Can we get some info on this MBTA route?

Whats the scoop on this 16 file route? Freight operations involved? where is it located (what state) maybe a few screen shots.
Thanks
Dejoh

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, mrmike, Oct-20-04, 05:41 PM, (1) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, MikeSimpson, Oct-20-04, 07:22 PM, (2) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, SVTS, Oct-20-04, 07:26 PM, (4) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, kmanc21, Oct-21-04, 12:20 PM, (11) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, seern, Oct-21-04, 10:03 PM, (13) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, mdeming, Oct-20-04, 08:26 PM, (8) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, mrmike, Oct-20-04, 08:39 PM, (9) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, CBF, Oct-20-04, 07:23 PM, (3) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, SVTS, Oct-20-04, 07:27 PM, (5) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, DRGWK36, Oct-20-04, 07:33 PM, (6) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, NWFreak, Oct-20-04, 07:50 PM, (7) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, chucksc, Oct-20-04, 11:01 PM, (10) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, Kentucky86, Oct-21-04, 09:57 PM, (12) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, bootednancy, Oct-23-04, 12:09 PM, (23) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, SP_Frank, Oct-21-04, 11:55 PM, (14) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, aristech, Oct-22-04, 01:40 AM, (15) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, chucksc, Oct-22-04, 07:31 AM, (16) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, seern, Oct-22-04, 03:50 PM, (18) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, USRailFan, Oct-22-04, 02:05 PM, (17) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, Hawk, Oct-22-04, 05:09 PM, (19) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, SP_Frank, Oct-22-04, 05:20 PM, (20) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, Kentucky86, Oct-22-04, 09:18 PM, (21) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, The Real Leo, Oct-23-04, 01:17 PM, (25) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, haraldh, Oct-23-04, 10:37 AM, (22) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, oldiedaddy, Oct-23-04, 12:52 PM, (24) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, chucksc, Oct-23-04, 02:10 PM, (26) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, oldiedaddy, Oct-23-04, 02:43 PM, (27) The stock is here....!, haraldh, Oct-23-04, 03:22 PM, (28) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, mdeming, Oct-23-04, 03:59 PM, (29) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, oldiedaddy, Oct-23-04, 04:52 PM, (30) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, aristech, Oct-23-04, 05:02 PM, (31) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, Kentucky86, Oct-23-04, 05:09 PM, (32) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, oldiedaddy, Oct-23-04, 05:32 PM, (33) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, USRailFan, Oct-23-04, 05:35 PM, (34) RE: Can we get some info on this MBTA route?, oldiedaddy, Oct-23-04, 05:41 PM, (35)

Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic

LAST EDITED ON Oct-20-04 AT 05:51 PM (EDT)

Hi Dejoh,The route is mainly passenger. There might be some freight involved.Right now there are only 8 out of the 16 files required to run the route. The files are very large because it was not compressed & packaged by RouteRiter. Most trains & consists are supplied with the route.Although some of the file IDZ say to run the bat. file. there is no bat file to run. This info is in the readme, Hence the large download. I believe the author was afraid that RouteRiter might alter his creation, therefore all needed shapes & textures, terrtex files are included. In other words, just like the early days of the sim, you run what you download. As you can see by the large download, in the 8 files posted,It was wise of Nels to not post all 16 files at one time.

It will be with great anticipation that I wait for the remaining
files to be posted. I know that Joseph started over & over again in trying to rebuild this route. He put many hours of frustrating work into the MBTA. I wait to see this masterpiece. My Computer specs are in my profile
Mike
"

This Smile says it all"

Attachments

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/4176db732d6de467.jpg

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

> I believe the author was afraid that RouteRiter might alter his >creation, therefore all needed shapes & textures, terrtex files are >included. In other words, just like the early days of the sim, you >run what you download.I wonder if the author even tried Route-Riter? I would be interested to hear how it could possibly alter a route. The whole idea of RR is to provide a compacted copy of the route with all the rubbish removed, yet to appear and run exactly as the original.Virtually every route uploaded here since early 2002 (Seaview 2 was the first if I remember correctly) has been packaged using Route-Riter, and apart from a few bugs in early versions of the program, I have not heard of any routes which were not exactly the same as the author intended.
Mike

