ADCosta Articles:

- Why CP Virtual ?

- What is RailDriver ?

- MS Train Simulator (MSTS)

- Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004 (TRS2004)

- Other Articles (Under Construction...)

Since the release of MS Train Simulator in 2001 (something unpublished, because until then the existent rail simulators were not very well-known), it was a world success, giving origin the countless add-ons (New trains, lines, etc) maded by amateur/private and/or consequently by virtual communities, of the which the Portuguese Virtual Rail community was born: CP Virtual, of the which ADCosta is proud of being official collaborator.

The models produced by CP Virtual, are tested strictly by several direct and indirect collaborators, and they are conceived according to a standard of compatibility norm (I refer naturally to MSTS, because in Trainz the installation is very easy and there aren't those consists mistakes / lack files). Another delicate situation appears because MSTS differentiates the rollin stock with automatic/chain coupling and it still differs in the brake types, it was common to get incompatibilities. They appear, and we couldn't combine certain types of consists. Another common problem was the installation of the trains: "zip files" generates few confusions and doubts, on the amateur enthusiasts. To avoid this, CP Virtual publish an executable self-installer that mades the operations automatically. I recollect although CP Virtual is recognized officially by CP - Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses E.P.. CP Virtual add-ons (of the which ADCosta is official colaborator), presented in the following pages, it is highlighted with the identical stamp as show above, informing (among other characteristics) that the produced work is proudly 100% Portuguese.

[Read More: CP Virtual]

If the car games are more realistic with a steering wheel and pedals; on the other hand in the airplane/aircraft simulation is advised with joystick (or other accessory), they already made steering wheels for motorbikes in the PC, why not a controller for the rail conduction fanatic people? The question appeared when commes out MSTrain Simulator and Trainz and here's Raildriver:

An USB "Cab Controller" for a realistic rail conduction: with levers, switches and several buttons. Be said, of passage, that a good sound system (in your pc) will help to feel inside of a true locomotive. It was conceived for the maximum compatibility with MS Train Simulator and Trainz (+ Railroad Simulator 2004). On top to the left it is a led indicator of speed (3 digits). To the side it has the different levers for each function: direction, potency (combined with dynamic Brake), automatic brake and still independent brake. The main buttons command the pantograph, sand, emergency brake and alerter. With relationship to the switches (rotative), they are destined to the wimpers and head-lights. It could not lack the famous joystick for the horn. Aditionally, still has 28 programmable buttons, plus 2 buttons of Zoom and a directional command of support.

 

Many of the CP Virtual add-ons is already compatible with Rail Driver. I hope shortly to place a review and my own pictures here, when i get opportunity.

 

MS Train Simulator, is all over the world one of the rail conduction simulators of reference. The ADCosta MSTS page is destined to all the ones that want to simulate the Portuguese Railway in the Microsoft simulator, since a conduction of a certain locomotive, going by maneuvers of freight, a passenger service, or still a simple trip in a Portuguese virtual line, as a passenger... [Click Here to Continue]

 

(Read More: MS Train Simulator)