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(More customer reviews)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.
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Take the controls from the engineer's cab with thousands of tons of freight behind you and exciting challenges ahead. From steam engines to diesel to electric, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and adventures of trains.
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