For newbies: how to install only one route

[Literalman]

I've created a new route, Oro light rail for Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. I've created a web page about it (http://www.stevedunham.50megs.com/oro/oro.html) using screen shots from the route, to illustrate the route concept. So that people unfamiliar with train simming can operate the route if they wish, I want to include instructions for adding the route to Open Rails content once they download and install Open Rails. I have Route and Trainset folders. But I guess that they would need the Global (in my case, MSTS) folder as well. The whole thing? Is it Microsoft proprietary? I would like to provide simple instructions and include those with the route, which otherwise is ready for beta testing.

If this topic is already addressed in "Open Rails Discussion and Help," please point me to it, and I apologize for the duplication. I searched the topic for "installation" and got 34 pages of results, and I didn't look at all 34 pages. I also looked at a few tutorials on the Trainsim home page but didn't see the above questions answered.

Thank you for any help you can give.

[c44d9w]

The easiest way is when MSTS (content) is already installed. Then just copy the route into the ROUTES folder, and the contents of the TRAINSET and CONSISTS folder (of your route) into the respective MSTS folders.

If there is no MSTS content already installed (or if you want to keep the route separate from other routes), then you need to first copy the base content (GLOBAL folder) from somewhere else. This approach is often called a mini-route. Again, the easiest is to copy the GLOBAL folder from an MSTS installation, or another ORTS installation. Otherwise, there is a package on TrainSim, called Default Content Installer, FileID 89797, that contains the basics. A more advanced approach is to use a "link" to share GLOBAL among many mini-routes.

[oper190]

Also look at https://trainsim.com/forums/filelib-...ileid?fid=2001 this contains all the default folders and content , might be similar to 89797.

[eric]

Definitely use 89797 -- I've also given the ORTS team permission to include that in their installer.

There's also a link that doesn't require a login here if you want to include it in a ReadMe: https://trainsim.com/tsre/data/atrac...-installer.zip

[yellowdog]

A more advanced approach is to use a "link" to share GLOBAL among many mini-routes.

Do you mean a shortcuts folder?

[derekmorton]

No, symbolic links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link

I use them to share consists and trains folders between MSTS installs and Trainsimulations installs.
I use a program called Junction Link Magic.

[yellowdog]

Nice! I've seen references to this, or something similar, before. But when I was ready to set it up, I couldn't find it. This is helpful, thanks

[eric]

Yes, but it assumes someone actually has a Global folder and the assets...

Which can be a very dangerous assumption.

[yellowdog]

No, symbolic links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link

I use them to share consists and trains folders between MSTS installs and Trainsimulations installs.
I use a program called Junction Link Magic.

I just used this to create a symbolic link from a mini route TRAINS folder to a fixed master TRAINS folder. I've only done minimal testing, but so far so good. Thanks!!

[Literalman]

Thank you. I will make a copy of my own Global folder to include with a download for people who have no train sim content yet.

My new route uses X-tracks and New Roads, and I expect that those would not be included in a default Global folder.