OR Issues

[baldwin]

OK, but visually both on the ground and in the switch monitor (F8 ) the switch position does not change unless the player train has passed the signal, or a signal does not exist at that location. Therefore to all visual indications the switch cannot be thrown when the path runs through the trailing switch and a signal is between the train and the switch. As this is indeed the case, it is a bit misleading to claim that all switches can be thrown in explore mode as this also implicitly implies that the train can also traverse the switch on the alternative path.

[Vince]

I don't see any 'implication' that "the train can also traverse the switch on the alternative path."
That's a stretch! What? A 'Train Jack' to shove your train to the other switch entry? Thats a good one that mate.

All I know is I have always been able to throw ANY switch, facing point or trailing points at any time when I am in Explorer Mode.
Which, when all this fluff is blown away, is what the OP was having a problem with.

Oops, more visual wingdings now . . .
If a switch as defined in the Track Database is missing the JN Node line then the switch will still change (as shown in the track monitor also) but the visual shape displayed in the Sim will not show a point movement.

This is the problem that can be corrected by the Route_Riter 'Correct Stuck Points' routine on the MSTS File Utils Tab.

And finally, bottom line:
In Activity Mode the only time I'm not able to throw a switch is if an AI Traffic train has a path through the switch. Hope this helps.

[2012trainlover]

I got the switch issue done and about to try out the Multiplayer, but how do I get new content and consists to show from MSTS?

[Vince]

New content must be built into a consist.

As stated previously, CONSISTS are in a subfolder of the \TRAINS folder in the root folder Microsoft Train Simulator or whatever you have named that folder.

You must point Open Rails to the folder where the TRAIN.EXE and the \ROUTES folder resides even though Open rails does not use Train.exe. That is, the \ROUTES folder you are attempting to run.
When you do that the consists that exist in the \CONSISTS folder will be available to Open Rails.

You do this on the Open Rails OPTIONS ==>CONTENT Tab on the Open Rails opening Panel screen.
This is of course assuming you dont have errors in the new content you have downloaded and installed.
Errors in downloaded content will not show in Open Rails.
WAIT !!!
You thought perhaps that content in the File Library is TESTED?? Ha Ha!
Sorry . . . Wrong . . . Virus scanned ONLY my friend. NO, NONE, NADA functional testing!

The best way to detect errors from your system is to use Route_Riter (freeware) ACTIVITIES/STOCK Tests or CONBUILDER (payware) tests.
This method removes all guesswork by you attempting the "why it don't work" jerkaround dance you have been performing with the painfully obvious frustrating results.

You assume ALL responsibility for testing downloaded content for functionality of the download.
Sorry, but that's the deal. It's free but it MAY not work. Most builders DO test but many don't.
The only way to find out is to test it yourself. You expected anything more for free stuff?
Best,