Added and changed track - locos die

First time post: OK I surrender. I created new industrial sidings at N.E. Corridor > Edgewood as extensions to the existing east siding. Also added a crossover to the long double dead end sidings at Perryville, to create a Wye and lengthened sidings elsewhere. No problem backing cars over these new tracks, but when the locos hit them, they either die or go into spasms and won't move. Either way - game over!The tracks appear to have been automatically electrified when I added them. I've read in Route Editor about "track changes require repairing paths that pass over the changed section in the Activity Editor." Hours studying the Activity Editor and I still "ain't no smarter." If it is possible to change the original MSTS track, any help from some patient experienced soul guiding a newbie through the steps would be much appreciated.MSTS is great! Haven't touched my Lionels for 40 years , but now feel like a kid again. I'm in awe of what you "pros" can do. Al

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RE: Added and changed track - locos die, DTA, Apr-12-03, 04:28 PM, (1) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, drivertime61, Apr-12-03, 05:03 PM, (2) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, DTA, Apr-12-03, 05:40 PM, (3) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, drivertime61, Apr-29-03, 10:49 PM, (9) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, Vince, Apr-12-03, 06:14 PM, (4) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, drivertime61, Apr-13-03, 12:39 PM, (5) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, DTA, Apr-13-03, 05:54 PM, (6) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, Vince, Apr-13-03, 06:31 PM, (7) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, Motley24Crue2, Apr-13-03, 06:57 PM, (8) RE: Added and changed track - locos die, drivertime61, Apr-29-03, 10:55 PM, (10)

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BUMP! You don't say what version of the NEC you are talking about, but if it is the original or version2, I can only say you should get nec4 from the library.David

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Thanks for the tip David. I didn't know enough to know there have been updated versions of NEC. I'm using the original MSTS V1.0, updated to 1.2. From your answer, I assume that track changes and additions to the original MSTS-supplied routes are possible, but that the original NEC was a problem in this regard. I'll take your advice and try NEC 4. I have many megabytes of object changes and additions in my current NEC, backed up on DVD. I hope I'll be successful transferring them over to NEC 4. Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated. Al.

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It will be no problem. NEC4 installs as a new route entirely, and once you use it, I doubt you will go back. 1.2 was a great addition to the original, but 4 is a revelation.David

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Hi David - update:I finally had the time to install Vince's NECv4. My only comment:
W-O-W!! Fantastic work - and I've only explored about 40 miles south from Phillie. Many thanks for the encouragement to go for it.Al

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Al,
Making track changes to a route that is a complete route is almost impossible.
By a complete route I mean a route that is fully signaled and populated with interactive track objects.
Interactive track objects are; speedposts,mileposts,crossing gates,sound regions,car spawners,hazards and signals.
These objects are stored in four files,the track database,the road database, the track item table and the road item table.
All four files MUST be syncronized. The route editor has bugs that corrupt these files when you delete and add track. It can be done but to do it you must delete all interactive track objects on the tile where trackwork is being done. Even this is not guaranteed to work.When I began the upgrade of the Northeast Corridor the first thing I did was to completely remove every interactive track object from the entire route. THAT is the ONLY safe way. Trust me.

Regards,
Vince Cockeram
NEC Track Team
Author of the NECv4 Route
http://hometown.aol.com/nectrackteam/main.html
E-Mail me at vcockeram@lvcm.com

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Hi Vince: as I said in my first post, "I am in awe of you "pros." Many thanks for your patience and detailed response, adding important info to my newbie knowledge base. I just read your NECv4 Readme and will take advantage of your hard work by installing NECv4 asap. Regards, Al

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As I said, the NEC4 route is a revelation. While it is a bit hard on framerates, it is so much better than the original, that it becomes a must have route.David

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David, it is a bit tough on frame rates in spots. This is very dependant on what consist you run though. Some of the add-on equipment will put rates in the toilet. In testing the route I used a the standard Microsoft Acela trainset.You can maximize performance by making sure all background programs are shut down. Best you unplug your modem connection and make sure no virus scanners or firewalls are running.Most store bought systems today come with a ton of really useless junk running in the background.
Shut EVERYTHING down except Explorer. Explorer is the operating system and that is ALL that should be running when running ANY simulation program.
This is very easy to do;
1.) Clean boot your machine.
2.) Press CTL+ALT+DEL once to open the close program dialog.
3.) Highlight what you want to close and select "End Task".
4.) When the task ends do step (2) again until all except Explorer are ended.
5.) Now start up the Sim and enjoy much better performance.

Regards,
Vince Cockeram
NEC Track Team
Author of the NECv4 Route
http://hometown.aol.com/nectrackteam/main.html
E-Mail me at vcockeram@lvcm.com

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LAST EDITED ON Apr-13-03 AT 06:58 PM (EDT)

or in the Run menu You can Type "Msconfig" And uncheck Startup items Robert Steskal
Philadelphia, Pa

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Hey Vince: I finally had the time to install NECv4. Magnificent! I've only explored a small part of the route, but I've already run out of superlatives and couldn't wait to say so. Many thanks to you and all who contributed, for this outstanding work.Al

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