Canadian Trains Set [v1.0 now available] ...
Posted: 27 Feb 2008 22:33
Welcome to our presentation of the absolutely new and fabulous Canadian Trains Set v0.3 ...
First I'd like to thank our Creator and Chief Designer, DanMack, for the enormous contribution to the game and to this set through his graphics. Thanks too, to our Chief Gremlin Hunter, Wal E. Web, for his endless testing, bug hunting and most importantly help to get this one finally done; as well as everybody else who contributed to v0.3 and, of course, v0.2.
We seem to have quite an audience today; let me ask you, “Are there any OpenTTD players present ?” ... I see, quite a number; unfortunately, I've got a bit of bad news for you lot ***. The Canadian Trains Set v0.3 is not supported in OpenTTD (any version). So. I may just like to ask you to pick up your meagre belongings and head for the exits. If you are new to Canada, then you may, on the way out, ask one of our door attendants for a copy of GRFCrawler. This excellent publication will give you directions to our previous, now fully outdated, version of CanSet v0.2, which still gives you a very good insight what this set is capable of.
[OpenTTD players seeing themselves out ...]
Now, “Are there any TTDPatch 2.5 beta series player among us ?”. ... Still a few. Well, you too won't be able to enjoy this marble of a trains set; the beta series is just not up to scratch for it. There is a solution though, you could be upgrading to TTDPatch 2.6 alpha series; if you'd rather not, then I must ask you to pick up your bags and leave. Again, if you are new to Canada, you may want to speak to one of our door attendants.
[TTDPatch 2.5 players are leaving ...]
What, just 6 of you left. I should have hired a kitchen cupboard for this presentation. Anyhow, I hope you are all TTDPatch 2.6 alpha players or are willing to upgrade to it; is that correct ?
... Fine, lets start with the presentation, shall we ...
If you are a keen player of CanSet v0.2; you probably want to know what is new in v0.3. Let me tell you a lot, for starters it has been re-written in full, it won't resemble much you already know. So using v0.3 with saved games, you may find it hard going. That is one reason why v0.3 has received a new GRFID. Now, it would take hours to go through all the details, but you may want to have a brief look at the posters on the wall, showing some aerial views of the just recently opened 'Rocky Mountain Rail Museum', by far the largest collection of Canadian Rail Equipment, from the past and present. It has been founded by Sir Wal. E. Web and is well worth a visit ... more about it later on ... Then we also have an aerial view of the just recently opened Jasper Engine Works R&D Centre, another one of Sir Web's creations. It gives you a sneak preview of some modern rolling stock, ready to be deployed around the country. By the way, we are writing the year 1974 at the moment, just in case you are not aware of that.
Time is money, so, I may just mention a few important enhancements and features compared to v0.2 :
New Liveries : there are many new vehicles and liveries included in v0.3, new engines, trains and wagons. In fact they have doubled in numbers.
Push-Pull Trains : this version sees the introduction of fully functional push-pull trains. We have 5 engines, GMD GP40TC, GP40-2W, F59PH, FP7 and the CNR X10a tank engine that are push-pull capable and together with the cab control cars, single and bi-level, as well as the ACPU/APU HEP unit allow you to construct many combinations of push-pull trains, in a multitude of liveries. Further, the Werkspoor RAm TEE, the ONR 'Northlander' TEE[b/] headed by a FP7 engine and the BBD MR-90 EMU-2 are also push-pull capable without requiring a cab control car. For more details see chapter 'Push-Pull Trains' in the User Guide.
'New' Cargo Support : that has been added, too. v0.3 has now the ability to transport almost all cargo types, from TTD 'original' default arctic and temperate cargo types, including tropical copper ore, to 3rd party Industry/Cargo sets, like ECS by George. Incidentally, all ECS cargo types are supported; i.e. all cargo types listed in wiki specifications as of January 11, 2008, except sub-tropical only ones, sulphur, copper and uranium variants. In all there are 40 cargo types supported directly via Cargo Labels, no Cargo Classes have been used, except passengers, mail, armoured and express. Cargo Classes cater for passengers, tourists, mail, luggage, valuables, gold, diamonds and goods. For more details see chapter ''New' Cargo Support' in the User Guide.
AI Support : For those of you, who enjoy a game with the AI; let me assure you, that the AI has our full support. Without the AI purchase support feature nothing would run in that department.
AutoUpgrade (aka AutoReplace) : this feature has been piggy-backed onto AI support and fully re-written, making full use of the AutoReplace vehicle selection feature of TTDPatch. It will take the hassle out of upgrading your trains to better models. For more details see chapter 'Automatic Vehicle Upgrade (AutoReplace)' in the User Guide.
