Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Read T

First, my apologies to all for not forseeing this problem.The problem: Marias Pass 3.1 requires a modified global\tsection.dat as three track sections used in the route were not in the default global\tsection.dat from MS/Kuju. Those entries are TrackShapes 220, 222, and 224, all right hand manual switches of 5, 45, and 2.5 degrees respectively. These three track shapes were part of a small group of tracks defined by MS/Kuju but not installed with the MSTS product.The solution: There are three possible solutions:1. Modify the default global\tsection.dat so that these three entries are specified instead of null. I do not recommend this solution because it conflicts with the effort to standardize the tsection.dat. Another reason why I don't recommend this is that this is exactly what I did to my system, then forgot about.2. Replace your global\tsection.dat file with the latest standardized tsection.dat. This file contains the three entries needed, as well as many others that might be used in other routes. This is the solution I recommend as it is the simplest. However, if you have some other route that needs a modified global\tsection.dat (not the standardized file), you will have to manage multiple tsection.dat files.3. Install XTracks. XTracks uses the standardized global\tsection.dat file and installs it on your MSTS system. It also installs many additional track sections. This is a more complex solution to the problem, but does resolve it.I'm going to change the documentation to indicate that the current standard global\tsection.dat file is required for MP3.1.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, Stumbl, Dec-16-02, 12:57 PM, (1) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, HawK53, Dec-16-02, 01:00 PM, (2) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-16-02, 03:21 PM, (3) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, edwardk, Dec-16-02, 07:29 PM, (5) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, felix_hasler, Dec-16-02, 07:26 PM, (4) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-16-02, 10:22 PM, (6) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, OkrasaGhia, Dec-17-02, 03:17 AM, (7) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-17-02, 01:09 PM, (8) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, MikeSimpson, Dec-18-02, 03:10 AM, (17) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, felix_hasler, Dec-17-02, 04:16 PM, (9) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, kyleh24, Dec-17-02, 07:04 PM, (10) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, kyleh24, Dec-17-02, 09:27 PM, (11) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, edwardk, Dec-17-02, 11:46 PM, (12) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, kyleh24, Dec-18-02, 00:24 AM, (13) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, kyleh24, Dec-18-02, 00:29 AM, (14) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, OkrasaGhia, Dec-18-02, 02:13 AM, (15) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, chucksc, Dec-18-02, 11:38 AM, (19) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-18-02, 01:12 PM, (22) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, felix_hasler, Dec-19-02, 03:30 PM, (30) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-19-02, 10:58 PM, (31) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-18-02, 01:10 PM, (21) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, felix_hasler, Dec-21-02, 05:27 PM, (40) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-21-02, 09:33 PM, (41) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, GaryG, Dec-18-02, 03:01 AM, (16) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, chucksc, Dec-18-02, 11:39 AM, (20) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bwaterman, Dec-18-02, 11:24 AM, (18) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-18-02, 01:18 PM, (23) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, GaryG, Dec-18-02, 01:23 PM, (24) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, Bing, Dec-18-02, 01:38 PM, (25) Alert on Bn4764, HawK53, Dec-18-02, 01:40 PM, (26) RE: Alert on Bn4764, bobs, Dec-18-02, 08:19 PM, (27) RE: Alert on Bn4764, Bing, Dec-18-02, 10:27 PM, (28) RE: Alert on Bn4764, chucksc, Dec-18-02, 10:41 PM, (29) RE: Alert on Bn4764, Bing, Dec-19-02, 11:29 PM, (33) RE: Alert on Bn4764, bobs, Dec-19-02, 11:05 PM, (32) RE: Alert on Bn4764, Bing, Dec-20-02, 09:19 AM, (34) RE: Alert on Bn4764, kevarc, Dec-20-02, 11:40 PM, (38) RE: Alert on Bn4764, Nerd3d, Jan-05-03, 08:39 PM, (44) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, AJW, Dec-20-02, 08:46 PM, (35) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, Bing, Dec-20-02, 09:51 PM, (36) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, chucksc, Dec-20-02, 11:37 PM, (37) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, Bing, Dec-21-02, 11:43 AM, (39) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, bobs, Dec-21-02, 09:35 PM, (42) RE: Marias Pass 3.1 - Fix for installation problem - Re, Bing, Dec-22-02, 03:48 PM, (43)

