THE WORLD'S FIRST RAILROAD TYCOON II WEBSITE AND THE WORLD'S FIRST RAILROAD TYCOON 3 WEBSITE.
THE NUMBER ONE SITE FOR TROPICO.
click here to return to Express World
What Do You Think?
I have made a new banner for Railroad Express (at the top of the screen). What I need to know is do you prefer the New one or the old one. All you have to do is look at them, decide which you prefer , click on the e-mai address at the side of it (different for each one) and send a blanc email with vote in the subject line Here is a copy of the new and old banners so you can vote:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US
Railroad Express is 6 Mounths old this mounth. We opened in April 98 and now we have been going SIX MOUNTHS. And we have had nearly 35,000 visitors. Iam planning some things to mark it which include a chat that poptop are not invited to and Bring It On 98! which will look back over our six mounths, this will happen on October 26th the Day of our Birthday. The chat poptop are not invited to will be on Sunday the 25th October. The chat will be a bunch of fans chatting about the game. More details later! The birthday celebrations begining today.
The demo that reaches fro the sky
The Railroad Tycoon II demo ranked in the number one slot in World Charts' top 40 most popular download games (Edition 169 - Week 39 - September 21). This list includes demo versions, shareware versions and freeware games. ZDNet have posted a story titled Don't Miss the Railroad Tycoon II Demo. Hotgames posted a review of the RTII demo titled Making Tracks. Here's a great quote from the review: Railroad Tycoon is back and is threatening to take over your life
Webring Update
The webring site has been updated. The Railroad Tycoon Webring
Readers Poll
I have added a new Readers Poll under the title of the website .You have probley seen it but I just wanted to make sure you were all aware of it. Results will be collected on Saturday when there will be a new poll.
GodGames Press Release
GOD has issued a new pressrelease for rt2. See for the press release Press Releases
9th October 1998
Railroad Express Fights Back
After reading Waterloo on Wednesday who says we have not had 35,000 visitors well here goes. We have been around for 6 Mounths since 26th April 1998, and we were the first independent rt2 site to open. Right here is our counter, which I will the explain:
NUMBER OF VISITS SINCE 26 TH APRIL 1998:
In the top right of the Advert is a number which is about 35,000. This (unsuprisingly) is the number of visitors to this website. So for the very stupid Anders Imoben that is your explaination. Iam not suprised that waterloo has only had 2.500 vistors becasue it is SO CRAP!!!!. Here is a little message of what I think about Anders Imoben: Get your facts straight you stupid, thick, immature little SHIT!.
For anyone who is bothered (Iam not!) waterloo has moved. Iam not going to link to it here as Iam too mad (just slightly, says me sarcasticly) to do it. I will do it when I have calmed down. It is on our Links Page though.
New Look At 35,000
When this is being written Railroad Express is aproching 35,000 visitors but as you read this it may have passed it! To mark the event I have given the main page of this site a face lift. There is a new banner and new colours throuh out this page. All the other pages on this site will remain as the were. Also all the copyright info and lower part of the page has been updated. Please e-mail me and tell me wether you like the new banner and look at sp45@hotmail.com .
You Bad Boy
Mcgyvers train set has links to ponograpghy. Iam not allowed to link to this site by order of my host site. But I personally like the idea!
Bring It On!
Last thurday I started a new section to be put out every Thursday that gave genral news on this website (example: things going on behind the scenes!) and my views of things in the last week. Any way Bring it on! has now moved to Wednesday for this week because tommorow Iam out on a school Drama trip for my GCSE so I don't think I will have time to update.
Franz from poptop has said that he will be able to come to the next chat, what I say is great!.
School as been a bitch recently. I have started GCSE (a two year cause) and my teachers have already started talking about the fibal exams!.
This is for Slap!. I have used your site as a server for the maps because I have run out of webspace so I cannot put a local copy on this site.
Just one more thing before the good stuff, do you like bring it on! or should it be stopped? tell me at sp45@hotmail.com
5th October 1998
Upcoming Chat: Saturday 7th November
I can confirm that Franz will be able to attend this chat. Here are the times:
The next chat on this website is set for the provisional date of 7th November 1998. This times will be 10:30 - 11:30 UK(GMT) & 4:30 - 5:30 USA CENTRAL (CST).
Multiplayer, Anyone?
When rt2 is released there will be the option to play multiplayer games over the 'Net. Why not join our Clan so you can join in pre-organised multiplayer games. To join send your name , Timezone, e-mail address and nickname to rt2clan@yahoo.com what could be easier? Also check out the clan page. Clan
Newsletter Returns + Email Adresses
If you would like to sign up for the newsletter e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net with Subscribe Newsletter in the SUBJECT line. Only requests to subscribe to the newsletter sould be sent to this address. Anyother mail should be sent to sp45@hotmail.com . Any genral mail sent to the virgin net address will not get an answer as of today. The newsletter is now sent every staurday at 0:01 until further notice.
4th October 1998
Links Page
I have updated the links pages with all the latest press links. I have also added slaps rt2 site the pagewhich i Forgot before. Sorry slap! oh yes and congrats on that new baby. Links Page
Version 3 Of UK Map For Demo Availible
I have completed version 3 of the UK map. More of the sea monutains have been leveled and three new cities have been added. The small piece of europe has been upgrade with two cities and trees. The zip file contains a readme on how to use the map (reame not updated for version3 because I do not have the time). Standby for a totaly new map from railroad express in the next few days. Also below is the download link for my fist map MTRON(version6)./
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD UK MAP VERSION 3
Click here to download the Mtron Map Version 6
IronHighway Screws it up (as ever!)
Bil from ironhighway as screwed up yet again by saying that there would be 480 maps. Phil from poptop rectified this here is what he said:
We're doing 30 scenarios (24 unique maps, plus 6 variants), 18 of which form a campaign (we only have one campaign in the game, though it is broken into 3 segments of six scenarios each). Franz would die if he had to do 30 campaigns x 18 scenarios = 480 scenarios.
Just wanted to clear that up.
Phil
3rd October 1998
New Site
There is a new website about rt2 about to open. MacGyver's Train Set . The site is already up but not yet complete (due for completion on 4th or 5th). This site will also be joining the webring and is also on my links page.
Rail Charts
Some person has made a chart about the trains in rt2. I have not looked at it but click here to download it. (office 97 only)
Come And Have A Go If You Think You Are Hard Enough...
I e-mailed franz about Abracadatas attack on Rt2 and here is what they said:
They were aparently unable to get any publication support and decided to attack others instead of promoting there own product. This always give pause to wonder why they feel the need to do this if there own product is so good on its own. We wish them success with their product though. I look forward to hearing what you think of that game this weekend. If I had some time I'd check it out myself. ;)
Poptop site updated
Poptop has updated there site. It is basicly another progress report:
*** We've been working away on RT2 and things seem to be on-track.
*** There's been a heap of work done on the manual and it is shaping up nicely.
*** We've lost Rich Kollmeyer to the universe. Actually, he's disappeared and we're a bit worried about him. Not enough time to find a new person so our own David Deen has moved into that position.
*** We've incorporated a number of suggestions and made other improvements along the way. A few track congestion issues have been reduced amongst other issues. Of course, a bunch of data balancing has been done.
*** Next stop, Duplication-ville.
2nd October 1998
3D Railroad Master Closed
The page about 3d railroad master page has closed.
Bring It On!
Yeterday I could not update becasue I was to busy finishing my game of Pandemonium 2 on the playstation (great game!). Anyway I have decided to put up a page about 3D Railroad Master. The page is now up. On saturday Iam going to dwonload the demo, so I will tell you what it is like. Click here for the 3D Railroad Master page
The next newsletter (number 42) goes out tomorrow. The closer of The Star Trek Forum & The orient express has been stopped. The Star Trek Forum will recive 1 update per week, and the Orient Express has merged as a page of Railroad Express. It is now called The Railroad Express Clan. If you would like to join please see the clan page.
Every thursday from today there will be a news section called Bring It On! reporting genral news about Railroad Express and my views & comments of the last week. The next update to railroad express is on the 3rd at 0:01 GMT.
30th September 1998
MessageBoard/Forum
Please rember to keep using the message board. There is seval disscussions going on there.
Midweek Update
Well this is this weeks mid week update. There may be one tomorrow depends how the G.C.S.E work goes.
Orient Express & The current situation with clan member ship in the webring (updated)
One big title! Anyway the orient express will not be closing now but has moved here. I read on Occident Express that gorgos is going to help them so Orient express has moved to to rialorad express. The orient express will now as of today be called The Railroad Express Clan and can now be found at http://www.gibbed.com/express/clan/ . Also clans will now be allowed to rejoin the webring so Denis M if you a reading this resubmit your site to the webring and I will add it back into the webring. The clan site has now actuallt moved in
New Interview
The 3rd Railroad Express interview with poptop is here. It was conducted by Supertrain. Click here to read it
28th September 1998
Closing Down Notices + Cutbacks (Important please read!!)
Due to a lack of spare time I will not be able to get on the internet very often. This means that as of today Iam closing down the The Orient Express Rt2 clan & The Star Trek Forum. Railroad Express & The Railroad Tycoon Webring will survive. Railroad Express will coninue to recive regular but alot smaller in week updates but at the weekends I will do a news blitz.. Also as of today the distribution of the Railroad Express Newsletter will happen every Saturday at 0:00. The railroad tycoon 2 webring will not be deleted but will be accepting new members as of today. The webring homepage will be left in tact but I do not plan on updating any time soon. All the above apllies until further notice.
Iam sorry I have to do this but in the Uk we have to pay phone bils and I have got to find away to pay £135. So that is the reason for this cutback with online time. So I will try to update Monday to Friday but I will only have 5 minutes online time so this does not give me much time to update the site, but every weekend at 0:01 on Saturday (GMT) 7 PM CST I will update the site with all the weeks news and hopefully some exclusives. And after this the site will also get updated through out the Saturday & Sunday (cheap rate Uk). Please keep your e-mails coming in to sp45@hotmail.com
27th September 1998
Save Waterloo
Waterloo station may close unless you people go and have a regular look. When you have fibished on this site go and loo round waterloo. WATERLOO
Star Trek Forum To Survive!
The star trek forum will now not be closing. I have given it a massive update so go take a look if you like startrek. The Star Trek Forum
Webring Update
The depot website seems to think Iam getting rid of the webring. I say NO, it stays where it is. By the way the webring homepage has now been updated.
26th September 1998
Railroad Tycoon 2 Enters Last Mounth Of Development!
It is true! Rt2 has ented its last mounth of development. The games deadline for completion is October 16th and today is the 21st so there is less than one mounth of development. After this the game will goto be duplicated then G.O.D will release it in America & a bit later Take2 will release it in the UK/Europe.
IT New Look
The Indianaplois Terminal has returened with a new (but very confussing) look. Check it out.The Indianapolis Terminal
25th September 1998
Upcoming Chat: No Fixed Dates
There is currently no fixed dates to have another rt2 chat on this website.
New Site
There is a new site. Runaway Express. or something. Also Dwozoc Glowny now have an english version on there site.
