How to simplify Open Rails

[OSRFan]

The longer I stay with Open Rails, the more I think it's becoming too involved, at least for myself. I like to play with trains. I don't want to be a railroader. I don't find it relaxing to come home from work and then go to work for the railroad. That's not fun. I'm more like Gomez Addams: crashing trains into each other is fun.

My interest in playing with trains is more like what DTG offers, save that DTG is merely an excuse to separate me from my hard earned cash. Add to that, the fact that it has to be re-released every year to make it "better" suggests to myself that it is not a good program. Run8 doesn't offer passenger trains, which is my only interest. Freights are Boring, and Run8 is probably more realism than I want.

So how does one simplify Open Rails to make it less realistic and, for myself, more fun? Please do not suggest MSTS. It's too old and, quite frankly, useless at this point in time.

[CSRX]

Sticking with ORTS 1.4 or even 1.5.1 is probably your best bet. This is why I learned to install every ORTS upgrade into its own folder, rather than rewriting over the older files.
ORTS 1.6 has its advantages, but 1.5.1 is currently where 95% of the equipment works without major edits.

TrainSimWorld has its advantages too, as does Run8, but it is all on personal preference.

When I want super realism, Run8 and ORTS 1.6 seem to offer that the best.
When I want to just run and enjoy the scenery, TrainSimWorld seems to offer that.
When I want to blow things up. Battlefield seems to offer that.. wait.... That isn't a train game... Ignore that. haha.

[oper190]

I'm using OR 1.4 and enjoying running my trains, which are 99%+- older MSTS stock. With a TRAINS Folder of over 27GBs of Consists and Trainsets, and in OR 107 Routes Active ( more in my MSTS Install ) I'm not changing as I have plenty to run. I also enjoy making my own rolling stock and objects in TSM. I enjoy running trains so detail and as real as it gets are not priorities for me.

I'll post my "Cheats" to make OR more like MSTS.

[oper190]

Okay here are my "cheats!"
Mr. Harts's OpenRails Cheats.txt

[oper190]

Also something else about OR compared to MSTS. Engine Power!

I find do to the physics changes in OR, most MSTS engines run underpowered compared to their performance in MSTS.
Mr. Hart's Rule of Thumb for larger consists - increase engine power 1.5 to 2 times, or reduce the size/weight of the consist.
For engine power either add more engines, or swop out some/all with ones of more power.
Reduce the consist size/weight. Use less cars, or replace with smaller/lighter cars. Or some combination, which depends on the needs of the Activity.

[OSRFan]

Sticking with ORTS 1.4 or even 1.5.1 is probably your best bet

Where can one get these older versions? They don't seem to be on the Open Rails website.

[eric]

Both 1.4 and 1.5.1 are in our library, and will remain here for those who want to stick with what works...

1.4 (2019)
https://www.trainsim.com/forums/file...leid?fid=90418

1.5.1 (2021)
https://www.trainsim.com/forums/file...leid?fid=88905

Once the inevitable patch for 1.6 comes out, I'll add it here as well.

[geepster775]

Why again do we think retreating on version number = More simplistic?

[OSRFan]

Why again do we think retreating on version number = More simplistic?

Well, for one thing, when I use the parameter ORTSSteamLocomotiveType in OR 1.5.1, the steam locomotives actually work. In T1.5.1-1627, they don't move. In 1.5.1, I can spend more time actually running trains, while in T1.5.1-**** I spend so much time fiddling about with crap that doesn't work that I get fed up with the program, come on the fora here and ask stupid questions like how to make OR more simple.

It would seem logical that a program with more features has more features that can go wrong, and a program with fewer features has fewer features that can go wrong and, ergo, is simpler.

[oper190]

fiddling about with crap that doesn't work that I get fed up with the program,

Completely agree, or it's setup to run certain ways, take it or leave it, so I leave it.
As to which version you run, that's called Freedom of Choice. Glade that Eric is giving us that option.🍻

[OSRFan]

Why again do we think retreating on version number = More simplistic?

Here's another one; Cylinders11FX, etc. also don't work. In T1.5.1-1627, neither does Cylinders1FX and Cylinders2FX. They used to work in earlier test versions, and still do in OR1.5.1. The list of stuff I keep finding that no longer works in newer T1.5.1-**** version is hardly giving me the desire to download OR1.6. So, yes, Mr. Geepster, earlier versions are more simple to use.

[ossie]

I haven't got to 1.6 yet but assume if there's things not working correctly the developers will get to them as they find time. If train handling, physics etc are going to get more complex as ORTS develops then that's great for people wanting more realism but I've got a couple of different versions of ORTS on my PC that all seem to operate fine together so if people are wanting "ORTS-lite" then it's a real bonus we'll be able to continue to use different versions of the sim. There's a few games I've had over the years where I wish I could have rolled back to an earlier version.

[eric]

That ability to roll back is one reason I don't use Steam games...

[c44d9w]

... less realistic and, for myself, more fun?

May I suggest Trainz. It has its own problems, but trains are simple to run, and it is simpler to build routes (with classic Surveyor).

I would go with Trainz: A New Era (TANE). Since it is older, it is available at a steep discount.

Roger

[geepster775]

From the manual

8.2.3.5. Special Visual Effects for Locomotives or Wagons

Steam cylinder cocks (named Cylinders11FX, Cylinders12FX, Cylinders21FX, Cylinders22FX, Cylinders31FX, Cylinders32FX, Cylinders41FX, Cylinders42FX) – these effects are provided which will represent the steam exhausted when the steam cylinder cocks are opened. The effects are provided to represent the steam exhausted at the front and rear of each piston stroke. The numbers in the value names represent firstly the cylinder and the second the cylinder position, ie “11” = cylinder 1, front stroke, “12” = cylinder 1, backward stroke. These effects will appear whenever the cylinder cocks are opened, and there is sufficient steam pressure at the cylinder to cause the steam to exhaust, typically when the regulator is open (> 0%). Note: CylindersFX and Cylinders2FX should now be considered legacy parameters and ideally should not be used.



Please provide a sample .eng file where ORTSSteamLocomotiveType allegedly makes the locomotive not move.