Compare MSTS and Trainz

Ok, I bought MSTS awhile back, used it for a bit, and then deleted it due to rw time constraints. I am now working as a real railroader (brakeman) for a non-profit museum railroad in California. Basically, I am back into wanting a simulation on the computer. I have heard mixed opinions about the physics of MSTS (back when it was first released) and am wondering which is better, Trainz or MSTS? I know there are some excellent add-ons for both, but am wanting some opinions! Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, wmalder, Nov-29-04, 09:48 PM, (1) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, dgauci, Nov-29-04, 10:57 PM, (2) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, plainsman, Nov-30-04, 02:05 AM, (3) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, TRANSAM403, Nov-30-04, 02:17 AM, (4) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, Vern, Nov-30-04, 08:13 AM, (5) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, KeltikSylk, Nov-30-04, 08:58 AM, (6) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, NorthShore_364, Nov-30-04, 09:19 AM, (7) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, TRANSAM403, Nov-30-04, 12:49 PM, (8) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, CGW409, Nov-30-04, 06:31 PM, (9) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, NorthShore_364, Nov-30-04, 06:41 PM, (10) RE: Compare MSTS and Trainz, Vern, Dec-01-04, 03:15 AM, (11)

Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic

WARNING: this has been a contentious subject in the past with extreme partisanship on both sides. Reader discretion is advised.That being said, There are too many variables to say for sure which is better. Some of that is going to depend on what you like to do with the sims. I've played with both but I tend to stay with MSTS. It may be something to do with the fact that I had MSTS first and I prefered the keyboard layout better than Trainz. I also found making or modifying activities easier. I found more prototypical routes available and I found them easier to acquire. I can't speak for TRS 2004 at all because it will not run on my notebook. I also found the operation of Trainz to be much like a model railroad layout but I have been told that there is better stuff out there. Frankly, the cost of either isn't outrageous - if you can afford a computer you can afford both. Use them for a while and decide for yourself. It might just come down to which one you use first.Bill Alder

Resurrecting the KVR one pixel at a time.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I can't comment on Trainz, I don't use it and I don't like what I've seen.For MSTS the physics seem to be very good and are improving all of the time through third party contributors. If your looking for a prototypical simulation MSTS is the one you'd want.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Hi,
If physics is your issue, give the V4.7 physics files a try. I just released the EMD SD DC models, 18 different locomotives from SD7 to SD75M. There are 16 different GP files in the V4.7 EMD GP series. The GE 6 axle version includes 15 different GE DC designs, including some shop rebuilds like the BN C33-7 (one of my favorite coal haulers on Crawford Hill) and light and heavy versions of several models. Compared to the physics that came with the sim, I think you will enjoy how much these perform like the real thing (and especially if your rolling stock is at least V4.6 physics or newer as well).
Bob Boudoin
plainsman

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

v 4.6 or v4.7 physics? Is this a patch or something for MSTS or just a stand alone add-on?

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I have reviews of both products on my site:www.trainsim.org.uk/mstrain.htmlwww.trainsim.org.uk/trs2004.htmlOther than that I will refrain from comment as this has been the spark for severe flame wars in the past. They are two different products, both have unique features and I can only echo the sentiment above - if you have the money and like train simming then get both!

Chief Track Welder

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Nov-30-04 AT 09:09 AM (EST)

The physics is a third party add-on...available in the library.As for Trainz versus MSTS...For me it boiled down to resources. Trainz needs raw power, which is expensive (for me at least). MSTS will run on less powerful systems.Of course, this has it's drawbacks. Because MSTS will run in a "more primitive" environment, it can't do some of the things that Trainz can in regards to graphics. If MSTS could match Trainz, it might be just as resource hungry...I'm hoping this isn't true of the planned successors to MSTS. I'm not looking for a video game, just a railroad simulation.I've been told that the current version of Trainz is not as cranky as the earlier versions and will run on older, slower systems. Don't know for sure. I tried the demos and they still require more power than I can afford.FWIW,
Frank MusickMoving America into the 19th Century!

www.kelticsylk.com

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It really matters what you're looking for. Train Simulator is for people who want to make high quality locomotives and routes, however, it's a lot harder to do so (I honor anyone who can make a 100 mile route, I stink at route building) . TRS2004, on the other hand, is alot easier (you can build a one mile route in less than an hour, unfortunately, you can't do as much as you can do in MSTS. One thing I've learned about TRs is that the payware stuff is usually the way to go (www.worldoftrainz.com and www.virtual-motive-division.com offer high quality engines). Another good thing about TRS is that you can repaint locomotives in a minute with Paintshed, availible on the TRS website for free (I'll recommend that you eventually learn how make locomotives for PSP8). There are several limitations in TRS, and if you owned MSTS and you're considering TRS, I'll tell you that you're not going to get any breaks with TRS. One thing about TRS that usually receives mixed opinions is the KUID system. Each user is given a number (any number from 1 to 999999), and each person must use this as their KUID (you can change the number if you want). Then you put a 1 to 5 digit number behind that on all of your custom content (i.e. someone with a kuid of 12345 calls an engine 12345:67890). This is easy when your making routes because you can use payware stuff but really makes in a pain in the butt to make locomotives (I've tried to reskin stuff for TRS and it's a real pain). I own both and I personally recommend MSTS, however once TMTS comes out I'll be sure to make that my simulator of choice. Now we just need the graphics on both games to look as good as FS2004 and CFS3, that would be awesome.

