Tweed v2 - "Stand alone OR Operation"

[steamer_ctn]

Hi,

I have recently released a MSTS route which is able to be run as an OR only installation (ie without MSTS installed).

http://www.tweed.coalstonewcastle.com.au/route/route-install/

I have done this in the hope of attracting new users. Excitingly, I am now in correspondence with a person who cannot source MSTS, but has now been able to run this route using OR. They are loving it.

Naturally a lot of the stock available for download is dependent on MSTS, but hopefully that will change in time. I have also been able to talk this new user through some minor changes to modify some of the stock for correct operation in their OR only installation.

The reason for my post is twofold, firstly to encourage content providers to start thinking about how they make their content "OR friendly", and secondly I am interested in feedback on the following.

I am hoping to eventually to encourage (help) non MSTS users to build their own activities. This is currently difficult without the MSTS activity editor, but there are standalone tools (such as RR, etc for building consists) that can help in this process, or some changes that can be done by editing the text files. However, the biggest hurdle I foresee is creating the path files. Has anybody come across a freely available "standalone" tool to build paths, alternatively can anybody describe how a path file could be created and edited in text format?

Cheers

Peter

[crstagg]

One Problem with your idea: RR requires the presence of Train.exe too be in the root directory (folder) of any MSTS (OR) installation inorder for RR to be pointed to that installation.

However, ConBuilder does not require the presence of Train.exe

[steamer_ctn]

One Problem with your idea: RR requires the presence of Train.exe too be in the root directory (folder) of any MSTS (OR) installation inorder for RR to be pointed to that installation.

Hi Charles,

Thanks for your feedback.

The Consist Editor function will work in RR without the train.exe loaded, but you need to change the path (under File menu) and ignore the error message about the train.exe file.

I agree that Conbuilder would also work.

Thanks

Peter

[crstagg]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for your feedback.

The Consist Editor function will work in RR without the train.exe loaded, but you need to change the path (under File menu) and ignore the error message about the train.exe file.

I agree that Conbuilder would also work.

Thanks

Peter

That may be true but RR does not change the MSTS path when it errors, so any other utility that uses the MSTS path will not be pointed to the OR installation.

[longiron]

Thanks from the entire OpenRails team. Your installation instructions are excellent. Later this year, the OR team hopes to provide some guidance & tools to allow for "beyond MSTS".