Hi all, downloaded KX the other day and had a look around. Where to start? This will definitely be one to ponder over. It could make me tear my hair out (what bit I've got, lol!). Looks brilliant though. Cheers, Mal.

My usual method is to have a good look around then run a couple of look-see timetables; I merrily ignore late running/ACOAs and other operational errors, delete trains like fury if they are bugging me and eventually get some idea of choke points, sections you can safely ignore for a few minutes and determine those points where the names don't necessarily coincide with what is on the panel. Then I try and do it properly. Thing is, I have never managed to get more than half an hour into KingsX and its mayhem before the lure of the west country and its more peaceful life drags me back.

The key to any of the sims is to understand the area. There are three ways to do that...
1) Read the manual/wiki for the sim
2) Experience
3) Join multiplay games

For (1) there is operational detail which is important to how the sim works.
For (2) its simply down to playing over and over and learning where locations are on the sim.
For (3) its give you the chance to learn the sim a section at a time without having to worry about the rest of the sim.

It may also help to start with an easier timetable such as the 2000 era TT thats shipped with the sim. The '85 and and particularly the '77 timetable I suspect could be difficult and frustrating to a new player running solo but are certainly playable once you know your way around the sim.

Thanks for that guys. Good points Lardybiker, I learnt Cambridge mainly by experimenting and reading up. Getting on with it like a house on fire, certainly the first sim I've become really confident with as regards serious operating. Will also take a while to get used to scrolly sims, but that's not meant as a criticism, just that it's the first one I've tried. Cheers, Mal.

I must admit KX is my favourite sim by far. Especially the 1977 timetable. That one has had me almost crying with all the stuff trying to get back to Hornsey depot after the morning peak. At the same time there are light engines running back to Clarence Yard and light locos heading for The Cross for the departures around 10am. Truly a spectacular work of art and frustration.

One thing that I always seem to mess up is the pathing of services onto the up fast from the up slow after Welwyn GC. In the '77 timetable some cross over at Welwyn GC, some at Hatfield, some at Potters Bar and I think one or two at New Barnet. And again crossing from the UF to the US at Finsbury Park has caught me out a bit. Wouldn't be the first time I've had the Auto on 392 towards The Cross only for a Moorgate semi-fast service in the morning peak calling in to say wrong route.

If I were you I'd perhaps try a more modern timetable first as there should not be as many difficulties (he said...hopefully).

It becomes addictive this sim, more so I found than any others I play. Maybe it is just this area I have more familiarity with in real life....Whatever you do with KX, enjoy..

Cheers flymo. When I'm in the right mood I really need to give KX a proper going through. As for an area I know well, can't say it is, although the last time I was there was 20 years ago photting. Still catches the imagination though, by the sheer complexity. As to my earlier post, I started with Cambridge by feeling my way around and now working it like a (almost!) professional, but I do know the Cambridge/Ely area well. Cheers, Mal.

Yes, modern timetables tend to be easier due to less/no engine swaps. Also Sunday timetables where available.