Review: RailDriver
By Nels Anderson (21 January 2003)
An overall look at the RailDriver control sitting in place of
the keyboard. Behind the glare you can see the RailDriver manager
on the video screen. Click on this or any other picture in this
article for a larger image.
|
Conclusion
Usually when writing a review I hold off the conclusion until the end of
the article. But here I'll make an exception. You want one of these. You
know you do. Anyone who is serious about driving trains needs a real set
of controls, and RailDriver is just that.
Introduction
When Microsoft Train Simulator first came out the obvious flaw to being
"as real as it can be" was the controls. Sure, we all learned the proper
keys quickly enough and running the trains that way is not a problem once
you've gone through the learning curve. Mouse controls are also available
for people who prefer that method. But that's not how real trains are run.
Flightsim users have long had realistic controls, in a wide variety of
styles and prices, so why should train-sim users be left out? I'm sure I
was not alone in thinking about building a real set of controls, maybe
even scavaging parts from a real scrapped locomotive... I even know someone
who modified his full size
flightsim cockpit to run trains too. But no simple solution was in
sight.
Here is the RailDriver in action, controlling a Dash 9 on the
Marias Pass route. Note what a good match the controls are for the
on screen version.
|
Maybe imaging a full size train cab with real, full size controls seemed
a little crazy...but if so, I was not the only crazy one. The folks from
RailDriver made their initial announcement by creating a rull size GP38 cab
with controls made by modeling a real locomotive from a scrap yard. They
presenting the result, running Microsoft Train Simulator at the national
NMRA show.
Details of this cab are found on their web site; take a look...you'll
really want one of these!
A full size cab isn't practical for most people, but a solid,
keyboard sized desk unit certainly is, and that's what RailDriver now
offers us train-sim users. As you can see in the photos the controls
are a good match in style for the GE Dash 9 locomotive that is included as
one of the default locos.
The RailDriver Manager.
|
For maximum usefulness the unit is not designed to be any one specific
locomotive, however, but is designed to work with any type of locomotive.
This is done by making different mappings of the controls, with these
mappings being easily selectable using the RailDriver Manager utility.
What you do, is start the RailDriver Manager first, select the locomotive
type you want from the pulldown list, and then click the "Play" button
which starts up Train Simulator. Should you want to change locomotives you
can easily do so at any time, just by task switching back to the manager,
selecting the new type, and clicking on "Play" again to get back to
Train Simulator.
The software includes mappings for all the default locomotives and thus also
for most add-on locomotives, since the default locomotives include all the
most common types. But should you have the need for a different control
mapping--no problem! Run the RailDriver Cab Maker and create your own. This
utility is simple enough that most people should have no trouble using it,
but again most people really won't even have the need.
Getting Started
When the unit arrives there is some installation involved. The basic
connection is via a USB port. In addition, you'll need to reroute your
speaker connections; plug the RailDriver into your sound card and your
speakers into the plug on the back of the RailDriver. You'll also need
to power the box, and a common transformer supplying 11 volts takes care
of that; just plug it in.
Making the connection...a variety of wires go into the rear of the unit.
Also present here is a volume control knob.
|
As with most Windows software, the RailDriver software is self-installing.
Just let it do its thing and you're (almost) ready to go.
The final step is calibration. A bit tedious perhaps, but a simple enough
operation involving putting the major controls into each of their
positions. This should only take a few minutes. NOW you're ready to roll.
But maybe you're wondering why you're plugging the speakers into the
RailDriver. Well, the designers included a feature that I never envisioned
when I was imagining my controls. RailDriver includes a sound based feedback
system. It's sort of like those gaming chairs you've seen with the speakers
built in that make you FEEL the sound in addition to hearing it. It works
too...the low frequency sounds of the locomotives come through the controls
as vibrations which you really do feel. Of course some people may not like
this sort of thing, or may need to keep the noise down to keep the family
happy. The solution then is simple: just don't plug in that power transformer.
Its only purpose is to power the speaker in the RailDriver unit. It should
also be noted that on the back of the unit is a volume control knob that
lets you adjust the amount of sound feedback you get.
RailDriver In Operation
Once everything is set up it's time to run some trains. As mentioned
before, this now requires an extra step: using the RailDriver Manager
to select how the controls work. Other than that, running Train Simulator
is just as you're used to.
A top down view of the RailDriver unit while in use. Note the speed
display at the upper left and the realistically shaped controls.
|
The big difference, of course, is that RailDriver almost completely
eliminates the need to use the keyboard and mouse. You'll spend most of
your time on the throttle and brakes of course, but that large double row
of buttons at the front handles all the functions that you are used to
using keys for. The two toggles on the right make controlling your viewing
position easier then ever before too.
