does seem to be a number of web sites that are either single or group enthusiasts who are building some very specific and detailed models.
In many ways the Internet communities that exist remind one of the model railway societies that exist. With different people getting involved in building models. The difference is these models can be shared electronically.
Finally a comment on hardware. Trainz pushes Directx to the limit. You'll almost certainly need to download the latest video card drivers before it will run. If you have a limited computer you can adjust the display to take less cycles. Got the latest or want an excuse to buy the latest hottest machine Trainz will take full advantage. You might like to check the supported video cards though before you buy.
Fast, intuitive editor controls combined with a beautiful rendering engine make this the RR simulator of choice. Anyone can make a beautiful scene quickly and easily, making the creative process fun and productive, as it should be.
With this product you can make layouts, operate layouts, paint new rolling stock, play pre-packaged scenarios, and download a myriad of add-ons from Auran's website (layouts, engines, cars, scenarios, scenary, etc...). There is also licensible software for creating original objects and scenery. User questions can quickly be answered by an attentive, knowledgeable community with a sophisticated web bulletin board system.
You may switch cabs at any time, operate any train manually or set them to run on autopilot following the speed limit markers and signals YOU place on the mainline.
Save your layout status (train and turnout positions) at any time and pick up where you left off some other time.
The above features sound like what would expect from a RR Sim, but don't take them for granted. With MSTS, you can only operate a single cab. Creating an MSTS map as involved as building a house, but much more tedious, nor is the MSTS editor supported.
Choose between OpenGL or DirectX graphic engines. In-game tuning controls allow you to balance game detail with your CPU/graphics card capabilities.