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Very nice work on the routeFWIW , I would highly suggest installing the user version of xtracks. For me , ( a computer support tech by trade ) this was really the easiest , and most expedient method. I did try all three methods.again , TY for you time and effort on the route
I will probably do an intro activity for it if anyone is interested using TA's christmas train ( that's what the kids want....lol)take care

"I do what my Rice Krispies tell me to do"

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Bobs; if X-Tracks 3.4 is installed, would it be oke for me to remove the trackshapes from the marias3.1 shapes folder, if it is already looking for the files in global, there would be no real need for them or would it.
Love your effort on Marias, it is realy come alive,
Thanks guy's !!.Greets Henk.

Happy New Year
Wishes from Holland

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I'm fairly sure the track shapes are required in both places. Not sure why, but I believe that's true. Others more knowledgable on this might know. Since Routeriter doesn't get rid of the shapes, I've got to believe they have to be there.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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I was able to run the route w/o the track shape files in the marias31 directory. Make sure to backup the shape files first before deleting them just in case.Edward K.

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Hi BobFirst let me thank you and Paul for all your efforts to improve the Marias Pass route ! The MSTS installation on my computer is quite clean as I don't download and install everthing available.1. I installed Marias Pass 3.1 following your installation.txt and, as discussed earlier, disaster came.2. Following your post I installed the new tsection.dat file from train-sim . This helped a little bit, I could start MSTS without phoning home to Bill. After running a train on MP 3.1 MSTS was complaining about some missing shape files (A1tPnt2_5dRgtMNl.s, A1tPnt5dRgtMnl.s, ...) and phoning home.3. I downloaded and installed Xtracks 3.4. This installation obviously brought the missing shapes with it, a test run on MP 3.1 out of Whitefish yard did not show any problems.From my point of view on a more or less clean MSTS 1.2 installation XTracks is required to run Marias Pass 3.1 and I suggest to change your installation.txt and your distribution files accordingly.
Felix

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Felix, those shape files are included in MP311.exe. They go into the Marias31\SHAPES folder. Are you sure the installation put things where you think they should have gone?Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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Track section shapes (.s) and shape description files (.sd) go into the global/shapes folder. Never heard of those in the route/shapes folder but that could be interesting if it worked, would let the route builder customize individual track sections. Will have to try that.
Those shapes you're talking about, not only are they missing in the tsection.dat but I think they are missing sd-files also and there might even be a problem of missing or corrupt s-file.
XTracks takes care of adding the s- & sd-files to get them working which would explain why people opting for that installation procedure seems to have the least problems.


//Okrasa
Chief Engineer
okrasaghia @ yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia/XTracks

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Now you have me wondering...I've got several track .s and .sd files in the Shapes folder for MP3.1. I'm now wondering how they got there in the first place and what effect they have, if any. I'll have to play with this a bit and see.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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Bob,I downloaded MP31 today and installed it together with the patch. I already have xtracks 3.4 installed. I deleted all the trackpieces from the shapes folder as they are already in my Global folder as part of xtracks.Started it up and it ran fine.Suggest you just advise users to install Xtracks 3.4 before installing your great route, and all should be fine.

Mike

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BobSorry for replying so late, but 07:26 PM means 01:26 AM (Switzerland, Europe) and I had to work the other day.Afer your post I did a clean install of MSTS on a second computer, I upgraded to MSTS 1.1 and added Marias Pass 3.0.After this I installed MP 311.exe to MP317.exe.After starting MSTS crashed (as dicussed before).I installed the most recent tsection.dat file in the \GLOBAL folder.
MSTS started up but after trying to explore MP 3.1 wih a train MSTS was complaining about the missing shapes A1Pnt5dRgtMnl.s, A1tPnt2_5dRgtMnl.s and A1t45dyardrgtmnl.s. These files were present in the \GLOBAL\Shapes and \ROUTES\Marias31\Shapes folders, the file date was 2001-05-08 (YMD).
Continuing despite the error messages allowed me to run trains in explorer mode, the missing switches did not show up, the trains obviously also run on grass !I loaded MP 3.1 with the track editor. The editor was complaining about the missing files ImPlatform.ace and ImPlatform.s. These files are present in the USA2\Shapes, USA2\Textures and USA2\Textures\Snow. I asume the installation routine misses to copy these files.I copied the missing A1t* files from a MSTS installation with Xtracks to the \GLOBAL\Shapes folder and removed the files from the \ROUTES\Marias31\Shapes. The new files have the date of 2002-04-07 (*.s) or 2002-11-09 (*.sd).
With these files added MSTS runs without any complaints .From my point of view I come to the following conclusions :
- Marias Pass 3.1 requires a state of the art tsection.dat file in the \GLOBAL folder which you do not distribute.
- Your DOS batch file misses to copy the ImPlatform.* files to the \ROUTES\Marias31\Textures and \ROUTES\Marias31\Textures\Snow folders.
- You distribute outdated A1t* files to the \ROUTES\Marias31\Shapes folders. IMHO the actual file versions are required in the \GLOABL\Shapes folder.It would be great if some other users can verify my statements and give feeedback to Bob. Please be aware : You have to test the installation procedures with a clean MSTS installation. With this help Bob may improve his installation procedure to get another 11000+ happy users of Marias Pass 3.1 to enjoy the tremendous work of Bob an Paul.Felix

