Microsoft Train Simulator [cheats&hints]
Go 200+ mph:
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Select \"Simple Controls\" in the options window,
select the Innsbruck to St. Anton route, select
the starting point to be St. Anton, and select
the Flying Scotsman as the train.
Start the simulation. Detach from your train
(leave the tender) and press D until the regulator
is at 100%. Wait, and your speed will exceed 200 mph.
--from Lordx
Hints:
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At it\'s simplest level Train Simulator can be used as an
interactive screensaver, one of the first options is the
ability to take a virtual tour on any of the lines with the
AI driving the train. Tutorials are included for the novice
user to assist in learning how to operate steam, diesel and
electric locos. However the bread and butter of Train Simulator
comes in actually driving (or operating) trains as the virtual
engineer. On selecting a route you are given an option to
explore in \"free play\" mode, though this is still subject to
speed restrictions etc. In practice this is not always easy as
every time you approach a set of facing points you need to choose
which leg of the turnout you take. This can lead you up a dead
end spur or siding. Also, in explore the route, there are no AI
trains as the dispatcher is inactive.
Each route comes with a number of pre-defined activities or
work orders. Depending on the route, these might be passenger
or freight operations and in addition to driving the train you
may also be required to switch cars in or out at locations along
the way, pick up or drop off helper engines etc. This is so much
more than in previous simulations and adds to the sense that
Train Simulator is a complete virtual railroading experience.
All the routes (apart from the Kalispell branch on Marias Pass)
are fully signalled according to the rules and era of the
particular railway and under control of the aforementioned AI
dispatcher. It\'s quite something to arrive on a crossing loop
with a train waiting on the opposite track. As you draw in clear
the signal for the other train changes to proceed and it departs!
On the Settle & Carlisle the semaphore signals change with a
satisfying \"clank\".
Whether driving steam, diesel or electric traction each type
presents its own challenge. Steam locos are the most demanding,
particularly if you switch off the AI fireman and attend to the
boiler and fire yourself. The workload this creates is very
tough, leaving little time for sightseeing but ultimately more
rewarding than just letting the computer take care of things.
Don\'t forget to switch the blower on before entering tunnels or
stopping though, or you will end up well done to crispy when the
fire blows back! My only comment about the steam locos is that
acceleration seems a little brisk at times, at least compared
to what I have experienced travelling behind steam. Diesel is
quite a bit easier to handle, but on Marias Pass this is countered
by the fact you have to manage a 50 or 60 car consist behind the
locos - possibly one mile long and 5000 tonnes in weight. It is
easy (actually too easy) to break a coupler if you mis-manage
the train handling. Everything you do from advancing the throttle
to making a brake application has to be planned ahead and executed
with regard to how it might affect the portion of the train 1000
yards back. Your performance is rated on how well you manage
passenger comfort and freight durability. Both the US locos are
fitted with dynamic braking but as implemented in the simulation
are not very effective. It should be possible to slow and nearly
stop a train on dynamics but at 40 MPH on level track, full
dynamic braking barely retards the train. Simplest of all are
the electrics, particularly the Acela which is the Ferrari of
the Train Simulator collection. Very easy to get carried away
with this baby!
A number of visual aids are provided to assist in operating the
train. The most useful of these is the Track Monitor which shows
upcoming speed restrictions and signal aspects or if you are
being switched at a turnout. You also get a projection of your
\"expected\" speed according to the route ahead if you continue at
current throttle or brake settings. In practice this tends to
fluctuate especially on undulating routes and an indication of
the actual gradients would have been more useful. On a number
of the routes (notably Marias Pass, at East Java) you can
experience quite abrupt changes in gradient with little or no
transition. A few of the gradients seem steeper than they
otherwise should be, almost as if the developers have stuck
rigidly to the DEM data rather than referring to a gradient
profile. This is also probably the best place to mention that
curved track is not canted (super-elevated on the outside curve)
though one assumes this is factored in to the physics. Other
pop-ups tell you how far to the next station stop, allow you to
manually switch points in yard limits for switching or call up
the train consist. Very useful for steam locos or controlling
the train in external view is a HUD view which can be called up
on the right side of the screen.
A couple of limitations - you can\'t change cabs, the forward
view is always from the primary traction unit. So when reversing
the train you need to do so in external view. This effectively
makes it impractical to include lines where trains reverse en
route, as you can\'t change ends (in an MU train), run the loco
round the train and change cabs, or attach a fresh engine at the
other end facing the correct way.
--from Lordx
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