Webring News
There is a new webring rule, no membership for rt2clans sites. The occident express has been explelled and orient express has been deleted because of its closure. The runaway express has been deleted form the webring also. I personally think the idea of an rt2 clan is crap even though I did first think of it. I should never even thoght of it.
Upcoming Chat: October 16th - Cancelled
The chat for october 16th has been cancelled because poptop can not attend. How did Franz put it " If anything slips this is where the shit hits Fan!". I am currently trying to arrange another date, probley for a cupple weeks after this date. Apart from this there is no other new news today.
How are things?
I asked Franz how things were going this is what he said:
Progress is being made on all final areas. We've made changes to AI, Industries, Station Building, and more. The graphics are still filtering in and the maps a coming along slowly but surely. Still trying to hurdle the multi-player stuff and finish off the campaigns. No company HQ's to report
Newsletter Returns + Email Adresses
After a short break the newsletter is back again. Issue 40 has just been sent to day. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net with Subscribe Newsletter in the SUBJECT line. Only requests to subscribe to the newsletter sould be sent to this address. Anyother mail should be sent to sp45@hotmail.com . Any genral mail sent to the virgin net address will not get an answer as of today.
New Site
There is another new site. Cyberrails rt2 site
22nd September 1998
Changes
Poptop has made the following improvements to the demo: (from depot website)
We've made many adjustments based on comments we've read and received. We are working on:
1. a possible improved routing system.
2. congestion relief at stations with a the use of a turntable.
3. AI changes... have always been going on.
4. Save game interface change.
5. Financial tweaks... it was a prerelease demo.
6. Station dozing.
7. Station first.
8. possible track laying alternative.
9. Industry building, sometimes you have to look at the big picture here. We're not sure exactly what we will do but it is something we'd like to get in if we can balance the issues. We've been pretty heavily clubbed for some of the financial loop holes (for the lack of a better term).
10. Editor changes... many.
11. Over all industry tweaking
12. iron will be deliverable to the tool and die before the Steel mill is available.
There are more but I hope you get the idea. The demo has been a good eye opener and has produced some truly well thought out ideas, thanks.Now, the bad stuff, depending how you look at it :|
1. We are not trying to be Transportation Tycoon. I loved the game but it is not the same thing.
B. No tunnels. The reasons are irritating for all. Some are limitations with the engine, some are play issues and some are scale issues. All cross over though and it creates a nightmare. So sorry, but there is no way to get them in. I can feel the heat of hatred now! :) That still doesn't change anything, I'm getting used to the temperature.
Third. Bridges are not possible over other tracks mostly because of scale. You've played the game, how high would a bridge have to be to cross a trains height? Then make it fit into the general playing area and track radii. For this we also apologize. It will not be possible.
Finally. I can't think of anything else off hand. I'm tired...
So there you have it railroad fans. I hope I've answered a few questions and given you the gist of what we're doing. We're currently multiplayer testing and it is going reasonably well too. We plan on having a multiplayer session save implemented as well... I don't remember where I saw that asked. Many more maps are in the works and the campaign is going along well.
Demo Maps Page Added
There is now lots of maps for the demo so not to confuse them with maps for the full game when released I have added them to a seperate page. I have also given them star ratings e.g. *** and I have collected up all of them I could find. If you have a map please mail it to me at sp45@hotmail.com. Click here for Demo Maps Page
21st September 1998
Canadian Map
I have been asked to make a map of canada. And I will as long as some one can find a full screenshots of the entire country of canada. If you have one please send it to sp45@hotmail.com
20th September 1998
Promotion
I have added to all the major search engines. With all the other sites talking of music check out Catatonia (Rock Band) at http://www.catatonia.net or Adam's Catatonia Homepage
New Site
There is yet another new site at Gaming Gospel: Railroad Tycoon II . I have added this to the links page.
19th September 1998
Testing
The Terminal recenly asked poptop about test. So here goes:
They say that voice talent work will be taking place on Friday and all the campaign maps should be ready by next week. They also expect to be doing some full time testing of the multiplayer part of the game by this weekend. Basically what they are doing now are putting the game through its paces and getting ready for the release which should happen sometime in November.
Progress Report
This report is based on the information from the 12th September chat session here. This report is not by Poptop.
The Game is about 90% Complete
The deadline for the games completion is 16th October
The following maps are complete:
Australia, Japan, S. America, N. America, Western Europe, Central
- Europe, Eastern Europe, China, Canada, E. USA, SW USA, Alps,
Africa and
- India. The Large American map &
The Uk map are being twaked!
Curently ther are going to 63 trains in the final release version, but poptop are considering making this less becasue they have not found a use for all the trains yet.
Dirext-x 5+ is being supported
Message Board/Forum
If you want to talk about the demo, go and use our message board with nearly 150 meesages on it. Including loads of demo disscussions. Message Board/Forums
Update
I have updated the links & screenshots pages. If you have a question on the demo of rt2 e-mail me at sp45@hotmail.com
18th September 1998
Crash
Owwwwwch! I was envolved in a crash today invloving a car hitting my bus. Anf guess what, the only person injured was me. I also got a new game today, the exellent creatures2. Checkout cyberlife's website at http://www.creatures2.com . By the way there is no good news on rt2 todays so this and the article below are not releated.
New Site
There is a new Railroad Tycoon 2 site.
| The UNOFFICIAL HOMEPAGE of RT2 |
New Preview
There is a new preview of rt2 at:
http://www.intelligamer.com/strategy/rrt2/prrt2.html
Thanks to Christian Schock for this info
17th September 1998
Version 6 Of Mtron Availible for Download!
Uranium Car Bug Fixed
I have made a new version of the mtron map. There have been some major changes. Eight new towns added, two new industries & the Town Mount Dick has been renamed. I have added a new territory which treat you badly!. I have changed land height in many places. Also the uranium car bug has been fixed as far as I can see. This version of the map has got alot of improvments over the other versions! Watch out for a few special new reports. What are you waiting for ? , go and download it now. Mtron map was written by james stevens of Railroad Express for all thosse who have been asking.
Version 6 Download Links:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW VERSION 6 MAP
Transcript & Summary Of September 12th Chat
The chat has just finished and lots of questons were answerd. If you missed the chat I have a transcript of it and I have written a summary of the information. Chat Transcript & Summery
Deadlines
I found out that the deadline for completion of RT2 is 16th October. This means the game has to be complete by then. After this the game is sent of for duplication and when enough copies have been produced, the publisher will release the game. (in the USA first from God games).
The Salvage Operation Begins + News on other sites
Station-x has closed and is going to be deleted in a few days by its former operater everclear. I have decided to rescue some of the good articles from that site including Station-x's 10 questions with poptop, goto the Specail Features. Iam also going to negociate with everclear to see if I can take over the Station-x newsletter! Now to the other sites: Slap! has been updated alot recently and is great site so go and check that out. Waterloo, The Depot, Iron Highway, Dworzoc Glowny are updated daily as usual. Transport Online has closed down after being merged into Railroad Express (see Transport Online page). The Railroad Tycoon 2 Webring has been updated. Railroad Express is updated usally twice a day at 06:55 GMT & 6:01 GMT.
16th September 1998
Downloads Page + Other Updates (update 9:12 PM)
I have sorted out the downloads page. I have added a local copy of the Australlia map from the now closed station-x website. This map would otherwise become unavailible so I have rescued it. Also Iam going to add any more maps to the downloads page when I find one. If you have made a map mail it to me. I have also updated the links page & the Tips-Questions pages. The tops-questions page now works so get sending in thosse Questions & tips! THe tips/questions page now uses a message board!
15th September 1998
Station-X to close
Bad news, Station-x is to close. Bye!
Newsletter Problem
Thankyou to the people who sent me back a copy of the last newsletter. The next letter will be sent out in a few days.
14th September 1998
Forum/Message Board
I have just looked at the forum/message board and noticed just how popular it is. Goi and post something. If you have a problem, tip, question, idea or just need to talk go and post something on the board. Someone will respond to your posting. Forums/Message Board
Website Merger
Transport Online which as been a seperate website operated by Railroad Express has been Merged with us. Transport Online Now exists as a page on this website. This page is the Transport Online page. Here you will find links information on other transport games. Currently there is info on Transport Tycoon Deluxe & Railroad Tycoon Classic. Iam going to make a page about Industry Giant soon.The transport online page still has its own forum! Transport Online page
13th September 1998
UPCOMING CHAT: After Games Release!
The next chat will be the after the games release. Until I get a release date I can't fix a date for the next chat session.
Primary Policay
It is now the primary policay of this site not to supply any crack files for rt2, including the one for the demo. So do not evrn bother asking me for it!
12th September 1998
Poptop Makes Update
After a week poptop has updated there site. They are currently working through bug reports, comments etc. Als othere is a new preview of rt2 at IGN.
2 New Sites
Not one but two new rt2 sites. The first is Erehwon Junction and the second is a new rt2 clan The Ocident Express
Download Demo
To download demo see the downloads page. Downloads
11th September 1998
A Funny Picture/Animation
Please watch this funny little animation......... (it takes a while to run it course)
New Map
I have just started work on a new map for the demo!. Its current name is Tronos
Station-x Map
Station-x has made a map. austv055.zip
10th September 1998
Another Cheat
I have foung another cheat for the game. Select a train on the train manifest on the middle window then press <CTRL> C then your selected train will crash. Have Fun!. The other cheat is <CRTL> M to get money
Big Changes
There have been some big changes at Railroad Express today. Transport Online, a part of Railroad Express has merged with the main site. All news from Transport Online can now be found on the Transport Tycoon Page . Also the Troubled Orient Express website has been aquired by Railroad Express. I will attempt to get that site back on its feet. Our control of the Orient Express is going to be a external operation and will not be moving here to join this site. In the menu bar I have added a page other transport games. Here you will find the Transport Tycoon & Railroad Tycoon Classic Pages.
9th September 1998
New Site
There is a new site! check out Slap!
Bug Report
Poptop are currently conducting a bug report. If you find a bug report it to rich@poptop.com
8th September 1998
Let Them Do There Job
I have just looked through everyones posting on the message board and all I can say is let them do there job. Everyone is saying what they want including, well let them release the game first. Becasue poptop are planning on doing an expansion pack, so all your idea could be added to that. I suggest talking to Franz about it.
7th September 1998
Crack Update
I have diecided to not repley to any e-mail about request for the crack file. Stop sending them me. Go and bug Station-x or something!
The Clan
Well the clan is doing well and has changed alot. It has moved to a new address and goes under the name of the orient express now. The Orient Express Rail co - RT2 CLAN
A Cheat That Works
The cheat franz told me does not work, but in the readme file it says another money cheat. Here it is:
<Ctrl> M - Cheat - Give yourself and your company $1 Million each.
6th September 1998
Multi-Player
Poptop are currently focusing there work on twaeking the multi-player section of the game
8-Bit Problem
If you are having problems with the 8-bit Franz says that you can fix the problem by simply deleting the rt2.cfg file.
