WHAT IS MICROSOFT TRAIN SIMULATOR? Microsoft Train Simulator (often abbreviated MSTS) is a computer game/sim that simulates the operations of a real train. It follows in the same footsteps as Microsoft Flight Simulator (FS) which accurately simulates the operations of real aircraft. ARE FUTURE VERSIONS PLANNED? Microsoft has hinted many times that there will be future versions of MSTS, just as there have been many versions of FS. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSTS? Multimedia PC with a Pentium II 266 MHz equivalent or higher processor with 4 MB 3D video hardware accelleration of better. Microsoft Windows 95, Window 98, Mindows Millennium Edition or Windows 2000 operation system. Does not support Windows NT. 32 MB of RAM for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME; 64 MB for Windows 2000. 500 MB of available hard disk space for a minimum install; 1.8 GB for a full install. DirectX 7.0a API or later. DirectX 7.0a or later compatible 4MB video card capable of 800x600 resolution in 32K colors. DirectX 7.0a or later compatible sound card with speakers or headphones for audio. Quad speed CD-ROM drive. Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device. Super VGA, 16 bit color monitor or better, supporting 800x600 resolution. Remember, these are the MINIMUM requirements. Many people will not find operation of the sim satisfactory unless run on a substantially more powerful system. IS AN APPLE COMPATIBLE VERSION PLANNED? There has been no word about a Macintosh version, so probably not. WHO DEVELOPED MICROSOFT TRAIN SIMULATOR? It was developed in the UK by Kuju Entertainment Ltd www.kuju.com IS THERE A "STRATEGY GUIDE" AVAILABLE? The official strategy guide is published by Sybex under the name "Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets Microsoft Train Simulator". The book covers the basics of operating the sim, detailed explanations of all the included activities and has several chapters covering the activity editor and the route editor. You can buy a copy from Amazon.com here ARE ANY PATCHES COMING OUT FOR THE SIM? There is no current word on when a patch will be available. WHY IS THE HEADLIGHT ON SOME 3RD PARTY LOCOS FLASHING LEFT AND RIGHT? Mars lights were popular as warning devices on later steam locomotives and diesels. There were several varieties, but they all operated on the principle of projecting an oscillating beam of light to warn of an oncoming train. Because of their complex moving parts, they required a lot of maintenance, and Mars lights fell out of use by US railroads in the 1970s. Today, they have been replaced by alternating "ditch" lights, which do not require moving parts and are therefore less expensive to maintain. The effect you describe in MSTS is how these lights operated. The "swirling" and moving beam of light was projected far in front of the locomotive and moved from side to side of the tracks. Hope this helps. Cameron Lashley, Columbus Locomotive Works - http://www.trainweb.org/columbusrr/clw/ columbusrr@trainweb.org
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