Atomic Systems

Announced on Engine Driver: http://www.engine-driver.com/article/sh ... iver-magic

Now that is something like it . Looks like it covers more or less the same territory as 3DTrains superb rendition for MSTS and I do wonder if Marc had a hand in this.

A first day buy for me - taking me back to my train simming roots.

Rod

People at RWA are pretty stoked about this route. I believe there was/is a version for MSTS by 3D Trains.

I'm on the fence about this one: on the one hand it is scenic route with a new type of train, but on the other it looks very similar to Donner which gathers dust on my Hard Drive

A route like this is much more to my liking than driving commuter trains through suburbia... Something to look forward to, I remember the hours of enjoyment I got from the MSTS/3DTrains version.

Marcus

Trev123 wrote:People at RWA are pretty stoked about this route. I believe there was/is a version for MSTS by 3D Trains.

The best US route ever to be made for MSTS (IMO) in terms of scope, attention to detail, scenery and stock - this looks to be as good...

For those who would like to take a look at what the route might contain (and seems to from the preview)...

http://www.3dtrains.com/products/ts/rou ... iver.shtml

See the screenshot pages.

Rod

twirlycactus wrote:I'm on the fence about this one: on the one hand it is scenic route with a new type of train, but on the other it looks very similar to Donner which gathers dust on my Hard Drive

I suppose it depends on why it is on your shelf - the MSTS Donner stayed pretty well on my shelf but the 3DTrains WPFR definitely did not - looking at the terrain alone the WP Feather River has much more to offer, as do the various spurs and industries - add to that the fact that the new WPFR is a recent bit of modeling then I am pretty certain that quality is assured.

Horses for courses though

One point of slight disappointment - ending at Quincy rather than going on to Portola a much more logical end!

Rod

august1929 wrote:
One point of slight disappointment - ending at Quincy rather than going on to Portola a much more logical end!

Rod

Would have been nice, especially as they have the Western Pacific Museum at Portola
http://www.wplives.org/

Any route created for TS could always be longer - DTG never seems to pick the ending points in a way that seems logical and satisfying to rail fans

The screenshots look really good and tempting, however I'm afraid that for me this will be another good looking US route that will end up just gathering virtual dust on the virtual shelves...
Still, they might yet tempt me, especially if they'll get freight operations working realistically with advanced scripted brakes providing a good challenge on the grades

Cheers,

--Tim

If the route is half as good as Marc's from 3D trains, then it will be superb. 3D trains Feather River Canyon route for MSTS, in my opinion, is one of the best routes created for that platform

tnleeuw01 wrote:Any route created for TS could always be longer - DTG never seems to pick the ending points in a way that seems logical and satisfying to rail fans

The logic here would have been Oroville to Portola as a complete sub-division. Quincy is a bit of an odd end but there is a spur to the south from Quincy Junction with wood product freight in this time frame.

From the description it also looks like the GN Hi-Line from Keddie Wye doesn't go as far as 3DTrains route, but it goes far enough again to provide further wood products plus through freight. Plenty of operational opportunities - both freight and passenger.

Passenger traffic can also be represented by the two Zephyrette Budd railcars (other railroad's Budds available over at Trains & Drivers)...

MSTS version from BLW below on a very wet Keddie Wye from (WPFR from 3DTrains)...



and the Western Pacific has plenty of opportunities for additional liveries...



There should be plenty to play with especially if the WP section of the California Zephyr becomes available



Rod

Those screenies look great - is that MSTS, or OR?

--Tim

tnleeuw01 wrote:Any route created for TS could always be longer - DTG never seems to pick the ending points in a way that seems logical and satisfying to rail fans

I read on RWA DTG usually tend to make routes not too long based on player statistics (Most players play under 60 minutes at a time)

Thanks Tim, very old ones from MSTS.

Rod

august1929 wrote:Thanks Tim, very old ones from MSTS.

Rod

They look better than I ever recall MSTS looking - that's why I was wondering which simulator it actually was!

--Tim