It’s been a few weeks since we released the last batch of information on Microsoft Train Simulator 2. Since that time, we have been busy preparing the product for a senior management review. Long days have turned into long nights, and after a while, the discussions and tasks start blending together into a continual, ongoing discussion about what’s right for the product -- foreshadowing the coming year, perhaps?

But one of the bright spots in this effort is that we have put enough of the product pieces together to thoroughly validate that FSX is a suitable platform on which to develop this new version of Train Simulator. To support our management meeting, we took a few miles of the Norfolk Southern’s Horseshoe Curve route and “built it out” with the necessary landmark objects, trackside details, vegetation, and high-detailed textures. We’re far from done, but the overall effect turned out quite nice, and it's representative of what we can expect in the final product, minus a few of the rough edges which I call out below. It’s satisfying to see the hours of hard work materialize in tangible results.

But, I’m sure you’re eager to see what we have, so without further adieu, lets get to the screen shots! (By the way, they're about 450K each, so let this serve as a warning to those of you on a dial-up connection....) EDIT: This blog service resized the pics. You can see full-size images here: http://www.pbase.com/rselby/train_simulator.

Image #1 shows a train heading under the signal bridge as the train moves east from the Comenaugh area of Johnstown. In the background you can see a number of scenery objects including some auto-generated items. We have more to add here, but the overall effect is pleasing.

Image #2 shows an ATSF autorack car in a train. This gives a good sense of how the rolling stock objects will look in game. You can also see the 3D ties under the rail. We still have some work to do on the items in this scene; for example, the bump map on this car renders the rivets too large, and the track level-of-detail system (LOD) needs some fine-tuning. Also, the entire track network still needs an art pass to make the components look realistic.

Image 3 shows a different view of the autorack model and Centerbeam car, as well as a view up the right-of-way to the east towards South Fork and Altoona. I love the view here, which reveals a distant look at the East Comnaugh Main St. bridge, which you can see in my previous blog posting below. Some may notice the “hash marks” on the locomotive windshield - these have already been fixed in a subsequent build.

Image #4 shows two new pieces of rolling stock that we have not yet announced – an 89-foot intermodal flat car, or “piggyback car”, and a 60-foot Gunderson double-plug door boxcar. We’re still doing some texture work on these models, so you’ll see more of them in the near future.

Image #5 shows an “AI Train” passing our player train as we run the route. The artificial intelligence (AI) system has developed enough to control the spawning and operation of trains to help support the concept of a living world. Also note the weeds and trackside vegetation, as well as the high-detail ground texture alongside the wall.

There's a lot more, but this should do for now. If feedback is strong, I might post more in the next few days - let me know what you think.

So, that’s where we’re at. I hope you enjoyed this little peek at our progress. We’ll spend the next week or two wrapping up the management presentation, and then we’ll be back to the keyboard to continue work on more features, content, and rolling stock.

And by the way, I know many of you are wondering about our plans for European equipment since we’ve yet to show any samples. Rest assured we’re working on it and hope to announce more details in the coming weeks.

So long from rainy Redmond....