The Colton & Northern is availble now for both SWREG and Paypal at http://www.allaboardrails.com/colt1.htm
Price is $17.00 Paypal/ $22.00 SWREG (download only)
Requires:
Rail Simulator w/
Cajon
From 3DTrains
Rural Landscapes
Scaleroad
From RSDL
Foliage Pack
Full Version: Colton & Northern - Available now!
Bought and waiting for the download-link 
Btw, a very cheap price for this phantastic addon!
Regards
Klaus
Btw, a very cheap price for this phantastic addon!
Regards
Klaus
Great news Rich, and definitely one for my wish list of things to buy with my next pay cheque...
Very much enjoying Rascal & Cottonwood...
As an aside does the new route have a fix for the moire patterns at switches, seen both on the stock Cajon route and the R&S which uses the same track... It seems just the US routes are effected, as the European routes are fine...
Stefan
Very much enjoying Rascal & Cottonwood...
As an aside does the new route have a fix for the moire patterns at switches, seen both on the stock Cajon route and the R&S which uses the same track... It seems just the US routes are effected, as the European routes are fine...
Stefan
Thanks, guys! 
"Btw, a very cheap price for this phantastic addon!"
Partly it's to get folks to give RS a try or give RS a second look, but at the same time, routes aren't a tedium to build as they have been. I was done, pretty much so, about a month ago but the switchover to the new track, roads, and skydome took a bit of doing. Then there was the scenarios and manual to do and typically I'm only putting in about 3 to 4 hours of RS a day whereas I used to do 10-12 hours a day. I don't think folks believe me at all when I tell them how easy it is to work in RS, but it's pretty easy.
"As an aside does the new route have a fix for the moire patterns at switches, seen both on the stock Cajon route and the R&S which uses the same track... It seems just the US routes are effected, as the European routes are fine..."
I don't recall seeing this moire pattern. But the way I would answer your question generally is part of what is reflected in the lower price is knowing some glitches are going out the door and some of that is due to our newness to the sim. The C&N is a more intense approach to railroading in RS than I did with the R&C and some attempt to elevate the C&N to a par with my MSTS routes. Route building is a big arena where it takes a bit to master all the different parts. Learning RS now is more an individual effort in part because there are less people talking about what they found. And then like you pointed out, the two versions seem to create different issues for each other and that's been a headache too. But it's coming and I've heard RSDL is working to make the effort more seamless so hopefully some of these issues will be ironed out shortly. Hope this helps. Overall I think you will enjoy the C&N as much as the R&C but you'll find we're still ironing out some of the issues with the track still. Sorry!
Rich G
"Btw, a very cheap price for this phantastic addon!"
Partly it's to get folks to give RS a try or give RS a second look, but at the same time, routes aren't a tedium to build as they have been. I was done, pretty much so, about a month ago but the switchover to the new track, roads, and skydome took a bit of doing. Then there was the scenarios and manual to do and typically I'm only putting in about 3 to 4 hours of RS a day whereas I used to do 10-12 hours a day. I don't think folks believe me at all when I tell them how easy it is to work in RS, but it's pretty easy.
"As an aside does the new route have a fix for the moire patterns at switches, seen both on the stock Cajon route and the R&S which uses the same track... It seems just the US routes are effected, as the European routes are fine..."
I don't recall seeing this moire pattern. But the way I would answer your question generally is part of what is reflected in the lower price is knowing some glitches are going out the door and some of that is due to our newness to the sim. The C&N is a more intense approach to railroading in RS than I did with the R&C and some attempt to elevate the C&N to a par with my MSTS routes. Route building is a big arena where it takes a bit to master all the different parts. Learning RS now is more an individual effort in part because there are less people talking about what they found. And then like you pointed out, the two versions seem to create different issues for each other and that's been a headache too. But it's coming and I've heard RSDL is working to make the effort more seamless so hopefully some of these issues will be ironed out shortly. Hope this helps. Overall I think you will enjoy the C&N as much as the R&C but you'll find we're still ironing out some of the issues with the track still. Sorry!