29,000
Over the last week end we have jumped from 12,000 to 29,000. That is a lot of vistors. Stand by to be able to download a new map for the rt2 demo soon only on railroad express!
The Crack
I will not supply the crack file to anyone. Please stop asking to get it contact rt2crack@hotmail.com . And when the demo was released I was sleeping. But thanks for all you (120) notification e-mails. I have only just finished reading them.
Got A Problem?
If you are haveing problmes with the demo. I suggest coming to the chat on september 12th. See below for more details.
Bring In The Heavies
Poptop have made an offical position on the demo. Don ont use it. The are also hiring some people to try and combat the crack file.
Exclusive New Screenshots From Demo!
Earlier today I did 2 pictures, now there are 7!. (2 pictures is very special) They are pics of American & African maps from the Railroad Tycoon 2 demo. Due to a few unforseen events 2 pictures have been withdrawn. Also the most recent screenshots by Poptop have been withdrawn until I can fix my server. These pictures were produced by me, not poptop! Click here to see the demo pics
4th September 1998
R.I.P
Today is my birthday, and it is the worst day of the year because as a present my cat sooty was run over and killed by a car. Iam deeply upset, so this website is dedicated in his memory. Also the demo of rt2 is great. If you have not downloaded it yet, go an do it now!
3rd September 1998
The Supertrain Interviews
Our train friend Supertrain has done lots of great interviews with poptop, and now I have compiled them all on to one page. I have not yet had time to add this page into the side bar, but will do soon, but now I am going back to playing the demo. Supertrain interviews page
Demo Page
With the demo released, check out our demo page for information on the demo. It includes download links, system requirements. Soon it will have a troubleshooting guide and a tips section! On September 3rd I will put up new screenshots from the demo (made by me, not poptop!).
1st September 1998
Tips/Questions Page Added
As well as the demo page I have added a page where you can submit your questions and tips for the game. I will answer your questions as soon as I can and add your tips to the tip page as soon as I can. While Iam on about the pages, I have updated the links and downloads pages ready for the demo tommorow.Tips & Questions page
The Clan Opens (a new site!)
A very differrent rrt2 site has opened. It is the Railroad Tycoon 3 clan which is devoted to multi-player rrt2. It is not run by me before you slag me off, Iam only a member and added the first news update. There is 3 other members. Until we can sequere and independent address we are using a tempary address at the Railroad Tycoon 2 webring. Please go and have a look and sign up for what will be the ULTIMATE multi-player game. THE RAILROAD TYCOON 2 CLAN
Here Comes The
Demo On The 2nd !!
The demo of Railroad Tycoon 2 is released on
wednesday 2nd of September. As soon as I have down loaded it and
played it (for about 11 hours) I will add it to our download page.
You will be able to download it from the Godgames
website, http://www.gibbed.com , http://www.ogr.com http://www.cd-rom.com & Railroad Express. It is very unfortuneate that
wednesday the 2nd is the last day off schooll in Aston UK. I will
also produce a getting started page for the demo on the same day
New Screenshots
I have finally added all the new screenshots from Poptop & Gamepen. See the screenshots page to see them. ScreenShots
31st August 1998
Yet Another Break
On the 5th of septmember Iam going on holiday for 1 night, (well Iam going PARTYING!) so on that day there will be no update to the site. This is my last holiday of the year, so it should be uninterupted updates after the 5th of september. (I can even update on Christmas day!)
On The Move
I have moved things around a bit. I have cleared all the old Archive news onto an different page so there is room for some more Archive News. Oh and Iam now back from a short 2 day holiday. I will be on holiday for 2 days on the 5th & 6th September.
UPCOMING CHAT: September 12th
I have decided to change the time again for the chat on September 12th . This is not a bad thing the chat will now last a full hour and a half. I have also added the time in the 25 hour clock to help make global time conversions easier. So read the below for the NEW chat times:
The times for the next chat will be 10:45 to 12:15 Midnight UK (BST) & 4:45 to 6:15 PM USA (CST). Franz from poptop has said " I Should be able to make it".
The 24 hour clock times are UK(BST) 22:45 - 0:15 & USA(CST) 16:45 - 18:15
THE BIG PREVIEW IS HERE !
After a the wait you can now read the Railroad Express/Gibbed.com preview of Railroad Tycoon 2 before its offical posting on http://www.gibbed.com . Please do not copy any of the preview because it is property of Gibbed.com.
Click here for THE BIG PREVIEW
New Site Coming
Iam excited to announce that a new, but very different Railroad Tycoon 2 site is about to open. It is joint operation between Railroad Express and others. I can't give too many details only this few words from the sites slogan " Dedicated to Multi-player Railroad Tycoon 2". The other clue I can give is the site title. The Railroad Tycoon 2 Clan. The site should be open on the 1st or second of september.
Contest Winners
These are the winners of poptops compo. This is direct from http://www.railroadtycoon2.com
DEAN HAMILTION, come on down! Dean Hamilton suggested we include train robbers! This was the number one suggested idea; however we felt Deans version was the most functional and playable version. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Tell him what he's won imaginary announcer! Mr. Hamilton has won a replication of an ACTUAL engine used in the game, a copy of Railroad Tycoon II, and his name finely printed along side our own in the credits.
Okay then!
CHRIS McMAHON, come on down! Chris McMahon suggested the use of GOODWILL. Good service will earn the player goodwill with the public for a variety of beneficial effects. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Okay, alright. Hey! That's alright. Tell him what he's won! Chris McMahon,hold on to your hat because it might blow off if you have one. If that tip wasn't of any use, perhaps he will like his... NEW COPY OF RAILROAD TYCOON II!!!! We'll also send him a replication of an actual engine in the game and his name printed in genuine ink in the credits!
That's great!
PIERRE-OLIVIER MILLETTE, come on down! Pierre-Oliver's inspiration was the inclusion of international borders in certain scenarios. Bravo! Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? And for that fine idea, what has he won? Pierre-Oliver's dark and mysterious idea has secured his place in history as his name will be printed in each and every manual that ships with PopTop's new game Railroad Tycoon II! There's more! Pierre-Oliver will also receive a free copy of Railroad Tycoon II and an actual replication of an engine used in the game, touched (at one time or another) by Phil Steinmeyer himself.
Now that, is Swell.
V.G. DIAZONI, come on down! Mr. Diazoni story is that of selflessness. He was thinking of all the children. Children young and old will benefit from his caring cause as we will now be including a SANDBOX MODE! You can turn off the annoying challenge of creating a profitable railroad and just build and build to your hearts content unfettered by money or time. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Wow that's amazing! He should get something for that. What do we have for Mr. Diazoni? Well, we will be whisking him away to wherever he happens to be when he receives... his brand new copy of Railroad Tycoon II! Encased in an attractive box will be a golden disk chalked full of fun. He'll also be able to play Railroad Tycoon II with that very same disk!!! OH Ho! That's not the half of it! He'll also receive a fine replica of an actual engine used in the game and stand along side the creators of the game, when his name is added to the games manual.
Absolutly amazing! How do they do that?
ROB MUSSELMAN, come on down! Last but certainly not the first. Rob has dug deep into the psyche of the international importer and dug up this ego crushing idea. The customs house. The customs house used in coordination with ports and borders, will reduce delays in shipping. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Hard to imagine he's not going to get anything for that... because he WILL! That's right, Rob will be styling with his very own replica of an engine found in the game Railroad Tycoon II. Rob's happening groove will really jam when he finds his name included in the manual of the very game that the engine appears in! Of course this package wouldn't be complete without... his very own copy of Railroad Tycoon II!!!
30th August 1998
News Letter Problem
Everyone who has submitted their name to recive the Newsletter will have to send in their e-mail address again because I have lost all the addresses. E-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net with Re-subscribe Newsletter in the subject line.
On The Move
I have moved things around a bit. I have cleared all the old Archive news onto an different page so there is room for some more Archive News.
Supertrain Interview
Supertrain has done another interview with poptop and given it to railroad express. So here goes:
1. How many in-zoom levels are in the game?
I believe it is 5. Funny how when you're so close
to a thing you forget the little things.
2. Will Take-2 interactive also "sell" the game
outside Great-Brittain in main Europe?
Yes.
3. Is labor-costs also inserted in the game?
Labor cost as far as track &
engine maintenance, yes.
4. Are there any subsidies in the game from local
authorities?
Yes, at times.
5. Are there any new Reviews-Interviews from magazines?
Actually, I've been having a
difficult time tracking that stuff. None that I know of.
6. What is the most important good you transport in the
game?They are all important.
It's a value judgement and situationally based.
7. What can I see more in a station-view?
There are several in station shots
on the screens page... just realized this letter was before that
update.... ugh, I hate it when this happens.
26th August 1998
The Box
This explains it self really. Click here to see the box ( if picture below does not work)
New Interview
Well I have just completed the 2nd Railroad Express interview with poptop. I would ask the other sites not to copy the interview just link to it. Anyways to is very intesting so I suggest you take a look. Please note when I first posted this interview all the links pointed at the old one. I have also added some screenshots to this page. This has now been corrected so go and read the new Railroad Express interview. The 2nd Railroad Express interview with poptop
The Big Preview
I have just finished writing a big preview about Rairlaod Tycoon 2. I have written the article for my host website http://www.gibbed.com . They are currently reviewing the article to wether they are going to put it on there news page. If they decided to reject the preview I will be placing this article on Railroad Express on the 27th.
Features Page Added
I have added a features page. It is not yet complete because I have been busy writting the preview for gibbed (see above). Features Page
UPCOMING CHAT: September 12th (updated)
The times for the next chat will be 10:45 to 12:00 Midnight UK (BST) & 4:45 to 6:00 PM USA (CST). Franz from poptop has said " I
10th October 1998
What Do You Think?
I have made a new banner for Railroad Express (at the top of the screen). What I need to know is do you prefer the New one or the old one. All you have to do is look at them, decide which you prefer , click on the e-mai address at the side of it (different for each one) and send a blanc email with vote in the subject line Here is a copy of the new and old banners so you can vote:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US
Railroad Express is 6 Mounths old this mounth. We opened in April 98 and now we have been going SIX MOUNTHS. And we have had nearly 35,000 visitors. Iam planning some things to mark it which include a chat that poptop are not invited to and Bring It On 98! which will look back over our six mounths, this will happen on October 26th the Day of our Birthday. The chat poptop are not invited to will be on Sunday the 25th October. The chat will be a bunch of fans chatting about the game. More details later! The birthday celebrations begining today.
The demo that reaches fro the sky
The Railroad Tycoon II demo ranked in the number one slot in World Charts' top 40 most popular download games (Edition 169 - Week 39 - September 21). This list includes demo versions, shareware versions and freeware games. ZDNet have posted a story titled Don't Miss the Railroad Tycoon II Demo. Hotgames posted a review of the RTII demo titled Making Tracks. Here's a great quote from the review: Railroad Tycoon is back and is threatening to take over your life
Webring Update
The webring site has been updated. The Railroad Tycoon Webring
Readers Poll
I have added a new Readers Poll under the title of the website .You have probley seen it but I just wanted to make sure you were all aware of it. Results will be collected on Saturday when there will be a new poll.
