MLT's Cascades Crossing

I just ordered this and was wandering what I'am in for? Jeremy Smith West Plains,MO
BNSF Thayer Subdivision MP317.4

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RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, SVTS, Aug-11-04, 09:14 PM, (1) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, Kentucky86, Aug-11-04, 09:17 PM, (2) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, NewEnglandRailFan, Aug-11-04, 09:19 PM, (3) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, michaelnscale, Aug-13-04, 12:28 PM, (12) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, brucek, Aug-11-04, 09:42 PM, (4) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, cn_bayview, Aug-11-04, 10:10 PM, (5) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, BNSF4723, Aug-11-04, 11:13 PM, (6) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, rlbarr, Aug-12-04, 12:31 PM, (7) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, GP15Dash1, Aug-12-04, 10:27 PM, (8) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, zhivago47, Aug-12-04, 11:59 PM, (9) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, SP_Frank, Aug-13-04, 07:58 AM, (10) RE: MLT's Cascades Crossing, Dash9_Man, Aug-13-04, 08:49 AM, (11)

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I have fixed feelings on the track work. It is quite sloppy in some areas, mostly the 30 or so miles leaving Oakridge headed up the mountain. There is also a mile or so stretch up around MP 560 I think where the trees are floating. Just looks like they could have AND should have taken a bit more time making the route, as it looks like the area from Oakridge to Summit was thrown together at the last minute. I'm pretty dissapointed with the route itself, however the scenery is nice, as are the roads and new cars and busses they use. The engines and rolling stock however are beyond words. The SD 70 still has me in awe. Worth $20? Sure, but still not up to MLT standards.Chris Bogley
Syracuse New Yorkwww.msnusers.com/cnytrains
www.msnusers.com/ashleyphotography

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Hello there!The route is a good one however I think they need (and will as they are good at standing behind their product). There are a few issues with signals and passing paths as well as detail too high for the sim to handle.It depends tho some people have had 0 problems others have had what I described above.BobFlorida Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentucky86.geo/Boston MBTA Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/BostonMBTAKentuckiana Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentuckyrails

Our Pictures!
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=592

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hell, I think the rolling stock and sounds are worth the $20 -Dave

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>hell, I think the rolling stock and sounds are worth the $20
>
Ditto on that - and yes there are a few minor flaws - BUT with the magnitude of the route it cannot and will never be (as other routes) a 100%. It by far is one of the best routes by MLT and the $20.00 is a bargain.Per MLT a patch is currently being tested and should be available soon to correct those items they have control over.You want be disappointed!Michael

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One man's treasure is another's trash....and vice-versa.I love it...and really don't give a toss whether the track might be slightly whoopsy in some locations or that some trees float. Those piddling things aren't worth griping about when looking at value for the total package...and it is, in my opinion, outstanding value.This is MLT's longest route to date....200+ miles....and that fact, coupled with the brilliant sounds and the new locomotives, means that minor discrepancies become very minor indeed.Bruce

AustRail

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I recieved my copy the other day and its really nice. I have a medium range comp and my average FPS with everything maxed is about 9-10 on this route. It drops lower at meets, but only untill the locomotive on the other train has passed, once the cars are going by FPS jumps from 2-4 to 7-9. Activities seem nice, I noticed the Long Haul IMS act, I'm missing my helpers at Oakridge, which isn't a good sign Trackwork seems ok, a bit rough at times but I'm not sure if the track was in the same condition in real life. As stated, rolling stock is amazing, great sounds and very nice detail on locos.It might just be that the route is too detailed, too many tree's that a low range comp can't handle it maxed out and mediums struggle.Rob

TH&B Van #68
www.greatlakesrail.com

Check out my train photos!http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=472

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Yep, I've got a mid range computer as well... however I can usually get it to stay around 15-20fps by running in 800x600, turning distance to half, and all shadows to off. Really, the only thing you notice is the lower resolution. The distance almost never gets noticed, and the shadows are the same. You should try one of those things if you get fed up with 10fps Rob... made a difference in my case.Ahh I can't wait until I get another 512 of RAM and a Radeon 9800...

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I'm afraid that one thing you may be in for is a long wait! Although MLT does fine work, they have chosen as their distributor an outfit by the name of Digital River. I ordered mine in late June (along with 3 other MLT routes) and have as yet received nothing. Queries to DR (and I'm afraid to MLT as well) are either not answered or generate a stock "you're on 30 day back order."I suspect I'll get everything someday, but I'm not holding my breath.Cheers,
Bob Barrows

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Jeremy,I ordered mine last week, and it came in today...have been in heaven since. The locomotives and cars are, as mentioned, well worth the price. I've run about a third of the route so far, and haven't seen any of the problems some others have mentioned. Frame rates go between 10 - 21, dropping to 8 - 13 during meets, which despite the detail, puts it on a par with how Cajon Pass and Tehachapi II run on my mid-range system.The sound is every bit as amazing as reported, and the cab views are on par with the best available...it is amazing to me that the interior cab views have lagged so far behind the exterior views, but MLT (and Facing Point) have set the standard.You're going to love it!Kurt

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Well, I don't have the route as yet but let me just make one statement and then I will get off my stool. Nothing is perfect. Nothing. And because they wear a payware stamp on their product does not mean it is supposed to be either. You get what you pay for everyone. Twenty dollars is a lot for me or I would have it ordered already but twenty dollars doesn't mean perfection either. Anymore than zero dollars means trash. I suspect there probably are areas that need improving upon but I have all the faith in the world that MLT will get these things fixed at some point. If you are going to give a critique of a route let's be fair about it, let's give credit where credit is due and give the areas that need improvement their due as well. This is what MLT wants from it's users. A fair and balanced critique so that they can go back and correct anything that is wrong and not have to worry about what is right with their products. But let's do it without payware bashing. That is just nonsense to do that. It serves no purpose whatsoever and just keeps people from purchasing a route they just might like. I hear the rolling stock is outstanding. Certainly worth twenty bucks to me. So before we bash this route into the rails, let's give it a fair and balanced overall critique.
I have every confidence that Danny and crew will do their best to address any problems with the route. They have in the past and will in the future. There! Climbing down from stool now. Just my personal opinion on the matter! Tim"May the great BNSF 38 pumpkin carry you to your new home, Cyndi and may you engineer her for an eternity"

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I ordered mine 2 days ago and look forward to receiving it. 20 bucks seems like a bargain; if there are glitches so be it. They'll patch it in time. I'm sure I'll get my money's worth. As mentioned, the rolling stock alone is worth the price. How do you display the frame rates in MSTS? I see folks quoting them all the time. Thanks --SP Frank

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Shift-Z while in the sim.
-Sam

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