This update fixes several crashes in all editors and has various improvements to how the editor side panel works.

Cloning now works more reliably in the train editor and has also been added to the timetable editor (templates, services, vehicles). Clones can also be done by right-clicking an item at the top of the side panel in addition to the button at the bottom.

• Fixed "append/insert nodes" mode to complete by right-clicking like the other track laying modes
  
• Fixed "add new template" mode in timetable editor to accept a single-order template
  
• Fixed missing models from the list of built-in models
  
• Fixed train editor not showing changes after saving as new and using undo (and possibly saving over the old one)
  
• Fixed 2D/3D button in route editor to not mess up the camera
  
• Changed node material matching name to ignore whitespace

• Fixed pathfinder and signaller AI to not reserve the track too early for the first leg of a service in some cases
  
• Relaxed signaller AI "approach control" constraints
  
• Improved and optimised pathfinding, particularly for legs with reversals
  
• Fixed driving AI to reverse correctly in some cases
  
• Fixed incorrect "missed stop" in run evaluation if the service terminates by joining another train

• Fixed LOD transitions for Class 35
  
• Improved roof corners in some models made with the integrated train editor modelling tool
  
• Restored missing Siphon G LOD0 buffers
  
• Fixed service screen to show picture of railbus properly

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This beta version fixes several crashes in all editors and has various improvements to how the editor side panel works.

Cloning now works more reliably in the train editor and has also been added to the timetable editor (templates, services, vehicles). Clones can also be done by right-clicking an item at the top of the side panel in addition to the button at the bottom.

• Fixed "append/insert nodes" mode to complete by right-clicking like the other track laying modes
  
• Fixed "add new template" mode in timetable editor to accept a single-order template
  
• Fixed missing models from the list of built-in models
  
• Fixed train editor not showing changes after saving as new and using undo (and possibly saving over the old one)
  
• Fixed 2D/3D button in route editor to not mess up the camera

• Fixed pathfinder and signaller AI to not reserve the track too early for the first leg of a service in some cases
  
• Relaxed signaller AI "approach control" constraints
  
• Improved and optimised pathfinding, particularly for legs with reversals
  
• Fixed driving AI to reverse correctly in some cases
  
• Fixed incorrect "missed stop" in run evaluation if the service terminates by joining another train

• Fixed LOD transitions for Class 35
  
• Improved roof corners in some models made with the integrated train editor modelling tool
  
• Restored missing Siphon G LOD0 buffers
  
• Fixed service screen to show picture of railbus properly

How to get this version? Open your Steam client and right-click the game, then select Properties from the pop-up menu. From the properties window go to the Betas tab and choose beta from the drop-down menu (no password required).

This beta will become the release version in a few days unless more bugs are found

Players have reported reduced frame rates over the past couple of months. This update aims to restore decent frame rates, up to +30% in some systems. A number of crashes and other problems are also addressed.

• Changed track laying mode in route editor to complete by right-clicking (instead of having to add the last node twice). This change makes track laying work in the same way as it does in some other games and makes exiting the mode easier
  
• Changed order appending mode in timetable editor to complete by right-clicking (same as the new track laying mode)
  
• Replaced separate train brake securing key from Class 37 with a "key stop" function to make the brake easier to operate. If the handle doesn't seem to exit or enter the "shutdown" position, simply release the key and press again
  
• Reduced number of different tree types in the same location to make rendering faster
  
• Changed rendering method of distant trees to make it faster (as a result, faraway trees now look slightly different)

• Fixed tracks disappearing in route editor when adding too many of them in the same place
  
• Fixed extra custom models appearing in scenery or getting stuck to the camera
  
• Fixed joining another train in some cases
  
• Fixed crash in train editor when adding first waypoint to an exhaust with nonzero radius
  
• Fixed crash when trying to get volume or pitch in a horn start/end volume/pitch function
  
• Added missing popups for adding new stuff in train editor
  
• Fixed light sources to remain properly invisible at night when using a visibility state animation
  
• Fixed crash in train editor when editing an inner wall with mesh
  
• Fixed crash when spawning a liveried vehicle
  
• Fixed spawning a liveried train set
  
• Fixed missing Chinese characters

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Beta version of performance update is now live! The main purpose of this update is to improve frame rates and reduce stuttering. A number of other fixes and changes are also included (see lists below).

