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Trainz 2009 DVD Now Shipping

Thousands of DVD boxed copies of Trainz Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition have begun shipping around the world. We look forward to welcoming thousands more Trainz fans to the latest and best ever version of Trainz and hearing their feedback on the Trainz forums.

Our Australasian warehouse, plus Regional Distributors in Europe and North America still have plenty of stock on hand so it's not too late to order your copy. Generally, orders placed with the Auran Store will be shipped within 24-48 hours from your local distributor. Of course by ordering the Digital Download option you could be creating your own 2009 rail world within hours.

Service Pack 1 ready for Download

The Trainz team have been busy for the many weeks preparing Service Pack 1 for your enjoyment. SP1 is a small 15MB update that includes numerous improvements, enhancements and bug fixes. Highlights include some significant performance improvements in “2009 mode” with frame rates often double those achieved in the old “compatibility mode”. For a full list of SP1 changes, Click Here

We've also improved the alpha blending in compatibility mode at the expense of lower performance on some cards. As more new content is released that takes advantage of the new systems, routes will begin to both look much better and perform much better.

Whilst the team achieved a lot with SP1, the task of improving and adding to Trainz is never really complete. Work has already begun on the next update expected early in the New Year, and also on adding new features for Trainz Engineers Edition.

You can download the SP1 patch from one of these links:

Build 37625 -> 38017 Retail Release -> SP1

Build 38004 -> 38017 SP1 Beta -> SP1

Note: SP1 will patch directly over your existing installation. Whilst existing content should not be affected, we recommend that you back up your installation prior to upgrading.

Christmas Content Updates

Speaking of new content, we have released 50 brand new high resolution ground textures for TS2009. We’ve also created the 15 "Exploration" Driver Sessions for existing routes, and re-added the localized versions for the Marias Pass route.

To download the various new sessions and new textures, simply search using Content Manager 2 and download whichever items you would like.

For the Intro Sessions, search for Intro.
For Marias Pass Sessions, find the built-in route and R-click to show Dependant Assets.
For the textures, search for TS09.
We have also created some in-game links to make it even easier.

The focus of TS2009 to date has been on the underlying code and features and now our attention will move more towards new content. As you will see from these new textures, there is quite a difference between the old standard 256x256 image and the new 1024x1024 image. We are sure that once people start to see what can be done with a few textures like these, many more high resolution textures will soon become available.

Localization “Beta”

SP1 also includes large updates for Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish fans. These updates include translated interface for Trainz and Content Manager, translations for in-game assets and the TS2009 manual. A number of people from the community have put in a huge effort to help with the translations and the majority of the content has been translated and we thank them very much for their efforts.

The next task is to complete the final missing strings (for example the Dutch Content Manager interface and part of the French Manual) and to ensure that the translations both make sense and fit in the required space within the game. We welcome your feedback on the translations through the Trainz forums.

To change the language, from the Trainz Launcher click Options, then pick your language from the drop-down list.

More heavy machinery to Drive!

You’ve learnt how to drive a 500 tonne freight train, so perhaps it’s time to try your hand with tanks, trucks or ships? Auran has a number of other simulation products now available on the Auran Store. These include WWII Battle Tanks T34 vs. Tiger, Euro Truck Simulator and two great value “3 Packs” - Giant 3 Pack and Simulation 3 Pack.