Newbie Questions

[cn69985]

Hello,

For many years I enjoyed MSTS but have been without a train simulator for a while due to a computer upgrade that wasn't game friendly. Another recent upgrade has allowed me to get back into some simulator play so I recently purchased TS 2015. I am beginning to explore the many add-on's available. My first question is the compatibility of add-on's designed around previous versions.
Can MSTS add-on's be converted to work with TS 2015?
Will earlier versions of Railworks items work seamlessly with TS 2015?

My other questions regard add-on routes. I have downloaded some freeware routes with no indication in the description that anything else is required. Reading the included readme file I find a listing of many required paid add-on's for the different assets used.
Is this typical for freeware routes?
Do payware routes also typically require other paid add-on's for them to work correctly?

Thank you.

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

Hello,

For many years I enjoyed MSTS but have been without a train simulator for a while due to a computer upgrade that wasn't game friendly. Another recent upgrade has allowed me to get back into some simulator play so I recently purchased TS 2015. I am beginning to explore the many add-on's available. My first question is the compatibility of add-on's designed around previous versions.
Can MSTS add-on's be converted to work with TS 2015?
Will earlier versions of Railworks items work seamlessly with TS 2015?

My other questions regard add-on routes. I have downloaded some freeware routes with no indication in the description that anything else is required. Reading the included readme file I find a listing of many required paid add-on's for the different assets used.
Is this typical for freeware routes?
Do payware routes also typically require other paid add-on's for them to work correctly?

Thank you.

Hello!

MSTS add-on's can work. If you dont want trouble then you can download the MSTS conversion pack here. Sounds will work to when re-named.

Earlier versions of TSxx will work but not seamlessly sometimes.

it is typical of freeware routes to include payware.

If i can recall there are only a minor few routes that require you to have a payware route to be installed to get the assets for another.

Hope this helps!

[cn69985]

Hello!

MSTS add-on's can work. If you dont want trouble then you can download the MSTS conversion pack here. Sounds will work to when re-named.

Earlier versions of TSxx will work but not seamlessly sometimes.

it is typical of freeware routes to include payware.

If i can recall there are only a minor few routes that require you to have a payware route to be installed to get the assets for another.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the response. I will look into the MSTS conversion pack you mention, is it in the file library?

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

Hello!

MSTS add-on's can work. If you dont want trouble then you can download the MSTS conversion pack here. Sounds will work to when re-named.

Earlier versions of TSxx will work but not seamlessly sometimes.

it is typical of freeware routes to include payware.

If i can recall there are only a minor few routes that require you to have a payware route to be installed to get the assets for another.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the response. I will look into the MSTS conversion pack you mention, is it in the file library?

yes it is, Although its only U.S Steam at the moment.

[Chacal]

Payware routes are self-contained.
Freeware routes will vary. What often happens is new route builders start the route as a personal project not intended for public release. They get enthusiastic and start adding assets without keeping tabs on where they come from. When they decide to release the route, it is difficult to trace all the assets.

[peterhayes]

Chacal
Unfortunately some new payware routes require a lot of extra add-ons.
For example, JT Newcastle to Edinburgh Route and scenario packs - if you were fairly new to TS2015 you may need to spend an extra $200 - $300 to get it all working!
Fortunately RSC/DTG routes are much kinder!
Regards
pH

[cn69985]

Thank you everyone for the answers. I can see where freeware could end up cluttered and confusing to make complete.
It does appear to be a relatively short list of popular payware routes used as assets so if I start there I should have a good base to build from.
Thanks again.

[JohnM1945]

cn69985,

There's a program suite called RW_Tools which will help you explore the asset requirements of routes and scenarios. You can get it from http://www.rstools.info/DL.html. It's 'donation ware', worth every cent that you decide to pay.

There's another program called RW_Info which will help you navigate the base map for each route, helping you to, for instance, set the X,Y co-ordinates at which to start a scenario. This one is freeware. The link is the 'Read More' button on this page: http://www.10a.ch/en/rwinfo.

By the way, Railworks can have a 'Rip van Winkle' effect - be sure to leave your loved ones a note of where you've gone...

Kind regards,

John M

[cn69985]

John,
Thank you for the info and links. I have read some other threads mentioning RW_Tools but hadn't had a chance to find it yet. It looks like a great utility to that will help me replace some milk bottles in a downloaded route I really like.

I can foresee many hours lost(enjoyed) in the world of Railworks