Replacing USRA GN Steam pack with V2

[render2017]

I have TS2017 with all the Britkit USRA locomotives and the GN variant installed.
I have just downloaded the update GN Steam Pack Version 2 for the USRA Locomotives.

In the instructions it advised to remove V1 GN Steam Pack, but does not say where it is or how to uninstall.

As I have no idea how to uninstall anything like that, I tried to use the Rail Simulator Utilities which does have an uninstall facility, but I cannot see anything relevant in the display.
I also tried to see if I could tell how to delete using RW tools (latest version) but still cannot see how to do it or what to delete.

Can anyone give me clear instruction on how to remove the USRA GN Steam Pack Version 1 as I am mystified on all counts. I cannot install the new updated packs until that is achieved.
Thanks

[ChrisOnline]

I don't have that model, but go to the Railworks/Assets/Britkits folder. Within that folder you will find the folder relating to the GN Steam Pack - the name will make it obvious. Maybe it is a folder within a folder (e.g. USRA/GN) . . . I don't know, but be sensible and look for what is the obviously named folder.

"Uninstalling" is effectively "deleting". But I recommend that instead of just deleting the relevant folder, RENAME it (e.g. by adding - old v1" to the end of the name). Now TS2017 won't "recognize" it any more and as far as TS2017 is concerned, it doesn't exist.

Now go ahead and install v2.

Once you are happy that it's up and running fine, you can delete the old folder completely.

[render2017]

Thanks Chris, I will give that a try tomorrow, It is nearly Midnight here.
I will confirm if that works for me, sounds sensible.
Regards
Colin R

[render2017]

Sadly, I could not find any reference to GN steam pack even though the V1 was installed and used in various routes.
Maybe I am not looking in the right place.
I tried to install the version 2 but cannot understand the installation instructions regarding location. It refers to default file location for the norma and GN version, but I think they might mean on 'C; drive. I have Railworks (Steam) on a different SSD drive elsewhere so the installation bat file to transfer the default files to the GN file does not seem to work. It shows selected files (5 or 6 ) that need to be moved from the base engine file of the main files to the GN version. I tried this but it does not allow placement. They appear in the list in scenario editor but will not place just hear a click, but no engine appears.
I am totally confused by the instructions and am unable to understand what I am supposed to do.
I have not had this problem before but usually do not try repaint type installations
Anyone done this that knows what may be going wrong?

[JohnM1945]

Render,

I hit similar problems, my \Railworks folder structure being on the I: drive.

IF THE NECESSARY FILES HAVE NOT BEEN PUT ON THE CORRECT DRIVE...

If the installation has failed, there are three obvious (to me) ways forward.

1. Give up - ignore any addon/variant without a location-checking auto-install routine.

2. Set up a dummy folder structure, matching the auto-Install routine's blinkered expectations, on your C: drive. You don't need to populate it. When you run the auto install, it will (erm... should...) place things where it thinks they should be. Once that's happened, you can copy the newly-installed files (and the folder structure within which they sit) into the appropriate location/pathway on your chosen drive. You will of course have prudently backed your installation before trying this... When satisfied with the result, delete or sequester the C: drive version - you don't want RW/TS to find it and treat it as a genuine installation.

3. Build the required folder structure in your custom location/pathway, and populate it piecemeal using copy & paste. Having previously backed up...

ON THE OTHER HAND...

If your scenario editor tells you it can 'see' these assets, they may be where they should be. Which you can check... In which case your problem may be to do with dependencies.

Assets which borrow elements of other assets will not show up on the rails when you're placing them unless you have ticked the middle authorisation box for any such depended-upon assets. (We're talking here about the boxes in the optionally-visible column on the right-hand side of the scenario editor display. If this means nothing to you, go back to the scenario-building manual.)

I hope that (some of) this helps.

