Anyone Want To Babysit a 60 Year Old Man?

[cjkawt]

Hello,

I am in need of a very patient and gentle soul to "babysit" my efforts to get Open Rails to flourish on my Win10-64 computer. I have finally gotten the OR software installed and working with the "Demo1" activity(?)
If anyone wants to assist me it would probably be best to PM to yourself from any heckling! LOL Seriously, feel free to PM or post back on this thread with any questions.

I once was a PC and network tech who single-handedly supported a 2,200 node WAN over three different locations for almost a month with only a Cisco CCNA to help. I was a COBOL/CICS/DB2 programmer and part of a Y2K Task Force for a major nation-wide corporation. I also started a number of successful busineses and was an O/O with my own truck for a number of years. Although I only acquired an AAS degree, it was often assumed I had earned my Ph.D degree by people who already had their Masters's and Ph.D. when I had to attend various remote corporate conferences, but no more. Nowadays I have trouble grasping concepts and remembering any verbal list of instructions. If it isn't a list I can keep in my hand I won't remember fom the time it takes to ALT-TAB to Notepad to check off what I did and see what I need to do next. Even writing this post to significant effort. I hope it makes sense?

Thank you for your time,
Calvin

[rdayt]

63 yo here. Feel your pain.
I'll try to help.
First some basics.
Do you have MSTS installed or your file structure set up?
Remember to shy away from the programs folders.

Randy

[tie]

63 yo here. Feel your pain.
I'll try to help.
First some basics.
Do you have MSTS installed or your file structure set up?
Remember to shy away from the programs folders.

Randy

Well, I'm just a young whippersnapper at 47 I use two folders to run Open Rails.
Firstly, I put my MSTS content into a Games directory created on C: And my Open Rails is in it's own OR directory on C:
Never put MSTS or OR into Program Files 32 or 64.

I'd add more, but I'm sure people will come up with other ideas for you. Happy railroading.

[cjkawt]

Thanks for the help.

@Randy - I am only just beginning, so I can start over and mimic your set up if it makes it easier on you. Having said that, here is what I have set up so far...

* OR is latest version which I installed last week.
* MSTS - ver. 1.16.5.912 installed this week.


---- C Drive
-------- Microsoft Train Simulator
------------ (Standard Install Folders)
-------- Open Rails
------------ (Standard Install Folders)
-------- Open Rails My Content
------------ Demo Model 1
---- Program Files
-------- (Nothing in here)

Let me know if you need more detail.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

@Rory - I appreciate your input.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

@Everyone,

I saw this Youtube video...
"Amtrak Southwest Chief Los Angeles to Chicago in 1993 (MSTS)"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfpv2uE79v4

-- It is a 54 mins long video of a time-accelerated trip of 2,265 miles/43 hours comprised of several MSTS routes(?) listed in the credits...
---- Cajon Pass 4: Inland Empire by Charlie Sabaja-1:42
---- ATSF Gallup Sub by Bob Wirth-8:53
---- ATSF Glorieta Pass 2 by Bob Wirth-14:56
---- ATSF Raton Pass 3 by by Bob Wirth-22:39
---- ATSF Marceline Sub by Bob Wirth-35:53
---- ATSF Chillicothe Sub by Bob Wirth-37:02
All routes available for free from Trainsim.com
Please note: The video was made by a minister. The only sounds are of spiritual music, but you can mute it if you like.

This may be way too complex for me, but it presents two questions...
Q1: Can all MSTS/OR routes be joined to create a nationwide rail system like in the real world?
Q2: If the above is not really possible, can I add a five(?) mile teardrop loop at the ends of any route track to allow never having to stop a train?

Thanks.

[Vince]

A1. They could but the MSTS editors will not handle the required database files. Merging routes has been done. There are procedures that have been written.
A good source of info is here, starting exactly how and where to install MSTS http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/index.html

A2. Without proper track arrangement and signalling no. Loops in MSTS need special track and signal configuration.
Couple of reasons: 1. Altering the Track Database files is fraught with peril unless you are experienced with MSTS file structure. 2. Altering reack on a completed route with signals is suicide and will slag the route. 3. The above CAN be done IF you know exactly what you are doing. and last, the new editor TSRE makes the business somewhat easier BUT there are still some very strict rules about altering track that must be followed.

A good idea to start with a lot of reading at the Steam3Me link above. Enjoy!

regards,

[cjkawt]

@Vince,

Thanks for the explanation. It may be awhile before I can digest it all and even then I'm not sure I'll comprehend it all *(hence the "babysitting"). I will give it my best shot and report back if I have questions. I'm just glad I discovered this at the beginning when I am just starting. It makes things less complicated.

Take care.
Calvin

[cjkawt]

Well, after more than 10 hours I have my MSTS at a basic level per steam4me. Thanks Vince.
I guess what I want to do now is download a real good package to try and replicate my Santa Fe San Diego, CA to Waco, TX train ride when I was seven years old. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Calvin

[cjkawt]

Q3: What is the proper procedure for coupling my loco(s) to a consist?
Every time I couple I have to wait for a long time for the triple valves to move from Emergency to release to finally move my trainn. Is this normal?

[derekmorton]

Yes, it is normal.
Shortcut, after coupling <shift> ?

[jdonald1]

I believe the shortcut to initialize brakes without waiting is Shift + /

[ebnertra000]

I believe the shortcut to initialize brakes without waiting is Shift + /

That was what Derek meant, seeing as the key that produces question marks, also produces slashes. I will say that writing it as 'Shift - /' is probably better than writing it as 'Shift - ?', for the obvious reason that the last one looks like you don't really know what the second key is