How to get the beta version? Open your Steam client and right-click the game, then select Properties from the pop-up menu. From the properties window go to the Betas tab and choose beta from the drop-down menu (no password required).

• Changed track laying mode in route editor to complete by right-clicking (instead of having to add the last node twice). This change makes track laying work in the same way as it does in some other games and makes exiting the mode easier
  
• Changed order appending mode in timetable editor to complete by right-clicking (same as the new track laying mode)
  
• Replaced separate train brake securing key from Class 37 with a "key stop" function to make the brake easier to operate. If the handle doesn't seem to exit or enter the "shutdown" position, simply release the key and press again
  
• Reduced number of different tree types in the same location to make rendering faster
  
• Changed rendering method of distant trees to make it faster (as a result, faraway trees now look slightly different)

• Fixed tracks disappearing in route editor when adding too many of them in the same place
  
• Fixed extra custom models appearing in scenery or getting stuck to the camera
  
• Fixed joining another train in some cases
  
• Fixed crash in train editor when adding first waypoint to an exhaust with nonzero radius
  
• Fixed crash when trying to get volume or pitch in a horn start/end volume/pitch function
  
• Added missing popups for adding new stuff in train editor
  
• Fixed light sources to remain properly invisible at night when using a visibility state animation
  
• Fixed crash in train editor when editing an inner wall with mesh
  
• Fixed crash when spawning a liveried vehicle
  
• Fixed spawning a liveried train set

There will be at least one more beta version before the official release.

It's been over half a year from the previous screenshot contest, so it's time for a new one! The best shots will be included in the next maintenance update later this month (or early August).

The theme for this contest is night lighting but daytime shots are very welcome too. You can take screenshots of custom Workshop routes and trains if you wish, or just stick to the stock content.

A number of the best shots (as chosen by Lapioware) will be used as background images for various screens in the user interface (such as the loading screen), and the authors get their Steam username in the credits.

Opt-out: if you don't wish your posted image to take part in the contest, please state it in the description.

Tips

• The easiest way to post a screenshot is to use Steam's built-in functionality, usually the F12 key
  
• Use the maximum resolution that your system supports
  
• Hide the timetable by pressing F2 and other parts of the HUD with F3
  
• Choose the highest graphics level from the top of the "Graphics settings" screen (via the ESC menu)
  
• Use the free roaming camera mode to position the camera
  
• Use the pause key to stop all trains while finding a good position for the camera

The previous patch unfortunately introduced a new controls issue which is fixed by this second patch. A number of other improvements and crash fixes are also included.

• Fixed Class 03 loco brake stuck in release position when using a gamepad controller with default controls
  
• Removed main menu option from crash screen because it would often result in a crash loop
  
• Fixed Mk1 BSK passenger compartment LOD problems
  
• Fixed several crashes in editors
  
• Changed animation state function to hide light sources when the model is hidden
  
• Fixed exhaust smoke night-time brightness
  
• Rearranged HUD menu to make it easier to find the tutorial/helper checkboxes
  
• Added simple controls checkbox to service screen to make it easier to find
  
• Added night/day toggling buttons to route and train editors (the "..." button)

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This patch fixes a number of bugs and adds simple lighting effects to make night-time driving easier, such as signal and cab lights. Platforms and passenger compartments now also have ambient lighting.

https://youtu.be/hurxfE--Qig

The ambient lights are enabled by default on the two highest graphics quality levels. They can also be turned on and off individually for each level from the graphics settings.

Train interior and cab lighting is automatic and depends on time of day. More sophisticated manually controlled train headlights and interior lights will be added later in a separate update.