GodGames Press Release
GOD has issued a new pressrelease for rt2. See for the press release Press Releases
9th October 1998
Railroad Express Fights Back
After reading Waterloo on Wednesday who says we have not had 35,000 visitors well here goes. We have been around for 6 Mounths since 26th April 1998, and we were the first independent rt2 site to open. Right here is our counter, which I will the explain:
NUMBER OF VISITS SINCE 26 TH APRIL 1998:
In the top right of the Advert is a number which is about 35,000. This (unsuprisingly) is the number of visitors to this website. So for the very stupid Anders Imoben that is your explaination. Iam not suprised that waterloo has only had 2.500 vistors becasue it is SO CRAP!!!!. Here is a little message of what I think about Anders Imoben: Get your facts straight you stupid, thick, immature little SHIT!.
For anyone who is bothered (Iam not!) waterloo has moved. Iam not going to link to it here as Iam too mad (just slightly, says me sarcasticly) to do it. I will do it when I have calmed down. It is on our Links Page though.
New Look At 35,000
When this is being written Railroad Express is aproching 35,000 visitors but as you read this it may have passed it! To mark the event I have given the main page of this site a face lift. There is a new banner and new colours throuh out this page. All the other pages on this site will remain as the were. Also all the copyright info and lower part of the page has been updated. Please e-mail me and tell me wether you like the new banner and look at sp45@hotmail.com .
You Bad Boy
Mcgyvers train set has links to ponograpghy. Iam not allowed to link to this site by order of my host site. But I personally like the idea!
Bring It On!
Last thurday I started a new section to be put out every Thursday that gave genral news on this website (example: things going on behind the scenes!) and my views of things in the last week. Any way Bring it on! has now moved to Wednesday for this week because tommorow Iam out on a school Drama trip for my GCSE so I don't think I will have time to update.
Franz from poptop has said that he will be able to come to the next chat, what I say is great!.
School as been a bitch recently. I have started GCSE (a two year cause) and my teachers have already started talking about the fibal exams!.
This is for Slap!. I have used your site as a server for the maps because I have run out of webspace so I cannot put a local copy on this site.
Just one more thing before the good stuff, do you like bring it on! or should it be stopped? tell me at sp45@hotmail.com
5th October 1998
Upcoming Chat: Saturday 7th November
I can confirm that Franz will be able to attend this chat. Here are the times:
The next chat on this website is set for the provisional date of 7th November 1998. This times will be 10:30 - 11:30 UK(GMT) & 4:30 - 5:30 USA CENTRAL (CST).
Multiplayer, Anyone?
When rt2 is released there will be the option to play multiplayer games over the 'Net. Why not join our Clan so you can join in pre-organised multiplayer games. To join send your name , Timezone, e-mail address and nickname to rt2clan@yahoo.com what could be easier? Also check out the clan page. Clan
Newsletter Returns + Email Adresses
If you would like to sign up for the newsletter e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net with Subscribe Newsletter in the SUBJECT line. Only requests to subscribe to the newsletter sould be sent to this address. Anyother mail should be sent to sp45@hotmail.com . Any genral mail sent to the virgin net address will not get an answer as of today. The newsletter is now sent every staurday at 0:01 until further notice.
4th October 1998
Links Page
I have updated the links pages with all the latest press links. I have also added slaps rt2 site the pagewhich i Forgot before. Sorry slap! oh yes and congrats on that new baby. Links Page
Version 3 Of UK Map For Demo Availible
I have completed version 3 of the UK map. More of the sea monutains have been leveled and three new cities have been added. The small piece of europe has been upgrade with two cities and trees. The zip file contains a readme on how to use the map (reame not updated for version3 because I do not have the time). Standby for a totaly new map from railroad express in the next few days. Also below is the download link for my fist map MTRON(version6)./
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD UK MAP VERSION 3
Click here to download the Mtron Map Version 6
IronHighway Screws it up (as ever!)
Bil from ironhighway as screwed up yet again by saying that there would be 480 maps. Phil from poptop rectified this here is what he said:
We're doing 30 scenarios (24 unique maps, plus 6 variants), 18 of which form a campaign (we only have one campaign in the game, though it is broken into 3 segments of six scenarios each). Franz would die if he had to do 30 campaigns x 18 scenarios = 480 scenarios.
Just wanted to clear that up.
Phil
3rd October 1998
New Site
There is a new website about rt2 about to open. MacGyver's Train Set . The site is already up but not yet complete (due for completion on 4th or 5th). This site will also be joining the webring and is also on my links page.
Rail Charts
Some person has made a chart about the trains in rt2. I have not looked at it but click here to download it. (office 97 only)
Come And Have A Go If You Think You Are Hard Enough...
I e-mailed franz about Abracadatas attack on Rt2 and here is what they said:
They were aparently unable to get any publication support and decided to attack others instead of promoting there own product. This always give pause to wonder why they feel the need to do this if there own product is so good on its own. We wish them success with their product though. I look forward to hearing what you think of that game this weekend. If I had some time I'd check it out myself. ;)
Poptop site updated
Poptop has updated there site. It is basicly another progress report:
*** We've been working away on RT2 and things seem to be on-track.
*** There's been a heap of work done on the manual and it is shaping up nicely.
*** We've lost Rich Kollmeyer to the universe. Actually, he's disappeared and we're a bit worried about him. Not enough time to find a new person so our own David Deen has moved into that position.
*** We've incorporated a number of suggestions and made other improvements along the way. A few track congestion issues have been reduced amongst other issues. Of course, a bunch of data balancing has been done.
*** Next stop, Duplication-ville.
2nd October 1998
3D Railroad Master Closed
The page about 3d railroad master page has closed.
Bring It On!
Yeterday I could not update becasue I was to busy finishing my game of Pandemonium 2 on the playstation (great game!). Anyway I have decided to put up a page about 3D Railroad Master. The page is now up. On saturday Iam going to dwonload the demo, so I will tell you what it is like. Click here for the 3D Railroad Master page
The next newsletter (number 42) goes out tomorrow. The closer of The Star Trek Forum & The orient express has been stopped. The Star Trek Forum will recive 1 update per week, and the Orient Express has merged as a page of Railroad Express. It is now called The Railroad Express Clan. If you would like to join please see the clan page.
Every thursday from today there will be a news section called Bring It On! reporting genral news about Railroad Express and my views & comments of the last week. The next update to railroad express is on the 3rd at 0:01 GMT.
30th September 1998
MessageBoard/Forum
Please rember to keep using the message board. There is seval disscussions going on there.
Midweek Update
Well this is this weeks mid week update. There may be one tomorrow depends how the G.C.S.E work goes.
Orient Express & The current situation with clan member ship in the webring (updated)
One big title! Anyway the orient express will not be closing now but has moved here. I read on Occident Express that gorgos is going to help them so Orient express has moved to to rialorad express. The orient express will now as of today be called The Railroad Express Clan and can now be found at http://www.gibbed.com/express/clan/ . Also clans will now be allowed to rejoin the webring so Denis M if you a reading this resubmit your site to the webring and I will add it back into the webring. The clan site has now actuallt moved in
New Interview
The 3rd Railroad Express interview with poptop is here. It was conducted by Supertrain. Click here to read it
28th September 1998
Closing Down Notices + Cutbacks (Important please read!!)
Due to a lack of spare time I will not be able to get on the internet very often. This means that as of today Iam closing down the The Orient Express Rt2 clan & The Star Trek Forum. Railroad Express & The Railroad Tycoon Webring will survive. Railroad Express will coninue to recive regular but alot smaller in week updates but at the weekends I will do a news blitz.. Also as of today the distribution of the Railroad Express Newsletter will happen every Saturday at 0:00. The railroad tycoon 2 webring will not be deleted but will be accepting new members as of today. The webring homepage will be left in tact but I do not plan on updating any time soon. All the above apllies until further notice.
Iam sorry I have to do this but in the Uk we have to pay phone bils and I have got to find away to pay £135. So that is the reason for this cutback with online time. So I will try to update Monday to Friday but I will only have 5 minutes online time so this does not give me much time to update the site, but every weekend at 0:01 on Saturday (GMT) 7 PM CST I will update the site with all the weeks news and hopefully some exclusives. And after this the site will also get updated through out the Saturday & Sunday (cheap rate Uk). Please keep your e-mails coming in to sp45@hotmail.com
27th September 1998
Save Waterloo
Waterloo station may close unless you people go and have a regular look. When you have fibished on this site go and loo round waterloo. WATERLOO
Star Trek Forum To Survive!
The star trek forum will now not be closing. I have given it a massive update so go take a look if you like startrek. The Star Trek Forum
Webring Update
The depot website seems to think Iam getting rid of the webring. I say NO, it stays where it is. By the way the webring homepage has now been updated.
26th September 1998
Railroad Tycoon 2 Enters Last Mounth Of Development!
It is true! Rt2 has ented its last mounth of development. The games deadline for completion is October 16th and today is the 21st so there is less than one mounth of development. After this the game will goto be duplicated then G.O.D will release it in America & a bit later Take2 will release it in the UK/Europe.
IT New Look
The Indianaplois Terminal has returened with a new (but very confussing) look. Check it out.The Indianapolis Terminal
25th September 1998
Upcoming Chat: No Fixed Dates
There is currently no fixed dates to have another rt2 chat on this website.
New Site
There is a new site. Runaway Express. or something. Also Dwozoc Glowny now have an english version on there site.
Webring News
There is a new webring rule, no membership for rt2clans sites. The occident express has been explelled and orient express has been deleted because of its closure. The runaway express has been deleted form the webring also. I personally think the idea of an rt2 clan is crap even though I did first think of it. I should never even thoght of it.
Upcoming Chat: October 16th - Cancelled
The chat for october 16th has been cancelled because poptop can not attend. How did Franz put it " If anything slips this is where the shit hits Fan!". I am currently trying to arrange another date, probley for a cupple weeks after this date. Apart from this there is no other new news today.
How are things?
I asked Franz how things were going this is what he said:
Progress is being made on all final areas. We've made changes to AI, Industries, Station Building, and more. The graphics are still filtering in and the maps a coming along slowly but surely. Still trying to hurdle the multi-player stuff and finish off the campaigns. No company HQ's to report
Newsletter Returns + Email Adresses
After a short break the newsletter is back again. Issue 40 has just been sent to day. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net with Subscribe Newsletter in the SUBJECT line. Only requests to subscribe to the newsletter sould be sent to this address. Anyother mail should be sent to sp45@hotmail.com . Any genral mail sent to the virgin net address will not get an answer as of today.
New Site
There is another new site. Cyberrails rt2 site
22nd September 1998
Changes
Poptop has made the following improvements to the demo: (from depot website)
We've made many adjustments based on comments we've read and received. We are working on:
1. a possible improved routing system.
2. congestion relief at stations with a the use of a turntable.
3. AI changes... have always been going on.
4. Save game interface change.
5. Financial tweaks... it was a prerelease demo.
6. Station dozing.
7. Station first.
8. possible track laying alternative.
