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Getting started and content based on OR V1.6 added #42

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76ac866
Getting started based on OR V1.6 added
sweiland-openrails Jul 13, 2025
1952c7b
corrects language, adds button and image
cjakeman Jul 17, 2025
4b88c5f
Removed the Waverley picture from the "Getting Started" print
sweiland-openrails Jul 17, 2025
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2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion _data/menu.yaml
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toc:
- title: Discover
subfolderitems:
- page: Get Started
- page: Getting Started
url: /discover/get-started/
- page: Open Rails
url: /discover/open-rails/
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35 changes: 0 additions & 35 deletions _includes/program/preamble.html
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2 changes: 0 additions & 2 deletions _layouts/default.html
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Expand Up @@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ <h1>{{ page.title }}</h1>

</div>

{%- include program/preamble.html -%}

</body>

</html>
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{%- include menu.html -%} {{ content }} {%- include footer.html -%}
</div>

{%- include program/preamble.html -%}
</body>
</html>
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body {
visibility: hidden;
}

.section-to-print {
visibility: visible;
position: absolute;
left: 0;
top: 0;
}

.section-not-to-print {
display: none;
}
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251 changes: 93 additions & 158 deletions discover/get-started/index.html
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---
layout: default
section: Discover
title: Get Started
title: Getting Started
---

<!-- HdJ: New page for first time OR visitors. Need to review the coloring of the download buttons. Should probably come from CSS but not sure where from... -->
<!-- Page for first time OR visitors. -->
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12">
<h2>What is Open Rails?</h2>
<p>It is a train simulator and a hobby that offers free fun for life. Discover what you can do with Open Rails:</p>

<details>
<summary>Play</summary>
<ul>
<li>Drive steam, diesel or electric powered trains in a simulation that approaches reality</li>
<li>Perform activities to transport passengers and freight safely and on time</li>
<li>Load and unload various types of freight and pick-up fuel</li>
<li>Operate signals, switches, turn tables, transfer tables and elevators for locomotives and wagons</li>
<li>Load and unload containers at an operational terminal</li>
<li>Couple and uncouple freight cars at yards and industrial sidings</li>
<li>Drive multiple trains in a timetable driven railroad simulation</li>
<li>Observe the train inside and out and make screenshots using the 7 camera views</li>
<li>Engage in Multiplayer sessions</li>
<li>Or just sit back in a passenger car and enjoy the scenery from all over the world</li>
</ul>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Socialize</summary>
<ul>
<li>Join an international community of like-minded people</li>
<li>
Participate in forums like <a href="https://www.elvastower.com">Elvas Tower</a>, <a href="https://www.trainsim.com">TrainSim.com</a> and many other
<a href="/Share/Community/">international forums</a>
</li>
<li>Get answers and learn from other railroad enthousiasts</li>
<li>Share your knowledge, stories, photos and screenshots</li>
</ul>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Create</summary>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/learn/build-route/">Create your own railway routes</a>, form the terrain with or without satellite and map data, lay tracks and roads and build the scenery
</li>
<li>Build or repaint locomotives and rolling stock</li>
<li>Build new scenery objects</li>
<li>Assemble train consists out of locomotives, passenger and freight cars</li>
<li>Record and add railroad and environment sounds to enhance a realistic experience</li>
<li>Create challenging activities that measure performance in various railroad operations scenarios</li>
<li>Create timetables to simulate a railroad with multiple operational trains</li>
</ul>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Collect</summary>
<ul>
<li>Numerous free and payware, real-world or fantasy routes and other content</li>
<li>Various Locomotives and Rolling Stock</li>
<li>Activities for countless hours of play</li>
<li>New scenery objects like tracks, roads, houses, bridges and tunnels, cars, animals and people to use when building your own route</li>
</ul>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Learn</summary>
<ul>
<li>Control the power of a train and navigate challenging terrain</li>
<li>Install new content to expand your railway inventory</li>
<li>Build your own routes using the TSRE route editor and various other tools</li>
<li>Create activities that define train operations scenarios</li>
<li>Set up timetables to schedule railroad simulations with mutliple trains</li>
<li>Use of 2D and 3D grahics tools to create your own locomotives, rolling stock and scenery objects</li>
</ul>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Contribute</summary>
<ul>
<li>Share your creations: routes, rolling stock, scenery objecst, activities and timetables with the rest of the Open Rails world</li>
<li>Help with testing and report any issues with new Open Rails software releases</li>
<li>Join the worldwide team of volunteers that continuously improves the - open source - Open Rails Train Simulator and supporting tools</li>
</ul>
</details>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ready to Roll?</h2>
<p>
Download one or both of these routes to get started. Should you have any questions, help is available at <a href="https://www.elvastower.com" target="_blank">Elvas Tower</a> or
one of the many railroad community forums.
</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="col-md-6">
<p>
The historic <span style="color: rgb(101, 162, 51)"><strong>Great Zig Zag Railway</strong></span> climbs the spectacular Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia.
</p>
<!-- <p><img src="/assets/landing_page_ctn.png" width="440" title="The tutorials in this kit will help you to learn the rudimentary controls in Open Rails, how to drive a steam locomotive, operate the air brakes to stop the train, to turn the locomotive on a turntable, to fuel locomotive with water and coal, and also how to shunt cars and wagons"></p> -->

