MS Train Simulator

[Grant]

I just installed MS Train Simulator as I got it for Father's day.
This is a really neat simulator of various trains & locals in the US and Europe & Japan. My favorite is the BNSF freight course in NW Montana. In addition to being able to 'drive' the train through the layout, the game offers many 'activities' as a challenge to the 'train engineer'.

The graphics are very detailed and smooth even on my aging P2 450. It has all of the internal & external "views" that are in MS Flight Simulator.

A unique feature is the included Editor that makes it easy to create your own track layouts, scenery & rolling stock, and 'activities'. This is a very impressive game, especially considering it is only version 1.0

Here is a link to the MS Train Site
http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsim/

There is already an active community of "Rail Fans" supporting this game. Links can be found on the MS Train web site.

Grant


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Dell Intel 440bx, P2 450, 256 megs ram, IBM 13g hard drive, G400 Max, PD 6.22, 256k AGP aperture, Win 98 SE SE, DirectX 8.0a,TBS Montego Audio, Dell D1226H 19 inch monitor at 1280x1024x32, 3com XL10/100

[Ovi]

Hi Grant
This game does seem to be really nice! I think I'll get it too. But since Microsoft haven't posted any min. system requirements as yet, I wonder how well it will run on my G200 (8 MB), P-III 450 with 128 MB RAM. Although you have a G400 Max, could you please tell me at what resolution you are running the game? That way, I'll atleast get an idea how the game will run on my setup!
Thanks
Cheers
Ovi

[Bellyofthebeast]

MSTS seems to have great potential, however, I'm having CRASH problems, like many others. I've experimented with various drivers & settings to no avail. Since many video cards are having the same CRASH problems, we'll have to wait for MS to issue a definitive patch.

MEANWHILE....any advice on drivers or matrox configuration specifics to try from you Gamer Gurus out there?

System: Win2K,P3933,256MB,G400Max,v.5.52drivers,32bitZbuff ering,bus mastering,1024X768X16,slider accl full.

I've tried: MS certified driver 5.32, 551,552,accl-slider 1 or 2 notches back,1024X16&32,800X16,underclocking cpu.

What parameters are the most critical for stability?

The TRAIN SIM is unusually cool, when it's working!!!



[This message has been edited by Bellyofthebeast (edited 24 June 2001).]

[Grant]

Hi OvI

I am running the game at 1024x768x32.
I tried 1280x1024 and it was just too slow.

I also have to set the graphics quality at one setting below maximum to get a FPS of 10 to 20 which is fine for this simulation.

Below is the data in the games read me file about video card requirements:

VIDEO DISPLAYS AND VIDEO DRIVERS
--In many cases you'll get better video performance if you install the latest drivers from your video card manufacturer. A list of these sites is available at the Microsoft Train Simulator Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsim/info/
You can determine the manufacturer of your video card by following these steps:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab and navigate to the section that describes your video card.
This section lists the type of video card that you have installed in your computer. For best performance, use the high color (16-bit) setting for your video resolution. Displaying more colors affects performance.
--It is recommended that you set your system’s display settings to Small Fonts to maximize viewable space in Train Simulator dialogs. Also, users of the Windows® 95 Plus! Pack or Windows® 98 who have selected Smooth edges of screen fonts in their Windows® Display settings will display smoothed fonts. If you don't have the Plus! Pack, you can download the font smoother from: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/...l/smoother.htm
--If you have a computer with 64MB of RAM or less, and are using video cards with 16MB or less, do not turn up the World Objects Texture Quality setting (in the Options screen) past 2 or the game may freeze up.
--The following resolutions are supported by most video cards and are available for selection (if supported):
640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x 1024
All resolutions provided by the video card at 640 x 480 and above are supported, in 16- and 32-bit color depths.
Resolutions of 640 x 480 and below or color depths other than 16- or 32-bit are not supported.


Matrox Millenium G200
· An error occurs and the simulation does not launch. Latest drivers from http://www.matrox.com fix this problem.


Hope this helps

Grant

[This message has been edited by Grant (edited 24 June 2001).]

[Ovi]

Hi Grant
Thanks a lot for the info!
As it says in the readme, the G200 might have problems with the game as of now
Hopefully, the latest drivers available at www.matrox.com are later than what Microsoft tested the game with!
So it looks like I should wait till some G200 users get their hands on it. But since the game is not available here yet,I will have to wait anyway!
Thanks again
Cheers
Ovi

[This message has been edited by Ovi (edited 28 June 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Ovi (edited 28 June 2001).]

[Arsa]

Oh my god! That's great! I still remember how I was spending straight weeks playing Transport Tycoon ... and it doesn't run under W2K.
NOW!
I have something to replace it with...
No economics though, but still nice.