Rich G
Nice route. At least what I have seen so far. Two problems encountered.
1) Trying to couple to static consist in yard at start, I had a derailment (free roam). But on adjacent track.
2) Also in free roam. Went through a closed turnout ( from trailing point) and had a derailment. Never happened before in any free roam.
However, this brings up the point that the Sim cries for animated switch stands that can be installed and over write the default stands without editing the track rules by hand or editing each turnout. Also would help to have a "sigview" type enhancement for signals.
1) Trying to couple to static consist in yard at start, I had a derailment (free roam). But on adjacent track.
2) Also in free roam. Went through a closed turnout ( from trailing point) and had a derailment. Never happened before in any free roam.
However, this brings up the point that the Sim cries for animated switch stands that can be installed and over write the default stands without editing the track rules by hand or editing each turnout. Also would help to have a "sigview" type enhancement for signals.
Rich,
This is an absolutely wonderful route, I ran about half of it last night in the explore route mode, starting by crossing the turntable then picking up the Caboose. The detail is fantastic, and I can see why you waited for Scale Roads--that really has made a great impact on the route.
Being from the upper midwest, it was great to see scenery that could so easily pass for the countryside of parts of my own State of Minnesota (though where I live it's much flatter being the start of the prairie). Seeing wildfowers, and dirt roads with jagged edges, and fields with worn spots and weeds--the details in this route really are amazing.
I have only found one glitch so far, and it happened 3 times so I wanted to bring it to your attention. I tried to stop at the end of the Colton yard, drop off my Caboose, and back in and add some cars (my plan was for about 5, just something to look good while exploring the route) However each time when I had nearly reached the cars, it was like they nearly exploded (kind of like a bowling ball hitting the pins effect) and I received an error message about being struck by an AI train.
I don't know if this happened before during testing, but as I said it happened 3 times in a row to me last night. Finally I just decided to just take the caboose and go.
I'm running a Dell XPS 420 Quad Core System with 4GB of RAM, a nVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT with 1GB of Video RAM and I believe I have the current drivers. I generally run all my train sims (KRS, MSTS, Subway Sim) at their highest settings with no ill effects with FPS generally in the 40-50 range unless I'm in a really full yard. So I do not think it is a computer issue.
I hope that this one opens some peoples minds about what are the possibilities of Rail Simulator. But what some people always seem to forget is that we don't have to make a choice between one or the other train simulator we also have the choise of using any or all as well. I use 3 train simulators actually spending time with KRS, MSTS, and Subway Simulator. I also still find time for Flight Simulator as well.
Keep up the good work Rich, and thanks aslo to Marc for the Scale Roads, Scale Rails, and Rural Landscapes that make this route so much better.
Christian Boe
Dumont, Minnesota
This is an absolutely wonderful route, I ran about half of it last night in the explore route mode, starting by crossing the turntable then picking up the Caboose. The detail is fantastic, and I can see why you waited for Scale Roads--that really has made a great impact on the route.
Being from the upper midwest, it was great to see scenery that could so easily pass for the countryside of parts of my own State of Minnesota (though where I live it's much flatter being the start of the prairie). Seeing wildfowers, and dirt roads with jagged edges, and fields with worn spots and weeds--the details in this route really are amazing.
I have only found one glitch so far, and it happened 3 times so I wanted to bring it to your attention. I tried to stop at the end of the Colton yard, drop off my Caboose, and back in and add some cars (my plan was for about 5, just something to look good while exploring the route) However each time when I had nearly reached the cars, it was like they nearly exploded (kind of like a bowling ball hitting the pins effect) and I received an error message about being struck by an AI train.
I don't know if this happened before during testing, but as I said it happened 3 times in a row to me last night. Finally I just decided to just take the caboose and go.
