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Post by bhk on Mar 8, 2008 17:52:46 GMT -5
As well as spending time creating an activity for the Conrail Indy route, I have spent some considerable time exploring this (Pocahontas) incredible mainline route and the zillion mining branches that serve over 40 coal-mines. There is an amazing amount of scope and potential here for Activity creation. Not only has the author packaged a vast amount of rail-road but he has also provided authentic NS information, maps of the entire web of lines and a list of all the mines, loaders and the capacities (number of hoppers) for each mine. Right now I'm plotting a coal-haul from one of the branches and am testing the AI traffic. When completed it should provide about 3 hours of Pocahontas entertainment. Bruce
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Post by kbr on Mar 9, 2008 0:28:24 GMT -5
I really like the Pocahontas route. I'll be looking forward to your activity, Bruce.
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Post by Dan on Mar 9, 2008 3:38:33 GMT -5
Looks great, Bruce!
I believe I downloaded this route awhile back, but haven't installed it yet.
I like coal entertainment . . . so your activities will be great to have once I get through the midwest!
Dan
…it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Mar 9, 2008 21:40:22 GMT -5
Chaps, I've finished and packaged the Activity and, before popping it into the File Library at train-sim.com, I was wondering if you'd like to test it for me? If so, it's here......... www.netspeed.com.au/bhk/rail/bk_poca1.zipLet me know if the README is clear enough and also what you think of the activity itself. Thanks. Bruce
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Post by Dan on Mar 10, 2008 3:50:24 GMT -5
I'd be happy to, Bruce! I'm not sure if my limited knowledge will help, as you may get nothing more then an MSTS novice's viewpoint. I haven't got the Pocahontas route installed yet, but this would be a good time to do that, so I'll download the activity and give it a good run. When do you need the test anaylsis back? Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Mar 10, 2008 4:51:13 GMT -5
I'd be happy to, Bruce! .....When do you need the test anaylsis back? Anytime, Dan. There's no urgency. Thanks for the help and don't worry about the "novice" aspect. That's probably the best test of the lot, as old hands may well miss something that a newbie wouldn't. Bruce
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Post by kbr on Mar 10, 2008 15:42:59 GMT -5
Thanks, Bruce. I'll give it a look and let you know how things go. I've been looking forward to your Pocahontas route activity.
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Post by bhk on Mar 11, 2008 0:55:30 GMT -5
Have fun, Kevin. Bruce
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Post by Dan on Mar 12, 2008 4:53:55 GMT -5
Bruce, I installed the Pocahontas route, the update, and the scalerail addon. Everthing seemed to load fine except the Activity would not execute. I sent you a PM with more details. Let me know - it could very well be the user! Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Mar 12, 2008 14:48:51 GMT -5
Dan, I'll look at the PM now (6:50 AM Thursday here). Back soon. Bruce
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Post by kbr on Mar 12, 2008 20:55:52 GMT -5
Dan, have you run tsunpack-fix.exe? There's an error with the default unpacker that this program fixes. You can get it on Train-Sim. Bruce, I just installed and started the activity. The instructions were very clear and I had no problems with them. I decided to follow your advice and relpaced some of the locos with my MLT NS locos. I made copies of the used consists, replaced the locos with NS ones then edited the service files to point to the new consists. I'm about an hour into the activity. I like how you started it off of the main line with the first 50 miles or so on a side line. After dinner (it's just about 7pm here) and my evening shows I'm looking forward to getting back to it. I'm enjoying it and I'll post again when I finish the activity.
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Post by Dan on Mar 12, 2008 23:22:11 GMT -5
Dan, have you run tsunpack-fix.exe? There's an error with the default unpacker that this program fixes. You can get it on Train-Sim. Well Kevin, I got the file and while it did fix the default unpacker as you said it would (even did it again and it came up with what it's suppose to say "TSUnpack Registry Bug already fixed."), it still does not unpack the activity. There may be a logical reason why it doesn't work in that I do not have my Train Simulator located on 'C'. It's located on my slave drive which is 'E', so if the TSUnpack is looking for the program in 'C' it's not going to find it. Not sure if looks for a drive though, since the unpack program is located in 'Utilities' in Train Simulator itself, but just a thought. So, Bruce I will send you my email address in a PM and if you don't mind, can you send the individual folders/files as you noted in your PM. I don't mind putting them in the appropriate files. Thanks Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Mar 13, 2008 1:20:28 GMT -5
Dan, File sent....let me know how it goes. Regards, Bruce
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Post by Dan on Mar 13, 2008 5:16:36 GMT -5
Bruce, got it, installed it, and it works just fine! Ran the route for about 40 minutes - very nice!! Now tomorrow (it's early early morning here) I'll replace the locos with the real MLT NS ones as suggested and change the cars out with NS ones as well and start out in full colors!! ;D I'm not sure of the copy procedures Kevin used to do this, but is there a difference and/or problem in creating a 'new' consist or is it better to copy and replace the current consist. And, in doing either, how and why do the service files have to be edited, as Kevin mentioned? Newbie questions . . . I'm still not sure why the unpack program didn't work - may try another activity in the future to see if the results are the same. Anyway, thanks for the help! Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Mar 13, 2008 15:00:46 GMT -5
I'm not sure of the copy procedures Kevin used to do this, but is there a difference and/or problem in creating a 'new' consist or is it better to copy and replace the current consist. And, in doing either, how and why do the service files have to be edited, as Kevin mentioned? Newbie questions . . . ..... Glad to read that it worked, Dan. I think that your tsunpack is looking for the default pathway....that could be the reason it's not working. If you are using the Activity Editor to create new consists (or edit existing consists) then the Service is automatically saved with that new consist (so long as you save the activity before existing the Activity Editor, of course). Don't change the Service name! If you do then the Activity won't work because it will be looking for that original name. It's okay to change the Consist name but never change the Service, Path or Traffic names for that Activity otherwise it won't work. How you create the consist is up to you - you can modify an existing one or create a new one. Either way is fine. Save it with any name that you like - so long as it uses the .CON extension. Cheers! Bruce
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