The mystery of the disapearing Dash9

[codrivermike]

This seems quite complicated to me but I'm sure someone out there will point out the obvious mistake that has eluded me for the last 4 hours.
I have downloaded a repaint Which is a combination of MLT and the default Dash9, which after a bit of fettling I'm running with no problems.
The problem is that I had to download and install the MLT Dash9 replacement. This is an enhancement of the default MSTS locomotive. However, when I go into explore mode and select Dash9 there is the usual dropdown list of all the consists and if I click on view consist the loco shows up but no matter which I chose, when MSTS loads to the Drive a train page, the loco is not there in the dropdown (and neither is the default Acela that's usually there).
I checked in the Dash9 folder and the .eng file is present as are the shape files. Strange.
Next I decided to create a consist just to eliminate that possibility. Because I use trainstore, when conbuilder loads there is only the original consist that I selected when I tried exploere mode. (which is called test box. the loco and 1 wagon) So I made a simple Dash9 light engine consist and saved that. Ok. so now I reopen trainstore and select explore and then Dash9. The new consist is not there and neither is the test box consist.
So. Now I go back to conbuilder to check I saved them and yes they are saved.
But still no Dash9. Now i'm confused and after reading this you probably are too. If not, please tell me where I've gone wrong.

Best regards

Michael

[leezer3]

Sounds to me like theres a duplicate in the description text- if there are 2x locos around with the same description text (Name in the file), then only the first of these will be displayed.

Chris Lees

[tango4262]

you have totally lost me there that post is quite hard to get my head round

This seems quite complicated to me but I'm sure someone out there will point out the obvious mistake that has eluded me for the last 4 hours.
I have downloaded a repaint Which is a combination of MLT and the default Dash9, which after a bit of fettling I'm running with no problems.
The problem is that I had to download and install the MLT Dash9 replacement. This is an enhancement of the default MSTS locomotive. However, when I go into explore mode and select Dash9 there is the usual dropdown list of all the consists and if I click on view consist the loco shows up but no matter which I chose, when MSTS loads to the Drive a train page, the loco is not there in the dropdown (and neither is the default Acela that's usually there).
I checked in the Dash9 folder and the .eng file is present as are the shape files. Strange.
Next I decided to create a consist just to eliminate that possibility. Because I use trainstore, when conbuilder loads there is only the original consist that I selected when I tried exploere mode. (which is called test box. the loco and 1 wagon) So I made a simple Dash9 light engine consist and saved that. Ok. so now I reopen trainstore and select explore and then Dash9. The new consist is not there and neither is the test box consist.
So. Now I go back to conbuilder to check I saved them and yes they are saved.
But still no Dash9. Now i'm confused and after reading this you probably are too. If not, please tell me where I've gone wrong.

Best regards

Michael

is it just me because you seemed to say its fine now its working, and then you want to know where you've gone wrong im not having a go just saying its quite hard to help when its put that way

kindest regards david

[codrivermike]

It was quite late when I gave up and resorted to my cry for help. I'm having a brew then I'm going to have another go at sorting it.
That's the thing about MSTS. I have more fun sorting stuff than actually driving them.

Best regards

Michael.

[codrivermike]

Well I've managed to find the loco. It seems that each consist that uses the default dash9 now needs opening and resaving in conbuilder before it will show up.
Ah well.

[TFormoso]

It sounds like you have installed a replacement Dash9 locomotive which was incorrect in that it had an Engine parameter which was different to the EngineData parameter in the consist files. (They must be the same - including the case)

If this is the case both ConBuilder and Train Store would have reported this as an Error or a Warning to you. In the case of Train Store the Warning message would have been something like:-

• Warning: - Item No. 1
  The definition of the locomotive in the Consist file is different to the specification in the Engine parameter in the locomotive file
  (They should be identical)
  This will stop the Consist from appearing in the MSTS Explore selection list
  Consist "File: '351-player.con'
  Engine "File: 'SCOTSMAN\ScotsmaN.ENG'

Generally speaking the .ENG file should be the 'authority' on this. But, if someone has issued an updated .ENG file and got the Engine parameter wrong, don't fall into the trap of changing all the .CON files unnecessarily.

I think you might have fallen into this 'trap'. If this was the problem, correcting the .ENG file would have fixed it.


Tony

[codrivermike]

Thanks Tony. I ran everything through Route Riter last night and about an hour and several drams of Jamesons decided I needed some sleep.
This morning everything seemed to be close to being fixed. Only the one consist was a problem and Train Store highlighted that for me.
Everything seems to be working ok now anyways.

Best regards

Michael