Buying a new loco

[EngineerKenny123]

I hope this isn't viewed as a stupid post - but here goes. I'm slightly confused why anyone would buy a new loco - whatever kind it is - IF I understand correctly, you cannot use it in any existing scenarios - right? If you play one of those, you have to use the "programmed" loco - is that correct? I understand the concept of free roam, and open scenario. I know from flight simulator, I couldn't live without purchased planes - the "supplied" ones are totally .. So I can't see why anyone would buy a new loco, and only be able to drive it on free roams. Again, if this is a stupid post, I apologize. But I can't figure it out on my own. Thanks!
Ken

[AllYourKitty]

Depending where you buy from the loco itself may have scenarios included for a selection of routes. You can also make or download scenarios which use your newly purchased loco or rolling stock, UKTS for example has quite a large selection of user created scenarios featuring a wide range of models.

[theorganist]

I hope this helps if I am understanding your question correctly.

You can use your new "loco" in any kind of scenario you choose to make, most "loco's" come with some playable non free-roam scenarios.

If you can't make your own then there are plenty of scenarios on here and other train sim websites, the steam workshop for steam purchased items or professional scenario packs which may be suitable for whatever stock you possess.

Peter

[749006]

When you buy a new loco it usually comes with some scenarios for a route.
Have a look at the Class 50 - http://store.steampowered.com/app/208375/
The text below says
Scenarios
Five scenarios for the Settle to Carlisle route:
Carlisle Commuter
Hoovering Pipes
Scottish Express
Settling In
Sleeperless in Carlisle
More scenarios are available on Steam Workshop online and in-game.
Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay.
With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!

Key Features
Class 50 in BR Blue (TOPS and Pre-TOPS), Great Western Railway Green and BR Dual Green, Network South East Blue (original and revised) and BR Large Logo livery
Quick Drive compatible

So if you have the Settle to Carlisle Route then you would be able to drive the scenarios provided.
The loco has Quick Drive so you would be able to give it a run over any route you have between the stations you wanted.

Also you can download scenarios from UKTS for this loco depending on the routes you own.
A quick search will give a number of scenarios which feature this loco as either the player loco or as AI (Automatic Traffic) which you will see in the scenario.

You can change a loco in a scenario, like the Class 47 for the Class 50, depending on what You want to drive.
The only limit is your imagination - If you wish to run a British loco over a German or US route then that's ok.

Does this help?

Peter

[pilot37]

The Build function in TS14 allows you to make your own scenarios. You can start simple and get more adventurous later. I do my own scenarios because most of the provided ones seem to need something somewhere that I don't own! Once you have run your scenario you can add to it and add to it.

[EngineerKenny123]

Well heartfelt thanks for the replies guys. You have answered a lot of questions for me. I forgot to mention in my original post that I am brand new to TS, just 9 days now. I am very timid about making my own scenario - I know there are tutorials out there, and possibly soon I'll try one of my own. I sure appreciate the responses to my quest for info. By the way, I am awaiting a new RailDriver, arriving tomorrow. Then I will tackle some more routes. I purchased the Pacific surfliner, and the Portland (Maine) route package. I am thinking of the Horseshoe Curve scenario package next. One last question, if I may - Does a new (bought) loco have more upgraded "bells and whistles" than one that comes with the package? That might surely turn the tide for me to getting a new F7. Enjoy the game guys, and thanks again.

Ken

[emrhd01]

IF I understand correctly, you cannot use it in any existing scenarios - right?

Hi Ken and welcome to the Forum,

The answer to your question is to use RWTools to 'swop' the new Loco into any existing Scenario of your choice. The one thing you have to careful about is if you swop Loco's of a different type (ie swop a Jinty for a Pacific / Class 08 for a Class 47 or a SW1500 for a F7) then the timings in the original Scenario might (only might) give you a problem, all is not lost if this happens as RWTools allows you to revert back to how the original Scenario was with the click of one button.

RWTools is available here:
http://www.rstools.info/rw_tools.html

It has many, many other uses, such as checking installed Routes/Scenarios for 'missing' files or Rolling Stock, swopping 'Payware' Rolling Stock items in Scenarios for items you already have installed and many more things.

