Highland route & LMS stock

[emrhd01]

Hi Alan,

I don't quite know what to say, I have written a Activity for this Route and had no problems and the only advice on 'Failed to save Path' is :-

This error usually occurs in the Activity Editor because there is no Activities, Path, or Service folder in the route folder structure, check you have these Folders in place for the Highland Route and that they are 'Read' and 'Write'.

The only other thing is, that a 'Search' has revealed it can be a corruption of the AE registry keys in the hwrenderer key, have you tried creating an Activity since repairing the Registry with the Error 76 problem?

[brooke1]

Robert,
No - I'm afraid I removed the whole route.
There is something about me and downloading routes that just doesn't click.
I usually have to rely on Commercially Purcharsed routes to get any satisfaction from MSTS.
My many attempts at downloading such routes such as BrisCard, Highland, etc., have all ended in disaster.
I wish to Heavens there was a central point where one could buy these 'unpublished routes' to make my MSTS set-up more enjoyable.
Any takers? I'd be happty to pay.
ALAN.

[emrhd01]

That's a shame Alan, the Highland Route although incomplete at the moment is a delightful Route to drive.

Downloading and installing Routes is straight forward once you know what goes where and I'd suggest having a go at the smaller Routes first. Try the Springfield Route, although fictitious it will be an interesting Route to have a go with. If you get stuck at any point, don't give up, come on the Forum and ask for help, that's what it's here for.

Also, have you had a read of this:
http://www.uktrainsim.com/index.php?for ... m_pageno=6

[morice1]

It's a pity to give up with this route and i feel a bit guilty for waxing lyrical previously if others are having so much trouble. I found installing the route itself quite straightforward although the consists were a bit frustrating. Did no one else have a problem with the LNER cattle wagon? Even with the help on this forum some of the stock remained doggedly in error in my hands until replaced with others. Am i right in thinking activity-analysis modified activities can crash MSTS if started though trainstore but not if started from the Train Simulator icon?

From my experience downloading activities is a lot more frustrating than installing downloaded routes. The potential for missing download files in the read me list is so much greater that it's usually quicker and easier to write your own activities- at least you know the stock must be on your computer. I will admit however to making a complete hash of the bristol-swansea route install when i forgot to unstore the default routes first. I almost got repetetive strain clicking through all the missing files when trying to find the error with route riter! If i've been a pretty silent member of these forums for several years it's because someone always seems to come up with the answer almost before iv'e had time to think of the question.

Robert

[cardean]

Just a quick visit to let Darwin see how I'm progressing with the Castle 4-6-0

Slow but sure,

I still need someone to convert all the bits so it will work in MSTS as I'm building it in obj format.

I now have TSM but so far still figuring it out


John.






J

[DarwinS]

Well I am pleased to know that someone is enjoying the route:

Having finally decided to use activity analysis to substitute the stock which wouldn't work (and also knobbled my black 5 to be a little less like a sports car) I tried out the 08:30 Inverness-Aviemore activity. Conclusion -this is a really super route! Lovely scenic variety, picturesque stations where trains actually passed without stand-offs and realistic gradients needing some careful driving. It really creates the feel of slogging through the highlands behind steam . Tons of authentic atmosphere - a delight for us steam era enthusiasts - well done .

As to adjusting the performance of the Black 5, I am hoping some serious activity writers will get to grips with the route soon. It will almost certainly need adjusted .eng files to suit, a single class 5 ought to be able to get to Slochd with 255 tons in most weather conditions without dropping much below 20 mph. Although it is difficult to stop them running away down the hills, when building the route I was not happy with uphill performance of some consists! Even worse to get a double headed train to behave appropriately without slipping to a halt in MSTS!

I am very impressed with Cardean's Castle, which would look super on this route... (anyone want to try a Loch or a Clan?)

[douglee]

Hi Robert,

Am i right in thinking activity-analysis modified activities can crash MSTS if started though trainstore but not if started from the Train Simulator icon?

Robert

I can reply to the above. Nearly all my downloaded activity consists are modified with Activity Analyser (a great utillity).

I have not percived any problem.
My method is. It may be of help.

'Unstore Everything' or just the, 'Route and All Stock' in Maintainance mode, before replacing rolling stock, Activity Analyser will only read what is unstored. Then store the modified Route and unstore the activity before launching MSTS, to set the changes as it were. The only warnings will be to notifiy you about locomotive config being different to engine file.

If this is teaching you to 'suck eggs' please forgive.

[morice1]

Hi Doug

thanks for your comments on activity analysis - even after years of using msts and associated utilities i still find plenty of elephant traps to fall into. As far as Darwin's comments regarding realistic steam performance over this route my references suggest 285tons unassisted over Slochd summit was the limit and speeds in the low 20s might be expected on the 1:60 gradient sections. It is just about possible to approximate this within the limitations of MSTS physics by jigggling boiler and cylinder parameters. Additionally i notice a lot of the stock still has original MSTS resistance values so updating these should help.

Robert

[douglee]

Hi Robert,
No problem.

I do not yet have the route in question.
However I will keep your observations in mind for when I do run on the route.

[cardean]

I'm starting to figure out TSM

Here's a screen shot of the first draft of the Castle at work....... Darwin, I've used your Wee Ben's tender as it's perfect for the loco, I hope that's okay?


John

[chrisiveson]

Hi Doug

thanks for your comments on activity analysis - even after years of using msts and associated utilities i still find plenty of elephant traps to fall into. As far as Darwin's comments regarding realistic steam performance over this route my references suggest 285tons unassisted over Slochd summit was the limit and speeds in the low 20s might be expected on the 1:60 gradient sections. It is just about possible to approximate this within the limitations of MSTS physics by jigggling boiler and cylinder parameters. Additionally i notice a lot of the stock still has original MSTS resistance values so updating these should help.

Robert

Well it was certainly 225 tons in BR days.
Steam Days September 2007 "Learning the job at Inverness" p. 563

Jim Gordon recalls the 4 1/2 years he spent at Inverness engine shed where he progressed from cleaner to fireman and was taught how the job should be done properly.

Chris.

[morice1]

Hi Chris

my source for the 285 tons unassisted limit was P.Ransome-Wallis 'On Engines in Britain and France' in which he describes a footplate journey northbound from Aviemore probably made in 1955. His actual run was loaded to 202 tons making about 20mph from Carr Bridge to Slochd with 1/2 regulator and 35-40% cut off.

In Cecil J Allens Locomotive Exchanges both the B1 and West Country were loaded to 275 tons northbound from Aviemore [ with the WC doing 29mph at Slochd] and 260/265 tons southbound from inverness the B1 maintaining speeds in the low 20s and the WC speeds in the mid to high 20s.

With the limitations of MSTS physics it is possible to at least approximate this with a black 5 and 8 coaches [270 tons approx] my current settings giving a little over 20mph with cylinder effecivity 4.2 26,500 lb/hr allowing full regulator 30% cut off and a careful eye on water levels. Well within the same order of magnitude of the real world! You really feel the gradients and don't have to hang around too long at stations.

Sorry if this is getting too much like the physics forum - and Chris i'm sure your source is impeccable - after all he was the man on the spot.

Robert