9. Industry building, sometimes you have to look at the big picture here. We're not sure exactly what we will do but it is something we'd like to get in if we can balance the issues. We've been pretty heavily clubbed for some of the financial loop holes (for the lack of a better term).
10. Editor changes... many.
11. Over all industry tweaking
12. iron will be deliverable to the tool and die before the Steel mill is available.
There are more but I hope you get the idea. The demo has been a good eye opener and has produced some truly well thought out ideas, thanks.Now, the bad stuff, depending how you look at it :|
1. We are not trying to be Transportation Tycoon. I loved the game but it is not the same thing.
B. No tunnels. The reasons are irritating for all. Some are limitations with the engine, some are play issues and some are scale issues. All cross over though and it creates a nightmare. So sorry, but there is no way to get them in. I can feel the heat of hatred now! :) That still doesn't change anything, I'm getting used to the temperature.
Third. Bridges are not possible over other tracks mostly because of scale. You've played the game, how high would a bridge have to be to cross a trains height? Then make it fit into the general playing area and track radii. For this we also apologize. It will not be possible.
Finally. I can't think of anything else off hand. I'm tired...
So there you have it railroad fans. I hope I've answered a few questions and given you the gist of what we're doing. We're currently multiplayer testing and it is going reasonably well too. We plan on having a multiplayer session save implemented as well... I don't remember where I saw that asked. Many more maps are in the works and the campaign is going along well.
Demo Maps Page Added
There is now lots of maps for the demo so not to confuse them with maps for the full game when released I have added them to a seperate page. I have also given them star ratings e.g. *** and I have collected up all of them I could find. If you have a map please mail it to me at sp45@hotmail.com. Click here for Demo Maps Page
21st September 1998
Canadian Map
I have been asked to make a map of canada. And I will as long as some one can find a full screenshots of the entire country of canada. If you have one please send it to sp45@hotmail.com
20th September 1998
Promotion
I have added to all the major search engines. With all the other sites talking of music check out Catatonia (Rock Band) at http://www.catatonia.net or Adam's Catatonia Homepage
New Site
There is yet another new site at Gaming Gospel: Railroad Tycoon II . I have added this to the links page.
19th September 1998
Testing
The Terminal recenly asked poptop about test. So here goes:
They say that voice talent work will be taking place on Friday and all the campaign maps should be ready by next week. They also expect to be doing some full time testing of the multiplayer part of the game by this weekend. Basically what they are doing now are putting the game through its paces and getting ready for the release which should happen sometime in November.
Progress Report
This report is based on the information from the 12th September chat session here. This report is not by Poptop.
The Game is about 90% Complete
The deadline for the games completion is 16th October
The following maps are complete:
Australia, Japan, S. America, N. America, Western Europe, Central
- Europe, Eastern Europe, China, Canada, E. USA, SW USA, Alps,
Africa and
- India. The Large American map &
The Uk map are being twaked!
Curently ther are going to 63 trains in the final release version, but poptop are considering making this less becasue they have not found a use for all the trains yet.
Dirext-x 5+ is being supported
Message Board/Forum
If you want to talk about the demo, go and use our message board with nearly 150 meesages on it. Including loads of demo disscussions. Message Board/Forums
Update
I have updated the links & screenshots pages. If you have a question on the demo of rt2 e-mail me at sp45@hotmail.com
18th September 1998
Crash
Owwwwwch! I was envolved in a crash today invloving a car hitting my bus. Anf guess what, the only person injured was me. I also got a new game today, the exellent creatures2. Checkout cyberlife's website at http://www.creatures2.com . By the way there is no good news on rt2 todays so this and the article below are not releated.
New Site
There is a new Railroad Tycoon 2 site.
| The UNOFFICIAL HOMEPAGE of RT2 |
New Preview
There is a new preview of rt2 at:
http://www.intelligamer.com/strategy/rrt2/prrt2.html
Thanks to Christian Schock for this info
17th September 1998
Version 6 Of Mtron Availible for Download!
Uranium Car Bug Fixed
I have made a new version of the mtron map. There have been some major changes. Eight new towns added, two new industries & the Town Mount Dick has been renamed. I have added a new territory which treat you badly!. I have changed land height in many places. Also the uranium car bug has been fixed as far as I can see. This version of the map has got alot of improvments over the other versions! Watch out for a few special new reports. What are you waiting for ? , go and download it now. Mtron map was written by james stevens of Railroad Express for all thosse who have been asking.
Version 6 Download Links:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW VERSION 6 MAP
Transcript & Summary Of September 12th Chat
The chat has just finished and lots of questons were answerd. If you missed the chat I have a transcript of it and I have written a summary of the information. Chat Transcript & Summery
Deadlines
I found out that the deadline for completion of RT2 is 16th October. This means the game has to be complete by then. After this the game is sent of for duplication and when enough copies have been produced, the publisher will release the game. (in the USA first from God games).
The Salvage Operation Begins + News on other sites
Station-x has closed and is going to be deleted in a few days by its former operater everclear. I have decided to rescue some of the good articles from that site including Station-x's 10 questions with poptop, goto the Specail Features. Iam also going to negociate with everclear to see if I can take over the Station-x newsletter! Now to the other sites: Slap! has been updated alot recently and is great site so go and check that out. Waterloo, The Depot, Iron Highway, Dworzoc Glowny are updated daily as usual. Transport Online has closed down after being merged into Railroad Express (see Transport Online page). The Railroad Tycoon 2 Webring has been updated. Railroad Express is updated usally twice a day at 06:55 GMT & 6:01 GMT.
16th September 1998
Downloads Page + Other Updates (update 9:12 PM)
I have sorted out the downloads page. I have added a local copy of the Australlia map from the now closed station-x website. This map would otherwise become unavailible so I have rescued it. Also Iam going to add any more maps to the downloads page when I find one. If you have made a map mail it to me. I have also updated the links page & the Tips-Questions pages. The tops-questions page now works so get sending in thosse Questions & tips! THe tips/questions page now uses a message board!
15th September 1998
Station-X to close
Bad news, Station-x is to close. Bye!
Newsletter Problem
Thankyou to the people who sent me back a copy of the last newsletter. The next letter will be sent out in a few days.
14th September 1998
Forum/Message Board
I have just looked at the forum/message board and noticed just how popular it is. Goi and post something. If you have a problem, tip, question, idea or just need to talk go and post something on the board. Someone will respond to your posting. Forums/Message Board
Website Merger
Transport Online which as been a seperate website operated by Railroad Express has been Merged with us. Transport Online Now exists as a page on this website. This page is the Transport Online page. Here you will find links information on other transport games. Currently there is info on Transport Tycoon Deluxe & Railroad Tycoon Classic. Iam going to make a page about Industry Giant soon.The transport online page still has its own forum! Transport Online page
13th September 1998
UPCOMING CHAT: After Games Release!
The next chat will be the after the games release. Until I get a release date I can't fix a date for the next chat session.
Primary Policay
It is now the primary policay of this site not to supply any crack files for rt2, including the one for the demo. So do not evrn bother asking me for it!
12th September 1998
Poptop Makes Update
After a week poptop has updated there site. They are currently working through bug reports, comments etc. Als othere is a new preview of rt2 at IGN.
2 New Sites
Not one but two new rt2 sites. The first is Erehwon Junction and the second is a new rt2 clan The Ocident Express
Download Demo
To download demo see the downloads page. Downloads
11th September 1998
A Funny Picture/Animation
Please watch this funny little animation......... (it takes a while to run it course)
New Map
I have just started work on a new map for the demo!. Its current name is Tronos
Station-x Map
Station-x has made a map. austv055.zip
10th September 1998
Another Cheat
I have foung another cheat for the game. Select a train on the train manifest on the middle window then press <CTRL> C then your selected train will crash. Have Fun!. The other cheat is <CRTL> M to get money
Big Changes
There have been some big changes at Railroad Express today. Transport Online, a part of Railroad Express has merged with the main site. All news from Transport Online can now be found on the Transport Tycoon Page . Also the Troubled Orient Express website has been aquired by Railroad Express. I will attempt to get that site back on its feet. Our control of the Orient Express is going to be a external operation and will not be moving here to join this site. In the menu bar I have added a page other transport games. Here you will find the Transport Tycoon & Railroad Tycoon Classic Pages.
9th September 1998
New Site
There is a new site! check out Slap!
Bug Report
Poptop are currently conducting a bug report. If you find a bug report it to rich@poptop.com
8th September 1998
Let Them Do There Job
I have just looked through everyones posting on the message board and all I can say is let them do there job. Everyone is saying what they want including, well let them release the game first. Becasue poptop are planning on doing an expansion pack, so all your idea could be added to that. I suggest talking to Franz about it.
7th September 1998
Crack Update
I have diecided to not repley to any e-mail about request for the crack file. Stop sending them me. Go and bug Station-x or something!
The Clan
Well the clan is doing well and has changed alot. It has moved to a new address and goes under the name of the orient express now. The Orient Express Rail co - RT2 CLAN
A Cheat That Works
The cheat franz told me does not work, but in the readme file it says another money cheat. Here it is:
<Ctrl> M - Cheat - Give yourself and your company $1 Million each.
6th September 1998
Multi-Player
Poptop are currently focusing there work on twaeking the multi-player section of the game
8-Bit Problem
If you are having problems with the 8-bit Franz says that you can fix the problem by simply deleting the rt2.cfg file.
29,000
Over the last week end we have jumped from 12,000 to 29,000. That is a lot of vistors. Stand by to be able to download a new map for the rt2 demo soon only on railroad express!
The Crack
I will not supply the crack file to anyone. Please stop asking to get it contact rt2crack@hotmail.com . And when the demo was released I was sleeping. But thanks for all you (120) notification e-mails. I have only just finished reading them.
Got A Problem?
If you are haveing problmes with the demo. I suggest coming to the chat on september 12th. See below for more details.
Bring In The Heavies
Poptop have made an offical position on the demo. Don ont use it. The are also hiring some people to try and combat the crack file.
Exclusive New Screenshots From Demo!
Earlier today I did 2 pictures, now there are 7!. (2 pictures is very special) They are pics of American & African maps from the Railroad Tycoon 2 demo. Due to a few unforseen events 2 pictures have been withdrawn. Also the most recent screenshots by Poptop have been withdrawn until I can fix my server. These pictures were produced by me, not poptop! Click here to see the demo pics
4th September 1998
R.I.P
Today is my birthday, and it is the worst day of the year because as a present my cat sooty was run over and killed by a car. Iam deeply upset, so this website is dedicated in his memory. Also the demo of rt2 is great. If you have not downloaded it yet, go an do it now!
3rd September 1998
The Supertrain Interviews
Our train friend Supertrain has done lots of great interviews with poptop, and now I have compiled them all on to one page. I have not yet had time to add this page into the side bar, but will do soon, but now I am going back to playing the demo. Supertrain interviews page
Demo Page
With the demo released, check out our demo page for information on the demo. It includes download links, system requirements. Soon it will have a troubleshooting guide and a tips section! On September 3rd I will put up new screenshots from the demo (made by me, not poptop!).