RW_Tools is donationware, but will run 21 times without a licence key. A licence key can be obtained by making a small donation via PayPal which, when installed into the RW_Tools folder, unlocks the program for continuous use.

This is the best Utility Tool for Railworks available (IMO), has excellent support from its creator (Mike, of Route-Riter fame ) and it is well worth making a small donation to unlock the program, you will not regret it.

Hope that helps.

[chrisonline]

Kenny, from your user name, and your focus on US Routes, I am guessing you are in the US (or at least, very keen on it!). As you are new to the "sport", you may not be aware of RailWorks America.

The RWA site is at http://railworksamerica.com/, and the forum at http://railworksamerica.com/forum/

It's not as active as this site, but very much US-focused, and the file library has a lot of US stuff including free routes, locos and scenarios.

I recommend you check it out, and get a better feel for what's around and available, perhaps before you spend more money on further DLCs

I am British but long term living in the US, so I equally enjoy both resources!

Chris

[RONVKING]

Also making own own scenarios can be an interesting sideline. Yes, it gets annoying at times when things don't go right but on the other hand its a good feeling when go right and your plan works as as designed.

[EngineerKenny123]

Thanks, Chrisonline - thank you very much. You are correct, born and bred in the US, and that is my main interest. More importantly, I was UNAWARE of the two sites you kindly advised me of and am going there immediately as soon as I post this. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Ken

[749006]

One last question, if I may - Does a new (bought) loco have more upgraded "bells and whistles" than one that comes with the package? That might surely turn the tide for me to getting a new F7. Enjoy the game guys, and thanks again.

Ken

Sometimes the "new loco" might have different features than the default loco but most times it's the same loco in a different livery.

Have you got the US loco and asset pack?
http://store.steampowered.com/app/20830 ... 1_7_15__13
It does not give you any routes but the locos are Quick Drive enabled so you can run them over any route.

When you look at a route in the Steam store like this one
http://store.steampowered.com/app/22261 ... 1_7_15__13
There is information in the text about the route and there is usually a manual you can download first in the links on the right hand side of the page.
http://cdn3.steampowered.com/Manuals/22 ... 1389886208

If you can wait there should be a sale about Easter time.

Peter

[EngineerKenny123]

Thank you 749006. This was a terrific response. I was aware of Stephens Pass scenario - BUT I was not aware of the "manuals" being available on the same page. A BIG help for me. I am 99% sure that Stephens pass will be my next purchase; most likely today or tomorrow. I thank you for the advice you offered and appreciate your time.

Ken

[749006]

Thank you 749006. This was a terrific response. I was aware of Stephens Pass scenario - BUT I was not aware of the "manuals" being available on the same page. A BIG help for me. I am 99% sure that Stephens pass will be my next purchase; most likely today or tomorrow. I thank you for the advice you offered and appreciate your time.

Ken

Glad to help Ken.

I mainly run the European routes but I run the US lines from time to time.
A quick way to look at the downloads is http://store.steampowered.com/dlc/24010/

I do like Cajon Pass http://store.steampowered.com/app/20830 ... 1_7_15__13 Some good fast running in places and the climb over the pass is quite good.

Another route is Marias Pass http://store.steampowered.com/app/222561/ but I have not tried it http://cdn3.steampowered.com/Manuals/22 ... 1385655000

Sherman Hill has been out 18 months http://store.steampowered.com/app/208286/

I would not reccomend getting Donner Pass - it's had a troubled life and, to me, it's a little boring.

Peter

[Alicatt]

I would not reccomend getting Donner Pass - it's had a troubled life and, to me, it's a little boring.

Peter

I quite like the Donner Pass, mainly as it was brought to life by a reality TV show about working on it, the show came on TV at the same time as I got TS2014 so The Donner was a no brainer for me. But mainly and urealistically I run UK steam over the pass

[EngineerKenny123]

Can you possibly tell me whether or not any of the scenarios in Cajun, Sherman and Maaria's are Career scenarios? I'd much rather play Career Scenarios, if possible - That's why Stephens really appeals to me. I'm also considering, immediately, Horseshoe Curve. That one as well as Career Scenarios. I appreciate your continued dialogue with me.

Thanks, Ken