I'm running a Dell XPS 420 Quad Core System with 4GB of RAM, a nVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT with 1GB of Video RAM and I believe I have the current drivers. I generally run all my train sims (KRS, MSTS, Subway Sim) at their highest settings with no ill effects with FPS generally in the 40-50 range unless I'm in a really full yard. So I do not think it is a computer issue.
I hope that this one opens some peoples minds about what are the possibilities of Rail Simulator. But what some people always seem to forget is that we don't have to make a choice between one or the other train simulator we also have the choise of using any or all as well. I use 3 train simulators actually spending time with KRS, MSTS, and Subway Simulator. I also still find time for Flight Simulator as well.
Keep up the good work Rich, and thanks aslo to Marc for the Scale Roads, Scale Rails, and Rural Landscapes that make this route so much better.
Christian Boe
Dumont, Minnesota
hey guys! Thanks for trying the route and appreciate the feedback.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the track or switches. I haven't run into any of these particular issues, the only one I saw is I had to chase a couple of boxcars down a track and it took opening the throttle to catch those rascals. Other than that the only other issue I ran into was with one of the turntables and it works good now but the graphics is off on it. I think they're might be a fix for that at the railsimulator site.
James, I typically click the switch so the blue path line extends through the switch or that derailment thing happens. Not usually but I'm a bit squeamish about running through closed points so I don't normally do that. As for that other problem, I liken that to my having to chase the boxcars down the track. It was funny, but I only ever saw it happen once so hopefully it won't happen again.
Christian, thanks for your support and I hope folks take to what you said. As for the error, it makes me wonder if the portal (for future activities) may have something to do with that. There's obviously no AI trains (oh oh... a ghost train activity?) but that portal is nearby. It maybe I shouldn't have done that. At least that's something that can be fixed if it is the culprit.
It's possible that our unconventional method of replacing the default track created some issues but I don't think so. But I can't explain where some of this stuff is coming from and in my testing the 20 activities (I really hate that scenario word) nothing unusual happened. I don't do free roam (nothing to test) so maybe that's where these glitches are coming from? I dunno. But as more people run into these things, maybe we'll see a pattern and figure workarounds for them.
If you guys see a pattern, let me know. I can look into that portal one though, see if that makes a difference.
Rich
I don't think there's anything wrong with the track or switches. I haven't run into any of these particular issues, the only one I saw is I had to chase a couple of boxcars down a track and it took opening the throttle to catch those rascals. Other than that the only other issue I ran into was with one of the turntables and it works good now but the graphics is off on it. I think they're might be a fix for that at the railsimulator site.
James, I typically click the switch so the blue path line extends through the switch or that derailment thing happens. Not usually but I'm a bit squeamish about running through closed points so I don't normally do that. As for that other problem, I liken that to my having to chase the boxcars down the track. It was funny, but I only ever saw it happen once so hopefully it won't happen again.
Christian, thanks for your support and I hope folks take to what you said. As for the error, it makes me wonder if the portal (for future activities) may have something to do with that. There's obviously no AI trains (oh oh... a ghost train activity?) but that portal is nearby. It maybe I shouldn't have done that. At least that's something that can be fixed if it is the culprit.
It's possible that our unconventional method of replacing the default track created some issues but I don't think so. But I can't explain where some of this stuff is coming from and in my testing the 20 activities (I really hate that scenario word) nothing unusual happened. I don't do free roam (nothing to test) so maybe that's where these glitches are coming from? I dunno. But as more people run into these things, maybe we'll see a pattern and figure workarounds for them.
If you guys see a pattern, let me know. I can look into that portal one though, see if that makes a difference.
Rich
No, I also do not like running thru closed turnouts. But @ 40 mph you can not detect them in time. Therefore the need for animated swith stands. The problem occured near destination 7. Started from saved act and did it again. Again started and aligned turnout and was OK. But, now can not enter cab view. Strange, may work after exiting sim. Also have a sound problem. No sound when starting an act or from saved until entering tunnel. Then tunnel sound continues. Odd!!