1st September 1998
Tips/Questions Page Added
As well as the demo page I have added a page where you can submit your questions and tips for the game. I will answer your questions as soon as I can and add your tips to the tip page as soon as I can. While Iam on about the pages, I have updated the links and downloads pages ready for the demo tommorow.Tips & Questions page
The Clan Opens (a new site!)
A very differrent rrt2 site has opened. It is the Railroad Tycoon 3 clan which is devoted to multi-player rrt2. It is not run by me before you slag me off, Iam only a member and added the first news update. There is 3 other members. Until we can sequere and independent address we are using a tempary address at the Railroad Tycoon 2 webring. Please go and have a look and sign up for what will be the ULTIMATE multi-player game. THE RAILROAD TYCOON 2 CLAN
Here Comes The
Demo On The 2nd !!
The demo of Railroad Tycoon 2 is released on
wednesday 2nd of September. As soon as I have down loaded it and
played it (for about 11 hours) I will add it to our download page.
You will be able to download it from the Godgames
website, http://www.gibbed.com , http://www.ogr.com http://www.cd-rom.com & Railroad Express. It is very unfortuneate that
wednesday the 2nd is the last day off schooll in Aston UK. I will
also produce a getting started page for the demo on the same day
New Screenshots
I have finally added all the new screenshots from Poptop & Gamepen. See the screenshots page to see them. ScreenShots
31st August 1998
Yet Another Break
On the 5th of septmember Iam going on holiday for 1 night, (well Iam going PARTYING!) so on that day there will be no update to the site. This is my last holiday of the year, so it should be uninterupted updates after the 5th of september. (I can even update on Christmas day!)
On The Move
I have moved things around a bit. I have cleared all the old Archive news onto an different page so there is room for some more Archive News. Oh and Iam now back from a short 2 day holiday. I will be on holiday for 2 days on the 5th & 6th September.
UPCOMING CHAT: September 12th
I have decided to change the time again for the chat on September 12th . This is not a bad thing the chat will now last a full hour and a half. I have also added the time in the 25 hour clock to help make global time conversions easier. So read the below for the NEW chat times:
The times for the next chat will be 10:45 to 12:15 Midnight UK (BST) & 4:45 to 6:15 PM USA (CST). Franz from poptop has said " I Should be able to make it".
The 24 hour clock times are UK(BST) 22:45 - 0:15 & USA(CST) 16:45 - 18:15
THE BIG PREVIEW IS HERE !
After a the wait you can now read the Railroad Express/Gibbed.com preview of Railroad Tycoon 2 before its offical posting on http://www.gibbed.com . Please do not copy any of the preview because it is property of Gibbed.com.
Click here for THE BIG PREVIEW
New Site Coming
Iam excited to announce that a new, but very different Railroad Tycoon 2 site is about to open. It is joint operation between Railroad Express and others. I can't give too many details only this few words from the sites slogan " Dedicated to Multi-player Railroad Tycoon 2". The other clue I can give is the site title. The Railroad Tycoon 2 Clan. The site should be open on the 1st or second of september.
Contest Winners
These are the winners of poptops compo. This is direct from http://www.railroadtycoon2.com
DEAN HAMILTION, come on down! Dean Hamilton suggested we include train robbers! This was the number one suggested idea; however we felt Deans version was the most functional and playable version. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Tell him what he's won imaginary announcer! Mr. Hamilton has won a replication of an ACTUAL engine used in the game, a copy of Railroad Tycoon II, and his name finely printed along side our own in the credits.
Okay then!
CHRIS McMAHON, come on down! Chris McMahon suggested the use of GOODWILL. Good service will earn the player goodwill with the public for a variety of beneficial effects. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Okay, alright. Hey! That's alright. Tell him what he's won! Chris McMahon,hold on to your hat because it might blow off if you have one. If that tip wasn't of any use, perhaps he will like his... NEW COPY OF RAILROAD TYCOON II!!!! We'll also send him a replication of an actual engine in the game and his name printed in genuine ink in the credits!
That's great!
PIERRE-OLIVIER MILLETTE, come on down! Pierre-Oliver's inspiration was the inclusion of international borders in certain scenarios. Bravo! Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? And for that fine idea, what has he won? Pierre-Oliver's dark and mysterious idea has secured his place in history as his name will be printed in each and every manual that ships with PopTop's new game Railroad Tycoon II! There's more! Pierre-Oliver will also receive a free copy of Railroad Tycoon II and an actual replication of an engine used in the game, touched (at one time or another) by Phil Steinmeyer himself.
Now that, is Swell.
V.G. DIAZONI, come on down! Mr. Diazoni story is that of selflessness. He was thinking of all the children. Children young and old will benefit from his caring cause as we will now be including a SANDBOX MODE! You can turn off the annoying challenge of creating a profitable railroad and just build and build to your hearts content unfettered by money or time. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Wow that's amazing! He should get something for that. What do we have for Mr. Diazoni? Well, we will be whisking him away to wherever he happens to be when he receives... his brand new copy of Railroad Tycoon II! Encased in an attractive box will be a golden disk chalked full of fun. He'll also be able to play Railroad Tycoon II with that very same disk!!! OH Ho! That's not the half of it! He'll also receive a fine replica of an actual engine used in the game and stand along side the creators of the game, when his name is added to the games manual.
Absolutly amazing! How do they do that?
ROB MUSSELMAN, come on down! Last but certainly not the first. Rob has dug deep into the psyche of the international importer and dug up this ego crushing idea. The customs house. The customs house used in coordination with ports and borders, will reduce delays in shipping. Doh! Why didn't WE think of that? Hard to imagine he's not going to get anything for that... because he WILL! That's right, Rob will be styling with his very own replica of an engine found in the game Railroad Tycoon II. Rob's happening groove will really jam when he finds his name included in the manual of the very game that the engine appears in! Of course this package wouldn't be complete without... his very own copy of Railroad Tycoon II!!!
30th August 1998
News Letter Problem
Everyone who has submitted their name to recive the Newsletter will have to send in their e-mail address again because I have lost all the addresses. E-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net with Re-subscribe Newsletter in the subject line.
On The Move
I have moved things around a bit. I have cleared all the old Archive news onto an different page so there is room for some more Archive News.
Supertrain Interview
Supertrain has done another interview with poptop and given it to railroad express. So here goes:
1. How many in-zoom levels are in the game?
I believe it is 5. Funny how when you're so close
to a thing you forget the little things.
2. Will Take-2 interactive also "sell" the game
outside Great-Brittain in main Europe?
Yes.
3. Is labor-costs also inserted in the game?
Labor cost as far as track &
engine maintenance, yes.
4. Are there any subsidies in the game from local
authorities?
Yes, at times.
5. Are there any new Reviews-Interviews from magazines?
Actually, I've been having a
difficult time tracking that stuff. None that I know of.
6. What is the most important good you transport in the
game?They are all important.
It's a value judgement and situationally based.
7. What can I see more in a station-view?
There are several in station shots
on the screens page... just realized this letter was before that
update.... ugh, I hate it when this happens.
26th August 1998
The Box
This explains it self really. Click here to see the box ( if picture below does not work)
New Interview
Well I have just completed the 2nd Railroad Express interview with poptop. I would ask the other sites not to copy the interview just link to it. Anyways to is very intesting so I suggest you take a look. Please note when I first posted this interview all the links pointed at the old one. I have also added some screenshots to this page. This has now been corrected so go and read the new Railroad Express interview. The 2nd Railroad Express interview with poptop
The Big Preview
I have just finished writing a big preview about Rairlaod Tycoon 2. I have written the article for my host website http://www.gibbed.com . They are currently reviewing the article to wether they are going to put it on there news page. If they decided to reject the preview I will be placing this article on Railroad Express on the 27th.
Features Page Added
I have added a features page. It is not yet complete because I have been busy writting the preview for gibbed (see above). Features Page
UPCOMING CHAT: September 12th (updated)
The times for the next chat will be 10:45 to 12:00 Midnight UK (BST) & 4:45 to 6:00 PM USA (CST). Franz from poptop has said " I Should be able to make it".
Chat Transcript
If you have missed the chat, it was very informative. But if you missed it click here to read a full trasncript of the chat. This page also contains a summary of the chat information that came out. The next chat will be on september 12th (details coming soon) Chat Transcript & summary
Should be able to make it".
Chat Transcript
If you have missed the chat, it was very informative. But if you missed it click here to read a full trasncript of the chat. This page also contains a summary of the chat information that came out. The next chat will be on september 12th (details coming soon) Chat Transcript & summary
25th August 1998
System Requirements
There is now quite alot of reliable information on the system requirements for Railroad Tycoon 2. So I have looked over all the information and compiled a list of system requirements. Please note these are not the final requirements and are subject to change. System Requirements
Messageboard/Forum
I would like to remind you that Railroad Express has a message board and has done for over 1 mounth. But some people had missed it under the forum name so now the sidebar says both. There is some nice disscussions going on the board so go and take a look.Forum / Message board
FIRST TO 10,000
YES! Just as the chat finished we have broken 10,000 visitors this we are the rrt2 site that has had most visitors. Thankyou everyone for reading and keep coming back. Railroad Express actually beat station-x becasue we passed 10 thousend on Saturday 22nd. But now station-x has had 100,000 visitors, but at least we were first in something.
24th August 1998
Game Alliance
Everclear from station-x has written a preview of rrt2 for there host gagames. click here for gagames preview
23rd August 1998
Counter Removed
I have stopped the count down to the release in 8 weeks. The reason I started this was I heard from poptop that "It is only 8 weeks so it is not a long wait". But after the August 22nd chat it turns out to be longer that 8 weeks which means that you can expect the game in November in the usa and in europe in time for christmas.
Chart It!
Poptop has released 2 new charts about rrt2. The first an industrial chart & the second is a chart of the cargo trailers. Please note they are very big.click here for industrial chart & click here for the cargo chart
FIRST TO 10,000
YES! Just as the chat finished we have broken 10,000 visitors this we are the rrt2 site that has had most visitors. Thankyou everyone for reading and keep coming back.
22nd August 1998
Chat channel
I have replaced the chatplannet chat channel with the xoom channel. So it should work for nearly everyone now. Chat
The Depot
The depot has also moved to gibbed on the same day as us. You can now find the depot at http://www.gibbed.com/depot/. Also they have also have found out that you will need to have the CD in the drive to play a multi-player game.
Supertrain Interview
Supertrain/the terminal have a new interview with potop. Here it is:
1. What
languages are used in the game?
We will be in at least
English, French and German. No final word but there is talk of
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
2. How
many sorts of stations are included in the game? What sorts of
station?
3 size types, small, medium
and large. Styles are Colonial, Mission Revival, Tudor, Victorian
and Byzantine. 3. How far is the game at this moment ready? Rough
percentage, about 90% with the general construction. Still needs
work on multiplayer, maps, campaigns and scenarios.
4. You
said (or Phil or Frank) there will be express and commutertrains.
