Beiträge von PaulIP

As previously said, we're now back with an exact date for the BETA 2.1 release, and that date is...

Tomorrow, May 28th 2025!

See you then!

Hello and thank you for the kind words!

Yes, everybody who has paid at least once on our Patreon page will get access to all future releases. Those who were patrons in the past and are no longer our patrons at the time of the release, they will receive the tram via the email address they used when they subscribed to our Patreon.

LG

Paul

FIRST 2024 UPDATE

It's been a while since our last update on Blue Tram Project. A lot has been going on in our personal lives in the last months, which forced us to delay all our projects. We're slowly picking up our pace again (no. 1 priority is the release of Rocar De Simon V2), while also keeping you informed on Blue Tram Project.

What happened since the BETA release back in July 2023? Well, a lot actually! Last year we managed to visit the MVG museum in München and Hannoversches Straßenbahn-Museum (HSM) in Wehmingen. We have recorded hundreds of high quality sounds and we've also taken measurements for all exterior features and many interior features of the M5 tram. For this we want to say a huge THANK YOU to Freunde des Münchner Trambahnmuseums (FMTM) society, MVG Museum and HSM for facilitating our visits and for helping us so much with the project.

Since then, we've been working on implementing all the new sounds, bugfixing, updating scripts across the board and building new functionality.

What is our plan going forward? First, we want to release BETA 2 (which will contain all the work stated above) by June 2024. The long term plan after BETA 2 is to build the m5.65 trailer and attach it to our motor car. Lastly, the motor will be rebuilt from the ground up, and all the scripts will be transferred to the final product.

As we have stated before, this is a long term "passion" project for us. The reason for releasing more BETA versions is for our players to get more value for their money as we go forward. This way, the progress gets "locked in" for our players to enjoy without paying any extra money. A one-time payment on our Patreon page is enough to get access to all future iterations of the project.

Hopefully, this lengthy update gives a good overview of how we want to develop Blue Tram Project in the long term. As always, we are reachable on Facebook, Patreon and WebDisk if you have any questions. See you next time!

🚋💙 It's been a while since our last update, because we have been busy with our Rocar De Simon V2 Buspack project. It's time to clear the dust, explaining the strategy for the coming year and sharing the good news.

In July 2023 we released the BETA version of the Rathgeber M5.65 tram. It was a successful launch and we were impressed by the public support given in an early phase of the project. This fact made us rethink the strategy.

Originally, we planned to deliver this project in 2 stages: BETA (paid on Patreon) and FINAL (free on WebDisk). However, given the interest shown so far, we have decided to release several intermediate versions between BETA and FINAL for our players, as we progress with the tram.

Basically, this is good news for those who bought the tram - they will receive updates during the project, without paying any extra money. Updates will be published on Patreon (for current and new members) and will also be distributed via email to those who already paid and are no longer members on our Patreon page (same as we did for the BETA launch).

After we publish the Rocar De Simon V2 Buspack project (early 2024), we will come back with another update: what has been done since July 2023, when we will publish BETA 2 and what is our strategy going forward. Until then, we wish you Happy Holidays and a prosperous and fulfilling New Year!

'Tis the season to be spooky

🚍 - Rocar De Simon U412-260 (V2 WIP soon to be released)

🚋 - Rathgeber M5.65 BETA

🗺 - Eberlinsee-Schönau

🎃🚋 With Halloween fast approaching, we couldn't wait to roll out our special oldtimer again. The ghosts are whispering. They say that our Blue Tram Project has seen impressive support from the community, after the release of the BETA tram. They also say that good news will be out soon, while the RomanianWorks team needs a bit more time to prepare for the release of Rocar De Simon V2 buspack. Until then, thank you so much for the support, enjoy our festive Halloween tram, and see you soon!

After a long hiatus, the Rocar De Simon is back under the spotlight! During the past weeks we have completely re-scripted the suspension system of the U412-260, and the ECAS / Kneeling behaviour. Thanks to advice from former Rocar De Simon drivers, we managed to fully simulate the functionality of the suspensions.