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It is a shame he took the path he did, there will be many, many people who won't be able to download his route, and there will also be many people, like myself, who have highspeed connections that don't want to fool with the 16 downloads, 1 of which is 175 MB alone!Maybe he will rethink his way and give route riter a chance. It has done wonders for the train-sim community.I won't be wasting my time with it, so you folks will have to let me know how it is.Chris Bogley
Syracuse New York

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

First and foremost, I appreciate all the agony the route developer endured while making this route, I followed all the threads about his troubles, and know he was close to abandoning the project more times than once. That being said, I have to agree that many people will pass on this one - by my calculation the downloads total about 1.4GB! I have broadband and still won't download the route, just way to large a download. I will add my voice to those that are asking that the developer give RouteRiter a chance on this one as it seems like a great route to have.Ken

How did I survive before MSTS

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-21-04 AT 10:51 PM (EDT)

I will take a look at the route, but my main concern is the slow speed of train-sim. I am a paying member and do have cable, but never can get much more then 45 kbs on a download. I am able to d/l 2 files at this speed at the same time, but this still leaves me with a lot of unused bandwidth.Tonight I am only getting in the mid 20's as speed. Do we need to pay more to help Nels get a better connection? I meant I have the ability to stay in the low 200's with d/l and I am only using 50 of that bandwidth.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, Virginia
Activities are what makes MSTS run.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I used route riter on one of my routes and found that it altered the verticle position of some tree clumps, that were on a hill and were origionally sunk beneath the terrain level. There was something else minor that it did but I cannot remember what. The object was deducious clump #1, I forget the .s name
Mike

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Mike S,Did not mean to infer that your RouteRiter would do harm to Joe's route.Just that he might be thinking so. I use RouteRiter all the time. I think it's the greatest thing since peanutbutter & Pepsi. My Computer specs are in my profile
Mike
"

This Smile says it all"

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Hi; Okay, just what is the MBTA? I take it that TA means Transit Authority. Metro Boston??Thanks far any enlightenment!Cheers; Chuck F.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

You got it...though not fully sure if that is what it means, not really much of a MBTA buff, but I would assume that is correct, that is the area in which this route is done in.Chris Bogley
Syracuse New York

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It is indeed Boston. I haven't seen the route yet, but if you've spent any time over in the Route Design Forum, you'll know that this route had many ups and downs over the past couple of years as Joe poured his heart into making it happen. It's great to see it finally posted. Congratulations, Joe!I'm sure he's hoping to see a couple of miracles come his way - the completion of his route and the Red Sox in the Series!Andy

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (aka the "T") Have a nice day
-Mike

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-20-04 AT 11:04 PM (EDT)

Actually Joe has modeled The Far Northern End of the NEC from Providence, RI to Boston (Opposite end from the Existing MSTS NEC) as the central core of this route and then added various MBTA commuter and connecting P&W freight routes I think....FWIW this is the End of the NEC that has the actual 150 MPH race track in it.... And it was the last part to be electrified coming some 50 plus years after the original electrification was halted by WW2!If you de-electrify it you could also run legacy NH diseasils and steam on it too! ALso in NH and PC and CR days a whole bunch of freight ran on this line!
Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and (Virtual) CEO

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-21-04 AT 09:58 PM (EDT)

