Gatwick Express

solentary · Post by **solentary** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:51 am

I have installed Gatwick Express and all related trainsets. Only when I attempt to run this actual activity, I get 2 error messages:

<.....TRAINSET\EWS66\EWS66.eng> and
<....TRAINSET\Class 166 TT\Class 166.eng>

The MSTS program then shuts down completely.

Can you help, please?

David

solentary · Post by **solentary** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:59 pm

The Activity Readme instructs:

1) copy/extract the 2 APK files to your Train Simulator\UTILS folder

I can only see ONE APK file, which I have dealt with, as requested. Am I missing something, please?

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 4:26 pm

Well it looks like you need to download an EWS class 66, and a Thames Turbo class 166.

Does it perhaps link on the file info screen - or give any clues there to exactly what you need?

XPTE · Post by **XPTE** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 4:29 pm

Gatwick Express activity? There are several Gatwick Express activities for London-Brighton. Is it one of mine?

simont · Post by **simont** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:09 pm

The EWS 66 you want is 66078, and that looks like the Old Model TT 166, by Dave Babb.

XPTE · Post by **XPTE** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 8:25 pm

Have you downloaded and successfully installed EWS 66078 and the original Thames Trains 166 Solentary? It should work if you have. Haven;t had any other comments about any probs running this activity yet, which I originally uploaded Summer last year.

I am unable to investigate at the mo, due to problems with my London-Brighton installation which should hopefully be resolved soon.

XPTE · Post by **XPTE** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 9:16 pm

Please make sure you fully read the README's for the EWS 66 and the Thames Trains 166. If I remember rightly you had to copy the sound and cabviews from one of the default trainsets to the TT 166 folder.

solentary · Post by **solentary** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 9:29 pm

Thank you, so far.

I have downloaded the trainset 166TT and the error message that referred to this train has disappeared. I also re-downloaded the file for train EWS66, although I had already done so.

I then re-ran the activity APK file for Gatwick Express in the UTILS folder.

I still get an error message regarding failure to read trainfile for:

<.....TRAINSET\EWS66\EWS66.eng>

That is the same as before.

I now, also, get a new error message:

Failed to find SMS file:
file: k31eng.sms

On the basis of the somewhat (to me as a novice) terse instruction on the ESW66 file to "Create a consist using the activity editor" I tried this, as a complete novice, following Michael Sinclair's written instruction. I got an error message about the EWS66\EWS66.eng as well as several others that seemed to have nothing to do with the case.

The error messages appear ONLY when attempting THIS ACTIVITY, not when loading MSTS. After a wait, I get the MS message to shut down.

I would LIKE to get a Gatwick Express on my route, because I have used it fequently when travelling abroad on business. Thanks!

So - sorry to bother you again! And thanks for the patience.

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:24 pm

error loading sound file k31eng.sms suggests that you failed to follow the TT166 instructions - you should have copied the sounds (and maybe cabview!) from the Kiha31 folder.

Regarding the other message, you either have the wrong class 66 or have installed to the wrong folder.

solentary · Post by **solentary** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:15 pm

Thank you.

The sound problem is solved for the 166TT. I made the copies. "When all else fails, read the instructions" Sorry to take up your time with that one.

However, I am still left with the: "failure to read trainfile for:

<.....TRAINSET\EWS66\EWS66.eng>"

That is the same as before.

I really thought that I had downloaded the proper file here and re-loaded it, based on the advice in THIS forum - above. I have not been able to deal with the suggested consist instruction because (a) I am a novice and (b) I got error messages like the "TRAINSET\EWS66\EWS66.eng" one; and (c) I am not really sure what it means or how it will affect the trains or the errors.

But I DID try - am AM trying! Following Michael Sinclair's written instructions.

Thanks for all support. Nice folks here!

Do help an old man across the tracks and please do not let me tread on the live rail!

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:20 pm

OK!

The other problem isn't your fault. The instructions say

"Extract the ZIP file into your trains/trainset directory - it will make a directory for itself."

Which is complete bo**ocks! There is no path in the zip file.

Instead you have to make a folder called EWS66 in TRAINSET and install to there.

There is no need to copy sounds or cabs here - they are all aliased to defaults.

Alan

solentary · Post by **solentary** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:05 am

Mr. Salmon,

As usual, you come up with problem-solving suggestions. This one worked also. It removed the error message and allows operation.

However, the operation can - so far - only be performed fully from the keboard. The brakes do not register and the control is via the combined brake/throttle - using keys "A" and "D"

Unlike the remainder of the LB routes, this activity - at least for me - will run only partially by using Raildriver. The throttle and reverser on the Raildriver work OK. The brakes are non-responsive and so the train can only be stopped by the emergency brake - which DOES work. In my very humble opinion, this seems to duplicate the situation which I found and reported to Tim for the London Underground Piccadilly Line. However, I know that: this has caused some thinking for you and for Tim Court; that there is a likely easy solution; and, that you have other priorities to deal with before you get there.

As I have already said to both you and Tim, I am very happy to "wait my turn" until a fix is found for this. It is not a serious or urgent problem for me, as I have no immediate plans to travel from Gatwick to anywhere in the immediate future.

So, thank you for getting me straight on this Gatwick Express. I am quite happy now, knowing where I stand. You were very gracious to take the time to help me and I appreciate it.

With Universal Love and Support,

David

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:48 am

Ah, its you!

Looking at the Gatwick Express file, it is linked to the EB 377 cabview, which has a single control - so I suspect that for raildriver use the ENG file of the GatX has to be tweaked in the same way as the EB 377!

Oh, and incidentally, XPTE - in the file library, the list of files required for this activity does not include the TT166 - it would save future confusion to update it.

Alan

solentary · Post by **solentary** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:33 pm

I have now fixed all error messages, thanks to support on this Forum, for which I am most greatful. I respectfully provide two other points of feedback.

First, in some of the written material for the Gatwick Express, it is asserted to run from Waterloo to Gatwick Airport. I think that the London Station is (normally) Victoria for this train. So, unless it is intended as a "special" (maybe to connect Eurostar passengers from Paris with Gatwick Airport) could this apparent error be corrected, please?

Second, I although I can drive all original L2B trains with Raildriver, this train will not fully respond to it. I am sure that this can be fixed - by advice from competent folks here. However, even when I used the keyboard, I found the response of the train out of Victoria (for that is where it was - trust me - bin there, dun that!!) to be very sluggish. This might, in the event, happen anyhow with Raildriver, because of the red thingummy in the cab, which might serve to partially obscure the "Headsup" which Raildriver uses. However, it should not happen with the keyboard, to the extent that it does.

Maybe this activity and train could do with a second look by the designer, pleased though I am to have it available. Please excuse my critique. It is ONLY well-intended feedback. L2B IS a high standard commercial product, so let us maintain that reputation, please, if we can. [Not that I personally can do much. I do not have the competence, nor the dedication of those who do!]

Thanks, chaps!

David