Kind regards,

John M

[render2017]

Hi John,
Thanks for your comprehensive suggestions, I have responded to each below in RED

I hit similar problems, my \Railworks folder structure being on the I: drive. Sounds like a similar situation

IF THE NECESSARY FILES HAVE NOT BEEN PUT ON THE CORRECT DRIVE...

If the installation has failed, there are three obvious (to me) ways forward.

1. Give up - ignore any addon/variant without a location-checking auto-install routine. As I am developing my own route based on Kettle Falls Sub in WA early 1950's which is a GN branch this is probably not feasible as there are not many GN steam in TS2017 to give me enough variety without Britkits USRA locomotives.

2. Set up a dummy folder structure, matching the auto-Install routine's blinkered expectations, on your C: drive. You don't need to populate it. When you run the auto install, it will (erm... should...) place things where it thinks they should be. Once that's happened, you can copy the newly-installed files (and the folder structure within which they sit) into the appropriate location/pathway on your chosen drive. You will of course have prudently backed your installation before trying this... When satisfied with the result, delete or sequester the C: drive version - you don't want RW/TS to find it and treat it as a genuine installation.

[b]The big issue here is they refer to DEFAULT location without details, (even the BAT file I looked at the code does not show it) so I am not sure what the dummy folder structure should be (Maybe I am being a dummy but cannot interpret it even after several hours reading and re-reading the install instructions)[/b]

3. Build the required folder structure in your custom location/pathway, and populate it piecemeal using copy & paste. Having previously backed up...

ON THE OTHER HAND...

If your scenario editor tells you it can 'see' these assets, they may be where they should be. Which you can check... In which case your problem may be to do with dependencies. I checked what providers are ticked using RWTools but short of ticking everything I cannot see any option to achieve this

Assets which borrow elements of other assets will not show up on the rails when you're placing them unless you have ticked the middle authorisation box for any such depended-upon assets. (We're talking here about the boxes in the optionally-visible column on the right-hand side of the scenario editor display. If this means nothing to you, go back to the scenario-building manual.) As above I do understand relationship between Providers and dependies somewhat.

I hope that (some of) this helps.

It always helps when someone else gives views offering a lateral thinking, thanks. I suspect I am going to have to contact Britkits with a referral to this post and hope for a response. I have purchased much of their product range over the years, and have never had an installation issue, unless it was a known bug which Britkits quickly let me know about how to circumvent!
Thanks for all your effort, I will read this and try to see if any of the options (apart from number 1 ) are possible for me to try. The issue here is the GN repaints are not a Britkits product.
Again, thanks for your stellar assistance and thinking
Colin R

Kind regards,

John M

[gkbaldwin]

Hi; I was the originator of the GN Steam (V1 and V2). I am trying to bring myself up to speed on the problem you are having. It sounds like your installation of TS2017 is not with the default file structure so you would get errors using the bat files for installation and vatiant changes. This can be resolved by modifying the bat files to your file structure. Just need to know where you have TS2017 installed (What drive)?

Let me know if I can help. Gerry

[render2017]

Hello Gerry,
Kind of you to offer, thanks
I have all the locomotives installed that qualify for the GN makeover, and have had many great times using them in various routes.

Yes, TS2017 is a STEAM version and runs in a STEAM folder with it's convoluted path on an SSD drive for best performance.

The drive is lettered "S" and the path is SteamLibrary_i/steamapps/common/Railworks. Beyond that is stock standard.

I appreciate anything you can do, I can provide an email if that is preferable.

Regards
Colin Rayner

[gkbaldwin]

Hi Colin;
Here is the default file structure for Britkits USRA Steam. Not sure where you are having the problem. The install files should work providing regardless of where you have TS2017 installed. Send me an email and we can take this offline. Gerry

[render2017]

Thanks to Gerry, most of the issues have now been resolved, just a couple of minor problems Gerry is looking at for me. I can now recommend his GN repaints wholeheartedly.
Thanks everyone who tried to help.
Colin R