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Starting off

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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 10:13 #43266
ckmemphis
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Greeting guys and gals,

I just started using SimSig from the weekend past, and I'm hooked... Never knew this sim existed... But having downloaded almost all the layouts, I'm wondering from those with experience of these layouts, would it be best for me to start on a fairly simple layout, like Westbury of Carlisle, to learn the in's and out's of the system, before going to scenarios where line closures, and diversions take place...? I tried some of the larger layouts, like Bristol, Saltley, Trent and KingsX, but as soon as the train count goes to 15 trains and above for the layout, that's when things goes wonky...

What are your guys thoughts on best layouts to start learning on.....

Last edited: 10/04/2013 at 10:14 by ckmemphis
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 10:18 #43267
Rickurd
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128 posts
Its best to learn on simpler sims. I did most of my learning on the Brighton sim, which itself isn't that simple, but with practice you will be able to master more complex sims such as Bristol without to many problems, although Kings Cross Saltley and Trent can be a handfull even for the most experienced players.
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 10:30 #43268
58050
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2659 posts
One other thing to remember whatever sim you are going to play & if your learning the sim its best to stick to the 'modern' era timetables & sim layouts, as the older era timetables which I only play & write as I find the modern era too boring is that they are more complicated to play as there are more shunts, divides, joins etc & the sim layout is more complex as well. Plus if you live in the UK & you know the area one of the sims covers then that maybe also a good place to start.
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 10:43 #43269
headshot119
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4869 posts
If you need to lean the basics (and if you've been playing a few days you may not need to) then a simple sim such as Royston or Llangollen may be the best place to start.

Once you've picked up the basics, a sim such as Exeter, Gloucester, Westbury, or Peterborough with a modern time table should get you used to larger areas.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 12:04 #43270
Danny252
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1461 posts
" said:
fairly simple layout, like [...] Carlisle
Your definition of "simple" clearly disagrees with mine!

I'd also add Swindid to the list of fairly easy sims to start with (on a modern timetable), along with Exeter et al. - most of the expresses don't need much thinking, and I think most of the complicated activity is concentrated around Didcot, but there's enough there to keep it interesting.

Last edited: 10/04/2013 at 12:05 by Danny252
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 13:43 #43272
ckmemphis
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Unfortunately, I don't like in the UK, but I know the areas covered in many sims. Reason being, I'm a big fan on the Train Simulator 2013 title, and many of the areas covered in the sims are covered in Train Simulator. Places like Carlisle, Bristol TM, Brighton and Didcott are areas I know how they operate, and there layout, but signalling them is a different ball game altogether... I'm going to choose one that's fairly simple in their layout, and stick to it so that I can get used to how the sims work, function and think... Maybe then I can get more than 30 trains in the sim when signalling Kings X...
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 13:52 #43273
easilyconfused
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I started on some of the older sims but the current Swindon - Didcot one is good for starters. A good mix of trains in the timetable including some divides and joins for the power station.

Kindest regards

John

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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 15:20 #43274
jwsetford
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164 posts
I first started off with Lancing. although you dont set routes, you lower level crossings, and learn how to use groundframes. then i progessed to royson where you set routes, lower Lc's but dont use groundframes

Josh

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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 16:00 #43275
Steamer
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3985 posts
Take a quick look through this Wiki page. It has a link to a summary page of each simulation, which also contains a difficulty rating.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 10/04/2013 at 16:00 by Steamer
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 16:00 #43276
KymriskaDraken
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963 posts
" said:
" said:
fairly simple layout, like [...] Carlisle
Your definition of "simple" clearly disagrees with mine!
Carlisle's layout is fairly simple. It's the timetable that's bloody complicated!

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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 16:15 #43277
Rickurd
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128 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
fairly simple layout, like [...] Carlisle
Your definition of "simple" clearly disagrees with mine!
Carlisle's layout is fairly simple. It's the timetable that's bloody complicated!
Its not that complicated, try the 2012 tt for kx that has over 1000 trains

Last edited: 10/04/2013 at 16:19 by Rickurd
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 17:39 #43281
Uncle Pete
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8 posts
Try Peterborough with its Automatic Route Setting you can see the various routes in the area


Regards Uncle Pete

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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 17:55 #43287
jwsetford
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164 posts
its best to start off with a sim with ARS. On Edinburgh when i got it i played with ars then progressed to not have ars.
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 18:00 #43288
Lardybiker
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771 posts
Everyone is different and what one person can deal with may be too much for another. There is no *best* way forward as each persons experience is different.

I do agree about learning the basics though. Things like route setting are straight forward, but then there's level crossings and ground frames and a whole host of other features. Some sims have only a few of these features, some have all of them!

The other thing about any sim is route knowledge. At first the larger sims may seem daunting. Take Kings Cross for example. it's not a small sim and looks daunting due to its size, but once you've played a few times, and learnt where the locations are and also the train patterns, it becomes a lot, lot easier.

The key is to persevere and no matter how good or bad you do on any sim, your goal should always be to do better.

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The following users said thank you: postal, Aurora, ckmemphis
Starting off 10/04/2013 at 19:37 #43292
Danny252
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1461 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
fairly simple layout, like [...] Carlisle
Your definition of "simple" clearly disagrees with mine!
Carlisle's layout is fairly simple. It's the timetable that's bloody complicated!
Eh, Carlisle Station and its environs are rather messy - mind, I've just looked on the 2000s layout, and half the "fun" bits go OOU!

" said:
its best to start off with a sim with ARS. On Edinburgh when i got it i played with ars then progressed to not have ars.
Of course, Edinburgh is now £20, so perhaps not the best option for a new user...

Last edited: 10/04/2013 at 19:38 by Danny252
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Starting off 10/04/2013 at 22:08 #43302
mfcooper
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707 posts
I'd always say go for Royston first.

After that, then you have had many suggestions of good sims.

*If* you want to look at terminus station working in preparation for, say, Kings Cross, then I would suggest Liverpool Lime Street. You get to learn how platforming (and perhaps re-platforming) a service works before having to worry about other areas on control at the same time.

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Starting off 11/04/2013 at 10:21 #43312
jwsetford
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164 posts
Lime street and euston are good to start off with. On Waterloo you just cancel routes; with the ARS you just cancel routes and be cautious to make sure that there are no conflicting routes.

Josh

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Starting off 11/04/2013 at 10:41 #43314
jwsetford
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164 posts
Oh yeah. forgot Edinburgh is not free any more.
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Starting off 15/07/2013 at 14:56 #47177
GW43125
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495 posts
I find that Exeter is a good place to start, though it can be hard at times, if you set the speed to a slow speed, you should not experience any problems
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