Speed Limiter Facility [SLF] : most of you know when it comes to speed limiting trains, things aren't that rosy when livery overrides are involved. This problem has been solved with SLF. Further, it [sort of] forces players to use vans [cabeese] on freight trains. Basically, every train is speed limited to the slowest vehicle in a train. Some vehicle have no speed limits; they are : lightweight and bi-level passenger coaches, lightweight mail cars, the express car, as well as vans and the Steam Generator Unit (SGU). In this case trains travel at the maximum speed of the (lead) engine. For freight trains, speed limits are strictly enforced; i.e. they travel at the speed of the slowest vehicle in a train; this could be the engine or a wagon. Further, without a van in the train, freight trains are penalised with a 20% speed reduction (until 1985). So it really makes the van a very useful wagon, although it is not able to carry any cargo. After 1986 and beyond, the introduction of the End-Train-Device (ETD) makes vans obsolete and that speed penalty no longer applies. 1986 and beyond, freight trains will have an ETD fitted automatically to the last freight car, for your convenience.
Finally, the CNR X10a tank engine, a rather unique and extraordinary steam engine. It is push-pull capable, travels at a reduced speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) during shunting and whenever the cab control car is leading. Do not let this train travel cab control car leading on main lines. The X10a tank engine has been modified to allow operation in the most difficult of terrains and situations. Just recently a couple of them started service on the tourist railway to the top of Rocky Summit, which is a mirror image of the Mt Washington Cog Railway (175 miles south west of Montreal, in New Hampshire [USA]).
That brings this presentation to a conclusion. We thank you for your attendance and hope sincerely you will enjoy the Canadian Trains Set v0.3. We are looking forward to hearing from you about any experience you may have with this set, good, bad or indifferent.
Now, I'd like you to join me for refreshments, sorry downloads. We will be having these in another room, just 3 doors down the corridor on your right. ... But, before you leave, pick up our gift pack from our door attendants; it'll give you an excellent demonstration of the Canadian Trains Set v0.3. Courtesy of Wallyweb Productions Inc, it contains 2 interactive videos (aka save games), demonstrating our truly unique X10a Steam Special as well as all the other features of the Canadian Trains Set. Included, too, a couple of entry passes to the 'Rocky Mountain Rail Museum' and season tickets for the Rocky Summit Tourist Train. Detailed instructions on how to get there and watching of the videos are included (see next post) ... Enjoy !!
*** EDIT: Despite unpopular believes, this set is now OpenTTD compatible !!
First I'd like to thank our Creator and Chief Designer, DanMack, for the enormous contribution to the game and to this set through his graphics. Thanks too, to our Chief Gremlin Hunter, Wal E. Web, for his endless testing, bug hunting and most importantly help to get this one finally done; as well as everybody else who contributed to v0.3 and, of course, v0.2.
We seem to have quite an audience today; let me ask you, “Are there any OpenTTD players present ?” ... I see, quite a number; unfortunately, I've got a bit of bad news for you lot ***. The Canadian Trains Set v0.3 is not supported in OpenTTD (any version). So. I may just like to ask you to pick up your meagre belongings and head for the exits. If you are new to Canada, then you may, on the way out, ask one of our door attendants for a copy of GRFCrawler. This excellent publication will give you directions to our previous, now fully outdated, version of CanSet v0.2, which still gives you a very good insight what this set is capable of.
[OpenTTD players seeing themselves out ...]
Now, “Are there any TTDPatch 2.5 beta series player among us ?”. ... Still a few. Well, you too won't be able to enjoy this marble of a trains set; the beta series is just not up to scratch for it. There is a solution though, you could be upgrading to TTDPatch 2.6 alpha series; if you'd rather not, then I must ask you to pick up your bags and leave. Again, if you are new to Canada, you may want to speak to one of our door attendants.
[TTDPatch 2.5 players are leaving ...]
What, just 6 of you left. I should have hired a kitchen cupboard for this presentation. Anyhow, I hope you are all TTDPatch 2.6 alpha players or are willing to upgrade to it; is that correct ?
... Fine, lets start with the presentation, shall we ...
If you are a keen player of CanSet v0.2; you probably want to know what is new in v0.3. Let me tell you a lot, for starters it has been re-written in full, it won't resemble much you already know. So using v0.3 with saved games, you may find it hard going. That is one reason why v0.3 has received a new GRFID. Now, it would take hours to go through all the details, but you may want to have a brief look at the posters on the wall, showing some aerial views of the just recently opened 'Rocky Mountain Rail Museum', by far the largest collection of Canadian Rail Equipment, from the past and present. It has been founded by Sir Wal. E. Web and is well worth a visit ... more about it later on ... Then we also have an aerial view of the just recently opened Jasper Engine Works R&D Centre, another one of Sir Web's creations. It gives you a sneak preview of some modern rolling stock, ready to be deployed around the country. By the way, we are writing the year 1974 at the moment, just in case you are not aware of that.
