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Microsoft Heats Up the Firebox with Train Simulator

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 325 / 344
Date: March 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

By Robert and Patrick Scoble

Founders of The MSN Microsoft Train Simulator Fan Site ...

We first got a chance to get up close and personal with Microsoft's Train Simulator at the NMRA (the National Model Railroad Association's National Convention and Train Show in San Jose on August 4-6, 2000) and recently we received a press beta of Microsoft's Train Simulator since we run the MSN Train Simulator Fan Site at ... This was the first time that Microsoft had publicly shown Train Simulator (they say it'll ship in "Spring 2001"). "I want a copy," six-year-old train buff Patrick Scoble says, "they need to finish it."

That about sums up both of our responses. We couldn't wait. We're not usually into games or simulators, but we +are+ train nuts. The Train Simulator has us hooked and we suspect it'll have you hooked too. We're finding as we spend time with the simulator that even folks who don't appreciate trains as much as Patrick and I really are having a great time playing with Train Simulator as well.

First off, driving trains around with a simulator might sound boring, but I guarantee you it is not. This is from the same team that brought us Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Train Simulator will include six trains and tracks based on REAL LIVE RAILROADS. The simulation includes entire tracks over the Marias pass in Montana, for instance -- the other tracks are explained on Microsoft's "Features Page."

One of the activities in the simulator lets you drive a BNSF train going through Marias Pass in Montana. (There are nine engines and six different tracks -- all modeled on real world engines and tracks). The Microsoft Train Simulator will let you drive a simulation of the same train on the same tracks. Microsoft has tried to keep everything as accurate as possible. (Obviously simulation technology isn't as good as the "real" thing, but with Train Simulator it is darn close). This means that you could play with Train Simulator for six hours (on just one of the six tracks) and not see the same scenery. Switch to a different track and you get more hours of not-seen-before fun. Not to mention that it makes a great screen saver (you can leave it running on your desktop and the computer will take you on a tour of any one of the six rail lines that the programmers have built). The Simulator also doesn't force you to drive. You can stand at the side of the track. You can fly overhead in a "helicopter" mode. You can sit inside a passenger train and enjoy the view. Or you can sit in the cab and drive with realistic controls. This is a blast! If you were working on the Whitefish line, you'd start your six-hour trip over Marias pass in a Dash-9 in the Whitefish, Montana train yard. In Whitefish's train yard, the simulator would let you move your engine around on any of the 10 tracks, pick up other engines and cars, and hopefully refuel (many of these features were not demonstrated yet). Everything is realistic. Hey, think the simulator would let my wife visit her favorite antique store which is right near the track? I don't think so, but maybe that's something that we can build on later since Microsoft will give us the ability to add on new buildings and things to Train Simulator. The tools to build new things are quite nice, and already you can trade things with other Train Simulator users. This thing feels and sounds real. Particularly if you have a good 3D video card and a speaker system with a subwoofer. Here's a rundown of some of the features.

VIEWING: You can view the train from outside at any angle. You can "fly" around the train -- at any time (you have complete control of the camera angle and can zoom closer or back off for a wider angle view).

You can sit inside the cab and "drive." All the controls are authentic and you'll have full displays -- the same ones the real trains have.

You can stick your head outside the window and see the view (and you have complete control of the view. Forward, back, tilt, all just like if you were on a real train). This alone is unbelievable technology.

If you are carrying passenger coaches you can sit in back like a passenger. There will be other passengers to watch, supposedly (the "pre-Alpha" was empty). You can just sit there and watch the scenery go by, just like a real passenger.

You can switch to a mode that represents someone standing on the track and watching the train go by. I wonder, can you take a picture of your train?

Oh, did we mention the sound? The sound is VERY good and accurate. The product manager tells us that they actually went on location and did extensive recordings of the sound of each train. The sound changes depending on your perspective, too. If you are inside the cab, it sounds like that. If you are standing by on the side of the track, it sounds just like that too (although we didn't get hit by any flying stones like we did one time when we were trackside). The track noise is realistic and will change based on sections that have concrete ties with welded rails -- trains running on older track will have the familiar clickety clack.

You can switch trains and run them on any of the six tracks (I don't know that I'd want to take the 100+MPH Acela over Marias Pass, but I'm sure I'll try it just for fun).

In helicopter mode you can view each car one-by-one. You can tilt, pan, and elevate the camera position. You can fly over the train. Around the train. Through the train (almost).

The sound is awesome -- it better be, they digitally recorded real trains on location. Blow that whistle. (it's the space bar).

This simulator has one of the best uses of 3D technology I've seen so far. It's well worth the money and if you're into trains it'll blow your mind.

I am falling asleep!

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 13 / 94
Date: March 31, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Now I would love to drive a real train but feel this is too much like being a passanger. Nice graphics BUT I dont want to sit there for six hours watching it go by.

Amazing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 71 / 85
Date: April 08, 2001
Author: Amazon User

President and CEO of Atlantic Coastal Virtual Railway.

Train Simulator is truly Microsoft's best, and best looking, simulator to date. Unlike with Flight Simulator, each inch of ground had to be accurately mapped and filled with scenery. Microsoft and Kuju have done this with over 600 miles of real-world terrain, a masterful feat. There are 6 real-world routes, from the US to Europe to Japan, there is something for everyone. Plus it includes editing tools, so users can create their own routes. They can add on to the default routes, create others from around the world, or from their own imagination. Expect to see more trains from other fans as well, designed to Microsoft's own perfection. A recommended buy for train fans, and game fans.

train simulator

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 45
Date: May 18, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I think Microsoft Train Simulator is one of the best and funnest games I have ever tried, because it is so realistic, and I think the more closely related a game is to real life the more fun it will be.

