Well I finally caved in and bought Zusi 3 again, after having previously purchased and refunded on getting seemingly stuck at the starting screen. This time things are going much better, helped by watching a couple of YT Tutorial videos. It’s not a cheap investment at @£58 but on balance that’s only the price of 2 x DTG route DLC’s In return you get a package of 100’s of km of route, many different German traction types and rolling stock with full timetable for the day or part of the day. It’s not as pretty to look at as TSW or even TSC but at least it appears more natural. I’ve only scratched the surface at present with a couple of basic runs but thoroughly enjoying the experience. Game options include a “chaos” slider which increases your chance of random events or other hindrances to affect your train running. A feature DTG remain rather timid about putting in TSW. Also included with the Aerosoft version is a complimentary copy of Ziegler Tools, aka Transdem, which is essential if you want to try and create your own route. Well the editor in Zusi 2 was above my pay grade, maybe 3 will be different certainly going to take a look. Downsides? Well no save game is a bit of a bummer, means on longer routes like Obereruhrtalbahn you need to find a means of picking up a train at the station where you left off, obviously losing any chaos progress on the previous run. The interface is very basic, no flashy menu screen like TSW or TSC, just file folders and lists. However there is a third party website which acts as a database to help you pin down routes, stations or motive power that you fancy driving. In conclusion, definitely a worthwhile purchase even at the relatively high front end price, but you are getting a lot of bang for your buck/pound/Euro. Like Run 8 for the US it’s aimed more at the hardcore simulation market so don’t expect XP/AP, Mastery, collecting teddy bears or any fluff like that. A train game for train people.
One feature of Zusi Datenbank I like that is not very intuitive is also that when you open singular train details, you can click on the traction vehicle and then see preview of the cab used for it. Most modern locos are fine with HD cabs, but especially einheitsloks (110/140/150) and older diesels usually have legacy 800x600 cabs that are really hard to read on my 1440p display
What, no teddy bears to collect? That's a real bummer ... Seriously: Thanks for that resume. Very informative. How heavy is it on your hardware? Do we need the latest Mars Mission Rig to run ZUSI properly?
No it seemed to run quite smoothly on my potato PC - I7 4770, 24Gb of RAM (don't ask!) and GTX 1650 with 4Gb of Vram. Not a huge HD footprint either, about 9Gb in total.
Zusi fan also, it gets updates every so often. I have the Steam Aerosoft version which gets a few a year but these are chock full of new modules, timetables and trains to drive. It is the most real of all in my opinion. If TSW had a chaos slider I probably wouldn't have uninstalled it.
Can't wait to get back on it later. Also installing on the laptop along with Ziegler Tools to take a look at the editor. Can't be worse than UE4!!
You got it at the right time, apparently an hour ago came a new update bringing a second country for the first time
Be careful with the Chaos slider though - it can lead to lockups (two facing trains claiming the same block). Many timetables have a preset tested chaos setting that you can override if you wish to. Usually a range of 2% to 5% is safe. And check the other cabviews using the arrow keys - the 110 has an alternate zoomed in cabview for better visibility for example. For those new to Zusi, there's a "cheat" display that displays allowed speed and distance to next stop (one of the F keys, I think F7 or F8). Also make sure you have the TCP connection to ZusiDisplay active at start. If you have black displays, it helps to fire up ZusiDisplay before starting Zusi (just select the EbuLa display. Once the timetable is loaded, enter the train number and you're all set). Someone mentioned lack of documentation somewhere, which is not true. The manual is very comprehensive (700 pages or so), but it needs volunteers to translate it to English, as Zusi is basically a single-man development, with route modules being developed by people in their spare time (most of them are real railroaders). And yes, Zusi does not feature light casting headlights, because they are irrelevant. And if you want to drive without Sifa, close the SiFa c0ck and enable the Störschalter (only while stationary as doing this while running will naturally cause an emergency braking.) For keeping to the speed limits, make use of the train length counter where available (alternatively use the hectometer boards to know when the rear is past the last junction / speed limit)
Just got the update installed though my next destination is the Marschbahn after watching a YT clip just now. Those NOB DMU's have hellfire sounding horns! As regards documentation, probably the route editing where lack of English will be an issue. I got all the Ziegler Tools installed and of course I'm familiar with how Transdem works from Trainz. Matching it to a Zusi route might be more of a challenge. Of course the Aerosoft manual stops short of Section 3, which concerns the editors. Trial and error looms I feel!
Be aware that Zusi is a modular thing - create route modules of about 20 to 30 km length. When you make a timetable, you're selecting the modules needed which then form a "route" (Kursbuchstrecke). And there's no such thing as stopping markers - basically all waypoints are referencing a signal, and passenger stops the platform.
