New install - utilities

[fraserwilson]

Morning all!

I'm about to install MSTS on a new computer, which with luck will result in much-improved performance! I've spent the last few days downloading various stock, activities and utilities in preparation, but wanted to ask everyone's advice before proceeding. In terms of utilities and add-ons, I've got ConBuilder, TrainStore and Activity Analysis, and also various patches and other things (XTracks, MSTS BIN, UKFineScale, NewRoads, TSection 3.6 etc). My question is this: in which order would you recommend I install all of these things? (presumably updates first, followed by utilities?)

Also, a number of the utilities seem do the same thing (editing consists etc) - which programs would you recommend for particular tasks? For example, should I build a new consist in ConBuilder or TrainStore?

And lastly (nearly done!), what would you say should be the default process when downloading and installing a new item? In terms of activities, I gather that you should install the activity, check it with Activity Analysis, and only then run it. What about stock, routes etc? Should you check them before running, and with which program??

All advice much appreciated! Many thanks indeed!!

[tinsley]

What about stock, routes etc? Should you check them before running, and with which program??

For me the best program is Route Riter..nothing beats all the things it can do..not just on routes.. and it is free.
If you contribute.. (no minimum... but the price of a couple of drinks for example..not a lot really.. you get a couple of very useful and very time saving functions 'enabled'.. very much worth it...

[richard222]

Doesn't really matter before this but I'd

Install MSTS bin 2nd last, and check MSTS works before installing
Then last, install trainstore.

Richard

[crstagg]

Morning all!
Also, a number of the utilities seem do the same thing (editing consists etc) - which programs would you recommend for particular tasks? For example, should I build a new consist in ConBuilder or TrainStore?

Train Store does not "build" Consists.

[joebandit1]

Route Riter does not do what conbuilder does and vice versa.

[fraserwilson]

Thanks for helpful responses.