What more sorts of trains are inserted. Double Decktrains or (what
you call in the US) double-stack freight-trains?
It is not so much that the
TRAIN will be in, but rather such types of consists can be
created. As for the car types like the double-stacks, no. There
are general flatbed, box, passenger, mail, tanker, hoppers and
livestock.
5. Can
you say what more locomotives will be included in the game
besides the ones showed on the PopTop-page?
I'm working on finalizing
that list. I'll post the whole thing when I've seen the ones so
far listed in the game. There will be some last minute changes
and the Maglev's are not in yet.
6. The
signalling? Is there anything changed in that?
The final word on that is,
no signals. To everyone that is saddened by this we say sorry,
please try it our way before you kill us!
7. Will a
trainset get both ends. Like two motorcars for a TGV at each end?
No, we have to be a
strictly one end only sim. We are trying to create a game that
while you must suspend disbelief for a while we try not to make
it too difficult. Double enders where a trade off.
8. Can I get in a train an extra motorcar (or locomotive)? Like for an F3series an B-unit behind an A-unit. Double-headed. No, this is the only one like it in the game. We felt it added a bit of variety without overloading our system.... Todd and Dave are wearing their fingers to the bone trying to finish the locomotives ;)
9. Is
their an intro before the gamemenu appears? What is that intro
like?
You'll have to wait till
its out. ;)
10. What
is the first locomotive in the game? The Trevithick locomotive or
"The Rocket" or an other one.
The Trevithick, 1804.
Rocket was out in 1829. hanks to Supertrain for
this interview... And thanks to the Terminal for reporting it
first. :
21st August 1998
Messageborad
All this talk on other sites of messageboards reminds me, use the railroad express boaed which is over 1 mounth old and has some nice disscussions going.Forums
Let the count down begin
I have been told that Railroad Tycoon 2 will be released in 8 weeks time (this is not yet officaly confirmed but is the expected release date) so I have begun a count down until the release. Above the date at the top of the news section you will see the Number of weeks + days until the games release. I am hoping to replace that writing with a proper counter that will count down on screen dispalying the number of hours and minutes as well to the release in October.
20th August 1998
New Webring Banner
There is now a new webring banner that completly works with all netscape browsers. Also thought that I should say, The webring has been updated. WebRing
200
Well now it has happened. We have had 200 subscribers to the newsletter with an average of 10 coming every week. I would like to thank everyone for there intrest in the newsletter. If you would like to sign goto the newsletter page. Newsletter
19th August 1998
Waterloo is washed away , Nearly
The waterloo station website will not be updated for a few days because it's operater has lost all his copies of the website and is being forced to start again from scratch with the site. Expect it to return soon.
18th August 1998
New Interview
Supertrain has made a second interview with poptop. This is from the station-x website.
What music is in the game? I mean Jazz, House (do you know
that is), classic or pop(top)music.
Blue Grass and some Jazz.
2. Can I build 4 tracks beside eachother (2 times 2 tracks) so I
can make a headcorridor?
Track laying can be anything you
want. The trains path may vary depending on traffic density. I've
done it several times, but most of the time it isn't necessary...
most of the time. You also have to lay the track in smaller
increments when you do that as the game wants to link longer
sections together.
3. How many trains will be in the game by now 51,
52 or 59? And how many in the expansion (if there will be an
expansion and if you know it already)?
The creation of an expansion pack
has not been decided. Until play testing is concluded, the final
number and type of locomotives will vary. Right now we have about
63.
4. What currency coins will you have in game? The Euro, the new
European coin also?
I'm not sure what you mean when you
say coins. We have a small graphic coin to represent the value of
a cargo load. As for the currency basics, we are using US dollars...
it's what we know. I'm not sure but localization may change it to
the appropriate currency type. The money, while an important
part, is more of an abstraction anyway. The values are all
balanced, so it could be Tulip Bulbs and still function properly.
5. Is their a tutorial in the game?
The first part of the campaign is a
tutorial. We don't have a tutorial only scenario, personally I
prefer to learn games by "accident." This is a
controlled "accident ;)
6. Can I get extra money if I held a special world record? The
fastest train, longest trip, highest bridge, most luxureus train,
biggest station or transported most goods in a year?
Well, I haven't created such an
event, but you can look for one, you never know. The real answer
is that there isn't anything hard coded into the game for that
one feature. The event editor can allow it to be created.
17th August 1998
No More Transport Tycoon !!
Transport Online has recived an e-mail from Chris Sawyer (TT auther) stating there will be no more transport tycoon games. Click here for the full story
Transport Online Arrives
The Railroad Tycoon Online website has been replaced with a site that reports information on all games about transport (including rrt2). Transport online reports information on transport tycoon deluxe as well as other games. Transport Online
15th August 1998
Railroadtycoon3.com ?
After registering http://www.railroadtycoon2.com poptop have now registed http://www.railroadtycoon3.com so it seems that after RRT2's completion poptop's next development will be Railroad Tycoon 3. (this is as yet unconfirmed though). This is what poptop had to say (from terminal website):
The sites are all the same source. Phil wanted to avoid the copycat name hostage situation. In fact we also registered Railroad Tycoon 3. That's not to say there is or will be one, he just doesn't want to pay through the teeth to get that name should he decide to do it.
12 New Screenshots
Poptop have released a new batch of screenshots. Click here to see the first 9.
Click here to see the last 3 pics
Railroadtycoon2.com
Poptop has registed the domain http://www.railroadtycoon2.com . At the moment it is just a mirror site of http://www.poptop.com but when the game is released the site will feature many downloads including maps and new scenarios e.t.c. But go there and add it to your bookmarks so later the when the sitebecome good you will not forget the address.
14th August 1998
The Disapering Act
Well it seems that everyone is failing to update their pages recently. Only Railroad Express & Waterloo station have updates this week. We have been slow with updatess because of even more problems with Fortunecity Servers. By the way Nick Allen is back from holiday so the depot site has been updated.
Take2 Interactive
Take 2 interactive now have a section about rrt2 on there website. They are expceting to aquire a demo in the middel-end of August 1998. Yake 2 interactive is the uk publisher of rrt2. The game will be released in November in the uk.
2 New Trains
There is 2 new pictures of trains.Pictures Of Trains and Cargo
10th - 13th August 1998
Editors
The Depot website has got some info on the editors in RRT2 so here goes:
'No. Well yes it IS special but it's not seperate. The parameters all move along with each map. In other words, it is like a Quake map, you build a world and set the variables yourself, but players have the ability to adjust those variables... except in a campaign, these don't change.'
Behind The Scenes
Well we are now back after yet more problems uploading to the Fortunecity severs. Although we have not missed anything because nothing has been happening recently. Don't forget to come to the chat on August 22nd.
9th August 1998
Help Required
I have reached the point where I need help operating this website. The job will be operation of the Railroad Online website which is now hosted and operated by Railroad Express. For more info e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net
Railroad Tycoon Classic Page
Well today I finally got a copy of my old favourite game for the pc, railroad tycoon for only £2 ($3.5). Anyway I have made some screenshots and made a page about the game. There is also a download on the page - a zip file with all the screenshots on it. A rolling demo of Railroad tycoon classic will follow soon. When I get Railroad Tycoon Deluxe (I hope that is soon) I will make a page about the.Railroad Tycoon Classic Page
A Mistake
Earlier today I accidently uploaded the wrong file that said we had moved. We havent and we are staying at this location.
Demo Arrives !!!!!
September 1998 will see the release of the Playable demo of RRT2. It will be released on the God/poptop websites. You will also be able to download it here. I will inform you when it is released
New Interview
Well our good friend Supertrain who sent in that cool picture of the Thalys has asked Franz from Poptop some very good questions about RT2. Interview from the Station-x website.
1. Will traincarriages change over the time? I mean will a "Rocket" have the same carriages as a TGV?
There will be some changes, not as much as we'd like but they do change.
2. Can you build shops and hotels in your stations?
Yes, hotels, resturants, post office etc.
3. Can you change ticketprices and are there special sales? I mean commuter-tickets, vacantie-tickets and Fly-Rail combination tickets.
No. There are no facilities to warrant such actions. It's actually more of a strategy game than the original, but it has the contorls to play in a variety of ways.
4. How about trainferries? Than I can get trains from France-England. Because there are no tunnels.
Sorry, but that's still a no. We realize we're going to take a hit for not having tunnels. Particularly when you start playing the game because it looks good and you kind of naturally expect them. In all honesty, when you start playing you pretty much forget about them because you're plenty busy. The absence of tunnels is a simple causalty of the development process. Not enough time to do it right. Bad tunnels are worse than no tunnels, please trust me on that! ;)
5.Can I make my own screenshots?
Yes. Pressing the Print Screen key will put a 24bit PCX file of the current screen in the RT2 root directory.
6. Will their also be technical information on the trains. I mean weight, speed and axledivision.
No. There is not enough room in the display. We will have pertinent in-game data though. We are looking into putting some of the train detail in the manual.
Tester..
Poptop have now got their full-time in-house tester for Railroad Tycoon II. Rich Kollmeyer is the lucky guy and hopefully we will be hearing from him soon on the beta testing issue.
Progress
Station-x has a progress report on Railroad tycoon 2. Here it is:
98% of the interface (+-) contest and game tweaking.
Chairman and Managers minus tweaking and graphic improvements.
90-99% of the locomotives minus tweaking.
All world graphics and building animation, except tool and die shop and iron mine animation.
Maps: Eastern US, SW US, North America, Cape to Cairo Africa & Central Europe. Actually, they need some more tweaking.
We're expecting to do an Alpha this week if all goes according to plan.
I'm almost done with the 623 contest entries, these are almost all multiple entries so it was closer to about 1200+. And YES, I've read them ALL! In part it was a way of telling if we should make this fall dead line or go back to the boards and rethink. It is definitely this fall. Nothing is ever perfect but I think we're pretty close to on track with the design. 70% of the video clips.
85% event editor.
98% map editor.
There is still a bunch of details and a mountain of tweaking to do. That's why we need to hire a full time game tester. If we find someone that is able to handle additional work we will probably do a limited outside beta test.
Sounds like great news. So all is looking good in the world of Railroad Tycoon II.
Sheffield Screenshot
There is a picture of Sheffield here in the UK(on the picture sheffield is spelt wrong). Click here to see the SHEFFIELD image
Links Page Updated
The links page has finally been updated with a new format. It has taken a while finding all the sites because of all the recent moves. Links Page
CGW Interview
The Ironhighway website is reporting of a new interview in computer gaming world. Here is some of it:
Phil Steinmeyer is a lot like the author Peter David: He does his best work in other creators worlds. Now, the man who helped show the industry there was still plenty of life in turn based games with Heroes of might & Magic goes cerebral real-time with RailRoad Tycoon 2. The design retains most of what made Sid Meiers's original design great, but Steinmeyer has added stronger AI robber barons, more strategic variety, and 16 player multiplayer support. The 3d graphics don't require an accelerator, but they still look good. You can micromanage your business, immerse yourself in stock trading, or hire managers to do the dirty work - leaving you to play with your virtual train set. Deeper and more accessible than the original, this is one of the true sleepers of 1998.