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Felix, I got no response so far from a message I posted in the Routes forum. Here it is.. I followed all the instructions, got X-tracks etc. When I leave Whitefish yard where the yard narrows down to the two mainlines, I get the error message "Failed to load shape A1tPnt5dRgtMnl.s" twice. I say continue and sure enough, just ahead I have grass texture where those two switches should be. So I look in the Global\Shapes folder and the files ARE there. (.s & .sd ).
Here are the filespecs as I have them
A1tPnt5dRgtMnl.s 7kb 5/7/01
A1tPnt5dRgtMnl.sd 1kb 5/7/01 Does anyone have any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.
(P.S. they are in the MP3.1 shapes folder also)Obviously I need those newer A1t* files. I searched my drives and I don't have any other versions. I applied Bobs fix from the Downloads area, and believe it took care of the platform issue. Could you be so kind as to zip up those files and email to me, or attatch a file to your response. It would be a very small file. Thanks, Kyle

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Anybody?

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-02 AT 11:54 PM (EST)

I already had XTrack 3.3 installed so I never experienced any of the track problems that other people are having. This problem does not make any sense if XTracks was not intended to be used, but if per chance some off the wall tsection.dat was being used by mistake while the work was being done.
Kyle,Maybe I can help you. As long as the XTrack files have been installed in the global/shape directory, check for and remove the track shape files under the marias31/shape directory. You could be experiencing a conflict. The date stamp for the track item you mentioned will have a much later date with XTracks installed.Edward K.

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-02 AT 00:26 AM (EST)

I tried removing those in the Marias 3.1 shapes folder, and with no success. They had the same file date as the ones in the Global\shapes folder anyway.
I installed x-tracks version 3.4 standard version from the file library. I don't understand why people have a never version of those switches if X-tracks 3.4 dated 12/8/2002 is the latest version! Thanks, KH

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-02 AT 00:44 AM (EST)

Do you think we need the X-tracks Xtras (for route builders) 8mb ? I'm gonna try it anyway...
Update
I didn't see anything in there that would affect these switches....

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You don't, there's only textures inside that and those are for people starting new routes.
It sounds like you have not completed the installation, might it be a capitalization issue?


//Okrasa
Chief Engineer
okrasaghia @ yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia/XTracks

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Actually everything in the Route shapes folder above
BarFence10m.s is outdated and redundant....IMHO, with all the work Bob and Crew put into this project if these are his only errors, then he done good, real good!Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
North American Locomotive Works

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Chuck, I appreciate the patience of everyone in getting all this sorted out.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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BobI followed Chuck's HO and removed all the A*.* files out of the ROUTES\Marias31\SHAPES folder and everything works fine.
Conclusions :
- Declare XTracks 3.4 as mandatory
- Distribution of A*.* files to the \ROUTES\Marias\Shapes Foleder is not needed, but doesn't any harm nor help.I positively agree with Chuck : You did a very good job and all of us are glad to help iron out these installation problems.Felix

