Railways such as Queensland Rail have long used simulators for training their drivers and other crew. While simulators present a simplified version of reality (originally pre-recorded sound and movie/video, supplemented by text and instrument displays), they have advantages include a safe, consistent and repeatable set of experiences in a relatively inexpensive environment.
More recently Hollywood-style computer graphics have been used to generate the trains and their surroundings (people, other vehicles,structures and terrain), potentially extending the range of allowable activities and responses.
There are two computer-based simulators of interest to model railroaders. Both are Windows-based and have the ability for computer-savvy modellers to add their own trains and local routes.
Microsoft's TrainSIM: The simulator was developed by a third party for release by Microsoft, but has never been updated. Some narrow gauge components are available from third parties, having been developed by individuals, historical groups, etc. The simulator works much more realistically with the RailDriver train controller (available from Aurans in Australia and from computer game suppliers overseas).
Auran's Trainz: Currently in at least its second release, this simulator is oriented towards modellers and can apparently be easily used to test designs for a model railroad layout.
Capricorn Sugar: This was a 3D modelling project to develop an interactive cane railway (tramway) simulator for the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society (ANGRMS), Woodford Qld, using Microsoft's Train Simulator software plus associated third-party tools. Fairymead Mill #72 (above) was to be the prototype for the project's first loco.
This was my first functional cane bin (11/02), developed using Abacus'
TrainSIM Modeller rather than Microsift's raw tools. None of the
TrainSIM tools (Microsoft or third-party) are particularly well
documented... resulting in a long development time for the first
models as you discover the "got'chas" and how to interpret
the documentation.
MS TrainSIM allows routes, equipment and activities to be user
constructed. Computer-based polygons are "textured" with
photo images (left, a GIF version of the bmp file; the large copy of
the wheel bearing image was included for reference only) or
computer-drawn artwork.
Unfortunately, I found the learning curve for the 3D software and its integration with TrainSIM to be more difficult than I had expected. As well, support to help preparing models and routes was not available as expected, thus the project was abandoned in 2004. However, I am still interested in having a product that we could use for the museum and would welcome inquiries from interested modellers.
last updated: 27/07/08.