On the Train to Yesterday...

[CaptainBazza]

It's been a pleasure to be associated with this new 'community' project. My grateful thanks to Rick for doing the hard work converting over my locomotive 454's source files.

What a pity I don't have TS'12 installed.

Cheers Bazza

[bigvern]

Is it just possible to clarify whether this is freeware or payware, as it is being publicised as a community route. No problem either way - if it's the latter then it represents a wonderful gesture, if the latter then I will certainly have no hesitation in buying what - when first viewing the video clip - I thought I was looking at th real thing.

[micaelcorleone]

Is it just possible to clarify whether this is freeware or payware, as it is being publicised as a community route. No problem either way(...)

Have a look at the G-TraX Website.

We haven't decided how we're going to deliver the route yet as there are a few loose ends in that department. It may be a Preservation Series offering. It won't be Steam payware. Release of Phase 1 will be in the late-Winter early-Spring time frame.

Most likely it becomes donationware ("Preservation Series"). But as mentioned above, there is no decision yet.

And thanks for the praise everyone.

[BenBlairL]

I'm throwing money at my screen but nothing's happening. . .

Very nice route, very iconic. Can't wait.

[iceman2117]

hi, ...

Looks amazing. Nice Impressions.

g'ice

[jivebunny]

Most likely it becomes donationware ("Preservation Series"). But as mentioned above, there is no decision yet.

Just taken a look at the G-Trax website... I'm curious as to why it's referred to as "donationware" when the content is only made available after a minimum payment of $14. Surely a less misleading term would be "payware", since a donation is a voluntary gift

Interesting marketing technique. Maybe I'll give my car away for free to anyone willing to make a minimum donation of £4000

JB

[micaelcorleone]

Just taken a look at the G-Trax website... I'm curious as to why it's referred to as "donationware" when the content is only made available after a minimum payment of $14. Surely a less misleading term would be "payware", since a donation is a voluntary gift

Sometimes it would be better if some people read everything on a page.

Net proceeds of all "Preservation Series" products are donated to various railroad preservation organizations.

YOUR DONATION

The amount you are being asked to donate has nothing to do with the laws of supply and demand, and it has has nothing to do with what G-Trax might consider to be fair compensation for the hours spent developing the product. Your money goes to two places: approximately 12½% is used by G-TraX to cover transaction and administrative fees, and all the rest of it goes to the sponsoring organization of the prototype locomotives. This product is essentially "Donationware," except that a donation is mandatory.

Many thousand dollars have been raised so far for the "Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation", the "Pacific Railroad Preservation Association" and the "Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society".

So, technically it is a donation. And you even recieve a loco as "thank you".
I don't know what's wrong with helping the preservation of railroad heritage?

Interesting marketing technique. Maybe I'll give my car away for free to anyone willing to make a minimum donation of £4000

As said above, net proceeds are not kept by G-TraX. They are donated to railroad preservation organizations.

[jivebunny]

Yes, I realise that G-Trax is selling the products on behalf of and under license from heritage organisations and I don't have a problem supporting heritage groups, however that doesn't make it donationware. The sentence "This product is essentially "Donationware," except that a donation is mandatory" may as well read "This product is essentially "Free", except that you have to pay for it"

I'm not advocating "something for nothing", or disputing that heritage organisations should try to make money from their assets, just questioning the use of the term "donationware" when the deal clearly requires the customer to pay for the product rather than to make a donation.

JB

[bigvern]

Thanks for confirming, Michael. That is on a par with the price of MSTS add-ons where the proceeds have gone to charity, such as ELR or North Wales Coast and will be worth every cent of the cover price, regardless of how that is defined.

[gswindale]

If it is "donationware" then surely it should be on sale for whatever I as a customer feel it is worth. If you are specifying a minimum charge then it is not a donation. If I were to feel a product was only worth £12 yet I was being told I had to make a minimum donation of £20 to obtain it, then I wouldn't bother and the beneficiary would also lose out (they may get another donation though of say £10)

It certainly looks interesting but the mandatory "donation" aspect puts me off.

[pjt1974]

3ft gauge, I like the sound of that. I have a completed route ready to take a track change. Just need a couple of Peacocks.

[Kiwisteam]

WOOHOOOH! Just the thing I can't wait for!!

[macclad]

Stunning!

[MisterWho]

If it is "donationware" then surely it should be on sale for whatever I as a customer feel it is worth. If you are specifying a minimum charge then it is not a donation. If I were to feel a product was only worth £12 yet I was being told I had to make a minimum donation of £20 to obtain it, then I wouldn't bother and the beneficiary would also lose out (they may get another donation though of say £10)

It certainly looks interesting but the mandatory "donation" aspect puts me off.

I'm 100 % in agreement with you on this. A mandatory, minimum charge makes it payware ...

[davejc64]

If it is "donationware" then surely it should be on sale for whatever I as a customer feel it is worth. If you are specifying a minimum charge then it is not a donation. If I were to feel a product was only worth £12 yet I was being told I had to make a minimum donation of £20 to obtain it, then I wouldn't bother and the beneficiary would also lose out (they may get another donation though of say £10)

It certainly looks interesting but the mandatory "donation" aspect puts me off.

I'm 100 % in agreement with you on this. A mandatory, minimum charge makes it payware ...

I have to agree as well, the customer should be able to choose the size of the donation.