If you need german translation, just drop a note. Here in the thread or via DM. Some AI translators might spit out quite hilarious german translations that make no sense. Especially when the subject is highly exclusive and technical. Can't speak for the other german members, but I'm pretty sure many others are willing to help. Oh, and good luck in ZUSIs Triebfahrzeugführerausbildungszentrum.
Tell me about it. My love for the Einheitseloks is no secret and those old cabs are are a true nuisance. Only the facelifted E 10s have a HD cab, which doesn’t help me much since I’m more into freight (and thus 140s/150s). Not at all heavy. Seriously. I’m playing on a potato laptop that is not intended to go anywhere near real gaming and it runs absolutely fine. Totally. The amount of trackage and rolling stock you get (+all future releases) is insane.
One of the new timetables from today says that the main Kassel route now has 560 km of tracks, with 367 km of that being the main line and drivable in ICE in one go. And that's just one of many routes available
Just testing the new LGV section Beautiful running sounds on the 407. Remember to press "A" to activate AFB ETCS working Electronic "Bremszettel"
I can congratulate you, OldVern, with the super purchase. Zusi3 is a very decent train sim in many terms. It is worth money. With Zusi 3 you have some feeling that it is a solid, long- lasting product, unlike TSW. I have told many times Zusi 3 graphics is sharp and reasonably detailed (for example factory buildings, little bridges, signs. signal lights etc). These lack bloom effects, soap and the stuttering of TSW. Lets be honest, ZusiDisplay and a real working Ebula already makes Zusi miles better then TSW in terms of the German railroad. Look at passengers in TSW. They are real senseless walking DEADS. Absolutely lifeless. Otherwise, static passengers in ZUSI 3 look much more realistic, humankind and give more immersion. Compare main railway stations in ZUSI 3 and in TSW4. Empty platforms in TSW at main rail stations! The busy and realistic ones in Zusi 3. In TSW you're rolling around there somewhere, in some pieces, not the whole. If DTG had made not real routes, but fictitious ones, then the sensations would not have changed in any way. False. To add to it .The ZUSI 3 gives you the opportunity to grow and expand your horizons - you can drive fore ages and never get bored - you have challenges every time. Simulation adjusments are much flexcibale and dipper.
And even if the graphics are outdated, I like the calm display, you can focus on scenery, no LOD popping trees, it's very relaxing and demanding at the same time. And it correctly renders OHLE. I do recommend these settings (make sure LOD is set to zero so the highest quality models are used if you're not running on a potato). Anisotropic filter to max is mandatory, as it's not putting load on modern systems and increases the track quality in the distance. "Signalvergrößerung" will increase the signal light bitmaps so you can see them from further away. Just experiment with the other settings.
Might well take a look at this over the weekend. While I do enjoy the fancy graphics of TSW. It's really about the driving for me so I've mainly been playing TSC UK content. Looked at Run 8, but I don't really like US Stuff and Sim Rail just isn't enjoyable as a single player game for me. So maybe as I really enjoy German content, this is what I need. Thanks Oldvern.
I have been thinking about getting this but finding it hard to justify the cost for the sim of $89.99CDN.
If you are unsure Mike, it usually gets 20% off in the Steam sales. I was originally going to wait but the money burned a hole in my pocket.
And this is how the timetable works. You're giving each waypoint a set of alternate destinations, which the dispatcher will then choose from. Combined with AI traffic being handled the same way, this makes almost every run uniqe.
There's more than twenty years of development inside this sim, and to get the amount of things to do in TSW would cost you thousands of dollars. Remember there's no DLC, all addons are delivered for free in Zusi. The developer's main income is the manufacturing of simulator control stands and professional customers.
Hmmm, very interesting. I´ve got a special laptop for heavy Excel Macro handling. That should do it then. Anyway it runs fine Portal & Portal 2 on Steam. I think I'll give this a trial. I´ve lost all hopes to see one day seriousness conquering DTG's world. That train has departed (pun intended). OldVern Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Just more questions: I presume so, but does ZUSI 3 handle a raildriver?
Yes. Zusi, being a simulator not a game, is literally developed for external input and output devices (e.g. displaying the EbuLa on a tablet). Zusi 3 offers full support for P.I. Engineering's Raildriver. No additional installation is required. The Raildriver only needs to be connected and calibrated once using Zusi's own function. https://www.zusi.de/zusi-3-hobby/zubehoer/raildriver.html
New update today, just had a great run from Hameln to Hildesheim (new route addon for the Hamburg route), nice scenery and a blend of busy to single track running. So many options it's a hard to pick a route and timetable! Don't forget to try out the modular Zusi displays Vern for a multitude of options regarding live buchfahrplan, gsmr radios, announcements etc etc. Even better with multi monitors. There's something v satisfying when completing a Zusi run with no cheat sheet and all systems on.