For setting the suspension level of the front axle, the driver may use 3 buttons:

⬇️ - lowers the front axle

↘️ - lowers / raises the front axle only on the right side

⬆️ - raises the front axle

Since the driver can manually set the suspension height, and the bus does not automatically return to the default height, there has to be a way to reset the suspensions. For that, the driver can use the following 2 commands:

🟢 STOP SUSPENSIE - disables the ECAS automatic suspension adjustments

🟢 NIVEL NORMAL ECAS - resets the suspensions of all 4 wheels to default height

Besides full functionality of the suspension system, our script includes the following main features:

✅ pressure losses depending on bus loading and maintenance condition

✅ ECAS automatic suspension adjustments dependent on maintenance condition (a poorly maintained bus will auto-adjust its suspensions more often)

✅ suspensions are dynamically affected by passengers who climb onboard / alight from the bus (ECAS auto-adjustments will be required to maintain the correct height)

Thank you so much iajer for trying out our tram! We're happy to hear your positive feedback! 😄

🚋🏛️ We also want to give many thanks to our Patrons, who have been so supportive to our project! With the money that we are collecting from the BETA release, we are planning a trip to Germany (hopefully in the near future), to be able to visit the up-to-scale Rathgeber trams and to take precise measurements and high quality sound samples for the project. All the support that we receive is reinvested in this project as we work towards the FULL release.

💙 Don't forget, the tram is available for download on our Patreon page. You only need a one-time subscription to be able to download and drive the oldtimer M5.65. However, feel free to remain subscribed to our Patreon if you want to support us further!

[DOWNLOAD]: https://www.patreon.com/posts/rathgeber-m5-65-86296205

Thank you again for your support, and see you soon!

RomanianWorks is proud to present the first Bavarian tram for you to drive on the tracks of OMSI 2!

Rathgeber M5.65 is the 5th and final iteration of the famous M-wagen series of trams that roamed the streets of München for more than four decades. The M5 family totaled 75 motor cars (divided in 3 sub-series) and 45 trailers made between 1963 and 1965. For the BETA phase, only the third sub-series, consisting of 20 cars numbered 2651-2670, is simulated.

Features:

- Authentic scripts and sounds ensuring almost complete and accurate functionality;

- Highly realistic traction and brake physics;

- Highly realistic pneumatic system, including water accumulations, air leaks and valve failures due to very cold weather;

- Highly realistic shunting operations;

- Includes wheelslip condition, as well as flat wheel condition if maintenance level is inadequate;

- fully simulated 3-axis truck behaviour, including standard gauge and metre gauge;

- Steuergerat ticketing system with simulated failure modes depending on maintenance condition;

- Real-life repaints, as well as special and tributary repaints;

- highly flexible templates for body and roof adverts, following original dimensions

- A generous selection of [setvar] commands to customize the tram with;

- AI compatible, including the ability to reverse

It is essential to read the driver's handbook thoroughly before driving the M5.65. It is a very complex vehicle to drive, and it required substantial knowledge of the systems and mechanisms.

"Cold start" procedure overview:

Door controls overview:

[DOWNLOAD]: https://www.patreon.com/posts/rathgeber-m5-65-86296205

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING OBTAINING A COPY OF THIS TRAM

The tram can be downloaded from our Patreon page, after the patrons pay one subscription. After downloading the tram, you can choose to unsubscribe, or you can choose to remain our patron and support us deliver this project to its FINAL release. How much support you'd like to offer us is up to you.

Those of you who have paid a Patreon subscription in the past, and are currently no longer our patrons DON'T NEED TO PAY AGAIN. They will receive the tram via email starting from tomorrow. Anybody who knows they have paid for the tram in the past and had not received their copy within a few days, please contact us! Mistakes can happen. Feel free to contact us on Facebook, WebDisk, YouTube, or Patreon and we will try to help. However, we will not answer questions related to tram operation. This is what the 35 page handbook is for! 🤪

Metre Gauge Pack

🛠️ We have one last surprise-update before the release, as this has just been finished. The oldtimer Rathgeber M5.65 has finally been adjusted for metre gauge operation. This work package was more complex than narrowing down the 3-axis truck, as we tried to make it as realistic as possible.

⚙️ To do that, we modelled the square wheel extrudes (which so far were simply 2D textures), and the middle-axis flap, which is pushed out by the wheel when the curves are tight. Of course, these are trademark features of the M-Wagen, so we couldn't miss them for the BETA release. All this was possible thanks to our friends from Germany, who helped us with measurements to make everything up to scale!

