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.