More info, better computer, i'm ready!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 30
Date: May 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Yesterday at BestBuy.com I saw that they said they "had" Train Sim, with 5-7 day shipping. They DO NOT have the game, they say they do, but think it will be out in 5-7 days so then they can ship it. They do have the minimum requirements, here they are. Pentium II Processor w/ 350mhz, Windows 95/98/2000/Millenium Edition/or ME, 32 MB system memory for 95/98/and ME, 64MB for 2000, SVGA 16-bit color monitor supporting 800-600 reseloution, DirectX 7.0a or higher-compatible 4MB videocard capable of 800-600 reseloution in 32k colors, sound card:DirectX7.0a or higher-compatible, CD-ROM 4X drive speed, compatible Microsoft mouse or pointing device, DirectX 7.0a or higher, and speakers or headphones. I'm no longer worried about my system performance, because I just ordered a Pentium 4 with a 32MB video Card. But now that the requirements are up, you guys can check your systems.

Would give it 5 stars if better documentation...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 37 / 38
Date: June 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I received my copy yesterday and initially had some trouble getting it to work on my PIII 533. I highly recommend you spend some time online and download all the latest drivers for your video and audio systems before you install Microsoft Train Simulator. Folks with the latest drivers seem to have the least install trouble with this.

Be sure to check the Readme file on the CD-ROM... there is a long list of issues, most of which can be cured by downloading new drivers.

There is virtually no printed material included with this software, and the online help and operators manual only contain very general information. You will just have to tinker with this software for a few hours and figure some things out. If you have no knowledge of the controls on a railroad locomotive, the game has tutorials which will walk you through the basics.

One thing the online docs have which is nice... descriptions and illustrations of the mechanical workings of the various locomotives, and the braking systems.

I'm assuming the strategy guide will contain much more detailed information about actually playing the game.

The software allows you much control over the graphics and sound settings, so you can customize the gameplay to suit the capability of your system.

While you certainly have the option of just blasting down the mainline with a stack train or the Acela Express, don't think that's all there is to this game. The real fun (and the challenege) comes in the Switching Activities, and Roadswitcher Freights which assemble trains from mixed up strings of cars in the yard, or deliver cars to nearby industries.

This software also comes with the tools to create your own switching or mainline scenarios and trade them over the internet, and also allows you to create new landscapes and routes. For this reason, you can expect many more routes and activities to be available in the future.

Also the sound quality is very good, especially if you have a subwoofer.

I make my living riding freight trains around, and it's cool to see Microsoft come out with a whole game about my job! This software is by far the best and most realistic thing out there simulating the operation of a freight train.

Cool! Read on...............

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 19 / 26
Date: June 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The review of the gamer from limerick is surely pathetic. Everything this guy says is not true! I'm one of these guys who likes to collect car, sports and flight simulation games only. But now i have the chance to experience trains aswell. The gamer from limerick said wrong information. He gave a two star to this game saying that it will be boring sitting around and doing nothing while riding a train but i surely don't think its true! This game isn't made for you to just sit around and ride the train to your destination, but it's also made to teach how to handle your train. For example: You should make sure that you drive your train carefully or else you might crash into another train near you! You should also reduce the train's speed when you're driving it through the railway tracks. There are lots of things to do that doesn't waste your time when you're playing train simulator. The first time i've bought flight simulator i thought that you just fly the plane and do nothing for the next 3 hours but i was wrong. If i do this then my plane will have serious technical problems without me knowig it. And the same thing goes for this game aswell. I'm anxiously waiting for my game to arrive and i'm very pleased that microsoft finally had the brains to do this game. And now, it's time to get onto the real information. As flight simulator, you have a different variety of planes to fly and as for train simulator, you've also got the chance to pick your own train and carefully ride it on your track. Microsoft gave us a chance to pick an airport of our departure in flight simulator 2000 and the same goes for this. You won't just pick your train but the train station you wan't to leave. There are many trains and many train stations you can select from. Now, flight simulator had a selection of different varieties of weather you can choose and well, i don't really know about train simulator but i think its great to pick your weather and sky visibility, or you can simply download real world weathers. These information describe the game itself and what the game should have. I am really glad that microsoft thought of a great thing to do and i'm still anxiously and nervously waiting for this game to come. If you're still not convinced and if you don't believe my comments, then read other people's comments and check the screenshots. As i've checked the screenshots, i've spoted real tracks and real trains with wonderful real life graphics and real time detail aswell. For system requirments, i recommend you guys to check the top of this web page for more info. but i surely recommed you guys to have the latest system requirments in your computer or else i don't think the game will run well and it would probably run slow that you guys will start to hate it. My advise is you readers have to atleast have a pentium 3 winows me millenium edition computer. Once again people, i'd like to wish you the best on this game.

Won't run on ATI Rage Mobility Video Card

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 12 / 25
Date: June 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Microsoft Train Simulator will not run on a computer using the ATI RAGE MOBILITY -M video card. I spoke with Microsoft and HP, but there is no fix to this problem. (OmniBook 6000, 256 RAM, 800 Pentium III)

This game is already out

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: June 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Hey, guess what... Microsoft train simulator is already out. I bought it this weekend at Electronics Boutique. you can also buy it at ebgames.com. Anyways, this game is really fun to play. most people just think you sit there and watch the scenery go by, but theyre wrong. you have to pay attention to signals and rigorous time schedules. this game is definetly worth buying.

Microsoft Train Simulator

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 35 / 36
Date: June 05, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is the best, by far, simulation of train operations. I am a RR professional, and have to say, the realism here is incredibly solid along with great sound and graphics. I hope this program will bring on generations of add-ons like FS2000. If you don't appreciate Railroading, you will still be amazed at the detail and replay value of this program.

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