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Help choosing which sim to buy

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 09:28 #142724
KneeOn
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8 posts
Hello,

I'm looking in to buying one sim (I can't afford to buy two or more!)

The criteria I've got is:
*ARS enabled
*Large area (Kings Cross sized and level of complexity)
*Mix of terminus and through working
*Scope for control decisions to be made
*Ideally a mix of routes/diverging route options
*Single player with some disruption playable (Kings Cross 2015 I've had the UF/US blocked by and lost the US/DF/a line in to KGX throughout at various points - I like the service recovery decisions)
*Mix of freight and passenger working (not essential but I like the additional factors they bring)
*Mix of local and long distance express passenger services (not essential but ideal because I like the balancing of needs)

Ive been playing Kings Cross, Brighton and Peterborough recently. I've worked the Brighton main line (2013-2014) and ECML (2014-2017).

Brighton is just too small and simple and doesn't give the option to problem solve service levels to the extent I would like.

Kings Cross is a just a bit too difficult without ARS but something akin to this would be perfect. I'm running at about 87% with some critical faults on the 2015 timetable but there have been several ACOA/wrong route/needless delays owing to my inability to scan to and from fast enough.

Peterborough was a fun challenge but like Brighton is quite a simple area.

I've narrowed it down to
*LTS - the layout would take some adjusting to from the straight line of Kings Cross. I like the mix of freight and captive passenger services however I don't know the service or area and it lacks a real mix of passenger services. It does have diverging routes but is mostly 2 track - I've never played a sim as large that's mostly 2 track so I don't know what it's like! EDIT: I think the size is good

*Three Bridges - ex BML staff, I know the area and the route to Croydon very well. Less freight but large volume of passenger services make up for it. There is a sort of mix of passenger services and some diverging routes too. It doesn't have the captive service like the local GN services on Kings Cross or LTS but there are plenty of control decisions to make that I can see. EDIT: I'm not sure if it can be played single player, it looks just a bit too big!

I'm open to other suggestions - the demos have been played. I've had a look at the West Hampstead and Wembley Sims as well. I can't get on with West Hampstead and Wembley Main is not the sort of area I'd like to control.

Experiences and thoughts of those who have played both are very valued.

Lastly, apologies if this should be in a sim specific forum!

Thanks

Last edited: 04/12/2021 at 09:32 by KneeOn
Reason: None given

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 09:47 #142725
9pN1SEAp
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1100 posts
Hi,

You might want to try out Rugby South, or Rugby North. Though from the criteria you set out, LTS is an excellent choice as control decisions to turn services short are always possible on centre platforms.

Thanks
Jamie

Jamie S (JAMS)
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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 09:50 #142726
TUT
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505 posts
Marylebone is a fairly good option
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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 11:19 #142727
KneeOn
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8 posts
Thank you both for your inputs.

I did have a very quick look at Marylebone. I think because I'm not familiar with the track layout (I've only ever been inside the concourse after alighting the Bakerloo) it looked confusing but I'll have another look.

I've never even opened either Rugby sim, so I'll also look there.

I've had a look at West Anglia as well, which looks like an interesting one and I like the lay out.

It's difficulty to quantify why some sims just don't 'feel' right I think so I'm grateful for your help!

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 11:33 #142728
broodje
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180 posts
I'd go for Edinburgh, both terminating and trough services intermixed with freights moving in the way of the intercitys. And you've got the chance that the alarm for the airport, or winchburg tunnels goes, causing a closed line scenario.
And to top it of, it has has a few interesting timetables for it now days

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 11:41 #142729
jc92
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3626 posts
Sheffield more than meets all those requirements other than not being quite as big. Its manageable single player, has an excellent mix of traffic and various branching routes and has diversion options during disruption and failures.
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 11:52 #142730
bugsy
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1675 posts
Online
I think that the Tyneside sim would meet your requirements and probably York too. Have you run the demos?
Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate.
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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 11:58 #142731
DavidSplett
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142 posts
KneeOn in post 142724 said:
Hello,

I'm looking in to buying one sim (I can't afford to buy two or more!)

