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OK......

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 15, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I like TRS2004 alot. I am hoping to get TRS2006 soon. One problem on my game though.... The water in the driver and surveyor modules does not reflect the sky. Nor does it look too 3D. I have tried both DirectX 9.0c and openGL but I guess there is just nothing I can do about it. My graphics card is an Intel 82845G card and the TRAINZ system requirments said you need a NVIDIA GEFORCE chip. If anyone can help,please write back daily.-(...),Age 11, "the train geek"

There's a better alternative!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: January 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

All TRAINZ railroad simulators are based on model railroading, NOT real-world railroading, a fact that becomes obvious as one becomes familiar with the simulator. For example, zooming out reveals that the "terrain" consists of a narrow strip of territory--like a model railroad layout--rather than a unified simulated world. In my opinion, Microsoft's Train Simulator, even though outdated, is a much better product and certainly costs much less.
TRAINZ requires an immense amount of processor speed, hard disk space, and graphics memory--be sure to read ALL of the system requirements before buying.
Whatever you do, do not buy the 2006 version of TRAINZ. It is a poorly designed product rushed to market too quickly and has more bugs than a swamp in summer.
Both versions of TRAINZ tout the ability to obtain lots of free content by download (an internet connection is obviously needed--I add this to cover the stupidity of people who think a computer simulation game can be run without a graphics card). This come-on of free content is mostly felonious. Yes, additional content can be downloaded, eating up huge amounts of hard drive real estate; however, once downloaded that content proves mostly worthless because it contains even more bugs and errors than the original program.
I'm happy to see that some people are having fun with TRAINZ, but I have found it frustrating and disasterous.

Great Train Simulator and a fantastic value!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: February 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

First, let's understand what we're looking at here. TRS 2004 is an advanced 3D Railroad simulation, which can take a decent amount of computing horsepower to provide an enjoyable experience. Those who don't bother to read the system recommendations and requirements on the box or on Auran's Website (such as those amazed that a "graphics card" is needed) will probably be somewhat disappointed when their 5 year old computer doesn't run it well. Most people with a fairly new, fairly powerful computer should find that it runs sufficiently. If your computer can run games such as Far Cry and Doom 3, it should have no problem running Trainz. Again, check the requirements BEFORE purchasing, or don't whine about it later. That being said, TRS 2004 is a wonderful world of railroading. There are so many different aspects to the program, that almost everyone is sure to find something of interest. If you like creating your own worlds fron scratch, you can do it. If you simply want to watch the trains run, you can do it. If you want to drive the trains, you can do it. If you're interested in the assets management aspect such as providing fuel for the power plant, power for the other industries, etc., you can do that. If you want to build and paint your own 3D scenery items, engines and rolling stock, you can do that as well, with the included Paint Shed and the free downloadable GMax, which is a scaled down version of Discreet's 3DStudio Max.

It's amazing how one person can complain that it doesn't come with enough items, and then also complain that those items take up 1.5 gigs of hard drive space. Granted, out of the box TRS 2004 doesn't come with everything you could ever want to run on your railroad, but it does come with a sufficient amount of engines, rolling stock and scenery items from around the world to more than adequately get you started. Add to that over 39,000 additional free items, mainly created by a large and active 3rd party development community conveiniantly archived at Auran's Download Station, and there's an amazing array of just about everything you could want. While downloading larger items for free can be time consuming, faster download speeds are available for an incredible price of under $10 per year, which helps to defray the cost of providing the servers the content is stored on. The support provided by the program's authors is amazing, both via online forums, a helpdesk, and through live online chat sessions. It isn't unusual to catch some of the principles of the company such as the CEO or members of the design team online and answering questions or giving details about forthcoming improvements. Imagine going online and finding Bill Gates providing support for some of Microsoft's products. Of course, that won't ever happen, but that's what you'll find from Auran.

It isn't the perfect program (what program is?). There are a few issues and features which could be better, but at least the people who wrote it are interested and active in making it better. If you like trains, you just might find all of your free time being taken by this program. I've personally spent the last 3 years with this and previous incarnations of this product, and I can truthfully say, in terms of value received compared to price paid, it's both the best and cheapest program I own. Endless hours of enjoyment to be had by fans of all ages is truly priceless.

Total Failure

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 30
Date: December 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

It came on two CDs and you eventually discover that the second CD holds the software which is needed to fix the bugs on the first.

You also need a graphics card or equivalent.

I do not have the graphics capability so although it appeared to load it would not run.

I shall give it away or bin it.

