Need help finding a good thread on installing MSTS content into openrails

[TrainSimJack]

I did a search as I think this must have come up 1000x before. However I only found a few posts and none of them seemed like definitive guides.

I just bought my first ever MSTS route and am trying to install it to openrails.

If there's a good tutorial someone can point me to, that'd be great.

(
For what it's worth, I got as far as creating an installation profile, and pointing it to the route.
The profile and the route and activites all show up in the OpenRails Launcher screen.)
When I launch the route I get an error that the GLOBAL folder is missing and openrails cannot continue.
)

Thanks!
- Jack

[R. Steele]

Please see OR manual, especially chapters 4 & 5. You are missing the GLOBAL folder.

[slipperman]

Hi Jack,
No, or very few, MSTS routes come with a GLOBAL folder because they use the default track and roads files contained therein, together with many files used for running MSTS.
If your selected route doesn't contain a GLOBAL folder, I suggest that you create an empty GLOBAL folder, then install XTracks and NewRoads into that installation. These two will also add tsection.dat build #38 file into the CLOBAL folder - most MSTS routes will be happy with that version, but if you need a later version, just look in the trainsim.com library.

More importantly, the main SOUND folder (NOT the one inside the route's own folder) contains many default sound (.sms and .wav) files but these are not so easy to replace, unless you've got access to an old MSTS installation, or, even, the CDs.

Cheers,
Ged

[oper190]

You may not need everything in it, but I found it easiest to just copy the GOBAL Folder from MSTS into each OR install. Then anything a route needs, and I assume has worked in MSTS, will be there for it in OR. This way any add-ons you might have had placed into it will be present.

Also the SOUND Folder is needed.
Here is what each OR install's folders should look like:
Folders.jpg

[TrainSimJack]

Ok, sounds good. I've got some routes from Train Simulations.net - I assume those must have come with a global folder structure - I'll try copying that over.
It also sounds like I need to go on an expedition in the basement to see if I can find my original MSTS CD's.

[oper190]

I'm not aware of any routes with there own self contained GLOBAL folders, most will add there things into the main Global Folder. Best to just copy it form MSTS. See my updated post for the folder structure needed for OR..

[eric]

If you do decide to copy over from a train simulations.net installation, you will need to go into the textures folder for one of the routes and copy over the track textures in DDS format, or you could just install the tracks I created back in early February.

[geepster775]

I've got some routes from Train Simulations.net - I assume those must have come with a global folder structure - I'll try copying that over.

This will not work, as the files in the TS supplied GLOBAL folders use DDS texture files and MSTS grade routes do not have the needed texture files supplied by default.

Rule of thumb - OR grade payware routes cannot coexist in the same installation as earlier MSTS grade payware routes. The whole intention was that OR grade routes be capable of advanced operational features that MSTS grade routes cannot accomplish. Different physics too. So it makes no sense for novices to combine or mix the content.

Most users who followed the steam4me tutorial should have a "1MSTS" installation folder for MSTS grade material. TS chose an installation folder that forces you to go with "Trainsimulations" folder name to be unique and separate from the MSTS stuff

Mixing MSTS and OR material is not a thing for turn-key newbies. That comes later, when you have an understanding of track replacement systems or are comfortable with patching texture files or replacing physics.

[TrainSimJack]

This will not work, as the files in the TS supplied GLOBAL folders use DDS texture files and MSTS grade routes do not have the needed texture files supplied by default.

Rule of thumb - OR grade payware routes cannot coexist in the same installation as earlier MSTS grade payware routes. The whole intention was that OR grade routes be capable of advanced operational features that MSTS grade routes cannot accomplish. Different physics too. So it makes no sense for novices to combine or mix the content.

Most users who followed the steam4me tutorial should have a "1MSTS" installation folder for MSTS grade material. TS chose an installation folder that forces you to go with "Trainsimulations" folder name to be unique and separate from the MSTS stuff

Mixing MSTS and OR material is not a thing for turn-key newbies. That comes later, when you have an understanding of track replacement systems or are comfortable with patching texture files or replacing physics.

Ugh!

[TrainSimJack]

If you do decide to copy over from a train simulations.net installation, you will need to go into the textures folder for one of the routes and copy over the track textures in DDS format, or you could just install the tracks I created back in early February.

Thanks Eric for the heads up!

[TrainSimJack]

In other news, after well over an hour of searching through totes in the basement, I found the MSTS Disk pack.
I don't see any kind of product key, I'm hoping I don't need one!

Now to find a USB CD drive and see if I can grab the needed files from this set of disks.

[eric]

No product key needed. I've got a tutorial in Articles for the install steps...

[TrainSimJack]

Thanks Eric, I'm using that Tutorial now.
Just looking at these startup screens brings back memories of the early days of computing.

image.png

[TrainSimJack]

image.png

Remember Links?

[R. Steele]

Remember Links?

Yeah, Jimmy Dean made some good sausage.🤪