Marias 31

Can anyone help me please! I wish to install the Marias Pass 31 in the MS TrainSimulator 1.2, though having read the help notes, find it most difficult to carry out this install. I notice in the download Library Train-Sim that folders are given as Marias 31, MP311 to MP317 and shown 1 of 7 to 7 of 7. I presume you are to install each of the exe files in the routes directory of MSTS. After unzipping the 7 files, they show an (CD Drive)icon of the file i.e. MP317 as to MP317.exe. Finally, where does the Xtracks file install within MSTS? A simplier step by step of correct procedure to install Marias 31 would be most appreciated.

Bobby H

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RE: Marias 31, chazlee1, Jan-25-03, 02:24 PM, (1) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-25-03, 02:51 PM, (2) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-25-03, 03:33 PM, (3) RE: Marias 31, downside, Jan-25-03, 04:43 PM, (4) RE: Marias 31, bobs, Jan-25-03, 08:24 PM, (5) RE: Marias 31, downside, Jan-26-03, 04:02 AM, (6) RE: Marias 31, bobs, Jan-26-03, 02:19 PM, (10) RE: Marias 31, raynuss, Jan-26-03, 08:58 AM, (7) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-26-03, 10:28 AM, (8) RE: Marias 31, downside, Jan-26-03, 12:06 PM, (9) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-26-03, 05:25 PM, (11) RE: Marias 31, downside, Jan-26-03, 06:17 PM, (12) RE: Marias 31, jhender501, Jan-27-03, 00:29 AM, (13) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-27-03, 03:41 PM, (14) RE: Marias 31, jhender501, Jan-27-03, 11:04 PM, (15) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-28-03, 05:17 PM, (16) RE: Marias 31, Mavarick, Feb-10-03, 01:00 PM, (21) RE: Marias 31, Flying_Scotsman, Jan-29-03, 09:48 AM, (17) RE: Marias 31, John_136_6000_GO, Jan-29-03, 03:32 PM, (18) RE: Marias 31, bjrhatigan, Jan-29-03, 03:47 PM, (19) RE: Marias 31, bobs, Jan-30-03, 03:37 PM, (20)

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LAST EDITED ON Jan-25-03 AT 02:44 PM (EST)

You're getting pretty close....after unzipping, place the exe files in your main Route folder, then doubleclick on each one starting from 1 to 7 and they will create and install marias 3.1. You also need the latest MP3.1fix file as it fixes a signal aspect problem.
You can find the xtracks file in the trainsim library under "xtracks.zip". You only want to use the file labeled "tsection.dat". Place this in your main route folder for Marias3.1 that you just created. When asked if you want to overwrite files, say "yes"(but don't forget to backup the original "tsection.dat" file first, just in case of a boo-boo.
When you first start msts and select marias3.1 it will generate terrain buffers, so don't get worried if it takes awhile. Also, you need all 6 original MSTS default routes installed on your computer, as Marias3.1 copies files from all 6 routes to build it's route.
Sooo..It goes like this: Place MP311-317.exe files and MP31fix in Main Route Folder and:
1. Doubleclick on MP311.exe and install
2. Same for MP312.exe
3. Same for MP313.exe
4. Same for MP314.exe
5. Same for MP315.exe
6. Same for MP316.exe
7. Same for MP317.exe
8. Doubleclick on MP31fix.exe and install
9. In Marias3.1 folder, make backup copy and save in a different folder the original "tsection.dat" file.
10. Unzip xtracks.zip and copy the "tsection.dat" file and paste it to your marias3.1 folder. If prompted to overwrite file, answer "yes"Should be good to go.

Happy Rails,
Chaz

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Hi Chaz and thank you for help. You point out to double click on file.exe, there are no file.exe within unzipped file. Each unzipped file has an icon with file name shown below it. If you click on one, it fast displays a Window showing <0> files to DOS. My OS is Windows XP.

Bobby H

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The icon for each mpxxx file is shown as "Clickteam Install Maker" instead of mpxxx.exe. Clicking on Install Maker, automatically starts to install file. Do you put each of these files in mp31, otherwise clicking Install Maker file tries to install to TS.