<p>{%- include slideshow.html height="62" unit="%" duration="nil" route="zigzag" -%}</p>

<p>Learn the basics of driving a steam locomotive, guided by this route's tutorial activities.</p>

<div class="col-md-12">&nbsp;</div>
<!-- <p><a href="https://www.zigzag.coalstonewcastle.com.au/route/downloads/" role="button" class="btn download_button" style="text-decoration:none"><span class='glyphicon glyphicon-download'>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(30, 70, 20);">Great Zig Zag Railway</span></a></p>
-->

<div class="row">
<!-- <div class="col-md-12">&nbsp;</div> -->
<div class="col-md-12">
<a href="https://www.zigzag.coalstonewcastle.com.au/route/downloads/" class="btn download_button" target="_blank">
<h2>&nbsp; Download and Install the Great Zig Zag Railway</h2>
<p>Download includes the Open Rails Train Simulator. Donated by Coals to Newcastle.</p>
</a>
<!-- <p style="text-align: center;"><small>version {% include file_meta.html file="stable_installer" %}</small></p> -->
<div class="col-md-12 section-to-print">
<h2>Getting Started with Open Rails (version 1.6 or above).</h2>
<br>
<p>This "Getting Started" describes how to install, download content and start a train pulled by a diesel locomotive
running on one specific route for Open Rails (abbreviated OR from now on).
Running a train on this route will show you the basics of Open Rails. Once you've experienced this you'll definitely want more...</p>
<ul>
<li>Download the Open Rails installer and install in the usual way on a Windows system.</li>
</ul>
<div class="col-md-12 text-center">
<a href="{% include file_url.html file="stable_installer" %}" class="btn download_button">
<h2><span class='glyphicon glyphicon-download'></span> &nbsp; Download the installer</h2></a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-12">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div class="col-md-6">
<p>
The high quality <span style="color: rgb(101, 162, 51)"><strong>BNSF Scenic Route</strong></span> has physics and sound optimized for Open Rails.
</p>
<!-- <p><img src="/assets/landing_page_ts.png" width="440" title="" ></p> -->

<p>{%- include slideshow.html height="62" unit="%" duration="nil" route="scenic" -%}</p>
<p>Drive a freight train powered by several diesel locomotives through the majestic Cascade mountains in Northern Washington State, USA.</p>
<div class="col-md-12">&nbsp;</div>
<p>If you still need to install the Open Rails Simulator, first</p>

