If a Run8 V4 Wish list what would it look like

[westerngy]

Vern you can turn the alerter off using the drop down menu's

[NorthernWarrior]

Vern you can turn the alerter off using the drop down menu's

I will look for that, thanks Dale.

[Leaf85]

Vern, is that Metrolink stuff you're mentioning a fit with the time period the SoCal rail system represents?

[comet61]

John's explanation on concerning the time frame in the LA area.....


"When dealing with LA, the problem of Era arises. Originally, three railroads (UP, SP, ATSF)
served and sprawled out over LA. I personally think the older 60's to 80's era is the most
interesting, however, with many of our customers being of the younger generation, the 90's to
present-day is what I decided on. Even so, that's over 20 years of time-spread, and many
things change constantly, so I have picked-and-chosen when I found conflicting alignments. In
other places, I have simply taken some developer's-license, and aligned tracks to best suit
Run8's purpose.
In a bygone time, LA used to be a powerhouse of manufacturing, and used to have a huge
amount of switching and freight. These days, much of that is gone, replaced by mostly
container operations and abandoned spurs. There still is plenty of switching though, and I have
included several areas still in-use today. Because businesses come and go constantly, I have
taken license with many industries."

[eric]

Vern, is that Metrolink stuff you're mentioning a fit with the time period the SoCal rail system represents?

If it's set 90's to present day, I'd think so, particularly on the San Bernadino.

[eric]

John/Brad talk to Metrolink about licensing

As a state/government agency, there should be no issues with licensing as they're owned by the taxpayers. They might pretend to enforce it, but Section 2(b) of the Lanham Act prohibits trademark registration of "any insignia of the United States, any state, any municipality, or foreign nation."

As a municipal/state agency, a logo or servicemark is essentially insignia.

[NorthernWarrior]

So yes it looks like technically Metrolink would fit in the Run 8 paradigm.

Of course the issue is still getting access to the locos and passenger cars for detailed reference particularly sounds, as we know you can't just go out with a cheap camera or tape recorder and expect to get high qualiy results. I also have to ponder what 3D modelling etc. capability 3DTS/Run 8 Studios currently has, particularly when it comes to traction. Apart from a few freight cars and the little tractor style tug, we haven't seen anything new added to the loco range for some years - whether modern or vintage.

[SurvivorSean]

Well there is always TSW that has everyone's favorite choo choo But when we get to those technical aspects that is when the water becomes real muddy as far as what Run8 can eventually provide to those seeking as real as it gets. Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking it now that I found a new simulator but unlike others who talk about uninstalling this and that Run8 is still on my system. In fact my RD (only used on Run8) is sitting plugged in right beside me.

Run8 is simply the best when it comes to simulation so yes it would need to figure out or have specs on that equipment. But I think this thrist everyone has for more and more is exactly what makes it lose it's appeal as being as real as it gets.

For me authenticity is being able to run a railroad with all the logistics, trains, operations, and switching one would come to expect. Just running a train from end to end or as far as I can is not only unrelaistic it's simply unprototypical. I love the hump when it was introduced, and thankfully right now they have an AI hump which makes things much easier. However the fact that the network itself needs so many people to make it plausible. When others talk about wanting to run single player and have all this authenticity I simply laugh. One wants to see better equipments, the other wants to see a better operation with logistics and train numbers that make sense. Not just randomly running trains for the sake of feeling it's real.

This for me is where Railroader changed the bar as far as I'm concerned. Railroader is still very young in Early Access but it's already has concepts that would be amazing in Run8. Playing the role of the conductor you can have trains go so many cars back while you set up switches, set hand brakes, etc. It handles all of the AI like manuvers such as clearing a switch 20 cars away without having to take detail control of the train or set-up and AI that keeps going until it reaches a stop signal. Then there are the things they are already working on not realeased such as routing and pathfinding for actually coupling and uncoupling cars. All of this in less than 30 miles of track.

These are the type of things that would help improve Run8 or possibly be part of V4. But honestly this thing has got to be like Frankenstein right now for these guys to manage all that code and resources. AI dispatching was an awesome addition to V3. But as mentioned you need AI switching and I don't know if this would criple most computers in single player.

Today I play on a daily basis Railroader with as little as myself, to 2, 3, or 4 others. All people I've known for years online who I trust. It's not open to double digit nubmers as the shortline doesn't require that many people. Hell even 2 man crews are not required with the advanced AI options available. Personally I don't know what Run8 could offer that would get me into a V4 since V3 despite new routes I simply lost interest in a very short time. It was an awesome 10 years though and I loved every minute of it.

Thanks

Sean

[NorthernWarrior]

One thing they could implement from Railroader is longer burning fusees which actively stop a train.

Would be invaluable for controlling how far AI trains run on unsignalled routes, without having to swing switches against them and in the absence of a "Go To" style command.

[westerngy]

In Real life Vern fusees only last so long.