Time is money, so, I may just mention a few important enhancements and features compared to v0.2 :
New Liveries : there are many new vehicles and liveries included in v0.3, new engines, trains and wagons. In fact they have doubled in numbers.
Push-Pull Trains : this version sees the introduction of fully functional push-pull trains. We have 5 engines, GMD GP40TC, GP40-2W, F59PH, FP7 and the CNR X10a tank engine that are push-pull capable and together with the cab control cars, single and bi-level, as well as the ACPU/APU HEP unit allow you to construct many combinations of push-pull trains, in a multitude of liveries. Further, the Werkspoor RAm TEE, the ONR 'Northlander' TEE[b/] headed by a FP7 engine and the BBD MR-90 EMU-2 are also push-pull capable without requiring a cab control car. For more details see chapter 'Push-Pull Trains' in the User Guide.
'New' Cargo Support : that has been added, too. v0.3 has now the ability to transport almost all cargo types, from TTD 'original' default arctic and temperate cargo types, including tropical copper ore, to 3rd party Industry/Cargo sets, like ECS by George. Incidentally, all ECS cargo types are supported; i.e. all cargo types listed in wiki specifications as of January 11, 2008, except sub-tropical only ones, sulphur, copper and uranium variants. In all there are 40 cargo types supported directly via Cargo Labels, no Cargo Classes have been used, except passengers, mail, armoured and express. Cargo Classes cater for passengers, tourists, mail, luggage, valuables, gold, diamonds and goods. For more details see chapter ''New' Cargo Support' in the User Guide.
AI Support : For those of you, who enjoy a game with the AI; let me assure you, that the AI has our full support. Without the AI purchase support feature nothing would run in that department.
AutoUpgrade (aka AutoReplace) : this feature has been piggy-backed onto AI support and fully re-written, making full use of the AutoReplace vehicle selection feature of TTDPatch. It will take the hassle out of upgrading your trains to better models. For more details see chapter 'Automatic Vehicle Upgrade (AutoReplace)' in the User Guide.
Speed Limiter Facility [SLF] : most of you know when it comes to speed limiting trains, things aren't that rosy when livery overrides are involved. This problem has been solved with SLF. Further, it [sort of] forces players to use vans [cabeese] on freight trains. Basically, every train is speed limited to the slowest vehicle in a train. Some vehicle have no speed limits; they are : lightweight and bi-level passenger coaches, lightweight mail cars, the express car, as well as vans and the Steam Generator Unit (SGU). In this case trains travel at the maximum speed of the (lead) engine. For freight trains, speed limits are strictly enforced; i.e. they travel at the speed of the slowest vehicle in a train; this could be the engine or a wagon. Further, without a van in the train, freight trains are penalised with a 20% speed reduction (until 1985). So it really makes the van a very useful wagon, although it is not able to carry any cargo. After 1986 and beyond, the introduction of the End-Train-Device (ETD) makes vans obsolete and that speed penalty no longer applies. 1986 and beyond, freight trains will have an ETD fitted automatically to the last freight car, for your convenience.
Finally, the CNR X10a tank engine, a rather unique and extraordinary steam engine. It is push-pull capable, travels at a reduced speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) during shunting and whenever the cab control car is leading. Do not let this train travel cab control car leading on main lines. The X10a tank engine has been modified to allow operation in the most difficult of terrains and situations. Just recently a couple of them started service on the tourist railway to the top of Rocky Summit, which is a mirror image of the Mt Washington Cog Railway (175 miles south west of Montreal, in New Hampshire [USA]).
That brings this presentation to a conclusion. We thank you for your attendance and hope sincerely you will enjoy the Canadian Trains Set v0.3. We are looking forward to hearing from you about any experience you may have with this set, good, bad or indifferent.
Now, I'd like you to join me for refreshments, sorry downloads. We will be having these in another room, just 3 doors down the corridor on your right. ... But, before you leave, pick up our gift pack from our door attendants; it'll give you an excellent demonstration of the Canadian Trains Set v0.3. Courtesy of Wallyweb Productions Inc, it contains 2 interactive videos (aka save games), demonstrating our truly unique X10a Steam Special as well as all the other features of the Canadian Trains Set. Included, too, a couple of entry passes to the 'Rocky Mountain Rail Museum' and season tickets for the Rocky Summit Tourist Train. Detailed instructions on how to get there and watching of the videos are included (see next post) ... Enjoy !!
*** EDIT: Despite unpopular believes, this set is now OpenTTD compatible !!
![:]](./images/smilies/pleased.gif "Pleased"){kind=small}