🎨 This feature-pack is [setvar] adjustable, so if you want your repaints to be configured for metre gauge operation, the truck is narrowed, and the square extrudes together with the middle flap disappear. This is realistic, as we took inspiration from Augsburg, which operated similar trams built by MAN. Last but not least, we couldn't resist recreating the Augsburg historic liveries on our M5.65, because they look so cool and fitting!

Hello! I'm not sure if this is the right topic, so please move this in the proper place if needed.

Are there any tram maps apart from Eberlinsee where trams make a three-way turn at the terminus? I need this information for the AI going in reverse script for my Rathgeber tram.

Thanks in advance!

[VIDEO]: "Cold start" Procedure

https://youtu.be/5uVyOBLj6VU

We are roughly one week away from BETA phase release, and we are hard at work, writing handbooks and making tutorial videos, for you guys to be able to learn how to drive and enjoy our oldtimer tram to its full potential.

Join us for a quick warm-up video, in which we learn how to start up the tram, in the early hours of the morning.

Moments of Schonau

Tram: Rathgeber M5.65 (WIP)
Map: Eberlinsee-Schonau

Repaint: Stadtwerke Schonau (WIP)

MOMENTS IN EBERLINSEE

Tram: Rathgeber M5.65 (WIP BETA)
Map: Eberlinsee-Schonau by Kartoffelphantom

Repaint: EVB

JUNE 2023 UPDATE

Hi guys and welcome to our last monthly project update before the BETA release on Patreon! Over the last month, we have been very busy doing all sorts of adjustments, improvements or optimisations around the tram.

Let's see the main work packages that are now complete:

- the windshield wiper is now fully functional, both in automatic mode (2 speed settings) and in manual mode (moved by hand);

- flat wheel condition - for the first time in OMSI 2, a badly maintained tram will develop a flat wheel (essentially, a soundpack dependent on the maintenance condition set by the player). This will not affect the performance of the tram, however, the ride will be much, much noisier;

- Eberlinsee & Schoenau repaint & hof pack has been finalised, and we could not resist a celebratory photoshoot to mark (and test) the progress;

- new [SETVAR] options for placing the fleet numbers and for the disappearance of the shift number box have been added for more modding flexibility;

- new & high quality motor ventilation grilles have been added, thanks to our German friends who have been most helpful;

- we've implemented a new set of sounds for application and release of the air brakes, which adds to the immersive experience, together with improved compressor sounds;

- we have started writing a detailed driver's manual for our #Mwagen, which will be essential to correctly operate all its complex functions.

Last but not least, we are aiming for a BETA release around the date of July 15th, 2023. We will keep you updated as we go along.

See you soon!

📢 [EN] [Blue Tram Project]: MAY 2023 PROGRESS UPDATE + IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

🚋 We know we've been a bit quiet with the project recently, as we've been very busy with our jobs or studies. Not to worry though! Our oldtimer Rathgeber M5.65 is still rolling forward and we can finally provide a preliminary release date.

⚙️ As the BETA is getting closer & closer to completion, the work becomes less interesting or visible. Improvements here, bugfixes there, additions that make the tram more user-friendly, etc.. At the moment, the last big work package is the metre gauge truck, after we sadly discovered that the radio station "Telefunken" cannot fit into the BETA cockpit and will have to be postponed for a future iteration of the project. Once again, huge thanks go to our German friends, who have been pillars of this project and have been helping us out constantly.

🏁 And now, saving the best for the last, we are pushing for a Patreon BETA release in the second half of July 2023, as a preliminary date. We will give you more precise information as we get closer to the finish line. See you soon! Until then, enjoy this photo of a high-speed chase.

⚠️🎥 Rocar De Simon V2 Sound Test

[LINK]:

🔈 With our "Rocar De Simon V2 Bus Pack" getting closer and closer to release, we invite you onboard 3 different buses to "taste" 3 different sound configurations, based on vehicle type and vehicle maintenance condition.

🎬 Rocar De Simon UL70

We start with the "prototype", the first Rocar De Simon ever produced. The UL70 is in top condition, yet the engine sound is somewhat rugged and coarse. It's a trademark of the early Rocar De Simon buses, which had a 230hp engine.

🎬 Rocar De Simon U412-230

Next we climb onboard the U412-230. This model is the successor of the UL70, as the production of these vehicles was optimised and more components were procured locally instead of being imported from Italy. The engine remains the same, however, the sound-proofing has been degraded in the manufacturing process, leading to an overall noisier ambient. The vehicle we've chosen is also very poorly maintained. As a result, the trademark Romanian "AB" axle is howling throughout the journey.