Bobby H

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Whoa - Xtracks needs to be installed according to the instructions:"A current release of XTracks by Okrasa Ghia is required for Marias Pass 3.1 and is available for download at Train-Sim.com."and"Several track sections missing or broken in the original MSTS have been made available as part of the XTRACKS package by Okrasa Ghia (okrasaghia@yahoo.com). Several of these track sections are used in Marias Pass 3.1, therefore Xtracks is required for successful installation. You can obtain the latest release Xtracks from Train-Sim.com."You also need mp31fix3.zip to correct a signalling blip.If you have just downloaded the files then you do not, I believe, need fix1. You need fix2 if you are going to install the All the way West activity.I installed as per the instructions and mine works just fine.Bill

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My first suggestion, as always, is to READ the documentation. There are specific installation instructions in the first of the 7 zip packages.There are 3 fix zips, and you will want ALL THREE. The fixes in part 1 are NOT in the 7 main zips. Fix 2 replaces one activity file that was bad, and fix 3 contains an updated signal script. The error in the signal script has been around for a year as it was in MP30 also, and we only discovered it a few weeks ago while working on an activity.Since you are running XP, it is possible that the batch copy file that is supposed to be kicked off at the end of zip file 7 won't kick off. In that case, look in the Marias31 directory and run installme.bat by hand. Just double click on it.Also, as the instructions say, Xtracks is required. Simply install according to the directions in that package. Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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BobThanks for clearing that up. Just a point about mp311.zip that is in the library now. This file is dated two days after fix 1 and states at the end of the description "Updated. 1 of 7 files." Bill

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It is updated, but it is the installation instructions that were changed, and apparently I didn't get those correct either.The files you want to execute are MP311.exe through MP317.exe. At one point, I had everything packed into one big exe file, Marias31.exe, but I felt it was too much to download 89 MB at one time, so I split it up into 7 pieces. I must have gotten an old version of my installation text somehow, because the text in all the zips except for #1 references the 7 zips, while the text in the first one talks about Marias31.zip. The other points in zip #1's text are correct though; you need XTracks, and you should search on mp31fix*.zip to get any fixes (currently three).Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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I have read the documentation for the Marias Pass v3.1 installation, however it seems to contain some very confusing directions. It says:"To install Marias Pass V3.1 on Microsoft Train Simulator, perform the following steps:1. Unzip the marias31.zip archive to temporary space. All the files will be placed in a directory called Marias31."
(There is no marias31.zip file as part of the seven file download and they do not create a directory named Marias31)
"3. Find the file marias31.exe" (There is no marias31.exe, only mp311.exe thru mp317.exe.)From here, I am completely lost, since the remaining instructions rely on the first three instructions which are impossible to complete.Could someone please clarify the installation of this route? Thanks,
Ray

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I have been unable to install Marias Pass 3.1, same errors experienced by Ray. File mp313 shows as 1 of 7 files, even though the top bar shows this as 3 of 7, the rest of the files are correctly shown. I have to use the Installme file in marias 3.1 to install the 1 to 7 files. Marias 3.1 is shown under the Routes directory, fails to be shown in the Drive a Train window. I believe this new update is supposed to be less trouble and easy to install, perhaps to the author and experienced route designers, certainly not for a novice like me. The previous update was perhaps more fiddly but at least I was able install and run the new route.
Any further help from anyone, certainly would be appreciated.

Bobby H

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There are 7 zip files named marias MP311 to MP317. Each one has to be installed by opening the zip files in order and double clicking the exe file. You may be getting confused by the instruction to unzip MP311 to temporary space. I would suggest you open the zip file, double click MP311 and in the box that comes up showing Marias31 change it to C:\Marias31 and do the same for zips MP312 to MP317Once you have done all 7 zips move the folder Marias31 to your ROUTES folder and once there go into the folder Marias31 where you will find a batch file called installme. Double click this so that it can extract the files it wants from the 6 default routes.Once it has done that it should work just fine.Don't forget to download and execute the 3 fixes in the downloads.Hope this will get you going. Email me at msts@btopenworld.com if you need any more help.Bill

