Trainz: Railroad Simulator 2006 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Reading some of the other reviews, I can see that we have a very mixed opinion on TRS2006.
I have owned the original Trainz, then TRS2004, and finally TRS2006.
I have never had the 'issues' that some people are complaining about. The S/N may be in one of several places, including the box or the manual.
All that aside, this is simply the most enjoyable, mesmerizing game I have ever played. I have spent most of my time in Surveyor, creating the terrain for my 'dream' layout. I don't know if I will ever be finished with it.
While the locomotive controls and physics may not be as realistic as those in MS Train Simulator, it is creating my layout that gives me the most enjoyment from Trainz. I find it very relaxing 'playing God' in creating my world.
I have to admit that there are some aspects of the game that could use improvement. For example, you cannot zoom out far enough in Surveyor to get a good picture of what you are working on. The Mini Map helps, but it is not enough.
I would also like a better paint feature. It is difficult to get realistic looking landscaping with some of the textures.
Considering that all computer games have some flaws, I still rate TRS2006 five stars because it has provided so much entertainment for a program that cost me only about $50 (for the special edition DVD)
I would advise to download and install Service Pack 1 for TRS2006. It fixes some of the bugs, mainly with the Content Manager.


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Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006 sets new standards of realism and immersion in operating a virtual railroad. Run long haul freight services, high-speed passenger runs or challenging yard operations as you service a huge variety of interactive stations and industries. You'll manage every aspect of a train line and discover the joys of riding the rails. In-game tutorial shows players how to be a real railroad engineer -Drive diesel and steam trains, assign commodities to wagons, transfer drivers between trains, issue orders to drivers, couple and decouple wagons and much more New rules for session makers, for tighter control over player interactions Support for TrackIR Pro 3 - move your head and your view responds independently of the mouse Give your trains schedules with set tasks -- realistic operations like coupling and de-coupling

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Trainz Simulator 2010, Engineers Edition Deluxe, US Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I have used Trainz since the 2006 incarnation and while it has some rough edges and somewhat arcane maintenance and updating issues, the behavior of the basic simulator and the richness of detail in the included railroad layouts is superb. This is easily the most accurately detailed Railroad simulator out there today. You can operate as either a real railroad engineer with nearly complete behavioral fidelity on both electric and steam trains or as a model railroader using a basic DCC potentiometer-like control. The rolling stock is highly detailed. The factories at which you load or deliver goods are detailed and animated to give a real operational feel to the tasks you are performing. The game comes with a great set of railroad system maps which are representative of the cottage industry that exists supporting this product. There are people out there going to great lengths to provide highly detailed working railroad layouts for this engine and some of the best are included in this edition, from backwoods narrow gauge working railroads to High Speed futuristic passenger railroads.
I think what I love the most is the freight railroads because of the planning you have to do to put together a set of consists from multiple sources and then deliver those goods to multiple destinations having to work out not only all the switching to put your loads together but also the ordering of the consists for delivery. It can be challenging to get the cars in the right order and the cab pointed in the right direction to accomplish a "scenario." The game comes with a number of layouts (Routes) each of which can contain multiple planned scenarios that will vary in difficulty. And, of course, you can create your own scenarios or just drive around exploring the detailed countryside.
I've used the Microsoft product and while enjoyable it is not as richly detailed or complex in operation as Trainz. And the Auran software folks have done a good job improving the product over time such that they never intentionally make your previous customizations obsolete - the product has been great for maintaining backward compatibility through multiple generations.
And this latest incarnation has the best tree simulations! The trees are articulate - they bend and twist as if in the wind. Much better than previous generations and competitor products. I think the scaling of the trees may be off (too large) in some of the layouts but overall the fact that the trees are not static as you drive by or look around helps with the authentic feel of this simulation.
PROs: Richly detailed, highly authentic looking and acting, with multiple layouts. Well-supported by 3rd party vendors and an active user community supported by Auran, the game manufacturer, to give you the ability to operate a massive model railroad or simulate working on a real one.
CONs: The Content Manager used to update and add layouts and components to the simulator has always seemed to be a bit arcane to me. I've slowly gotten used to it and I like the new automated update notification - but the fact that the Update notification occurs outside the Content Manager just seems to make the content management process seem even more arcane. The good news is that you don't have to do any of it for the game to work! Another con is the deliberately slowed down feed of updates. Auran wants you to subscribe to priority download service to get full high speed access - it's not mandatory but without it your downloads will be slow - on the order of 30kbits/second or somewhere close to that. I can't fault them too much for that because I imagine that a high fidelity railroad simulator like this doesn't have the business volume to support a simulator as refined and accurate as this.
Summary: If you really like detail in a railroad simulator or are a model railroading buff who never had the time build the layout you really wanted then you'll love this simulator. You'll get some layouts in this that are more richly detailed and operational than any model railroad I've ever seen. And if you're looking to see what it's like to manage 100s of tons of metal in motion and have to deal with conflicting traffic on busy mainlines and in complex switchyards then this is the simulator for you! It gets better and better every year - in large part due to the loyal users who keep adding content to what is a great railroad simulation engine!