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In addition to the track shapes (a*.*), there are files for roads that aren't necessary either.I've reposted the MP311.zip, updating the readme to require XTracks, and removing the unnecessary shapes from it. If you already have a previous level of MP311, no need to get the new one, but it should help everyone from here on in.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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What you did sounds right to me. The ImPlatform files have been included in MP31fix1.zip.The track shape files do not need to be in the local SHAPES directory. I'm not sure how they got there in the first place on my system, but they can be removed without problem. Or left where they are.The three shape files do need to be in the global\shapes. The date issue may be coming up because the original (5/7/01) versions from MS were corrupted. I believe some fixed ones with the same date surfaced somewhere along the line.Looks like I'm going to have to update the instructions one more time!Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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Hi BobSome feedback about your fixed installation files :
- I did a clean installation of MSTS 1.0 on a secound computer
- I patched/service packed/upgraded to MSTS 1.1
- I patched/service packed/upgraded to MSTS 1.2
- I installed the latest XTracks.zip file from train-sim.com
- I installed Marias Pass 3.1 (with fixed MP 311) from train-sim.comThe installation process worked without any problem and I could explore the route with a standard consist.From my point of view your installation is flawless and more or less foolproof (It's impossible to make it absolutliy foolproof because fools are so ingenious !)Felix

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Thanks for the feedback. We thought the installation process for MP3 was foolproof too, but lots of people had trouble with it. It is always had to write something at a basic enough level for people unfamiliar with it when you know a lot about whatever it is. You just assume too much.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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Hi BobSWell, I got it working but just the 00011 tsection.dat didn't fix
the missing switch problem leaving Whitefish, it did require an
xTracks install as well.GaryG

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Concur!
You need the latest X-Tracks and the latest ..Global\tsection.dat
Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
North American Locomotive Works

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Hi Bob,I installed Marias Pass 3.1 last night. The only problem so far is that one of the default activities does not unpack. That activity is the Grain Trian Through the Night. When I double click on the file Icon I get an error message indicating saying "Failed to read route info". This is the only default activity I was unable to unpack all of the others unpacked as advertised once I fixed the problem with the TSunpack. Is there any way I could get another copy of this activity. My E-Mail is klwaterman@msn.com.Thank You,
Bill Waterman

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Bill, you're right, it doesn't unpack. I'll take a look at it and let you know.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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BobSPlease post the fixed "GrainTrain" - I'm seeing the same problem,
"Failed to read route info".By the way, EXCELLENT JOB, thanksGaryG

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Same here. Other activites - default thus far for me - have unpacked and play perfectly. Grain Train Through the Night poops out right away. I like this one and would make good use of a revision - need to test some light fixes in a night setting.Otherwise, this is the best I have seen. While it might not mean much to those who don't buy third party routes, this is the first major FREEWARE route revision I've seen which made a true attempt to include ALL the non-standard rolling stock with the packaged activites. THat's a big order. BTW, is anyone going to do a TA Christmas Train activity special for Marias31? Sure would be nice, especially if at night for the best light show.We have a lot to be thankful for this Chrsitmas. Bing

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In the BNgrain activity it requiers the D9#4764 (Bn4764)
this dash had me going all day, can't find anything wrong with it,
but MSTS starts up with the send/don't send message, you know which ..
and then drops back to desktop.
after removing Bn4764, it run's normal again, anyone had the same, with this Engine ??Greets Henk.

Happy New Year
Wishes from Holland

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The folder name for that one on my system is BN4764D9. As I recall, there was something about the directory name that wasn't right. There's a comment in my .eng file that I changed the directory to make it unique. But I don't remember exactly what was wrong or why I did that.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-02 AT 10:29 PM (EST)

If the activity requires BN4764D9, where would we find it? I don't see it in the included non-standard equipment and after a complete search of all Dash 9 files in the library, can't find it there either.Just finished Noon Mixed Freight - Glacier Park to Essex, heavy snowstorm, everything went fine, no graphics problems at all. With the light fix for the default Dash 9, the AI locos also have lights.About time those bozos turned on their lights.Has anyone done a similar lighting fix only for the new SD40-2? I can't find one. Could probably hack the SD402.eng file but a lot easier if someone has already dun it. I don't see a followup to the lighting update from Easterday and Alexander. Bing

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I think if you use Bob Boudoin's Physics 4.1 for the SD40-2 the A/I lighting fixes are in there along with realistic performance...
What ever was MS-Kuju thinking of with the physics to this thing?Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
North American Locomotive Works

