Thanks Charlie. Here's some video from inside the cab of an F7 and a Highline local headed north through Osceola, Mo. across the Osage River. It's late, almost dark, and the local is running behind schedule.
That is so very cool! I wish I had the Zalma Branch rendered like that. V Scale is neat and you are an expert using that medium. Thanks for making and showing that.
I love that too! What a great video. Every time you post one of these it drives me nuts that I can't get the hang of Trainz (plus, no time). Charlie
Beautiful work! Wish it was available, I would buy Trainz just to run this on my computer. We need to work with you on your whistle (horn) work now.
Very nice video - well done! Agree with Don's comment about the horn applications - I was getting nervous coming up to the grade crossings, and the somewhat random beeping of the horn is not prototypical. Excellent work though! Ken
Excellent work, Derrick! Re: V scale... V scale!!! When you don't have room for an expansive layout... or you're a "rubber gauger" with many interests... or a multitude of other "givens n' druthers"... V scale to the rescue! I use V scale to indulge my link n' pin infection. In my case I use Microsoft Train Simulator. Derrick uses Trainz. IMHO, Trainz has better overall visuals than MSTS and is probably a bit easier to use for route creation. Trainz also has a very good "scenario" abilities. (The ability to create "operating sessions".) IMHO, MSTS offers better sounds (Doppler effect, for example), more advanced equipment "physics" (that are "tweakable" by the end user), and more realistic train handling. Like Trainz, there are literally THOUSANDS of free items available for MSTS including routes (layouts), steam engines, diesel engines, rolling stock galore, etc, etc. So, Trainz or MSTS, it all depends on one's preferences. I have thought about also purchasing Trainz, but I get lost in the "which version" quandary and so far I've not taken the plunge. FWIW: If I can figure out how to embed a video, I'll start a new thread with a link to a review video concerning one of my old link n' pin routes that was produced by an independent reviewer. This will offer the chance to see the differences between Trainz and MSTS/etc.
Thanks for the ride, Derrick! I watched it full screen, with a darkened room, felt like I was in that old covered wagon! You woke up that memory of mine in an F unit cab, tooling around the Springfield yard at the tender age of about 2. Tha'ts how I was hooked on Frisco! Thanks again. Superb work[ or love!]. Dan
Thanks everybody. I like to run Trainz in AI (artificial intelligence) mode. I can give commands to have an RS1 making switching moves in Bolivar, a GP35 picking up flatcars loaded with clay pipe in Deepwater, and a GP7 making a stop at the Clinton depot with two coaches headed for Springfield. Then I set back and watch all the action. I developed an invisible track marker that will start a prototypical Frisco horn sequence for crossings in AI mode. Looks like I need to adjust the distance it's placed on the track from the crossing. Browsing the Trainz forums is a good start: http://forums.auran.com/trainz/forum.php Each version of Trainz comes with a fairly extensive manual but for more advanced modeling techniques the Trainz forum is an invaluable resource.
So could I render replicas of the Zalma and Brownwood depots and the other structures that I had previously modeled? My interest in this is growing. Mo money, mo money!
Holy cow! The images on that site are cool. I probably need to get a laptop with the required software and processors to utilize all this VScale software. It shouldn't be too tough to model an short 8 mile branch line. I've seen some nice early steam locos and freight cars that you've posted. That last video you posted was very inspirational. Thanks for the info.
Sure thing. I'm using the 2010 version of Trainz. The most recent version is 2012 but a completly new version is due to be released around Dec. 2014 called Trainz: A New Era or TANE. It will have a completely new game engine and the highest system requirements of any previous version. Just something to keep in mind if your shopping for a new machine.
Jim: IF you already have the computer horsepower, V scale is the cheapest form of train indulgence there is. There are thousands of free items. IMHO, for the best experience, get a good (powerful/capable) desktop with a good monitor (big). Very cool to see it in front of you and hear the sounds/etc. Derrick: Remind me again... what version of Trainz are you using?
I'm using Trainz 2010. I'll probably upgrade to the new version TANE when it is released in about six months.
Long answer yes. The great DLS (Down Load Station) cleanup has been going on for about 3 years to bring everthing available on the DLS up to TANE standards. The goal is to have 90% of all DLS content updated by the TANE release. Keep in mind creators have been uploading content for over 10 years. That's a lof stuff. I've only used content from the DLS for this reason except for the trees by pofig. I still think they are most realistic trees available. I've heard rumors that they will not work in TANE without updates. Time will tell but worst case scenerio I have to find replacement trees. I believe TS2010 is still available but I wouldn't wait on me. I still have a lot to complete for the Highline route. Maybe it will be done by TANE II or whatever they decide to call it. I can say all the Frisco rolling stock, locomotives, and structures are available on the DLS for free.