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MRC Symphony 77 Sound Station Review

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(More customer reviews)The MRC Symphony 77 Sound Station was a complete surprise when I received it. The quality is much less than is typically expected when one purchases a product from MRC. The way they advertise their system, you almost come away with the understanding that the sould level on this thing would really blast out the railroad sounds when it's just the opposite of that. The sound would be compared to the golden era of the pocket transistor radio. I was extremely disappointed with this purchase. Even the quality of the materials used in the hand unit & speaker boxes is much less than one expects from MRC as well. If you're looking for simple train sounds & not that particular about realism, I guess this Symphony 77 would work however, if you're looking for "true to life" prototypical sound, the MRC Symphony 77 doesn't cut it!
I would say the manufacturer needs to rethink the MSRP on this product because in my opinion, it's only worth about $24.99 & I'd be hard pressed to pay that once I heard the unit. Sorry, but MRC has failed in design & quality with this product & it just isn't up to the good quality standards one expects to receive from MRC model railroad products. I'd have to give this about a 2.5 to 3.0 rating out of 10 for performance & durability. I personally would not recommend this item to any of my serious model railroading buddies. As a starter system for someone who isn't that particular with sound, I guess this product would work but... I feel even at that the MRC Symphony 77 is over-priced for what you receive. You really blew it this time MRC, sorry but I gotta give it the "thumbs down" award.

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MRC Symphony 77 is a steam and diesel locomotive sound system for any model railroad layout. MRC Symphony 77 produces the highest quality, most realistic digital railroad sounds imaginable. With its two large speakers and powerful amplifier, the handheld controller allows you to awaken your locomotives like never before. Its eight foot cable gives you maximum mobility around your track. Imagine being track side at a major rail hub… locomotives busily performing their appointed tasks, noisily shoving freight cars into their sidings, or pulling a string of cars, with railroad sounds everywhere around you. From over your shoulder, you hear a conductor yell, "All aboard!" and then almost immediately a fast moving freight rumbles through in front of you. Plug and play simplicity makes it easy for the beginner. The range of functions make it perfect for the seasoned railroader to conduct a symphony of sounds. It's all here in MRC Symphony 77! More than 25 different sounds, with many breathtaking sound-on-sound combinations, and controllable speed rates for diesel and steam. It's all here; Steam or diesel modes, Choice of Horns, Choice of Whistles, Air Release, Brake, Dynamic Brake, Water Pump, Fan, Coal being shoveled, Conductor, Bell, Crossing Gate and Rail Clacks. Just plug in the included AC adapter and the MRC Symphony 77 will provide music to a model railroaders ears, that Mozart would be proud of.

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MRC Synchro Sound Box Review

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(More customer reviews)easy to hook up. Sounds great. I took mine and added a bigger speaker with longer wires. I was going to use it on my N guage setup, but now using it on my G scale out side, Have some water proof speakers, put the unit inside and run to outside.
Was thinking of adding a amp and putting in my car with a speaker under hook.


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The Synchro Sound Box enables model railroaders with smaller scales and layouts to enjoy full featured, synchronized sound and control of their locomotive when on-board sound is not practical or cannot be used. Imagine, controlling the sound of a single diesel, or steam, AC, DC or DCC locomotive of your choice, from stop to full speed, with synchronized steam chuff or diesel rumble that actually follows the speed of the locomotive. With its 28 sound/accessory functions when using it on a DCC layout, or 19 sound/acccessory functions if using it on a DC or AC layout, your locomotive will come to life. At the push of a button, you can choose a variety of bells, whistles, horns, brakes, firebox doors, and other real locomotive sounds that come from the included (under table mounted) full-fidelity speaker.

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