I did wonder what those codes are, that's pretty cool, the number of permutations is insane! Just wondering, I generally max out at a 60fps limit which is great and v smooth, but I struggle at busy places such as Harburg and Maschen (big yards), is this the same for most folk or is it just a case of tweaking options?
Oh, that’s interesting. The last timetable was “only” around 320km of continuous running, I think. I’ll have to check that out. Thanks! Nice to see that come to fruition. I’m looking forward to trying that out. I’ll have to get a grip on ETCS beforehand though. Never touched that system before. Zusi will never be able to match the immersion TSW provides to me, but in terms of realism, TSW isn’t even in the same universe as Zusi and that is what makes it so amazing.
Pretty good I would say, there is an English manual, I think you can download it from steam before you buy. Quite a few YT vids as well to help, just discovered this set of 3 tuts for beginners, pretty good. Here's the first....
Those are the set that convinced me to get on and buy it. Just had a run across from Hameln on the new section, very nice with a 218 on a freight service. Unfortunately had to come off before the end (oh the frustration at not being able to save), will try another run tomorrow.
Quick question to those more familiar with the programme… Is there a way to display the current time on the screen without activating cheat mode? This is essential for setting up for a later train but then watching the time so you can jump to a train you were previously driving and pick up where you left off.
My screen has usually displayed a digital clock in one corner. Not sure if it's got a toggle for on our off as I thought it was a standard thing.
OldVern, like Jpantera said, I often see a digital clock in a corner of the screen but I don’t know if that’s standard. If that fails, you could also just initialise an EBuLa screen and use the clock on there.
For those that didn't know (me until 1hr ago)... Regarding the Ebula screen, if you have an ipad, try this https://apps.apple.com/de/app/trifan/id1143306918?l=en Connects wirelessly to your pc network and displays full Zusi ebula screen with touch keys, live info, the whole lot. Mega impressed. Also got my x56 coupled up to give me a combined power lever, pzb keys etc, plus my racing pedal for sifa. Immersive!
The digital F6 clock is a property of each cab. It was a feature added for cabs that do not feature a built-in clock. If not present - Use ZusiDisplay -> EBuLa (I always have this in the background) - press F8 (Cheat mode) - or edit the cab and add a digital clock display yourself using the cab editor (just activate the DigitalClock, and specify coordinates and colour)
Quick query for any PZB gurus....sorry for thread drift. I've been watching these excellent set of YT vids showing German cab rides with the drivers actions as well. Can learn a lot from these I think. In the sequence in the attached video from 27:09 onwards, I can't figure out why the driver doesn't get the red 500Hz warning in cab? I guess there is no magnet which is weird for a stop signal? I'm probably missing something obvious knowing me...
The 500 Hz restrictive mode was active before that signal - it correctly extinguishes when passing the main signal, where a 1000 Hz influence is triggered due to Vr0. The next signal (N6) he's stopping at (28:40) is not protected by a 500 Hz magnet for some reason (it's just not there) Checking GoogleEarth, there's only a PZB magnet for the opposite direction installed. The platform track right to the Youtuber's track has the 500 Hz magnet.
Ah, thanks, that's the signal I was wondering about, strange that it wasn't protected as it's protecting a junction?
Great to see you getting back into Zusi Vern. Must admit I have not played it for a while but just downloading updates now(I have usb version) so will be interesting to see whats new. That Ipad app is good. I remember last time I played I was trying to get the on train announcements working but I only had a small amount of luck to get it working, I expect there are a lot of things that can be done that I dont know about. I did get the ETCS working correctly so it will be good to drive on the longer route with it now.
ETCS should all be set up correctly unless you chose to manually enter train protection data, which is quite interesting and rewarding. This is a very interesting channel by Alwin Meschede, a Zusi co developer. Real life trained railroader and leading a family business making smoked ham His german is well pronounced and understandable.
I initially had a bit of trouble getting past the loading screen with it - turns out you need to swipe from far left to right to get access to the ebula/fis menu, just in case you had the same issue.
Well after reading a lot and watching videos, I decided that I’m in. So that’s my weekend sorted. I’ll start by printing the manual. From watching videos it looks to me, that while the graphics aren’t as good as TSC, it’s more than made up for in accuracy of the cabs and safety systems. Just a tip - if you don’t mind purchasing from key sites (and I don’t want to derail the thread discussing the rights and wrongs - Steam prices are highly inflated where I live and I’ll do what I can to avoid paying more than I would elsewhere). Then you can pick it up considerably cheaper.
I used Steam mainly because I had a substantial sum sitting in my wallet which, as an aside, you can't suppress if you have the Steam client open on the screen and I didn't want my missus going into shock at the amount of credit on there!