• Fixed HUD helper tooltips to close when pressing Esc to continue simulation
  
• Possibly fixed a physics problem that causes the sim to jam without crashing
  
• Fixed materials and textures for custom models to load correctly
  
• Fixed crash when right-clicking on stuff in editors
  
• Fixed cab controls getting stuck when pressing RMB while already holding down a cab control key

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Steam's Remote Play Together has just been enabled for Diesel Railcar Simulator! Remote Play Together allows you to invite your Steam friends to play with you over the internet, as if they were sitting next to you. In Diesel Railcar Simulator this could be used, for example, to teach someone how to drive the train or to take turns in driving the train from station to station. Your friends don't even have to own a copy of the game.

Many thanks to player Overland for suggesting this feature and testing it!

If you have ideas on how to make better use of this kind of co-operative multiplayer for DRS, please post in the discussion thread. Some of the ideas may be implemented in the gameplay update!

This patch fixes some issues left over from the previous controls update. For example, it's now possible to assign the view menu to the left mouse button and still have the menu buttons work. The patch also fixes several crashes and has minor performance optimisations.

• Fixed crash when trying to add speed limit signs in route editor
  
• Fixed torque curve and profile editors in train editor
  
• Fixed missing controller setting move up/down buttons in train editor

• Fixed Class 03 sometimes not shifting up properly under simple controls
  
• Fixed various problems in AI brake use
  
• Made HUD helper checkboxes more prominent

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This update improves input handling and has better support for various controllers like gamepads and joysticks, without having to resort to Joy2Key or a similar program. RailDriver levers and buttons are supported, but its speaker and LED are not.

When using mouse, the camera is turned and moved ("unlocked") by holding down the right mouse button, just like in the earlier versions. This is the default setting and can be changed to another key or button. In addition there's a new separate camera lock toggling function that switches between locked and unlocked modes, instead of having to hold down the key or button. This is the default behaviour for gamepads, the mode being changed from the left stick button.

Cab controls can also be operated with a mouse by clicking and dragging the control in the 3D-view. Sensitivity of the controls can be adjusted in general settings (not under "controls"). The simple control slider also now responds to mouse clicks.

This version should also fix the "sticky" or "stuck" keys problems: 1. Key repeat rate is now independent of the Windows keyboard settings. 2. Cab controls again respond to keys when the camera is unlocked (moving or turning).

The old style of vacuum brake handling with separate keys (E, D, C) for releasing, lapping and applying brakes has also been restored. Free movement of the brake handle is still possible with keys T and G. Free movement now has a key stop feature to prevent accidentally going into emergency: movement stops automatically before reaching the emergency position. To engage emergency brake, release the key and press it again.

What's the difference between "+/-" and "notch +/-" in the controls configuration screen? The "notch +/-" inputs move the throttle/brake/etc. handle in either direction while you hold down the key. Note that the movement is not necessarily "notched". The other +/- inputs move the handle to the maximum or minimum value when you hold down the key and return it to zero when the key is released (simulating a joystick axis with a keyboard).

• Various optimisations to reduce memory consumption, program starting time and stutter in the simulation
  
• Fixed missing sounds when there are multiple trains nearby
  
• Sorted trains by name in main menu trains tab
  
• Fixed signal arms or discs sometimes rotating the wrong way
  
• Changed "move to another train" key to skip unpowered and uncontrollable formations (static wagon rakes)

• Made signal and distant maximum AI sighting distances editable in route editor
  
• Added special colouring of signals and stops in route editor if they're placed within a fouling area (which may cause traffic jams)
  
• Added option to disable undo in route editor in order to speed it up
  
• Made it possible to use models from other routes and vehicles (as model node model source)
  
• Added error lists to route and train editors to show missing textures and models
  
• Disabled clouds in editors to make video editing easier

The next update will be the big scenery update, taking approximately 4-8 months to complete.

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