Hi all, I’ve been browsing for a bit to get a feel of the game and have also been watching YouTube videos. I’m struggling to understand where I should start when buying TS2021 - I think TS will be the best game for me - I like UK lines and understand signalling systems much better. I’m just a bit overwhelmed as to where to start. I’m unsure what I get with the base game and how much I would need to sink to get a number of routes, or if the base game is sufficient. I like the ideas of scenarios in the game - will be base game offer enough for me to do?
Wow, you beat me to the punch! I'm also looking for the same info, as I've recently gotten interested in TS videos. It seems like there's a lot of content for TS that I'd really enjoy (as soon as I can get my hands on a PC). If it's OK, can I ask some specific questions about TS for people here to answer?
Of course! We can all learn from those who have been playing for years so I guess the more questions, the merrier!
Thank you! Here's some specific questions about TS- 1. Does TS allow for the use of any train you own on any route you own? Similar to how TSW 2 lets you use Scenario Planner for this 2. Can you use old DLCs with the latest version of TS? 3. Can you use a controller with TS? 4. Can you set the controls for TS to your own preferences?
I suggest you start by buying just the standard TS2021 and see how you get on with it and if you like it start to buy a few more DLCs. The answers to the questions above are: Yes. But you can't use electric trains on non-electrified routes - like real life! Yes. Yes, both a standard gaming pad and specialist controllers that mimic real engine controls. Not as standard, but I believe it's possible if you have a little technical knowledge. I've never done it.
OK, so here's a few answers for you (based on me being a newb not long ago). Firstly, the base game at the moment comes with Fife Circle line (UK), Keil Lubeck (German) and Clinchfield Railroad (US freight). Also, depending on where you are based, there are different versions of the simulator for sale on Steam (UK pack, US, Germany) which will include an extra couple of items. Train simulator will allow free drive on routes but the choice of route will restrict the trains you can use (you can't use an electric train on a non-electrified line). Yes, you can use older DLCs with TS and there are also other routes and vehicles available from 3rd parties (both free and payware). TS does allow the use of a controller (XBox and PS) as well as dedicated controller hardware (raildriver etc). As for mapping controls, I'm not sure as I've never even looked. As for pricing for routes etc, it entirely depends on what you want to play with and what routes you want. There are often sales through Steam or through Dovetail's own online store (which gives you a Steam key). A good start if you like UK routes would be a separate game called Great British Railway Journeys as it includes 5 routes with a few trains to play with (there are 2 versions of this game so make sure you get the TS compatible one).
1. Quick Drive allows that within reason - unlike TSW, TS will not allow, incompatible electrification (eg a class 465 on GEML or Settle-Carlisle) - note the old Class 455 pack inexplicably works under overhead wires (presumably to allow you to use it in place of a 317?). 2. All DLC on Steam (and most 3rd party DLC not on steam) is compatible with the current version of the game - the different versions of the game generally have a single major change, if any, as the main difference is the route bundle you get when you buy the game - this can be a good way to build your route collection. Note however you may find reskins and scenarios elsewhere that requires DLC that has been removed from sale. 3. Short answer: yes. Long answer: I believe it'll automatically detect an Xbox controller. You have to set up a RailDriver unit yourself. There's also these specifically built for TS: https://alanthomsonsim.com/developer/sewelldaniel/ although I know nothing about them other than they exist. You can probably make other controllers work. 4. No - at least not easily, you probably can if you edit some file somewhere and do it on a per loco basis I think (hence why AP trains sometimes have non-standard controls, such as N for the guard's bell instead of C). Rainduck What kind of routes are you interested in? Commuter? Intercity? Regional? Modern? Historic? The British route included in TS2021 is Fife Circle, with the Class 158, Class 170 and Class 68 - I can't tell you much about it as I've not played it much. The deluxe edition also comes with West Coast Main Line: London - Birmingham, which offers quite a lot of variety and now it's been patched is actually rather nice, although it does test the game to its limits (you'll notice in places it simply refuses to load some scenery and overhead wires) - it offers a lot of variety as it comes with the Class 220, 390, 350, 378, 377 and 66. The aforementioned GBRJ bundle is quite good. I'd personally recommend to all, London to Brighton, the newer Portsmouth Direct Line to Waterloo, WCML Over Shap and the Weardale & Teesdale Network.
I've seen Quick Drive listed in the contents of some DLCs. Usually says 'Quick Drive Only'. What does this mean?
On the Steam Store? If so, that means that train does not come bundled with scenarios, but there'll be nothing to stop you making your own scenarios, or downloading scenarios others have made.
TBH I would start by not buying TS2021. Someone was kind enough to give me a key for it and I think it's a weak bundle- you can do better buying a Steam key for an older edition (or two or three older editions for the same sort of price). Posting links to other sites might be troublesome here but you know how to use Google don't you? Installing through Steam makes sure you get the latest version of the core program so you won't lose out there and TS2018 for example includes the North Wales Coastal route which is no longer available otherwise. Another option, especially since you're interested in British lines, is the Great British Railway Journeys tie in- five British routes for £25 or £10 if you can wait for a sale. Every edition of TS includes at least three routes (TS2017 had four) and each route includes locomotives or a loco' and rolling stock or at the very least a multiple unit and several scenarios that will keep you busy with them for some hours. Personally I started with TS2016 plus The Weardale and Teesdale Network in the '60s route and it was a year or so and a couple of hundred hours clocked before I bought anything else. Not familiar with TSW2 but there's nothing to stop you placing anything anywhere even on lines that would be completely incompatible IRL so a cautious yes. Quick Drive (which lets you select a train, a route and a start and end point to drive between) places one restriction on this- you can't select an electric train to run on a non-electrified route. Yes. Do you mean like an X-Box controller? If so yes. No.
If the route is Electrified you can run what you want where you want GEML with a 4-Big Third Rail unit The Caledonian Sleepers seem to be lost Ac Electrics on the Woodhead line - ok that is only partly fictitious Peter
If you scour the Store you'll notice some routes don't require you to have TS because they're effectively single route editions in their own right so there's another way to get started. Faversham High Speed, West Somerset and the novelty routes Holiday Express, Game of Gnomes and Count of Monster Disco are like this- there may be others I have overlooked or forgotten. I point this out for completeness' sake since, unless they're going very cheap in a sale (which does happen), they wouldn't be good VFM compared to any full edition or offer much variety. BTW taking one of the starting points I've mentioned does not preclude you from any of the others. However you acquire TS you can still buy GBRJ, the current or any future edition as well as any number of old editions you can get hold of a key for.
You can also buy TS2021 and add-ons thru various resellers Currently £5.81 https://www.g2a.com/train-simulator-2021-steam-key-global-i10000005495004
It seems my concerns about posting links were unjustified. In that case here's link to TS2016 going for three quid: https://www.cdkeys.com/train-simulator-2016-pc-steam No experience with cdkeys- perhaps someone else can vouch for them. The British route in TS2016 is The Riviera Line in the '50s which is a terrific steam route and would be a nice complement to the (modern traction only) GBRJ pack.
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/13568/Great_British_Railway_Journeys__TS_DLC/ this is the bundle, not just the standalone game, the price is the same
