Microsoft "Train Simulator"

A Review     by     John Calhoun

 

 

The program installed easily with no hangups.  I chose to install the program entirely on my hard drive.  Installation gives you the choice to install only some of the six routes included, or all of them.  The manual doesn’t specifically say it, but it is inferred that routes must be installed to the hard drive before use.   I assume that’s because the CD-ROM would be too slow to keep up with the action.

 

The detail in the program is not as detailed as I expected.  I was expecting the kind of detail provided in “MS Golf.”  That program uses actual photographs for the scenery and players.  Scenery in Train Simulator is rendered in 3D graphics, but not actual photos.  They are of better quality than just a few years ago, but still not photographic quality.  Microsoft worked with actual railroad companies to create authentic trains with realistic performance and sounds.  “Details make the difference” according to Microsoft, so they went to the source to “recreate real trains and routes with authentic landscapes and real-world challenges.”  The landscape and details are suposedly what you’d see on the actual train route.  I can’t account for this myself, since I’ve never actually traveled these routes, so I guess we’ll have to take Microsoft’s word for it. 

 

To drive a train, the basic requirements are:

  • Set the “Reverser” to Forward or Reverse

  • Release all brakes (engine and cars)

  • Slowly increase the throttle

 

Then you need to keep an eye on the engine gauges to make sure everything is working correctly.  And, for those of you that prefer a little more excitement, the answer is yes, you can crash the trains!  There are no crashing, or crunching sound effects to go with it though.  Sorry ‘bout that!  But in all my travels on MS Train Simulator, I only passed one other train.  No, I didn’t crash into it, nor did I try to...  Actually, I didn’t think of it at the time, or maybe I would have tried!  There are other trains on the routes, as explained in the help file, that lists the trains you’ll encounter.

 

The sound effects are based on where you are.  Inside the cab, sounds are louder than when you’re watching the train from a distance, or riding as a passenger.  If you’re watching it pass by, the horn will get louder as the train approaches, and fainter as it passes by.  You control the train’s horn or whistle, depending on which train you are controlling at the time.  Some of the routes provided with the program are very lengthy.  I let the demonstration run for almost two hours without stop, and it never repeated itself!

 

The trains can also be operated like a real railroad, assembling trains, delivering cars and their cargo, as well as transporting passengers in the passenger trains, although the cargo and passengers are not actually visable.  “Real world train operation activities” range from novice to expert.

 

I have a major problem with this software.  As usual, with Microsoft software, there’s no printed manual.  What you get is nothing more than an installation “pamphlet” of only 16 pages, including front and back covers.  It gives very minor instructions on running the trains.  However, there is a lot of help available by pressing HELP on the Main Menu screen.  This is not available from the game screens.  There is also an “Engineer’s Handbook” included on the CD, available from the Start Menu.  There are video tutorials for Steam, Electric, and Diesel locomotives to get you started. 

 

Also included on the CD, but not supported by Microsoft Product Support are “Tools and Editors” so you can edit the routes, or create your own.  You can also use these to edit the cab controls.  You can use the mouse or the keyboard to control the trains.

 

I enjoy driving the trains, watching them from different angles and views, and watching the scenery pass by.  The sound effects are very good, since they’re  recorded from the actual trains they represent.  There’s a lot to explore with this program, and I’ve only scratched the surface in writing this review!

 

 

"Train Simulator"

Microsoft Corp.

$34.95 - 2 CD-ROM’s

 

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