Atomic Systems

There's a piece of kit for sale out there called a Raspberry Pi. It's supposed to used for teaching kids how to program computers instead of just using them.
If you can promise me your granddaughter will enjoy TS2013, I'll gladly donate a 6 month UKTS subscription and an RW_Tools licence.
Andy

riggs386 wrote:and content seems very restricted in certain areas (can't even begin to imagine constructing complex junction semaphore signals, or even if it's possible) in TS2013, track laying seems very odd....

It's not so bad once you get to grips with it, one thing I'd strongly advise is to *lose* the mind set that says "but in MSTS it was done like......" OK, that'll mean a learning process but it'll be far easier if you treat it as something completely different to what you've used before and enjoy the challenge.

riggs386 wrote:I well remember the frustration of getting to grips with Train Sim Model(l)er, a few years ago, after years using Autocad. TS 2013 models it seems, have to be constructed with (is it Google Sketchup?) And surely if so, that's just for static objects such as buildings.

Sketchup is used as it's free (I believe) and offers an easy introduction to 3D modelling, but as far as I'm aware there's no restriction as to which modelling package you use, as long as you can build in the 'magic' bits that TS2013 needs to know about to make locos etc work.

riggs386 wrote:Once again, apologies to those I offended, and thanks to all who have offered useful advice.

I don't think you particularly offended a great many people; yes, you may have come close but most folk seemed to have taken a moment to look at things from your perspective and seen that your comments had a reasonable grounding. Most of the time we're a helpful bunch so if you have any problems or queries don't hesitate to ask for help or advice.
(You'll probably get loads of conflicting advice, so you'll be able to then sit back and watch a real argument )

(You'll probably get loads of conflicting advice, so you'll be able to then sit back and watch a real argument )

Debate I think is a safer word, we never argue

-

Acorncomputer wrote:Debate I think is a safer word, we never argue

Oh yes we do!!!!

Oh No, We Don't!

Oh Heck

Oh No, We Don't!

HE'S BEHIND YOU!

(Several DLC releases that is )

Hi, actually there is loads of freeware stuff about, a few people have made different signal kits to fit with different regions, time periods etc, and depending on which country you like, there are others out there as well, also covering USA, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and others.

I have to agree with the OP. I jumped on the RW bandwagon about a year ago as I was drawn to the much improved graphics and new possibilities offered by the new engine, having run MSTS for a long time and OpenRails not going to be completed anytime soon. I was stunned by the cost of payware comprising just a single locomotive in some cases and the fact that many routes and activities require many payware sets with few freeware alternatives. I am one of those poorer ones who just cant afford such a cost. Not even the Loco and Asset DLC packs. (I am being paid just SGD480 a month as I am serving National Service in Singapore)

FYI: I have read all three pages of comments. I'm just sharing my opinion. And my apologies for bumping this thread.

I have also read all three pages of comment and I would just like to add;

Yes it is very costly to keep TS2013 totally up to date and I am sure that once I retire I will find that I have to be far more selective.

As far as I am concerned I am grateful that the UKTrainSim activities require costly additional payware, if they did not how would I be able to make use of those costly addons that by default have very few and very simple activities bundled with them.

I agree that RWTools is a very worthwhile purchase enabling the quick removal and replacement of assets not in my own library.

I hope your grankdaughter enjoys her present and that my grandson (only nine months old) will become an enthusiast in the future.

You guys want to look at the prices you pay for payware addons for a Flight Simulator like FSX. Some aircraft you can pay $50 or $60 for. Scenery about the same price. DLC for TS2013 is cheap by comparison.

If you are patient and wait for a sale you can get some bargains. For £12.49 I have recently aquired the Faversham route and although a little short on activities I think for that price it is quite a bargain. The 395 is very well modelled and I love the contrast with the two different parts of the route (the old and the new).

I am very selective with what I purchase now as there is a lot of choice.

There is also a decent amount of freeware.

Peter

theorganist wrote:If you are patient and wait for a sale you can get some bargains. For £12.49 I have recently aquired the Faversham route...r

The first rule of Steam is: you do not buy anything at full price.

ttjph wrote: The first rule of Steam is: you do not buy anything at full price.

Is right! I learned my lesson when the original Class 31 was released a couple of years back - within a couple of weeks of full price release it was reduced to 50% off - I promised to myself then, no matter how bad I wanted a route/model, I'll wait until a sale - and I have done and will continue to do so.

Horses for courses I have seen one msts emu selling for a tad under 20 euro's!