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I downloaded the gpphy41.zip file, which has a couple of SD402 eng files. The lighting setup is not as extensive as that of Easterday and Alexander, but I can use Boudoin's position numbers and some other data to get a little better accuracy in placement of lights. Thanks for the tip.E&A also have some physics fixes, though not for the SD40-2 specifically, so I"ll see what can be adapted to what as become a rather heavily modified stock engine. So far as Kuju is concerned, they do sloppy work I think. Very much so. One line of code gives the user a Headout view, they couldn't be bothered to include it. I also have a new cabview installed, the one by Alex Hall and its a dandy. The driver can see straight down the track and there is no distortion at higher resolution such as 1600 X 1200 X 32. Broken coupler problem still there, I do a totally unrealistic fix but what the heck. Not just Marias31 does this, I have had it happen with a two unit DMU on flat track in clear weather. Just a nagging problem, one that can be solved by increasing the Break and DerailBufferForce values. Whatever works ... works.Bing

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BN4764D9.zip is the 9th file down in the Non-Standard Rolling Stock folder.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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How 'bout them apples. Pays to actually read the list, doesn't it. Not ninth, that will depend upon the sort order, but it is definitely there. I was looking at it and not seeing it. Oh well. Sorry about that.I finished Whitefish Freight Pull last night and a good time was had by all. A couple of comments:1) During a rainstorm on Marias31 occasionally a black streak or blip will cross the windshield area - I run with the HUD, Shift + 1 view a lot and it is quite noticeable. I think , without knowing for certain this is a type of "shadow" graphic which pops up even though I have shadows DISABLED. It seems to be that and it repeats itself in certain areas where a moutain peak might cast a shadow. No effect on performance, its more of a "Oh ... there it goes again."2) Same old, same old. Broke a coupler right around milepost 1180, approx where freight speed limit goes up to 45 mph. This happens everywhere in MSTS, not unique to Marias in any version. Some say editing the Bounding Box is a cure, I found that wasn't true for the Cut Bank Crossover Curse, BBoxEdit had no effect, apparently it does work for others - horray for them.I edit Break and DerailBufferForce values in the .eng file. I did so with the SD40-2. I save a lot, was able to easily go back and rerun the locale and no problem. This particular incident does not seem as severe as the one at Cut Bank, where I found it necessary to edit these values for the cars, not just the loco. BTW, the Easterday - Alexander lighting can be adapted from the SD40 to the SD40-2 with some changes to the Position numbers. Pawlo Albanskyji tells us how to add a Headout view for the SD40-2 and it works like a charm. Alex Hall's SD402 cabview corrects the driver's perspective and is a gem, no distortion at all at 1600 X 1200 resolution. Now I need to get Boudoin's physics in there ..... maybe ought to assign a new model number, there isn't much left except the skins for the standard SD40-2.I am working my way through all the default Marias31 activities; thus far with the exception of the blips and the coupler breaking MP31 is trouble free. Signals work fine, I had to wait about nine minutes at Red Eagle (?) for the oncoming freight. Whitefish Freight PUll was tough for me, I was actually most of the way into Whitefish 3 before I got the notice I was 5+ minutes overdue; with a 15 mph yard limit it wasn't possible to "pick it up". I might do this one again; it is a fine challenge. Good way to sharpen drivng skills.Having wonderful time, wish you were here, we are starting to regain our 160"+ annual snowfall, a great time to run trains and stay inside.OH ... forgot to mention: On the Whitefish Freight PUll activity, someone had venison for dinner; the critter refused to budge despite heavy horn action. That happens. Skokie Swift drivers in the old days used to have a regular supply of pheasant, the birds are gone now, pushed out by urban sprawl. But after being a deerslayer, well, where do you want the body sent? A "hitchhiker" appeared suddenly in front of the train, too late to stop or even hit the horn. Is life really that bad in the mountains? I wouldn't think so. Bing

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I just copy and paste the things from Bob's in the eng file. That way I don't mess up the lighting.Kevin Arceneaux
It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!

