Dedicated Train Simulator Room Advice

[DaveS]

First, sorry for the length of this post in advance . . . especially since I'm new.

I am planning a dedicated train simulator room and would like the group’s help on software suggestions, features and other pearls of wisdom. Here are some features planned so far . . .

1. The room is 7 feet X 9 feet with a floating floor housing 4 audio transducers (for creating rumble), four pedestal chairs, a full compliment of prototypical switches, panels, lighting, conduit, gauges, etc. Many of these will be props to create the “theater” of actually being inside a modern diesel locomotive. Most will also reside independent of the actual train simulation software . . . again serving a theatrical role rather than function.

2. So far I have an older Raildriver Controller, Train Sim 2012 and MSTS. To date, I have minimal experience with these items.

3. Aside from audio sounds produced by any train software used, I am planning a couple stand alone digital sound modules that will allow me to call up sounds on demand, e.g., low rumble and loud “clanks” to simulate a problem, background radio chatter, squeal, etc. I can also record a variety of standard responses from a fictitious control tower to simulate an actual conversation with a central control, e.g., I would script and say something like . . . “Colton Control, this is 6341 leaving Barstow with an ETA of 90 minutes to your location”. Button 1 response might be . . . “Roger 6341”.

4. The simulator would be used three ways:

A. I host train tours of my other miniature riding railroad. The simulator room is another “tour” where visitors can experience sights and sounds of a “real” locomotive . . . hopefully unattended.

QUESTION: Can you suggest some software . . . perhaps in some kind of free drive mode . . . where novices can simply use the Raildriver Throttle to start and stop the train without the possibility of derailment?

QUESTION: Also, is there software that simply depicts a cab view WITHOUT THE CAB AND CONTROLS ON THE SCREEN, since my simulator room will provide a front view through a “window”?

B. At certain times, I would give a demo of the simulator where I could do some switching or even simulate a runaway train, complete with rumble, squeals and emergency radio chatter.

C. For my own enjoyment to explore all sorts of trains, traction or subway style simulations.

There is a lot more I would like to say, but I do not want to hog forum time. I am asking for your comments or suggestions on software and features at an early stage in order to plan for special needs I have not anticipated. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Dave Schoeffler,
Temecula, Ca

[lvf]

Hello Dave,

'QUESTION: Also, is there software that simply depicts a cab view WITHOUT THE CAB AND CONTROLS ON THE SCREEN, since my simulator room will provide a front view through a “window”?'

MSTS already has this feature. In cab view press Shift + 1 on the keyboard (Not number pad)

Yours truly,
Leland

[conductorchris]

A couple of thoughts, Dave:

- I would spend some time working with Raildriver and msts, TrainDriver 2012, Open Rails ands sounds first. Get a feel of what is possible and what isn't. Hopefully this should be fun! Much better to take this time now, before you spend money and/or make mistakes.

- Raildriver cannot be used with msts and Windows 7, however it works fine with OpenRails and Windows 7. Open Rails is not theoretically finished, but it's getting darn close. Close enough that I used OpenRails and raildriver on a recent public event and found it a better experience than msts without rail driver. Some folks say it's already better than msts, raildriver or no. OpenRails also includes a front view without the cab controls, just as you desire. On my raildriver (which I got used and didn't set up), it's one of the view buttons.

- Much as been written on the virtues of one simulator program vs. another. I have chosen to stick with msts/Open Rails because there is more content and operation is more realistic. If you care more about graphics, you might find Trainsimulator 2012 more to your likeing. You might play around with all of it before deciding.

- For the public events I have found what works best is to use a fairly long route (ie, with a long mainline) that is nicely detailed. Having a number of different activities with different type of trains (ie, passenger/freight, old/new, different color engines maybe, different kind of trains maybe (long trains, short trains). Switching seems to be too much to get into for kids, but they like activities that have other trains running around as long as they don't create problems in some way (one activity I was using seemed to send the player train into a headlong collision if they took too long to arrive at a certain passing track).

If you are really serious about this, it might be possible to actually buy an old train cab from a scrapyard, but it might be larger than your room. I've heard a few stories about people who did this and managed to wire it up. There's a project and a half for you!

Christopher

[bwyrick]

Also, Dave, Most of Streamlines' equipment, if not all, have cab views set up to where you can see the interior of the cab, but not any of the controls. You can see the top of the screens and out the windows, but not the moving controls. Here's an example of a slightly modified version. All I've done is add the custom WARy graphics to it.

[Train-a-Mania]

- Raildriver cannot be used with msts and Windows 7, however it works fine with OpenRails and Windows 7.

Not entirely true. There is a program called "RDTrainfix" that allows Raildrivers to work on Windows 7.

[eric]

Are you planning to use a projector or a flat screen? For that large of a space, a projector viewed thru faux window frames might be quite cool...

As much fun as a partial real cab sounds, I have heard of people going that route and never being able to get rid of them once they tire of the game or they have to move... The weight is the killer there.

Probably better to just make a mockup with 3/4" plywood or OSB that can be taken out. Certainly more computer friendly, in that you can install vents and fans...

[DaveS]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

The simulator will use a flat panel due to space restrictions. (Chris, your idea of a projector behind windows is definitely better . . . just not enough space).

The simulator will occupy an outbuilding in my side yard. It is currently used for storage but has 50 amps of electrical service and a window air cond. Here is a link to some preliminary (crude) drawings that show the layout.

http://preclass.com/TSL/Train%20Simulator.pdf

Most of the improvements are "theatrical", e.g., lighted panels, conduits, faux windows, etc. It shouldn't be hard to reclaim the space if I ever need it.

I really appreciate the software hints as that is the area I am weakest. I am still wrestling with the purchase of an XP or Win 7 PC. Fortunately, most of the features being built should be usable with any software. I have started accumulating parts and clearing out the space. This should be a six month project.

More comments are always welcome.

Thanks again,

Dave