Running a train is now quite natural. Release the brakes, put the reverser
into forward and notch up the throttle and off you go. The added sense of
realism compared to using the keys for the controls is just wonderful. It
really is much closer now to "as real as it gets".
The top of the unit has all the controls you'd find in a real train.
These include things like the horn and bell controls, sander,
pantograph up/down switch, controls for the lights and wipers, etc.
Anyone familiar with real train controls should be able to step right
up and start operating.
The myriad of buttons on the front is the necessary concession to this being
a sim. The buttons are all clearly labeled, but it will take some time to
get used to quickly finding the one you want, when you want it. Basically,
it's the same learning curve you originally went through when learning the
keyboard controls.
You might have noticed the three digit red LED display in the upper left
corner. In addition to controlling the train, this display lets you view
information. By default, it shows your speed, but the Cab Maker lets you
change this. You can only display three digits of course, but you can
see one of four different brake pressures, throttle notch or notch/speed.
I find the throttle notch a nice choice, since this number is something
that you would see on a real train control, and since speed is usually
available on one of the displays I have on the screen.
As noted, the controls are a visual match for a modern Dash 9 style
locomotive and they work well for that type. But they also handle most
other types quite well. The throttle does not have notches in it, but
still handled GP38 and other notched throttles with no problem. It does
take a while to get the feel of where the notches are, but it's still
more natural than using a keyboard. The throttle is marked such that the
center is neutral, up is dynamic brakes and down applies power. On some
trains types, though, the entire range is used for power (obviously
trains that do not have dynamic brakes). You need to know your locomotive
type to know what the controls can and should do!
Even steam locomotives work with the available controls. The reverse lever
serves the function of the locomotive reverser and the throttle acts across
its full range of movement as the throttle. It doesn't look very real, but
it works and still is more natural than keyboard controls. Perhaps if there's
sufficient interest the unit could be place in a different package to better
simulate the look of steamers.
How It Works
How it all works is an interesting story. Controlling Microsoft Train
Simulator is as simple as emulating the keyboard, right? Well, that is true
and that's what RailDriver does. But the trick is keeping the controls in
sync with the sim. Normally, hit one key to advance the throttle and a
different key to retard the throttle, but now you are using a lever position
to set a specific throttle value...so it's not the same as a keyboard is it?
The secret to making RailDriver work...feedback
read from the on screen heads up display
|
RailDriver needs to know where the controls are currently set and then issue
the appropriate keystrokes to move the sim's controls to match the physical
positions of the levers. The problem is that the Train Simulator designers
made absolute no consideration to external links into the sim...unlike
Microsoft Flight Simulation, Train Simulator cannot be linked to to exchange
information. A big oversite on the part of the designers!
But here, a little ingenuity provides a workaround. There is one place where
the necessary information is available...the heads up display visible on
the screen when you hit F5. By reading the contents of video memory and doing
a simple optical character recognition, the RailDriver driver software
actually views the screen to get the information it needs!
Very ingenious indeed. The observant reader will have noted one drawback,
though, that being that you must always run with the HUD visible, which does
detract from the view a bit. Before I got RailDriver I generally did not use
the HUD but I've learned to live it now. A small price to pay I think.
Problems
There's very little to complain about, but there are some imperfections, due
as much to the limitations of the sim as to the designers at RailDriver. The
biggest problem is the throttle. The throttle controls are not as precise
as you would like, especially with notched diesels. The notches are not in
quite the same place when going up in speed as when going down. RailDriver
has already issued one patch that improves on the situation and will no
doubt improve on it more.
The other minor problem is the wiper control. Since the HUD does not display
the wiper setting, RailDriver has to operate this control blind--no feedback.
Thus, the control knob and the sim can get out of sync. Wipers are not an
important function, though, so it's easy to live with this.
Conclusion #2
Yes, I know I put the conclusion at the beginning, but let me finish off
again. RailDriver is something every serious train-simmer should own...it's
that good. Having real controls makes all the difference, something
flightsimmers learned long ago.
A closer look at the main controls.
|
These train controls are sort of a test for the designers too, and the
results from the buying public will determine how far they go. It's easy
to see that more could be done...a "pro" version where that currently
empty row across the top is full of gauges spreading to the right from
the current three digit LED readout. Wouldn't that be nice? Or a steam
locomotive version....
Future prospects do look bright, as the developers are already in contact
with Microsoft about providing the necessary software hooks in future
versions of Train Simulator. Closer in the future will be driver software
to use RailDriver with Auran's Trainz and with TrainMaster. Also, model
railroaders will be able to use RailDriver using either DCC controls or
analog controls. Nice.
Nels Anderson
nels@train-sim.com
For more information, visit RailDriver at:
www.railDriver.com
Copyright © 2003 by
Nels Anderson.
All Rights Reserved.
|