From a native BostonianMBTA
Massachusettes
Bay
Transportation
AuthrorityThey operate commuter rail (the main fucntion of the route), heavy rail transit and light rail transit, as well as an extensive bus network. If you visit my Boston Railfan Page you will get info about what many locals call the "T".The route featured is part of the fastest track on the NEC. The speed limit is 150 mph for a short run near AtteboroughTrafficAmtrak Acela, AEM-7s rule. Uncommon are the HHP's A very rare E60. Trains are fast and frequent.CSX runs local freights. There is a small yard at Readville. There is a few locals on the line here. P&W has trackage rights south of Atteborough I think. That devider has been changed around from time to time. Again this is not where you will see mile long freights. One motor and a few cars. The MBTA runs F40's and variations of them. They also have a variety of commuter coaches includng some bi level stuff.If the route is modeled 100% it should have the Orange Line Rapid Transit line from Forest Hills to downtown Boston near Back Bay. This heavy rail line is new as of 1987 when the last heavy rail "El" was moved to a surface route. "Just FYI the very last "el" stopped running this June with the line being put undergound. I have long awaited Joe's hard work and have encouraged him. As someone who lived there for half my life and I really look forward to it. The eletricfication was more or less done by 2000 but desiel powered F40 lead trains ran up to the full conversion to eletrict power. For a while I am in the slow process of downloading so I do not know if it will have all I mentioned. BobFlorida Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentucky86.geo/Boston MBTA Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/BostonMBTAKentuckiana Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentuckyrails

Our Pictures!
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=592

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-23-04 AT 12:14 PM (EDT)

Dear Chuck & you "western" default(y) BNSF simmers:MBTA is the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority...........it's the Bus, Subway/EL, Trolley car and Railroad operator in Boston, Mass. (You know......Tea Party town for you UK Simmers)The Railroad division comprises the "North side" (ex Boston & Maine commuter lines) and the South Side (ex New Haven-PC-Amtrak lines)I'm not sure what exactly his route covers, though judging by the screen shots, it's the upper end of the NE Corridor/Amtrak side due to the catenary. It's a passenger operation of local trains (push-pull diesel & bi-level or single level cars) and Amtrak Intercities.DougPS: I take it nobody's ever heard the song of "Charlie and the MTA(forerunner of MBTA w/o rail ops.)"..by the Kingston Trio??? (damned young people).........It was an old "political protest" song from the early 60's about a fare increase on the MTA.........and the problem was the MTA wouldn't let Charlie off the Subway because they wanted 5 cents more when he tried to transfer for Jamaica Plain.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-21-04 AT 11:56 PM (EDT)

I just downloaded all files tonight and this one --mbta-15.zip-- displays the following error message from WinZip:"End-of-central-directory signature not found. Either this file is not a Zip file, or it constitutes one disk of a multi-part Zip file."All the 15 other files came through OK. As luck would have it, this is the 288MB file

_______________________________
Unless you're the leading dog, the view is always the same.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I just downloaded all 16 of the files, and number 15 took by far the longest but it came through OK for me. Joe has really put his heart into this route, and it shows. This thing is sharp. The only problem I have had is that I am missing some of the .con files.
Berkshire Passenger.con
Amtrak Aem-7 Metroliner.con
Subway_1.con
Everything else was no sweat.LTG

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>I just downloaded all 16 of the files, and number 15 took by
>far the longest but it came through OK for me. Joe has
>really put his heart into this route, and it shows. This
>thing is sharp. The only problem I have had is that I am
>missing some of the .con files.
>Berkshire Passenger.con
>Amtrak Aem-7 Metroliner.con
>Subway_1.con
>Everything else was no sweat.
>
>LTG I think those maybe in the NEC activities pack which added support for all our NEC stuff.... (Aem7s and the like)
Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and (Virtual) CEO

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I think this is file necpak01.zip and a patch necpac14.zip.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, Virginia
Activities are what makes MSTS run.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

There are also lots of shape files missing, mostly road vehicles, it seems... And at least one locomotive reported missing...
Considering the large number of .zip-files, I am really surprised that files can STILL be lacking...
I suggest this route be removed until the author can get the help needed to 1) add the missing files, consist and locmotive(s) and 2) compact the route so that normal people can download it

Leiv Eiriksson was first - Christoffer Columbus used a Viking map!