24/7 Fun-Filled Excitement

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: December 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Our 6 year old son has been FASCINATED with trains for a few years now (like most boys) and he has played other train software programs. However, when he found TRAINZ on google and liked what he saw . . . we purchased this program for his enjoyment. Well, I gotta tell ya, setting it up was alittle on the "higher" learning curve but now . . . we cannot get him off of this program. AMAZING for us to watch him (6yo) paint the train (Paint Shed), create the track layout including town, cars, and run his trains.

Now . . . he is teaching mom and dad how to run the program.

Listen, if your CHILD is interested in TRAINS . . . . this program is a MUST BUY!!!! You will be "AMAZED" beyond comprehension on the graphics and simplicity of this smooth program. Additionally, you will enjoy countless hours watching your child "dream" and play an educational program and LEARN!!!

Cheers . . . Joe and Jan, Oak Harbor, WA, USN.

game is not practical

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 31
Date: September 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I just purchase the game so I could play it, I didn't program it, somebody else did, shouldn't have to configure and fix all the issues associated with this game. You can spend countless hours trying to get this game to configure on your computer and I can't get it to work. Most average people buy/own average computer, (dell, hp,....etc) This game runs if you want to purchase aftermarket video cards, build your own tower and waste time updating drivers and configure it once it gets installed. Shouldn't have to do this to play a game. When I go to a resturant the food is served to me hot, fresh, I don't have to go back there and cook it. When I buy a new car and need new tires I don't have to update my axle to support the new tires, just unloosen the lug nuts take old tires off, put new tires on the rims and tighten down the lug nuts,oh I pay some guy in the garage to do this too. This game is a complete waste of time, I am not a graphic junky, if I want that realistic look I would have become a real train engineer. I have installed many simulation games on my computer and never had trouble until now.

My Son Loves It

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 15
Date: July 21, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I bought my son this simulation for his birthday (8th). He loves it. It runs well on our computer and has only crashed when he loaded up a layout with zillions of objects (hundreds of cows, cars, houses and such). (Win98SE, Athlon 1800XP, 512 Meg, ATI8500 or NVidia 5600). He learned the editor and driver with only a few hours help from me. He spends hour after hour experimenting with the editor tools, looking through the object list, creating complex layouts, and running trains.
This is one heck of deal! A solid product at a great price that kids love. You can't beat it.

This has to be the biggist let down

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 16
Date: June 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

i cant even install the game on my computer. now when i bought this game i thought i was gonna be able to do all of the suggested stuff but insted i cant even install it. DO NOT BUT THIS GAME. use the thirty bucks to buy a model railroad engine car or track cause that is what i should have done.

Railroad going somewhere!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: February 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Although I am just now getting to purchasing "Tranz" I can honestly say that I am looking forward to alot of fun and learning experiences with this program. I did download the free demo, which is very generous consisting of 100mb plus. Although can not save any of the "surveying" layouts that you create, they are easy to create and alot of fun. For the most part the surveying program is very realistic and you are able to creat whatever type of landscape desired. The demo is limited in scope however, take the time to dowload it and you will be hooked on this program. I purchased Microsoft train Simulation and I would not encourage anyone to waste their money on that program!!! MST is not user friendly in creating layouts. Is very difficult to understand the operations of and thus yes, very boring!!!! Tranz has so much more to offer for free downloads and in future developments will no doubt become even more realistic.
Try the free download, you'll love it!!!!

A Very User Friendly Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 30 / 31
Date: December 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I did considerable online research but I was still hesitant about purchasing a train simulator...(if you have played very many video games, you will have a large supply of "disk coasters" laying around, although the demos offered these days have helpled considerably)

To make a long review short, I can truly say that it's been a fun experience...the learning curve is relatively short in acquiring the basics of driving a train...It reminds me of Roller Coaster Tycoon, in that a 5 year can enjoy basic elements of play but an adult can find it a challenge to micro-manage

The graphics are acceptable but the real plus is its flexibility of play...for example, you can drive the train from the cab using actual controls, or you can drive it out of cab with an easy-to-use HUD console, or you can merely dispatch via AI feature which allows "pc" engineers to complete tasks...there is also "route editor" which allows you to create/customise routes

I "was disappointed" that there were not a larger number of packaged scenarios...but there appears to be a strong online support with download features

I play a variety of games, but I can "heartly" recommend it...if nothing else it's a fine escape from the "nail biting" games I usually play...I would rate it a 4.5 due to the scenario issue, but only a 4 or 5 is allowed...If you enjoyed playing with trains as a "kid" you will like it...well, anyway, that's my opinion !!

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