3rd August 1998
Beta Testing At Last, Good News or Not
Poptop has finally begun it's beta-testing. The bad news is it is an internal opertaion os all of us who has been hoping for a chance will not get it. They are currently looking for a full time beta tester to work at their offices. Poptop are also looking for another programer. Goto the poptop site for more info
New Train Image, Not By Poptop
Here is a new train picture, It is the TGV. Iam not going to put this on the trains page because it is not an offical one from Poptop. Thanks to station-x website from the pic.
Competiton Closed
The competiton run by poptop has now been closed. The winners will be drawn in a cupple of weeks.
2nd August 1998
Everyone Just Keeps On Moving
It seems to becoming somekind of tradition at the moment that you open a website, then move it to a new (usally better, but not always) address and server. Well I have been a bit behind with all the links but here is the latest list of moves:
THE DEPOT - This is a move only because of terrible problems we are ALL having with fortunecity (more in a moment on this)
The Terminal - Moved for the 3rd time ( Damn they beat me too it again)
Waterloo Station - They have switched to a new server & Address
Railroad Express - YES it is finally happening, railroad express will be moving soon !! to where, I don't know but I do know I am leaving Fortunecity because they have become so slow and are becoming impossible for me to log onto the file manager to upload files. If anyone would like to host railroad express please e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net .
I am hoping to secure a new home for this page soon because Fortunecity are driving me mad because it took me 10 minutes to upload one 1k file after 4 attempts.
29th July - August 1st 1998
Release Dates Confirmed
After the chat on July 25th I can now confirm that RRT2 will be released in October 1998 in the USA. The Uk & Europe will get the game Mid - November 1998 and will be published by Take 2 Interactive. In the usa the game is being published by Gathering of Developers.
A Stupid Mistake, A New Look & A Public Apology
Well you may not have noticed any changes but there are quite a few through out this website. The site has a new colour scheme which sticks to 4 colours. All text/information is in white , page titles in Blue , links in Aqua and dates in Dark Red. I have done this so everything is not so psychedelic. Also all pages have been updated to make sure that everyone is properly credited for everything and any page that said exclusive (or something simular) has been removed. I will now not put anything up on this page as exclusive ever again. The large version of the denver image that had Railroad Express Website written on it was actually a mistake. I was testing using that image as a new banner for this page but I saved it by accident over the Denver large image and then uploaded it without knowing that railroad express website was writen on it. This problem has now been corrected. Iam sorry I made this mistake and I bet the other rrt2 websites have spent all night slaging me off. Well it is all down to how stupid and thick Iam. I hope you all exept my appology about my mistake with the denver image & I will also never ever again put any thing up under the words exclusive. Click here to view the denver full size image without the mistake I made.
28th July 1998
Denver Screenshot: New Version
I have now released the full screen version of the new denver image. Click here for full size denver ScreenShot
Gathering's Site
Gathering of Developers have opened their own RRT2 website. Gathering's Railroad Tycoon II
25th- 27th July 1998
Help Required
I have now reached the point where I need someone else to help me. I need someone to run Railroad Tycoon Online. I already run 3 sites so I need help. You will need to understand how a website operates , be able to update the site regually and understand how to use an FTP program. As soon as I have selected someone to help me run Railroad Tycoon Online, the site will move to a seprate address where both me and the other person can access that site has well. If you would like to operate Railroad Tycoon Online e-mail me at andrew.stevens9@virgin.net
Click here for Railroad Tycoon Online (At it's NEW address)
Video Demo + New Site
Gathering of developers are going to open there own Railroad Tycoon 2 website. It will also feature some video demos of the game. When these are released you will be able to download them on this site. Thanks to the terminal Website for this info.
Transcript Of Chat
If you have missed the chat session you can read a transcript of the chat. Please do not copy this transcript. A summary of the chat will come later in the day. Chat Transcript & Summery
Railroad Express Interviews Poptop.
I have just completed a 10 question interview with poptop. It was very informative and relesed some new info. Franz from poptop has also released a new screenshot ( to go with this article. Click here for interview
Railroad Tycoon Online Updated
Railroad Tycoon Online has been totally updated. The features page has had all the latest informatin on the game added to it. Go and have a look. I still need help running Railroad Tycoon Online, if you are intrested see Help Required Below.
The Indianapolis Terminal
The Indianapolis Terminal has moved to a new address. They are now hosted by station-x.The Indianapolis Terminal
New Screenshot Now Works
After 3 days of trying the new screenshot now works.CLICK HERE FOR NEW SCREENSHOT.
Holidays
For the next 2 weekends (but not in week ) I will be on holiday so there will not be many updates on this site for the next 2 weeks.
24th July 1998
Railroad Express Newsletter
To sign up for the webring news letter you now go to a seperate page. If you would like to sign up click here.
The Terminal Returns
The Terminal Website is now open again in their old Geocities address. ( Link coming just as soon as I can find it)
Chat Channel Open
The new chat channel is now open. We have switched to a new more reliable server, chatplannet. The channel should not create as many problems as the old one. The channel is open for genral chating when you want to. Chat Channel
23rd July 1998
3000 Visitors In 2 Days
This it not a record but I was shocked when I looked at my counter and noticed that I have had over 3000 visitors in 2 days because on sunday 19th it said 3480 but now it says over 6400. This means this site is now the most popular website and has knocked the Station-x website off the top of being the most visited website.
Railroad Tycoon Online Rescued
The railroad tycoon online website which has not been updated for over 1 and a half mounths has been rescued by Railroad Express/Railroad Tycoon Webring sites. The owner of that site did not have time to run it so we will be taking over operation of that website. Because of this the site will probely be moving to a new address. More new about this soon.
The Depot Returns
The depot website will now be updated daily because it's owned is back from holiday.
20th July 1998
Two New Sites
Two new railroad tycoon 2 sites have opened. One is an American site Waterloo Station which looks a little bland at the moment but hopefully soon it will have improved it's self. The other site is a Polish site, Dworzec Glówny - RailRoad Tycoon II this means in english Main Station. Hopefully these sites will join the webring.
Font Pack Relesed
I have released a pack containing all the fonts used by this website. You can get it on the downloads page.
Another Year Gone
Well another year of school has now finished. I will miss all my friends so Iam feeling a little down, but at least I will have more time to work on the page. I hopr to bring many improvements to the page. If you want to e-mail me about anything at all send all mail to this address sp45@hotmail.com.
18th - 19th July 1998
2 New Train Pictures
There is 2 new pictures of trains. Goto the screenshotspage then click on the TRAINS section to view them.
The Terminal Closes
The terminal website's host has shut them down (and all the other site they host) and not giver them any notice. At this time the site has not moved to a new address but keep a look out on this page and I will tell you when it returns. Also there is still no updates from railroad online, the depot & train manager websites, I don't know what is really going on with those pages.
New Look
I hope you like the new look. The side bar is alot smaller so I can fit more on the screen reducing size of each page. All the pages (that use the sidebar) have been updated with this improved look. E-mail me if you have any further suggetions on how I can improve my site.
Forum Open
I have now opened a forum (message room) where you can leave messages and see what other people have to say. Click here to goto the forum
New General e-mail address
I have changed e-mail addresses. All e-mail about the site should be sent to sp45@hotmail.com. If you are sending an e-mail with a file on it or you want to sign up for the newsletter you should e-mail andrew.stevens9@virgin.net
12th July 1998
TRANSCRIPT OF JULY 11th Chat
Well the chat went well and was very well recived. Two people from poptop attended, Franz and Frank. Lots of new information was relesed and I would like to thank Franz/Frank for coming and answering questions. Click here to read a transcript of the chat.
FORUM OPEN
I have now opened a forum (message room) where you can leave messages and see what other people have to say. Click here to goto the forum
Station -X Interview
I have romoved station-x's interview with poptop from the Previews page. You can now access it here on the Station-x website.
CHAT ROOM CLOSED:
During the chat on July 11th there were lots of problems with the chat channel. So we have moved to a new Server, Chatplannet but it will be about 2 weeks before the channel is active. When the new room is open this is when we will have a new chat session.
2 New Previews
There are yet agian more previews on rrt2. They are at computainment.com (this is only a small preview) and an impressive one at Gamepen.
NEW SCREENSHOTS
There are 8 new screenshots for the game. Click here to see them.
Poptop Launches Competition
What poptop want you to do is come up with things you would like to see in the game, write them on an e-mail and send them to webmaster@poptop.com.
Here is what you can win:
- One of the actual HO gauge train models used in Railroad Tycoon II
- A free copy of Railroad Tycoon II upon it's release!
- Your name in the credits to the game
Railroad Express Newsletter
I have decided to produce a newsletter sent out every two weeks. To join up send an e-mail to
In the subject line write rrt2 newsletter then you will be added to the list. You will recive all the latest news on railroad tycoon 2.
11th July 1998
POPTOP SAYS THANKS
Well now the vote is over and poptop has the results. Thanks to everyone who voted. Franz from poptop says thanks too.
3000 VISITORS
Well it has now happened. We have had 3000 visitors. Thanks to everyone who has ever read the page and please do keep reading it !!!!!!!!
5th July 1998
Iron Highway has moved
A quick note the iron higway website has moved . Click here to enter.
FIRST DOWNLOAD
The first download is now on the downloads page. It is a realaudio interview with phil from poptop.
New Interview
There is a new interview/artcile about rrt2 on the gamecenter website. here is the link GAMECENTER.COM - Sneak Peeks - Railroad Tycoon II: On the Right Track
On this page there is also a downloadable real-audio interview with Phil from poptop.
30/6/98
Take 2 Interactive Snaps up RRT2
Railroad tycoon 2 has now got a confirmed uk release. The game will be published by Take 2 Interactive ( A new company made up of Gametek UK & BMG INTERACTIVE). Poptop expects they will relese the game here (in the uk) about 2 weeks after the USA relese. Please note that no relese dates have yet to be confirmed. I am only guessing but I think Novermber 98 to March 1999 is the likely time the game will be released (take 2 is only the uk publisher and in the USA it will be published by Gathering of Developers.
22/6/98
New Pictures
There are 2 new pictures. Both are pictures of the trains. See screenshots page.
19/6/98
POPTOP MAKES REQUEST
After the chat the other day on the rrt2 express website Franz from poptop requested that I run a survey about trains on this webring. So here it is. This is for poptop so please vote:
17/6/98
2 New Sites
There is a new rrt2 website up .The Depot
There is a new rrt2 website open. It is called the The Indianapolis Terminal. It offers information on rrt2 and it's previous 2 games. The site has also joined the webring.
Station-X Is Gone
It seams that the station-x website has closed because It has been down for 4 days with no sign of return. If the website re-opens while post it on this page.
New Screenshots and Downloads page open
There are some new pictures on the screenshots page.
The downloads page has opned. There is no rrt2 downloads .
Webring Update:
The webring has now moved to new independent site.
Click here for WebRing Homepage