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At last I grasped the proper procedure, and only installed the files mp311 to mp317 plus the fixes to C:\marias31. Starting up MSTS showed Marias31 in the window under "Drive a Train". Clicking on marias31 started the normal play install, and away I go! wrong, the screen became black, dreaded caption: Failed to Open Texture", file routes\marias31\terrtex\US2 Forest.ace, followed by a stream of other named files (to fast to take note of file names.)Finally monitor screen went back to Desktop, and further caption "Failed to Find SMS file : ingame.sms.
Xtracks could have caused the error, as it requires to install its Global file as to the original Global under MSTS or did I do a bobo?

Bobby H

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BobbyI have just sent a reply to your email.Bill

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Thanks to all who contributed instructions in here..I've been away
from Train-sim for quite a while, and just downloaded Marias 31..following the directions posted herein, it installed perfectly.Thanks to all.
Jim

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Hi Jim,
I must also thank everyone for their help, unfortunately unlike your self, Marias 31 has been a nightmare to install. The part that foxes me is Xtracks, how did you install it? A step by step of installing Xtracks would be much appreciated. Replacing Xtracks Global simply sends my computer haywire.

Bobby H

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I installed everything as described above. Unzipped each of the
7 files to c:\marias31. then moved all of that to the routes
folder and ran the install..voila..then, installed the 3 fixes,
then unzipped xtracks and moved it all to the global folder (after
backing up the existing folder)..no problems at all. I'm stumped as to why you are having the difficulty..wish I could
help..can you undo what you've done and follow reply #9 in this
topic?
Jim

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Well one thing for sure, the help from Bill has been exceptional and appreciated.. The simple truth is, install Marias 31 plus fixes and Xtracks, TS loads for a second and returns Desktop, no Marias then TS plays normally. However, I am sure if there is a way to rectify this error, Bill will solve it.

Bobby H

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To install xtracks, go to file library and download xtracks. Open the zip and you will find the readme file that will explain exactly how to install.
First, you make a copy of folder Global in MSTS somewhere safe. Next, copy contents of folder XTRACKS\Global\Shapes' to folder MSTS\Global\SHAPES, overwrite ALL files when asked.
Then copy file XTRACKS\Global\TSECTION.DAT to folder MSTS\GLOBAL. You will then get a question whether the file your copying is newer or older. If newer than, than replace it. That's it. DONE.

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Well after much patience and an abundance of help from Bill, I have joined the ranks of this forum with a full functioning Marias 31.
Many sincere thanks Bill.
In all the TS routes, does anyone else suffer from trees, poles etc quivering, and the rail sleepers giving off a strobe like effect. It becomes most annoying after a time,while speeding along any of the routes.Computer: processor = 2.4GHz Intel 4.
memory = 1.02GHz (2x256Mb 1x512Mb DDR SDRAM).
graphics = nVidia GeForce 4 MX460 AGP4x.
It would be most interesting to hear from other members, especially if they have overcome this annoying error.

Bobby H

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"rail sleepers giving off a strobe like effect" I'm not sure if it's the same thing you're writing about, but I often have the sleepers creating an effect similar to moiré fringes. I've just learned to ignore it.I do also get some shimmering effects on various objects, and in one of the passenger views even get a cup of tea (or is it coffee) which sometimes shimmers almost like a full cup would react to a bit of shaking - I've never quite determined whether it's just a video aberation or very nice similutation (it comes and goes - reasonable for either).My computer is nowhere near to yours - I just dream of having a machine with specs like those you quoted. Mine is Pentium II 350Mhz
64Mbyte ram
Intel video card, 8MbOne just has to make do with what one has.CheersJohn

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For the 'moire' effect, there is a simple cure.
In the file library, there are alternate "acleantrack" files which
eliminate the moire effect. Sorry, can't remember the author.
But much easier on the eyes AND framerates.
Highly recommended.

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I believe you are refering to Joseph Realmuto's track textures. They don't work on all video setups. On mine, it actually looked worse.Bob Siederer
Co-author of Marias Pass 3.1

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