Question! Do all labels appear in an act or just the ones for the act?
Question! Do all labels appear in an act or just the ones for the act?
I don't know if this is going to be relevant to the sound problem you're experiencing James, but I've been having a problem that there is no sound at all in RS. I think I finally narrowed the problem down to my firewall. If I shut the firewall down I have sound. If the firewall is running I have no sound.
I thought it was my 10 year old sound card but I just bought a new HT Omega Striker 7.1 and had the same problem. It was just a fluke that I tried it with the firewall off and found the sounds work.
I use Online Armor Firewall.
I thought it was my 10 year old sound card but I just bought a new HT Omega Striker 7.1 and had the same problem. It was just a fluke that I tried it with the firewall off and found the sounds work.
I use Online Armor Firewall.
I do not have a sound problem in any other route. Includes two beta routes. I should clarify.Problem sounds are track sound, switches, etc. I am wondering if it mught be related to the track plan. Many sounds in close proximity that overload the sim? Just a thought as I do not know how the sim handles sound in the area around the camera. How large a radius?
QUOTE(jamesphh @ Mar 19 2009, 2:59 PM) 
No, I also do not like running thru closed turnouts. But @ 40 mph you can not detect them in time. Therefore the need for animated swith stands. The problem occured near destination 7. Started from saved act and did it again. Again started and aligned turnout and was OK. But, now can not enter cab view. Strange, may work after exiting sim. Also have a sound problem. No sound when starting an act or from saved until entering tunnel. Then tunnel sound continues. Odd!!
Question! Do all labels appear in an act or just the ones for the act?
You're running 40mph at Destination 7? You're inside a yard, you probably derailed for flying through a short curved track like that. Maybe.. I dunno but I don't understand you going so fast like that. But that's neither here nor there... the thing is, you can see what the track ahead of you is doing. Switch to the 2d map (9 key) and you can zoom in and out using the mouse wheel and drag the map with the right mouse button held down.
As for sound issues, I can't help you there. I got sound and haven't lost it at any time I'm aware of and I've ran the route several times and the scenarios each. One thing I think is a problem with the sim is it appears that if you run activity after activity the sim doesn't reset itself properly and goofs up. I'm mean, no kidding. I've seen the sky doing some crazy things when you don't exit from the sim after running it a few times. RS has quirks, no doubt about that.
As for not being able to get into the cab, I've had that happen too. Try this, hit any external key (4 seems to work the best) then 1 and you're in the cab.
Labels, hit F6 to toggle the labels on/off.
I don't think the track plan isn't an issue. The sounds are fine but there aren't a whole lot I didn't add any extra sounds in. Check out the large yards in the Cajon route, if my track plan was an issue then those large yards would have the same issue.
Rich
Thanks for the reply. At the point of the switch I am on the main. One of the label that can be read at that time was 'destination 7'. Perhaps that location was actually in the background. There were many labels in this area. Thanks for the tip on running consectutive acts.
Something I noticed that could be causing the Free Roam derailments, is several of the cars are too close together in the yard. Dunno if this is happening on everyone's game or just mine.
If I go straight out of the yard, nothing happens, but if I set the switches and try to couple to either string of cars, as soon as I get close I get the "AI derailment". The red hoppers even go flying if I try to couple to them lol.
Like I said not sure if it's like this for everyone, but might be something to check.
If I go straight out of the yard, nothing happens, but if I set the switches and try to couple to either string of cars, as soon as I get close I get the "AI derailment". The red hoppers even go flying if I try to couple to them lol.
Like I said not sure if it's like this for everyone, but might be something to check.
Oops!! 
I never do the free roam scenarios... reckon that got pass the QC guys... heads will roll! Mine probably... 
Thanks fer pointin' that out farmer!
Workin' on it!
I never do the free roam scenarios... reckon that got pass the QC guys... heads will roll! Mine probably... Thanks fer pointin' that out farmer!
Workin' on it!
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