Surveyor 2 still not available in the standalone?

[rgarber]

Another update and I still don't see where Surveyor 2 is available in the new Trainz standalone. Am I seeing that right? - Rich

[1611mac]

That would be correct. I think the marketing concept is that "new" goodies (though one could argue that S2 is no longer "new") don't become available until the next iteration of software. ie: S2 becomes a part of '22 retail when plus becomes "TRS2024" or whatever. I know N3V still considers S2 as a work in progress, and thus, too new to make available to all. I think it safe to say that N3V is after as many Plus subscriptions as they can muster up. These are just my thoughts based on past behaviors.

[rgarber]

Thanks for explaining. I just got an email a few minutes ago saying TRS22 can be had for about $50 plus a 30 day something to FCT??? What is FCT?

[seagoon]

Thanks for explaining. I just got an email a few minutes ago saying TRS22 can be had for about $50 plus a 30 day something to FCT??? What is FCT?

First Class Ticket, meaning that downloads are faster......or something like that, Rich.

[1611mac]

rgarber - Do you any version of Trainz currently? (I'm mostly in Run8 these days.) If not, you could get a subscription for a month just to try everyting out. There are "Plus" "Silver" and "Gold" subs, I'd be happy to explain them to you if interested. Get one for only a month and you have access to everything for that month. It's a good way to just try things out without getting deeply involved. (I have a Gold/Plus subscription)

[rgarber]

Let's see, I have the version previous to this new version and I've built a route in it but I wanted to finish up the route with Surveyor 2. Or I should say I have laid the track for the route and done some terrain modifications. As far as I can tell you can only get Surveyor 2 via a subscription and I won't do a subscription if I can help it. That might make you question my commitment to building a route but I've built a few, about ten, in MSTS and Railworks and I know how to get one done. I like what you folks can do in Trainz, like Philskene does, but I have a different idea in how I would his kind of layout to work. I appreciate your offer and thank you kindly!

[1611mac]

Understood. Subs are not vor everyone. Seems like everything is going that way. I'm fighting with myself now as to if to get subs for digital edition mags (Trains, Railfan & RailRoad) - With the sub you get access to ALL previous editions and there's no paper mag to store away, but yet, I find it hard giving up the paper mags.

As for routes - "Philskene" routes are fun. I like to get on Port Zyd and run locals dodging the mainline traffic. But I also appreciate prototypical routes such as "maxwerks" "BNSF: Clovis to Lubbock" - I ran that route on one computer while running and comparing with Google Street View on another. It's amazing how accurate things are. In Google I came upon a house with one of those old large dishes in the front yard (6 to 8 foot?) and the game Route had the dish there too! It's amazing. But as said, I'm running mostly Run8 these days. I go to Trainz when I have limited time. I don't have the time to learn everything needed to build a route though I did do the trackage for an Indiana/Michigan short line using transdem for elevations and track layout. That was a fun learning experience also.

[seagoon]

Understood. Subs are not vor everyone.......With the sub you get access to ALL previous editions and there's no paper mag to store away, but yet, I find it hard giving up the paper mags. ...

Forgive me for being slightly off-topic, but like Mr. Garber, I also cannot abide subscriptions for any type of software, be it for leisure or for work.
If I can't download it, or get it on disc, I don't want to know about it.
With regard to books and magazines, no way in the world will I ever buy a software book, newspaper or magazine. Never.
I love the feel and smell of the printed word and an electronic version cannot replicate that.

[haverfordwest]

I love the feel and smell of the printed word

Ooooooeeeer you filthy beast.

Mike.

[ftldave]

Having happily attained geezerhood and a large library of train and other books, the benefits of ebooks can't be denied. With aging eyes, bigger is better, and most every ebook reader can make any book a 'large print' book. Plus being able to download and carry your library with you everywhere in a handy light weight tablet is wonderful. Now I only buy printed books for their graphical content, the ones filled with photos or artwork that a screen render won't do justice.

As for software subscriptions, alas. Having earned my keep with computers in one way or another since 1977 (and still at it) I can say from true experience: The cloud sucks.

[seagoon]

.....the benefits of ebooks can't be denied. With aging eyes, bigger is better, and most every ebook reader can make any book a 'large print' book. Plus being able to download and carry your library with you everywhere in a handy light weight tablet is wonderful....

To each, his own, Dave.

[seagoon]

Ooooooeeeer you filthy beast.

Mike.

Gedouttavit, you mad Welshman!

[haverfordwest]

Titter titter, not mad Bruce just insane.

Mike.

[rgarber]

Sorry, sorry, sorry, but I still can't figure this screwy way of doing a train sim out. Right now it says, pay something like $70 and you get the plus membership for a year free. But, what if you don't renew next year, do I lose access to the new Surveyor editor? Cause it be a stand-alone package, I figure. There's no disclosure on what happens to Surveyor that I can find. Anybody know?

[haverfordwest]

I haven't renewed my Gold membership. But reading the info, once your year of Plus is over. TRS22 will revert to standard edition, which at the moment does not include S2. But who is to say, S2 will not become part of TRS22 standard, over the next 12 months. Nearly all features that start off only in the Plus Edition, eventually end up in the standard releases.

But don't quote me on that. You need to ask on the N3V forum really.