FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Screen Saver for Model Railroad Enthusiasts
CASTRO VALLEY, CA, August 12, 2007 -- TrainPlayer Software announces the release
of the TrainPlayer Screen Saver, a Windows screen saver designed for fans of
model railroads and railroad track plans.
The screen saver follows a train as it travels around a series of model railroad
track plans. The train is shown in top view, moving at a steady speed across an
artistically-rendered scenic backdrop. The route it follows is random,
determined by factors such as switch positions and locations of other cars. If
the train comes to a stub, a new layout opens, and the train jumps to a random
location in it and continues travelling.
Unlike most screen savers, the TrainPlayer version is interactive. Using
keystrokes, the user can drive the train by changing speed or direction,
throwing switches, or sounding the whistle. Other keys control the overall show,
for example jumping to another layout or changing zoom level.
The view scrolls smoothly so the moving train remains on screen. To add variety,
the screen saver periodically cycles between close-up and wide angle views,
showing the entire layout or a detailed portion of it. A preferences dialog
allows control over appearance and pacing options, including rates of scene and
layout changes, background colors, and random switch throws. Multiple trains may
be running randomly on any layout.
Layouts included with the product are from the best-selling "101 Track Plans for
Model Railroaders," by Linn H. Westcott (copyright 1956 Kalmbach Publishing Co.,
used with permission), a classic collection which has inspired generations of
railroaders with its intricate plans and nostalgic artwork. Also available for
use in the screen saver are several hundred track plans submitted by users,
downloadable from the company's website.
Product Details
The TrainPlayer Screen Saver is available for Windows only (NT, 2000, XP, Vista;
support for Windows 98 and Millenium is coming soon). It comes as a 15MB
downloadable package including ten Linn Westcott layouts for $19.95.
The screen saver is also included in two larger packages: TrainPlayer Deluxe
(includes TrainPlayer, Screen Saver, and all 101 plans from the book; $59.95)
and TrackLayer Deluxe (all of TrainPlayer Deluxe plus tools for building track
and layouts; $79.95).
Other products offered are: TrainPlayer (program plus twelve Westcott layouts,
$29.95); TrackLayer (TrainPlayer package plus building tools, $49.95); Layout
Packs ranging in size from 20 ($9.95) to 101 ($34.95); and Mac OS X versions of
all products except the Screen Saver (same prices as Windows versions). All
products can be purchased via credit card on the TrainPlayer shop site.
About the Company
TrainPlayer Software began in 2005 with the release of its flagship product
TrainPlayer, a simulator of model railroad operation using published track
plans. Later that year the company released TrackLayer, an add-on module
allowing users to add track to their own plans or draw layouts from scratch.
Released in 2006 was version 2.0, with improved artwork and performance,
followed in 2007 by Mac OS X versions of all products.
For more information, visit the company's web site at
www.trainplayer.com.
Some screen shots are below. For more, see the Screen Saver product
page:
http://www.trainplayer.com/ScreenSaver/index.html
See also the August newsletter:
http://www.trainplayer.com/Newsletters/Aug07/index.html
For complete instructions, see the readme:
http://www.trainplayer.com/ScreenSaver/ssReadme/readme_ss.htm
To obtain a review copy of the screen saver, write
info@trainplayer.com.
Contact
Jim Dill, Manager
TrainPlayer Software
4200 E. Arcadian Drive
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone: (707) 320-4246
E-mail:
jim@trainplayer.com
Website: www.trainplayer.com
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