<div class="row">
<!-- <div class="col-md-12">&nbsp;</div> -->
<div class="col-md-12">
<a href="https://openrails.org/files/OpenRails-1.5.1-Setup.exe" class="btn download_button">
<h2><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-download"></span> &nbsp; Download the Open Rails installer</h2>
<p>This installer provides all pre-requisites for Open Rails and an uninstaller. *</p>
</a>
<!-- <p style="text-align: center;"><small>version {% include file_meta.html file="stable_installer" %}</small></p> -->
<style>li { padding-top: 10px; }</style>
<ul>
<li>Now you have installed the OR program;
content will be downloaded in the next step.</li>
</ul>
<div class="col-md-12 text-center section-not-to-print">
<style>img { padding-bottom: 10px; }</style>
<img width="600" src="/assets/waverley.jpg"/>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Start OR. The "Content" form pops up.
Highlight the route called "Demo Model 1".
The rest of this "Getting started" document will be based on this route.
Change the "Install Path" if needed.
Storage space needed for this route is approximately 600 MB. Click button "Install". </li>
<li>After the route is downloaded and installed, a dialog box opens, so press button "OK"
and again to leave the "Content" form and arrive at the main menu.</li>
<li>Click button "Start". A "Windows Defender Firewall" window might pop up.
Allow access for Private networks.
OR will start in full screen mode. Keys &lt;Alt + Enter&gt; toggle between full screen and windowed mode.
You can always stop OR by pressing the keys &lt;Alt + F4&gt;.
This will bring you back to the main menu.</li>
<li>OR starts with the Pause Menu visible. Key &lt;Esc&gt; will start the simulation.
You're sitting at the train driver's chair in a diesel locomotive.
Since the engine has already been started, you can hear it now.</li>
<li>Press key &lt;2&gt; to see the locomotive from the outside.
Press key &lt;h&gt; twice for switching the headlights on and keys &lt;Shift + h&gt; for switching them off again.
See, you are really in command of this locomotive.
Arrow keys can be used to move around in this view.
As can the mouse in combination with its right key. And also try the mouse wheel.
Press key &lt;1&gt; to get you back in the driver's seat.</li>
<li>Press key &lt;F4&gt; to make the "Track Monitor" window pop up.
Drag it to a convenient place.
OR will remember the place for all such windows between sessions.
This window gives track info, such as signals, speed limit, etc.</li>
<li>Press key &lt;F5&gt; to make the "Train Driving Info" pop up.
Engine is running.
Important lines for now are Speed, Direction and Train Brake.</li>
<li>It is possible to control the throttle and the brake by clicking the mouse pointer on the appropriate handle on the screen.
But it's difficult to do this properly,
so it is recommended to use the keys on the keyboard.</li>
<li>Let's switch the direction to forward by pressing the key &lt;w&gt;.
See the direction change in the "Train Driving" window.
Press key &lt;s&gt; for Neutral and Reverse.</li>
<li>Press and hold down key &lt;;&gt; until the Train Brake is released.
All those numbers in bar and psi in the "Train Driving Info" window are not that important now.
Once the BC (Brake Cylinder) has reached 0 bar the brakes are released and you are ready to go.</li>
<li>Notice the green signal outside, in the UK on the left side of the track.
Press key &lt;d&gt; twice to have the throttle moved to 25%.
It's rolling... Speed limit is 20 mph.
When the actual speed reaches this limit the tracks in the "Track Monitor" window change to orange as a warning.
When seriously over speeding they change to red. Key &lt;a&gt; is for throttling down.</li>
<li>Press key &lt;4&gt; to act as a trainspotter who hops quickly from place to place.
Key &lt;3&gt; gives you a view of the end of the train.</li>
<li>It's a bit boring to run all the way to Glasgow,
so we suggest you press the keys &lt;Alt + F4&gt; to stop OR at some time.</li>
<li>You'll get back into the main menu, where you can try driving to a schedule.
Go to the drop down list "Activity" and choose "0930 Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street".
And press the button "Start".</li>
<li>Next to &lt;F4&gt; and &lt;F5&gt; press key &lt;F10&gt;. You will also be asked to do so by an "Activity Events" window.
You will now see the "Next Station" with the train schedule you have to meet as a driver.
It's not that easy to meet the schedule. If you want to see how this is done, switch to "Autopilot" mode by pressing key &lt;Alt + a&gt;.
It's a toggle switch, pressing again switches "Autopilot" mode off.
Autopilot mode drives the train for you, although it may act a bit nervously, but anyway it does its job.</li>
</ul>
<br>
You have now seen how to run Open Rails. There is plenty more to explore: electric locomotives, steam locomotives, turntables, demanding schedules, shunting wagons...
<br><br>
Have fun!
<br><br>
<input type="button" value="Print the above 'Getting Started'" onclick="printPage()" />
</div>
</div>

<p>then</p>
<link href="/assets/print.css" media="print" rel="stylesheet" />

<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12">
<a href="https://www.trainsimulations.net/ORTS_starter_pack.html" class="btn download_button" target="_blank">
<span>
<h2>&nbsp; Download and Install the BNSF Scenic Route</h2>
</span>
<p>Donated by vendor TrainSimulations.</p>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br>

<div class="col-md-12">&nbsp;</div>
You can also watch a player driving this route on Open Rails in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5aVEvbOOE&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">this video</a>, which provides a voice-over.

<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12">
<p></p>
<h2>Ready for More?</h2>
<p>
Download the amazing routes available on the <a href="/download/content/">Content</a> page, buy the beautiful models and content offered by <a href="/trade/">Vendors</a>, or
check out numerous freely available gems created by the <a href="/share/community/">Virtual Railroading Community.</a>
</p>
<h3>* Privacy Note</h3>
<p>
On first use, Open Rails reports the version that has been installed. You can configure subsequent reports using Options > Update - see <a href='{% include file_url.html file="testing_manual" %}'>the Operating Manual</a>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<script>
function printPage() {
window.print();
}
</script>
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