Maintaining more than one Steam/TS2016 installation

[OldProf]

I run TS2016 in both the U.S. and Italy (obviously, not at the same time). Steam keeps my "official" DLC and Steam Workshop content updated on both computers, but I'd appreciate some advice on maintaining my non-official items, such as scenarios I'm working on or have downloaded from RWA and other sites. My most recent idea about this involves switching my overall installation to a SST drive that I could just take with me wherever I go and this still strikes me as the most sensible solution. But I'd also like to hear from others who maintain more than one Steam/TS2016 installation.

Thanks in advance.

[buzz456]

I use a Western Digital external SSD. It's software backs up automatically on schedule so it's a real no fuss no mess way to keep your system current. The prices have really come down recently so there is enough room to just manually backup your whole TS in addition to the one keeping your system current.

[jalsina]

I keep three full TS backups. One of those is a TS2015. I run it from time to time, just to check some info or behavior. I have also ran some TS2016 backup, also to check something. They run perfectly but only the main Railworks copy under the Steam program will be updated by DTG.

So taking one of these copies to Italy (or U.S. is a matter of transporting one of the backups) in your laptop or in a portable hard disk.

There is also the Steam procedure by communicating them you are travelling, in which case you could update your portable copy in the country of destination.

[Ericmopar]

Packing it around in an external drive is the best idea.
Just update it with the latest version with all your mods and pack it to wherever you are going.

[OldProf]

I keep three full TS backups. One of those is a TS2015. I run it from time to time, just to check some info or behavior. I have also ran some TS2016 backup, also to check something. They run perfectly but only the main Railworks copy under the Steam program will be updated by DTG.

So taking one of these copies to Italy (or U.S. is a matter of transporting one of the backups) in your laptop or in a portable hard disk.

There is also the Steam procedure by communicating them you are travelling, in which case you could update your portable copy in the country of destination.

I've never heard before about Steam's traveling procedure, Jaslina; please provide more information or a URL where I can learn how to do this. Thanks!

[jalsina]

I've never heard before about Steam's traveling procedure, Jaslina; please provide more information or a URL where I can learn how to do this. Thanks!

I have never been in need to do it so far, but:

Start Steam.
In the upper menu, Steam, Settings.
Open Downloads---Download Region (override region)---

This should work but there is also this other way in case that you are buying, by establishing your store country where you have a choice of "travelling country"

In your "Account details" you may "Update store country" in "Store &Purchase History" --- Select your country of residence.....Other (you get this information):
-------------
You can only change to a country in which you currently located in.
Steam has detected your current location as: YourCountry
If you are currently travelling, you'll need to return to your country of residence before you can set your country.
-------------
Your travelling country is the choice of Steam for game downloads and for purchases.

[OldProf]

Thanks again, Jalsina. I'm going to put a copy of the information you provided in my cloud storage so I don't have to go hunting for it when I need it.

[jalsina]

Thanks again, Jalsina. I'm going to put a copy of the information you provided in my cloud storage so I don't have to go hunting for it when I need it.

If you only want to play when you travel, you may just take a backup and it works perfectly. However you still need to login to Steam or "connect offline" to run that backup. This means you will still require to install steam in that laptop (or other windows device). Login with a browser will not be detected by TS2016.