[BrianD]

Hello:

I recently decided to install some unused rolling stock. (Paid.) I used it in V2; but so far; not in V3. Also; I bought a new computer. After reinstalling my packs in V3; they don't appear in the TMU. I asked John Greenstone, and he advised me to use a specific install pathway. (Don't add rail vehicles to the pathway.) I did as directed; but they still did not appear. An examination of my V3 "Content" folder revealed that they were hidden in an extraneous "rail vehicles" folder--Not the V3 Rail Vehicles folder. Long story short--I've tried different approaches; all to no avail. I thought I might be able to copy, and paste. That didn't work. John must be too busy; he didn't answer my second inquiry. Also; in V2--It was hard to distinguish between my paid merchandise, and all of the R8 free cars/locomotives. I don't recall seeing them in a different color; they all looked the same. If I recall correctly; they all had the R8 prefix?

If I may also ask; is there a relatively easy way to add some realistic locomotive horns? I've tried the ones on a couple of websites. The ones I like sound fairly realistic in the sample sound....Not so good in V3. Too warbly; unrealistic fade; overall a weak sound. Not like some of the "power horns" in the real world; the horn blasts that immediately gets ones' attention. Do we need to stand by the tracks w/ a recorder, and then become sound engineers at home? I'm not disparaging that route; if necessary--But; is there a simpler way?

Thank you!

BrianD.

[comet61]

I do know that with older V2 content, upon installation, it will automatically detect the Run8 V2 main folder. When I ran into that, I re-directed the install to the V3 folder. After install was complete, I ran the Run8 V3 Installer over the top of the original. When you do a "re-install" of the Run8 sim itself, it does a "repair" and integrates new content. I do remember that one of the routes I installed, I think it was Cajon or Seligman, can't remember, I had to create a V2 dummy folder first then re-install the V3 again so the "repair" would install the route. I think John fixed that so you don't have to do that method anymore. For me, anytime I add content to V3, I install the new content to the V3 folder, do a re-install over the present V3 sim for the "content update and repair". Once that is done I fire up the Auto Updater. Let it do it's thing. New content is present. I do know that some of the DLC on Run8 are Version 2 era. But will load into V3 with my method. Never had a problem.

Edit: I believe the old way with the other method was to make a dummy folder as the V2 version and copy and paste the V3 exe file into it and rename the file as V2. It suppose to trick the V3 installer into loading it in the V3 folders there. But like I said...I think John fixed that so it isn't necessary . On The Depot forums at https://www.thedepotserver.com/ there is a thread on this with the answers you seek.

[NorthernWarrior]

IMHO the install process for DLC is still way too complex. Needs to be much more seamless. We know Run 8 is unlikely to ever go on Steam but it really needs dragging into the third decade of the 21st century. Using the installer to update I have never had the "repair" option appear and always concerned running the installer will revert to older files. In the past that meant running every single update again, the new updater is supposed to eliminate that but having bought a car pack the other week, ran the main installer I then ran the updater which didn't do anything. So absolutely no idea if it reverted some files to original or not.

These add ons are not particularly cheap and there really needs to be a seamless way of getting the content installed. I did email John G. and suggest one option when ordering was to specify an installer for V3 only. I have absolutely no use for V2 anymore and it's left installed purely because of the new content issue. Sadly John didn't seem too keen on the idea but for me I just want to click an executable, point it to or have it find my V3 install and put my new purchase in without any further bother on my part.

[seagoon]

....I just want to click an executable, point it to or have it find my V3 install and put my new purchase in without any further bother on my part.

Hear, Hear!
Totally with your sentiments regarding file installation/updating, Vern.

[comet61]

First off, I will agree that a better purchase and updating method(s) needs attention. The "repair" when doing a re-install of Run8 to integrate new DLC is fluid. The repair window kinda flashes in a blink of an eye and a lot of folks miss it. That particular process only scans the files in the Run8 main folder and bypasses the files that have not been changed after installing a DLC. When you install DLC using their installer exe's, like a Freight Pak or locomotives, the sound files and model shapes are added to the proper folders and all the *.xml files that pertain to that pak install are "re-written" like an automatic edit. That keeps the other items of that file(s) intact. It doesn't exactly "over-write", it "re-writes" an addition.

Now routes, is another animal all-together.

The hoop jumping required when adding DLC can be very confusing and sometimes downright frustrating. I will agree there. But, I guess I have the advantage of understanding what to do in those cases since the process is dated. I do know that Run8 are very aware of this and they are exploring new avenues in rectifying theses processes. They see and hear and note the concerns and complaints of their users. They do in fact care. But it takes time to "fix" things. It also requires talent. I also know that the Run8 crew is a "small band of brothers" that do the best they can when they can. Most of them have day jobs and home and family obligations to contend with. If one were to sit down and look at the big picture here, Run8 is vast.....huge. The accomplishments made between its birth to now is...incredible. But it also took time. Lots of time. So, not bad for a small "band of brothers".....

Everyone has their right of an opinion and suggestions to improve Run8. Not everyone will be happy....but that pretty much goes for any train simulator.