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Excuse my density, but what is the best fix for BN 4764 crashing.I gather I can just use a different .ENG file. What file should I use. TIA

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Bob, are you possibly going to make a patch available in the file library? That would be greatly appreciated by us less ventursome people, who don't want to tempt "Murphy."Anthony

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Boudoin doesn't have a SD40-2 fix, the file I got - the only one I could find - has a GP40 and that's all. Cut Bank Curse Stikes Again!!Did a jump shift from "default" Marias31 activities to WB Pigtrain V2 because I wanted to drive an train across the entire route within an activity. Some of the fixes I have put in the locos show up differently in Explore mode than they do in a structured activity. Thus far everything going fine, except ...Last night I was dredging the message forum search and came across a thread having to do with the Cut Bank problem and possible reasons for it. Sorry, I didn't write down the author of the research on this, however he had done a lot of work on it and came up with the idea it has to do with train length. I think so too, one reason being that when running the default Cut Bank switching activity, I had no problem at all with the Demon Crossover, despite several moves through it - I restarted a couple of times for other reasons. The Dash 9 pull in WB Pigtrain V2 is 40 pigs, about half of them empty. About half way through the crossover, sure enough, the same old, same old uncoupling, sorry activity is over. I edited Break and DerailBufferForce values for the Dash 9 and the two pigs cars and it works fine, ran it 3 times to be certain. Some have said slowing down to less than 10 mph will get you through the crossover, I am not so sure about that. Re: Flying artifacts or whatever they are in Whitefish Freight Pull: Same piece of track, it is raining the same, this time westbound and no junk flying around at all. Yes, I"ve had the Fix installed since I started testing.I'm completely through the Bison area, past Summit and going towards Marias and not one graphics glitch. Suits me fine.Bing

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Bing You didn't look hard enough....
The library contains a file called SDPHY41.ZIP which contains updated physics for both SD40s and SD40-2s by our own Bob Boudoin... AKA Plainsman on here....Chuck Schneider
(Virtual) CEO
North American (Virtual) Locomotive Works

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-21-02 AT 11:46 AM (EST)

I tried as hard as the library search engine would allow. This included the terms SD40, SD40-2, SD402 AND the name Boudoin. The return got me the earlier file but not SDPHY41.ZIP.The library search engine doesn't allow for much in the way of a "fuzzy" search, sometimes it will not return a file even if the item has been correctly entered. Example: I got zero return on SDPHY41.ZIP - nothing at all. When I modified the search to SDPHY41* I got the file (both were entered in the File Name box). Your mileage may vary, the search engine seems to have a life of its own. This is not a complaint, I usually find what I am looking for after some extra effort. I would not offhand have thought of SDPHY41* as a search item, so I thank you for posting the file name. I have it now and it includes a physics update for the SD40-2. WIll have to hack this in manually, from a line by line comparison. There will not be much of the standard issue SD40-2 remaining when I am done. Marias31 is going extremely well, no graphics glitches at all in the Bison area westbound, as I had with an eastbound activity - both were done with Bob's fix installed. I did change a few of the Ti-4400 settings, this may have something to do with it. Who knows, when there are about 200 various nVidia settings possible via RivaTuner.Thanks again, I would probably never have found Boudoin's update without your help.Bing

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Anthony, a patch for what? There is a fix file out there for a couple of graphics problems some people experienced as well as a couple of missing textures and shapes. It is MP31FIX1.zip. As far as I know, once you install XTracks and this fix file, there's nothing left to fix!Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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Just finished Shelby-Whitefish activity "WB Pigtrain V2". Loved every minute of it, kept my indicated train speed at or within 1 mph of speed limit and no problem at all with meets. There was just one wait @ red signal for oncoming consist, that was I believe less than two minutes. Did the trip in 3:21:34 with 14 seconds overspeed and a few too many Durability violations, I failed to observe turnout speed limits, been a while since I have driven a train.The activity is great, however it will not end in the Whitefish Yard or anywhere else. End of player green path is the bumper west of the WHitefish station: you can leave the activity, however you will not get a "Successful Activity" no matter what you do. Opened the file in the activity editor and sure enough end of activity marker was omitted. I put one in, of course that means I can't play any of the saved files. No matter. Great activity, which most likely ought to be fixed, I sort of doubt my copy of it is the only one which won't end properly.Also: For some reason, the AI trains in this activity are not lighted, whereas in others they are, for the locos in which I installed flashinbg lights and lighting upgrades. Go figure. Graphics are trouble free and in a word, superb, as good as it is going to get in MSTS, which is pretty darn good. Lurch and stagger when an oncoming AI train is being loaded, a few gulps for air, otherwise good frame rates and smooth rendering throughout. Bing

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