New to Run8 - couple of questions

[billbloggs]

In Barstow Yard while searching for a train to run west via Mojave, and opting to use the train symbol to determine destination, I found this Q-ALTOIG1. Origin is Alliance TX however no listing for the destination code? Any ideas?

During the same search in both Barstow and Yermo I came across two trains nominated as 'Free-Agent Train'. Have waded through the numerous User Guides but found no mention. Do these trains serve a purpose other than scenery fillers in yards and if so how to take control?

Is there any way to remove the birds from the in game audio lol?

In for a penny in for a pound, so I see several 3rd party offerings to populate the simulator, and yes I have much to learn before that leap of faith, but do these if installed actually create 'new' worlds as a means of joining the sim?

A steep learning curve for sure but a quality product very well served by all the supporting documentation and YouTube videos. Any response to my questions would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Duncan

[NorthernWarrior]

Free agent trains are basically static consists (with or without locos) that don't have an AI driver allocated. Some may have cars tagged for destinations.

It's your railway so you can do as you wish with them, delete, alter the car tags, put some locos on the front and assign to a suitable off map location.

Same with any consist you find that show "None" as the tag destination. You can edit these as the fancy takes you and just hook up a loco or three to anyold destination.

No penalty, no loss of "Action Points", no guy with pink cat headphones telling you that, "Coasting is important..."

[billbloggs]

Thanks for the explanations Vern. At this early stage not intending to make any changes to the basic sim while learning the ropes but no doubt down the track will get a bit more adventurous. Probably more likely to pursue rolling stock packs to replace the Run8 branded cars and expect the Cajon Pass route will provide the 'keystone' to later expansion in the south west.

Cheers,
Duncan

[NorthernWarrior]

It can get a bit expensive buying all the car packs especially as they never seem to have any sale or bundle offers. Whereas with TSC and TSW, I can build up my Steam Wallet reserves then grab what I want in the regular sales.

I tended to prioritise the more incongruous substitutions first - flat and well cars, hoppers and centre beams as it just looks odd seeing an intermodal go past with those scruffy old boxcars. TBH I haven’t touched R8 myself in a couple of months. I tend to binge for a week or two then go off and play something else.

[Leaf85]

One thing you might look at doing is checking out 'The Depot' web page (can get the link from the Run 8 community listing) where they have some good resources, such as route maps, and train symbol explanation lists for, in this case, BNSF and UP consists. It used to be you needed to input a realistic train symbol on power you spawn in so that Otto (the grumpy dispatcher with full blown hemorrhoids) doesn't get confused and knows where to route the consist. Anyway, have fun, it's a great sim.

[billbloggs]

Thanks Leaf85. I actually signed up to The Depot forum recently and now in hindsight perhaps should have posted to the Run8 specific site. Have created a train in the 'maker upper' and managed to place it in World and you are 100% correct I need to tag it with a train symbol for Otto to recognise. Speaking of Otto, at one point he became overwhelmed with trains everywhere and assuming he had forgotten me he responded "when I want your opinion I'll give it to you" Bit hesitant to chase up now lol! Early impressions are it is a very solid platform which promises much.

[NorthernWarrior]

To be fair, of all the train games with the possible exception of Zusi 3, the R8 AI despatcher is one of the best. It can actually think and action situations dynamically. Very clever programming. Don’t worry about the messages, that’s just John Greenstone’s (the lead programmer) whimsical sense of humour. It does state in the manual that Otto can get overwhelmed and when he does a South Park Cartman and goes, “Screw you guys, I’m going home”, you can step in to sort out the mess yourself or even delete any trains which are in an unresolvable standoff.

[haverfordwest]

Got to have a sense of humour. I have no time for people who do not. John gets my vote all day long for his customer care and sense of humour.

Mike.

[seagoon]

.......John gets my vote all day long....

Why would you vote all day, Mike? Do you just stand there and keep stuffing the ballot box with paper every time Wales has an election?

[haverfordwest]

Why would you vote all day, Mike? Do you just stand there and keep stuffing the ballot box with paper every time Wales has an election?

Hahahahahahahaha, very quick Bruce. Your brain cells must have been in overdrive 🤣 🤣 🤣.

Waste of time here buddy, with first passed the post voting system. Always slanted in favour of the big two.

Back on topic, in my perception. John is the only one of these train game developers, that actually listens to his customers.

Mike.

[seagoon]

Back on topic, in my perception. John is the only one of these train game developers, that actually listens to his customers.

Mike.

I agree. A shame that there aren't more like him.
Cheers, Mike.

[haverfordwest]

Spot on Bruce and even though R8 is not installed. It's not because i do not enjoy it. But because i only took an interest in NA railroads with the advent of MSTS. So my knowledge is very limited and only surface deep.

Mike.

[kevhead]

It is Oakland international gateway. Container yard.

[westerngy]

Thanks Leaf85. I actually signed up to The Depot forum recently and now in hindsight perhaps should have posted to the Run8 specific site. Have created a train in the 'maker upper' and managed to place it in World and you are 100% correct I need to tag it with a train symbol for Otto to recognise. Speaking of Otto, at one point he became overwhelmed with trains everywhere and assuming he had forgotten me he responded "when I want your opinion I'll give it to you" Bit hesitant to chase up now lol! Early impressions are it is a very solid platform which promises much.

There is also Highball https://www.highballrun8.com/ which has some great resources and check out Crossbuck https://www.thecrossbuck.com/ also has some interesting tools to use. Asking here is also good as the programmer does look at these forums also.

[billbloggs]

Thanks westerngy. Away on harvest for a bit but will follow up upon my return.

Cheers
Duncan