Founding Member of the No Patch SP and SSW Locomotives Club

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

In order not to spark WWVI (it sounds like you guys might have already have the previous 3 already regarding the comparison of these) I will call that a closure to the question. I appreciate all of the help and think I will settle down with MSTS and see how content I am with it. I have noticed the stock physics are not quite like the real world, but we will see how these add ons go. Thanks again and see ya hoggin'.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Just my .02 as I've finally got a computer capable of running TRS04 and have compared both.
I picked up a copy of TRS04 on clearance from EB for 19.99(most expensive "discount" software I've ever purchased ) a comparison to MSTS really isn't fair as MSTS is a "first generation" train sim(not counting the "look straight down the track from the cab" predecessors)and TRS04 is second gen.
With that said TRS04 will sort of be my "putz around with" sim despite the easier interface and such and MSTS will be my serious modeling sim for some of the reasons noted prevoiusly as well as I'm not so keen on Auran's wish to keep a tight hold on after market freeware and such.
TRS04 has some nice "real world" touches,the clatter of wheels on switch points,the banging cars with slack running in and out but ther features such as headlights that shine on the track ahead from the cab but apperntly are dark when viewed from outside,I'll admit I'm a light freak and since I love running F's the lack of the working mars light capability is also a downer.
As I've stated this is just my opinion and I've never really figured out the whole MSTS vs Trainz "holy war" but in my case at least I'd say go with MSTS there is more aftermarket content out there as once again I was sort of disapointed by the Auran offering.
TRS04 is ok but when playing it you sort of wonder about "what might have been" had ol Uncle Bill pulled the MSTS2 project away from KUJU and took a more hands on approach.Gary S

43 year old future curmudgen(Hey you kids get offa my lawn!!)

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>Just my .02 as I've finally got a computer capable of
>running TRS04 and have compared both. Trainz freezes up my 2003 Windows XP computer with an Athlon processor and GeForce 4 graphics card. >I picked up a copy of TRS04 on clearance from EB for
>19.99(most expensive "discount" software I've ever purchased I picked my copy of TRS up at EB for $9.99>) a comparison to MSTS really isn't fair as MSTS is a
>"first generation" train sim(not counting the "look straight
>down the track from the cab" predecessors)and TRS04 is
>second gen. If only MSTS2 came out...>With that said TRS04 will sort of be my "putz around with"
>sim despite the easier interface and such and MSTS will be
>my serious modeling sim for some of the reasons noted
>prevoiusly as well as I'm not so keen on Auran's wish to
>keep a tight hold on after market freeware and such. Same here>TRS04 has some nice "real world" touches,the clatter of
>wheels on switch points,the banging cars with slack running
>in and out but ther features such as headlights that shine
>on the track ahead from the cab but apperntly are dark when
>viewed from outside,I'll admit I'm a light freak and since I
>love running F's the lack of the working mars light
>capability is also a downer. Lighting is another big problem with TRS is the lights. You can't modify lights without having the original mesh (I'm pretty sure)>As I've stated this is just my opinion and I've never really
>figured out the whole MSTS vs Trainz "holy war" but in my
>case at least I'd say go with MSTS there is more aftermarket
>content out there as once again I was sort of disapointed by
>the Auran offering. Exactly the same for me. >TRS04 is ok but when playing it you sort of wonder about
>"what might have been" had ol Uncle Bill pulled the MSTS2
>project away from KUJU and took a more hands on approach. TMTS...TATS...

Founding Member of the No Patch SP and SSW Locomotives Club

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Dec-01-04 AT 03:18 AM (EST)

In terms of "age" MSTS and the original Trainz came out within a few months of each other so both actually belong to what those of us who have been around train simming for a while, call the third generation sims.First gen were the text only stuff like Simudrive, or the original side view Trainmaster.Second gen the crude cab view stuff like Railsim, Train Driver 3 and Mechanik.Third gen probably started with Trainmaster 4.0, though that might be better classed as 2.5 gen - along with BVE.Although Trainz has received several makeovers and updates since release, the core of the game is still the 2001 engine ticking away underneath.My personal view (not to cue the flame war) is that I would have done much more with Trainz if it was easier 1. To get terrain data and markers in there. The powerful features of Surveyor are otherwise wasted. 2. Create timetables and activities via a GUI not resort to scripting (even the latest features of TRS2004 are no substitute for a decent activity editor). Both these features were often requested when I frequented the Auran forums (along with various other wishes) but never acted upon.

Chief Track Welder

Alert | IP

[ Home | MSTS Forum | MSTS FAQ | How To... | File Library ] Copyright © 2004 by Nels Anderson. All Rights Reserved.