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-22-04 AT 05:36 PM (EDT)

After looking through the File Library and checking the files included with the MBTA, I can see why it's so big. All e.raw and n.raw files are still in place, all .bk files are there, and-I would guess that all the shapes and textures that weren't used in the route are included with the route, just like the old days before RR.
I started to download it, but even on my cable connection (with a possible 300 mbs download rate), I was getting speeds at 20 kbs or less, when most times, I can get speeds of 120 kbs, or better. I might try later this evening.
I'd like to see what RR can do for this route, just for experimentation purposes, ya' know. Edit 1: I'm in the process of downloading "mbta-1.zip". Unfortunately, I'm stuck at a 13 kbs transfer rate. Got about 2 hours to go. It looked like it includes a lot of read-me's pertaining to needed rolling stock. That may be why some folks are getting missing files errors.

Hawk

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It expands to 2.23 gigs (on an NTFS partition) all told.The route runs and looks great from a quick glance - didn't try anything else as of now but it sure looks good for the weekend.Can't wait to run it.

_______________________________
Unless you're the leading dog, the view is always the same.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Got two down, working on the 3rd and have 13 to go. I am on dial up so it is 4-6 hours a section. I will do it though as I am a Boston native and I have done the same for other routes. BobFlorida Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentucky86.geo/Boston MBTA Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/BostonMBTAKentuckiana Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentuckyrails

Our Pictures!
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=592

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Normal people?Does that make those of us who did download the route not normal?

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

The route is mostly double-tack, with electric wires. Some yards were there too. Overall is the standard far away from WE8, at least to me!Running between Boston and Providence, some 40-45 miles. There are partly two separate routes. Not much change in the elevation.As said in some other posts above, some files are missing, a C&S 10 loco and some con files (7?). They didn´t cause any problems when testing the route, but when I tried to create my own exploring activity in the AE, the menus started popping up!There was some message saying that some of the 3 default services weren´t quite OK.The scenery looked pretty normal to me. Boston was a little crowded, Providence rather empty-looking.Some cosmetic disturbance was that the gantries were too low for the wires, but I reckon that is something which can be fixed.Haraldh F

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

What ? So bulky, and still faulty ?
Will NOT grab it as is, until it gets properly packed.
Authors have rights.
IMHO they also have responsibilities.Love and Peace

OldieDaddy from Alsace

Visit also www.the-train.de !

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-23-04 AT 02:11 PM (EDT)

Hey Moritz
Why don't you teach Joe how to pack it????He's had to learn everything else the hard way so my guess is that it is the way it is because he doesn't yet know how....I would if I knew how or had ever done it...Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and (Virtual) CEO

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-23-04 AT 02:47 PM (EDT)

Hi Chuck !
That's what I initially intended to do !
But how shall I get it ?
1.4 GB ! !
Would take some 40 hours at the present yield of 8-10 kbps (while my limit is 64 kbps).If only the _n.raw, _e.raw, _bk, shapes in TEXTURES folders etc. would be removed and a few ACE's compressed...Jee, just let Route_Riter go over it, should reduce to 100-120 MB ?
Then I can see what can be done further...Caution, if RR asks for replacement by default shapes/textures, check before answering Default when creating InstallMe.bat, otherwise the result could get strange...Tell me, which files contain the stock ? Don't necessarily need it to start...Or you/he send me 2 CDs...Love and Peace

OldieDaddy from Alsace

Visit also www.the-train.de !

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-23-04 AT 03:30 PM (EDT)

The stock is in #1!There is a folder called "Needed trains and consists"!38 folders!
Haraldh

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

LAST EDITED ON Oct-23-04 AT 03:59 PM (EDT)

LEAVE IT ALONE!!! Shouting intended. If he wanted to upload it using route riter then he would have done it. HE uploaded it after almost trashing it many times. Besides that he may have had very good reasons not to use route riter, for example if you have a lot of default buildings that you modified route riter is not the way to go, also there are those who do not like the spanned zip files. The guy put a ton of work into it. Maybe if you ask him in a personal message or an email he would send you a cd.