🎬 Rocar De Simon U412-260

Last but not least, we test the U412-260. This is the last iteration of the RDS family, and this can be seen in all aspects of the bus, whether we're talking about performance, looks or ergonomics. With a more powerful 260 hp engine, and better sound-proofing, the riding experience is significantly better. This vehicle is very well maintained, so axle sounds are not noticeable.

🧡 Which is your favorite sound set? We can't decide which one we like best...

🙏🏻 Credit for the sounds goes to the following OMSI 2 authors:

UL70 / U412-230

- engine (interior): Morphi (MAN NL202)

- engine (exterior): Morphi & Sobol (MAN NL Enhanced Pack)

- retarder: Morphi (Citaro FL v2)

- turbo: Sobol (MAN NL Enhanced Pack)

- axle: IkarusSTR (Ikarus 260.37 "Projekt Julia")

U412-260

- engine (interior): Sobol (MAN NL Enhanced Pack)

- engine (exterior): Aragok&Kacper_IK160P (Jelcz 120MM2)

- retarder: Morphi (Citaro FL v2)

- turbo: Sobol (MAN NL Enhanced Pack)

- axle: Kajott3D (Jelcz M125M)

📢 We're joining forces with FMTM!

🚋 We're very happy to announce that we've partenered up with Freunde des Münchner Trambahnmuseums e.V. (FMTM) and our virtual Rathgeber M5.65 will come with 2 new and licensed liveries!

💡 Freunde des Münchner Trambahnmuseums e.V. (FMTM) is an association of tram enthusiasts from Munich. Founded in 1989, it has a large expertise in Munich's tram system, and is the guardian of its history. FMTM's main focus is on restoring and exhibiting the heritage fleet, maintaining the extensive archive, and publishing the "Trambahn-journal" several times a year.

💛 The first FMTM livery, is an exact replica of the heritage M-wagen 2668 from MVG Museum in Munich. The roof adverts are also the original ones, which were fitted in the late 1990s.

💛 The second livery is a FMTM special. In support of their fundraising campaign "Der Tatzelwurm soll wieder fahren", we have created this special (fictional) livery, to encourage you all to donate money for the restoration of a very special Rathgeber: the unique P1.65 double-articulated car. More details can be found here: https://www.trambahn.de/der-tatzelwurm-soll-wieder-fahren

🎨 For this repaint we've drawn inspiration from the current FMTM livery, plus photographs from the FMTM archive, and used the chronological motif to portray the evolution of "The Tatzelwurm". As you may already know, we are not just about fun & games, but we also like to use our work to support local culture, history & initiatives, as we've done in the past.

💛 Last but not least, we thank FMTM for their kindness and crucial support to our project.

🚋: Rathgeber M5.65 (WIP)

🎨: FMTM Museumswagen 2668 & FMTM Special "Der Tatzelwurm soll wieder fahren"

🗺: Piekary Tram&Bus

🇮🇹🚌🇷🇴 Genuine Italian, genuine Romanian

👥 We continue to expose the design evolution of our Rocar De Simon. Last time we’ve shown how the driver’s cabin evolved with the years. Now, it’s time to look into the passenger cabin, where the design changes are just as notable.

⬛ UL70 was, again, custom to its Italian “cousin” INBUS U210FT. The most obvious similarities can be found in the wheel wells, the driver’s cabin wall, seats, bars and the inner panel color scheme.

🛞 The first changes appear with U412-230: driver's cabin is fully enclosed, and the left front door leaf is reserved only to the driver, while passengers can use only the right door leaf. The interior is fitted with unpainted, stainless steel bars, and simplified wheel wells (especially the front ones), to reduce manufacturing costs.

🟩 With the introduction of U412-260, the seat color is changed from a dull gray tone to a lively turquoise, which brings the interior to life. The seat arrangement is also changed, increasing the seating capacity from 24 to 25. Perhaps the most visible change is the new color scheme of the panels: the beige-teal combination lights up the interior.

🚧 The first few U412-260 buses had an open driver's cab, reflecting the Western tendencies of the time. However, this did not last in Bucharest, as the cabin became fully enclosed soon after entering service. The new separating wall is thicker, more robust than the one of U412-230, and it will later become factory standard for all units subsequently delivered to RATB.