The criteria I've got is:
*ARS enabled
*Large area (Kings Cross sized and level of complexity)
*Mix of terminus and through working
*Scope for control decisions to be made
*Ideally a mix of routes/diverging route options
*Single player with some disruption playable (Kings Cross 2015 I've had the UF/US blocked by and lost the US/DF/a line in to KGX throughout at various points - I like the service recovery decisions)
*Mix of freight and passenger working (not essential but I like the additional factors they bring)
*Mix of local and long distance express passenger services (not essential but ideal because I like the balancing of needs)

Ive been playing Kings Cross, Brighton and Peterborough recently. I've worked the Brighton main line (2013-2014) and ECML (2014-2017).

Brighton is just too small and simple and doesn't give the option to problem solve service levels to the extent I would like.

Kings Cross is a just a bit too difficult without ARS but something akin to this would be perfect. I'm running at about 87% with some critical faults on the 2015 timetable but there have been several ACOA/wrong route/needless delays owing to my inability to scan to and from fast enough.

Peterborough was a fun challenge but like Brighton is quite a simple area.

I've narrowed it down to
*LTS - the layout would take some adjusting to from the straight line of Kings Cross. I like the mix of freight and captive passenger services however I don't know the service or area and it lacks a real mix of passenger services. It does have diverging routes but is mostly 2 track - I've never played a sim as large that's mostly 2 track so I don't know what it's like! EDIT: I think the size is good

*Three Bridges - ex BML staff, I know the area and the route to Croydon very well. Less freight but large volume of passenger services make up for it. There is a sort of mix of passenger services and some diverging routes too. It doesn't have the captive service like the local GN services on Kings Cross or LTS but there are plenty of control decisions to make that I can see. EDIT: I'm not sure if it can be played single player, it looks just a bit too big!

I'm open to other suggestions - the demos have been played. I've had a look at the West Hampstead and Wembley Sims as well. I can't get on with West Hampstead and Wembley Main is not the sort of area I'd like to control.

Experiences and thoughts of those who have played both are very valued.

Lastly, apologies if this should be in a sim specific forum!

Thanks
How about Merseyrail / Sandhills?

Serious scope for "control" decisions to recover the service (especially if there are rules added which mean a train leaving the sim late returns late, as per real life), yet quite intimate at the same time. Indeed one can run Merseyrail 90% via timetable edits and have to do little actual signalling at all, which simulates modern metro (eg LU) practice.

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 12:26 #142732
slatteryc
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246 posts
Saltley by FAR though it is not ARS , it ticks most of your boxes

Derby - though not ARS enabled

Trent - sadly no longer available

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 14:26 #142736
KneeOn
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8 posts
Thank you very much everyone!

I had a look at Sandshill and Tyneside but i've not looked at York or Sheffield. I played a multiplayer Edinburgh one back in the day but I've not gone through the new one.

Derby - I've had a look at it (especially given it is free) and I think I need to give this a proper go.

No one has mentioned Three Bridges - does anyone have any experiences playing that solo with some disruption and how it plays?

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 15:24 #142740
Steamer
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3913 posts
I think most sims have been mentioned by now, but this set of pages may be useful for you, particularly the 'ARS' category at the bottom.

https://www.SimSig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:areainfo

"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)
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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 18:26 #142745
KneeOn
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8 posts
Thanks Steamer,

I've had a look through before and tried some demos. I don't find that 15 minutes is enough to get a 'feel' of what it's like longer term.

It's been an interesting discussion - i've spent the day looking at demos including ones suggested that i've not played before but can't shake the feeling that Three Bridges or LTS are the ones for me in the absence of an updated/ARS enabled Kings Cross.

LTS has the captive passenger service decisions, freight is a manageable size.

Three Bridges has the mix of services, the local knowledge and is bigger.

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Help choosing which sim to buy 04/12/2021 at 18:46 #142746
TimTamToe
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654 posts
I also have local knowledge and Three Bridges is doable for a single player...you will probably need to play the sim at the slowest speed during the rush hours, and maybe the occasional pause if you have any major disruptions.

Although all services aren't necessarily captive, some tt's including my 2012 tt, have rules so a late train exiting the area has a good chance (depending on route) of being late on its returning service.

Having your local knowledge will be a big plus and help greatly though.

Gareth

Last edited: 04/12/2021 at 18:48 by TimTamToe
Reason: None given

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Help choosing which sim to buy 05/12/2021 at 03:17 #142757
Newhampshires
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101 posts
Marylebone and try out this timetable: https://www.SimSig.co.uk/File/Details/2660
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