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>LEAVE IT ALONE!!! Shouting intended. If he wanted to upload
>it using route riter then he would have done it. You'd be surprised how few authors know the detailed and updated possibilities of RouteRiter...>HE uploaded it after almost trashing it many times. , . The guy put a
>ton of work into it. No doubt !I solely offer to HELP the author.
My packing skills are known & recognised, documented with HQB1.1/1.2/1.3, WupperExpress7/8, Whitefish5, RedArrow, Alpensee1.0/1.1, Niederelbebahn, Stadtbahn U79, and more freeware Routes.Usually takes me 2-7 days to compact a Route.>Besides that he may
>have had very good reasons not to use route riter, for
>example if you have a lot of default buildings that you
>modified route riter is not the way to go.It still is ! RR asks if you want to default or keep.
As probably one of the (or the) most active users of RR I can assure !>also there are those who do not like the spanned zip filesRR does not force you into spanned Zips.
Acually I prefer RAR or SFX-EXE.>Maybe if you ask him in a personal
>message or an email he would send you a cd. Asked his friend Chuck just above... 2 CDs, one is only 700 MB...Joe will answer, or not, his only decision.The idea is to allow MANY users to download easily (not possible with 1.4 GB of files), and enjoy !Love and Peace

OldieDaddy from Alsace

Visit also www.the-train.de !

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I'm with you guys, this is a good route. Joe put a great deal of work and heart into this. When I ran Route Riter on it I didn't find a lot of missing shapes, etc. the only problems I had were some TerrTex ace files not having snow. As for the issue of not being packed with Route Riter for download, its his file he worked years on it.I wish that I had the tenacity and skill that Joe has.Larry Gearheart

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

It will take me a week to download via my dial up BUT I will happily do it. As someone who has made a route I 100% understand how fustrating that can be (building a route) He did not want to take any chances of the MSTS world ending again. I am now finishing up the 4th sectionBObFlorida Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentucky86.geo/Boston MBTA Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/BostonMBTAKentuckiana Railfan Page
http://www.geocities.com/Kentuckyrails

Our Pictures!
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=592

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>I'm with you guys, this is a good route. Joe put a great
>deal of work and heart into this. When I ran Route Riter on
>it I didn't find a lot of missing shapes, One single missing can be enough to crash>the only problems I had were some TerrTex ace files not having snow. In other words, it would not run properly in AUTUMNSNOW, SPRINGSNOW, WINTER, WINTERSNOW.
Easy to fix for the skilled, but... >As for the issue of not being packed with Route Riter for
>download, its his file he worked years on it. So he'd like to proudly share with a max of users, I would imagine ?Look at the download figures:
Only <250 users have got it in full, so far.
Probably less due to aborted sessions.
Not a lot for 3 days...>I wish that I had the tenacity and skill that Joe has.Sure !
Love and Peace

OldieDaddy from Alsace

Visit also www.the-train.de !

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>Some cosmetic disturbance was that the gantries were too low
>for the wires, but I reckon that is something which can be
>fixed.
>It seems that the author has used Mats Strid's Swedish Gantries. Which looks good, and are quite probably the closest we have to the real thing (this part of the NEC uses European-style catenary gantries, IIRC) - but which are set to the European catenary height of six metres, not the correct US height of 7.2 metres

Leiv Eiriksson was first - Christoffer Columbus used a Viking map!

Alert | IP

Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

>It seems that the author has used Mats Strid's Swedish Gantries. >Which looks good, and are quite probably the closest we have to the >real thing (this part of the NEC uses European-style catenary >gantries, IIRC) - but which are set to the European catenary height >of six metres, not the correct US height of 7.2 metresGuess SFM could easily solve this one...Love and Peace

OldieDaddy from Alsace

Visit also www.the-train.de !

Alert | IP

[ Home | MSTS Forum | MSTS FAQ | How To... | File Library ] Copyright © 2004 by Nels Anderson. All Rights Reserved.