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| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 18:31 #78915 | |
Hoggorm
57 posts |
Hi, Just discovered this sim today and it looks very interesting. I understand the sim is actually several sims that cover different areas, and not one sim with add on "maps". What sim (or map) is considered a good one to start with? I have never tried any realistic train signal simulators before and have really not much idea what to do (although I have a great interest in learning!). I have some time in Air Traffic Control simulators, but I guess it is not comparable... I was considering Rugby South since I've travelled on this line in the real world as a tourist. I've also travelled from London Paddington to Swindon. Is this route simulated? If so, what is it called in the sim? Thank you very much for advising. Log in to reply |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 18:48 #78918 | |
Sacro
1171 posts |
Hi and welcome! Rugby South is a busy area (and would connect northwards to Rugby Centre and North, and southwards to Watford Junction and Wembley), a lot for a beginner but with automatic route setting (ARS) to assist. Didcot and Swindon are available as a combined area called Swindid. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Hoggorm |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 18:50 #78919 | |
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RainbowNines
272 posts |
Hello Hoggorm, Most people generally start with Royston, as this is considered one of the easier sims. This link lists sims in order of complexity Although you're considering purchasing, a lot of sims can be downloaded and played for free (although donations are obviously welcome via the Shop). Some of Paddington-Swindon (from the outskirts of Reading down through Swindon to fringes near Gloucester, Bristol and Bath) is covered in the Swindon A & B sim. This and Rugby South are rather tricky though, so I wouldn't recommend these to start off. I don't know anything about ATC simulators but I imagine there are a few similarities in terms of regulating trains, memorising frequent actions, etc. EDIT: Sacro got in first... But still. Last edited: 18/12/2015 at 18:52 by RainbowNines Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Hoggorm |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 18:53 #78920 | |
Steamer
3984 posts |
Welcome to SimSig! Take a look at the Available Simulations page on the Wiki, and see which one you fancy. It's traditional to recommend Royston as the newcomer simulation, but anything in the 'Beginner' section should be suitable for you. Note that is a mixture of Payware and Donationware simulations, the Payware sims give you a short demo period, and to play beyond this you need to purchase a License from the shop. I recommend that you start with a free simulation while you work out whether or not you like SimSig. You can find instructions on how to install the simulation here. In short, you download the System Files, which contain the files you need to run the simulations, and then you download whichever simulations you want to play. If you follow the page and click the links, you'll be taken to pages that explain how to start simulations, and how to operate them. Hoggorm said: I was considering Rugby South since I've travelled on this line in the real world as a tourist.Rugby South is one of the larger simulations, so I'd choose something else while you get to grips with the software. Swindon is included in the 'SwinDid' simulation, which simulates a section of the Great Western route from Paddington. A geographical map showing the areas simulated can be found here. Remember to read the manual of whichever simulation you choose to play, and the Wiki has lots of pages explaining how the program works. If you get stuck, feel free to post here and someone will be able to help you out. "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) Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Hoggorm |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 20:42 #78929 | |
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Hoggorm
57 posts |
Thank you all so very much for very quick and informative replies. I'm downloading and installing the system files and the Royston sim as suggested. I see there is an informative tutorial for Royston as well, that I'll try to follow and learn the basics of the sim. Thank you again! Log in to reply |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 21:10 #78930 | |
Red For Danger
172 posts |
You should start with Royston - this is the easiest SIM and comes with the most complete instructions and user help so is a good place to get the basics. After this, try some of the smaller single player Sims like Lancing or Oxted, and then gradually move on from there. The larger Sims will be difficult if you don;t get the basis so it is sensible to start small and work your way up. Before you know it you will be running the most complicated Sims. Don't forget that there is loads of help on the forum, and if you are not sure then don't be afraid to ask...! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Hoggorm |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 21:46 #78932 | |
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RainbowNines
272 posts |
Would also highly recommend that, once you've picked up the basics, you drop in on a multiplayer session and watch for half an hour. You don't have to play yourself but watching others do it is a really good way of picking up some of the more nuanced skills like regulating and so forth. Log in to reply |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 18/12/2015 at 23:50 #78938 | |
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arabianights
138 posts |
I think the Royston idea, as I believe Steamer was hinting at, may be a good way of learning how to set routes and so on, but gives a very poor demo of what a real SimSig session is like these days due (a) being ancient and (b) basically being a through route with not much regulating to do. Despite the way he can irritate various other forum participants with his strident (but sincerely held) views on certain matters, I would recommend joining a RoadRunner hosted game because he has infinite patient with newbies. Log in to reply |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 19/12/2015 at 00:03 #78939 | |
postal
5264 posts |
" said:I think the Royston idea, as I believe Steamer was hinting at, may be a good way of learning how to set routes and so on, but gives a very poor demo of what a real SimSig session is like these days due (a) being ancient and (b) basically being a through route with not much regulating to do.We all have the best interests of SimSig at heart, but what is a "real SimSig (sic) session", please? Is it something that someone learning the ropes will do, is it something that a more experienced player who likes playing as a singleton will do, is it something that will happen in your particular circle of people who take part in networked sessions (a very small subset if you look at the number of SimSig users as a whole), is it something that will take part in other networked sessions that have not been advertised among your particular circle or is it something else entirely? Everyone has their own way of doing things and that way will change as each person develops their skills. There is no right, wrong or real way that people enjoy SimSig and deciding that there is only one "real" way to run a sim or multiplay session is a bit fundamentalist in its outlook for something with as broad a community as SimSig. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply The following user said thank you: geezer63ed |
| Interested, but what should I buy? 19/12/2015 at 09:23 #78946 | |
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Steamer
3984 posts |
" said:I think the Royston idea, as I believe Steamer was hinting at, may be a good way of learning how to set routes and so on, but gives a very poor demo of what a real SimSig session is like these days due (a) being ancient and (b) basically being a through route with not much regulating to do.I agree- I wouldn't recommend that anyone plays through the entire Royston timetable unless they really wanted to. However, the first few hours teaches you how to set routes and handle basic things like Next workings and Joins. Once someone understands those basics, they can move on to other simulations where regulating skills can be acquired. "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) Log in to reply |
