Problems with Dave Babbs HST and activity editor

[Kevo00]

I hope this problem hasn't been covered elsewhere. I've been trying to make an activity using Dave Babb's new BR Blue HST and have found two problems with it:

1. When you attempt to edit its consists, or make a consist using it in the activity editor, AE gives you a send/don't send error.
2. Although the consists appeared to work ok in explore mode when I originally installed the train (and thought it was a great model btw) now that I've tried to make an activity using it I get a send/dont send error upon opening up the throttle. My activity is on the GWR route and starts at Exeter, going to Penzance.

I think it might have something to do either with the consists or with the fact that the beta HST needs to be installed to get the sound.

Anyone got any ideas?

[baldwin]

I have no problems with this model in the AE consist editor. Does it crash when dealing with the engine or the carriages. In either case does it crash when you select that particular class of equipment. If in either case the answer is Yes, then you have a rogue item within that class that has a naming problem somewhere in its file.

Out on the road again I have no problems, but previously had the beta version installed, so this may, and only may be sound related, but as you had it running in explore mode, unlikely. Probably more like a cab graphics issue.

Mervyn

[Kevo00]

Um unfortunately it seems to be both the locos and coaches. I too had the beta - I installed the new one over the top of the old - is that right? Anyway I tried reinstalling it without the beta and still no progress.

Are there any naming differences in files between the two versions? Not sure

[LucaZone]

the beta is as the name suggests, an unfinished version. So this should not really be used to create activities.

It is best to use and edit the finished versions. Which can be found here ::

• Great Western
• Great North Eastern Railways
• Intercity Executive
• Intercity East Coast
• North West Trains

[baldwin]

I did the same thing, installed the new version over the beta, and the consist/activity I had made ran with no problems. I then went into the AE and edited the consist, again with no problems. The filenames are the same with a few more added and the textures are much better which are the only differences AFAIK.

I have just had a thought, how many consists do you have, and are they all loaded or do you use Train Store. If you dont use it, go get it. It is the best utility made so far for managing routes, stock and consists.

Mervyn

[barrymcguire9999]

2. Although the consists appeared to work ok in explore mode when I originally installed the train (and thought it was a great model btw) now that I've tried to make an activity using it I get a send/dont send error upon opening up the throttle. My activity is on the GWR route and starts at Exeter, going to Penzance.

I had this problem doing Exeter to Penzance, my cure for it was open up the throttle very gently for the first mile or so. Worked for me anyway!!

HTH

Barry

[Kevo00]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I haven't made much progress on this one!

Baldwin - yes I do have train store, its great, but I'm wondering if maybe its upsetting the HST? It has 9 consists in all which are all loaded, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I don't think I presently have enough consists in all to make the limit though?

barry - will try that, but it isn't often letting me get to the stage where I can open my throttle at all!

[baldwin]

I dont have the route in question, but as two people are reporting problems with the same equipment/route the fault may be caused by something in the route interacting with the HST.

Kev00-- have you tried it on another route?

Mervyn

[choccy]

I think it does need trying on another route too. I had multiple crashes with a Western Activity on Paddington Penzance, but once I tried it over another route all the problems evaporated. Mark

[TrainSimminNick]

the beta is as the name suggests, an unfinished version. So this should not really be used to create activities.

It is best to use and edit the finished versions. Which can be found here ::

• Great Western
• Great North Eastern Railways
• Intercity Executive
• Intercity East Coast
• North West Trains

How are the rest doing (Hows the MML ones coming along I heard Horgy stopped ?)

[baldwin]

Kevo00
I now have the route installed, and can replicate your problem. I started at penzance and got a frozen game as soon as I opened the throttle. It has to be something to do with the route because the train works on every route where I have set up an act for it. I also tried the same thing with the Pendennis consist. This started OK, but as I went to exit from the act, the game froze again. The only common denominator in both tests is magnetic platforms. I can run the HST out in open country, and I can start the train rolling, so long as the train is not in the station.


Mervyn

[baldwin]

Now I have had a couple of hours messing around with different combinations of the route and trainsets I have cracked it. The answer to the problem does indeed lay within the trainset. Unlike other HST sets, these newer ones have different power cars at each end, instead of the lead car flipped. In the case of the BR Eastcoast set, this is designed to run with a drivable car in the lead, and an AI car at the rear. The freeze was being caused by the sim wanting to load a cabview for the trailing power car after the train started to move.

To cure the problem, open the eng file for the rear power car and delete the line which calls for the cabview. For other HST sets which have differently numbered cars at each end (NWT) make sure that all powercars are correctly set up to suit your system in where it calls the sound and cabview from.

The route itself and indeed the magnetic platforms used do not in themselves cause the freeze to occur, but throw in the missing cabview and you get one process too many to deal with. The rear power car probably caused the AE to throw a wobbly if it was transferred to the lead position, although it had a cabview and was technically drivable, there is a fair bit missing from the eng file which is needed for a drivable unit.

Mervyn

[buffy500]

Unlike other HST sets, these newer ones have different power cars at each end, instead of the lead car flipped. In the case of the BR Eastcoast set, this is designed to run with a drivable car in the lead, and an AI car at the rear. The freeze was being caused by the sim wanting to load a cabview for the trailing power car after the train started to move.

Erm, the fact that there is a second cabview enabled loco should not make any difference, as you can double head with locos, BUT if there is lot missing from the file then maybe I guess

[baldwin]

Dave

On a 'normal' route your HST, whatever version runs without any problems. On the GWR Padd-Penzance however, they will start fine at the Paddington end, but not from anywhere west of Newton Abbott. In the case of the BREastcoast set, deleting the call for a cabview in the trailing power car solved the problem.

The NWT set also refused to start in the western part of the route, this was solved by making sure that the cabview was called correctly(for the way I have my trainset folder set up).

Any of the older sets would run without a hitch, as would a loco hauled train, which pointed to something different in your set. It is not your HST at fault, just the way in which it interacts with the route and possibly the magnetic platform set.

By 'a fair bit missing' I am referring to the lighting section which is set up for a trailing unit only.

Mervyn

[jbilton]

Hi
Reading through this thread...it would appear that the Paddington-Penzance route is available...could someone tell me where/how...I would love to drive it.
Thanks
Bill