Newbie

[UberChef]

Hi all! Just got Railworks 2 when it was on sale through Steam and I can't stop playing it (75 hours played already). What I was hoping is if you guys could give me a list of must have routes and mods for this game, free and payware. I really like doing freight type of railroading but I enjoy the passanger scenerios also. More into Diesel and electric trains, but I will drive the steam engines every now and then.

Thank you,


Chef

[Acorncomputer]

Hi

That is quite a question, and hopefully someone will give you a long answer

One of the best places to start for routes is the UKTS library. There are 13 new routes available at the moment in the Route Building Challenge - http://www.uktrainsim.com/rbchallenge/two.php

These routes all use default assets so you do not have to get anything additional to your standard RailWorks installation other than the free Asset Pack that you can download from the RailWorks section on Steam

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 3&t=107903

Most of these routes have quite small file sizes and if you do not have a premium account with UKTS they should not take too long to download using the free service.

I also suggest you spend some time browsing the UKTS RailWorks forum as you will find many threads on routes and assets that have been completed or are in progress. You may have to go back quite a few pages to get the latest information as new stuff now gets added to the forums at an alarming rate

[msmith4000]

hi UberChef, welcome to the forum. Do you prefer UK, USA or german routes and rolling stock or are you not too fussy and would like suggestions for all?

[emrhd01]

Hello UberChef and welcome to the Forum,

Take a look in the UKTS library for Freeware/Shareware items, you will find Locomotives, Rolling Stock, Routes, Scenarios and heaps more :

http://www.uktrainsim.com/filelib-direc ... orm_sim=12

Just ensure that "Railworks" is selected as the 'Simulator' (top right), also ensure that you have all the Rolling Stock items that are required for any Scenarios that you decide to download and install.

(You can get round that by using RWTools, but I'd leave that until you are a bit more experienced with working with RW).

[UberChef]

Thank you all for making me feel welcome here! As for preferance, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area but I prefer the German and UK Routes. The Rail system in Europe is so much better than what we have here in the states, and I just like the scenery better. Also was wondering if there was a list of other websites I could check out?

Again thank you all for your help,

Chef

[Acorncomputer]

Other Websites? No there are none

(Have a look here - http://www.railsimulator.com/community.php )

[msmith4000]

Well, most of the Railworks add-ons available are excellent and you would'nt be disappointed with any of them.

Alot of add-ons are available on Steam some are not, here is a list of sites I visit regularly, they produce payware expansions for Railworks, some of their work is available on steam some of their work is only available directly from their web site. Generally the addons are slightly cheaper direct from the authors web site or may contain bonus extra's:


For UK rolling stock, routes, scenario packs etc some of the main sites to visit:

http://www.JustTrains.net
http://www.oovee.co.uk
http://www.ironhorsehouse.co.uk
http://www.armstrongpowerhouse.co.uk
http://www.digitaltraction.net
http://www.meshtools.co.uk

I strongly recommend that you look into the Armstrong Powerhouse sound packs for your favourite loco's, especially the HST (Valenta) Sound pack, it is indespensable. There are You-Tube clips on the web site showcasing the sound upgrades.


All the Railworks addons available at the above sites are worth any penny but some of my personal favourites are:

Class 20 Pack from http://www.justtrains.net, if I was only allowed to take one Railworks addon to a desert island this would be the one I take. £20 it is expensive but the locomotives are beautifully modelled, the sound are first class and you can drive these Class 20's from both cab positions. It also comes with lots of liveries and 9 scenario's and includes 2 wagons: the Nuclear flask wagons and the Rail Head treatment wagons. Check the web site for YouTube clips. A very comprehensive pack indeed.

I can confirm as I also have it that the IronHourseHouse Class 20 with the Armstrong Power House Class 20 Enhancement pack is just as good, works out cheaper but you get less scenario's, less liveries and you cant drive this model of Class 20 "nose first". With the Class 20 enhancement pack installed, quite possibly the best bogie flange squeal I've heard yet. Even though the sounds are slightly better I think the Just Trains pack offers more value for money overall.

Personally though if you can afford it buy both class 20 packs.

Also I highly recommend the Digital Traction Mk2e coaches (and the Mk 1 coaches as well)

Oovee Class 57 (direct from Oovee or from Steam) Lovely Loco to drive

or

another realy nice modern (well reasonably modern) loco is the Class 60 from Just Trains.


The iconic class 56 from IronHorseHouse is great too. Al the IHH content is great, most of it is available from steam but you get extra's if you buy direct from the IHH site.

Another of my favourite loco's is the MeshTools Class 50 with the Armstrong Powerhouse Class 50 sound pack. I dont have the IHH version so cant comment on it.

Finally if you like DMU's, the CLass 101 Pack on Steam is excellent.

Cant comment on electrics or steam as I am a BR diesel man thru and thru.

Hope that helps and remember its just my opinion what I think is best.

[dilflat]

A must have route available both on this website and as free DLC from steam is the Port Road route by Keith Ross. The version available on this site also comes with a large number of superb scenarios, most of which only require default stock.
Happy Railsimming,
Dave

[UberChef]

Thanks all for all the info! Downloading Class 20 complete at this very moment, Port Road next. Please if you have anymore advice keep it coming.

Greatly appriciate all the help!

Chef