Australian MSTS @ steam4me Routes and accessories Xtracks 3.20 (Tsection.dat b38)

Xtracks Installation Guide

by Okrasa Ghia (okrasaghia@yahoo.com)

Problem # One:

Solutions:

Option A: I'm a complete novice and I can't open a ZIP file OR  I prefer the speed and convenience of an installer: click here for the standard Xtracks package in a ready-to-go installer; -  or  - Option B:  I like the tedium, fiddliness and control of a .ZIP file: click here for the standard Xtracks package in a .ZIP file.

Problem # Two:

Solution:

I'm a Route Builder - click here for the route builder's package in a .ZIP file - if you can build a route, you can use a .ZIP file.

Problem # Three:

Solutions

End User Solution A:

You have just downloaded a route that says something about it using XTracks and that YOU need to install XTracks for it to work.  You are not comfortable with ZIP files or you prefer the convenience, speed and simplicity of an installer.

This is for you.

Click here to download an EXE file containing the latest version of Xtracks
17.8 MB (18,738,949 bytes): save it to the Desktop or somewhere you can find it.

• Make a copy of the folder 'Train Simulator\GLOBAL' somewhere safe (about 11MB).

 
• simply double-click on the saved Xtracks3_20_EndUser_MSTS1_Setup.exe  file and follow the prompts.

 
• You're done, happy railroading on your new route!

Notes on the installer:
1. The installer is a Qsetup installer and the Xtracks installer has been written by Okrasa Ghia author of Xtracks;
2. It will try to find the MSTS folder from your registry - it reads only, it DOES NOT WRITE TO THE REGISTRY;
3. this installer will check existing files on your hard drive: IT WILL NOT OVER-WRITE existing files on your system that have a newer date stamp.

End user Solution B:

You have just downloaded a route that says something about it using XTracks and that YOU need to install XTracks for it to work.  You are comfortable mucking around with ZIP files.

This is for you.

Click here to download a ZIP file containing the latest version of Xtracks
17.6 MB (18,515,512 bytes) .

Unzip the file into a folder named "Xtracks" on your hard disk.  Make sure you select "All Files" and "Use folder names" when extracting.

• Make a copy of the folder 'Train Simulator\GLOBAL' somewhere safe (about 16MB).

 
• Copy the contents of folder 'XTracks\GLOBAL\SHAPES' to  folder 'Train Simulator\GLOBAL\SHAPES', overwrite ALL files when asked.

 
• Copy the file 'XTracks\GLOBAL\TSECTION.DAT' to the folder 'Train Simulator\GLOBAL'.  You will get a question: "Do you want to replace ... last changed date something ... with the file ... last changed date something else".

If the date of your file (the first one) is LATER than the date of my file (the second one) you should answer 'No'.    If mine is the newest you should say 'Yes'.
If you don't get the question you did something wrong.
• Done, happy railroading on your new route!

Solution Two: for the route builder:

• You will need the standard xtracksf.zip package as well as the xtracksr.zip package {R for Route builders: 30.2 MB (31,680,008 bytes)}.   The comprehensive documentation is in HTML.

 
• You may wish to download the Xtracks Reference route which demonstrates the sections "in-situ".

Solution Three:  Tech Support

• If you run into problems ask for help either at the Route Designers forum at train-sim.com or the Xtracks forum at http://www.uktrainsim.com (other forums might also be able to help) or mail the person that made the route;

 
• You could also try emailing Okrasa or try reading the documentation XTracks.htm in the XTracks, route builders extras package. DO NOT PANIC!

 
• Xtracks' Home page is http://www.xtracks.tk/  for all online documentation and information.

Version Information

• Version 3.20 - (November 2007) - A quick update.
  Unfortunately there was a small mixup of a few shapes (2.5Pnts) concerning the textures.
  This is now corrected, other than that this release contains the same shapes as the previous one.
  TSection.dat build #38.
   
• Version 3.19 - (November 2007) - A full year since the last release.
  XTracks now is pretty much the work of Steven Masters and Norbert Rieger.
  I myself only act as the distributor of their work not adding anything myself.
  Steven has added various crossings and bridge sections. Also some ferry sections,
  Norberts contribution is quite large and he has made a list of it all here.
  TSection.dat build #37.
   
• Version 3.18 - (November 2006) - At long last a new version of XTracks is finally released. There is an incredible amount of files added in this release.
  Over 1.500 files by Steven Masters and Norbert Rieger. Both new sections and updates of older sections with improved texturing and LODs.
  Lots of straights in various lengths and up to a10t* sections. Lots of switches: ex. highspeed a1tHPnt1_5, a1tHPnt2 & a1tPnt2_5 and a2tHPnt1_5, a2tHPnt2 & a2tPnt2_5 by Norbert with lots more.
  Steven Masters' compound switches and sections for building large yards, see his track laying page. Okrasa'a contribution is an addition of some automatic stub switches to help in activity creation.
  TSection.dat build #35.
   
• Version 3.17 - Initially I thought this to be just a small maintenance release. Well not small perhaps with Steven supplying over a 100 updated shapes to cure the night problem with straigths but still. Then Norbert Rieger submitted a whole lot of new switches, slips and tunnels in high detail. To view all his news please see his supplied track laying page. Last and least the a2t3000r5dConcrete has been updated to use the correct texture.
  TSection.dat build #32.
   
• Version 3.16 - Steven Masters continues to add sections, now new straights all the way up to a10t500mStrt. Also some updated curve shapes and a pair of new a1tYPnt10d150rMnl Y-switches with different default paths. Steven has also provided new tutorials for the track laying page. I have added some frogs for Concrete; a2tFrog3d15m*Concrete and a2tFrog6d5m*Concrete. Have also added a number of new N-gauge high radius curves (1800r and 2400r), a few longer straigths (90m and 120m) and more n1tPnt3d and n1tFrog3d sections. The documentation and web page are updated with new track charts listing all standard gauge tracks included with XTracks and from the original MSTS installation.
  TSection.dat build #31.
   
• Version 3.15 - I hope we finally got those straights sorted out now with this release.
  Steven Masters has added more sections, some different points. a1tPnt5dS*, a1tPnt10d150r*_Div, a1tPnt2000r*3d, a1tPntM120rD90r & a1t52_5mStrt.

  Okrasa has added new curves a1t375r*, a2t375r* and switches with diverging path a1tPnt3dB*Div, also some Xover between different gauges: NA1tXover6d*, uknA1tXover6d - these Xovers work with the 3d modular switches in yards; finally for Otto Wipfel the a1t1_2mStrt!
  TSection.dat build #30.
   

• Version 3.14 - Chris Cyko's CYKWORKS elevated tracks are merged (C* & L* sections) into Xtracks, Norbert Rieger has initiated new subterrain sections, Zoltan Ivan has contributed replacements for a number of standard tracks with improved LOD handling, Steven Masters continues adding new shapes with replacements for the a1t870r4d* switches, new a1tPnt2000r*7d curved switches (a1tPnt2000r*3d coming later), frog sections a1tFrog3d20m3dBto10d, more two track straights in different lengths; 5, 15, 20, 25, 30 & 40 meter. Three track and four track 25m straights and new shapes for 6000r curves. Finally Okrasa Ghia's added some a1tPnt6dB*Concrete switches.
  TSection.dat build #29.
   
• Version 3.12 - Steven Masters has contributed a great many sections: Curved points both tighter (A1tPntM150*/A1tPntM250*) and wider (A1tPnt1500*) than before. 10 degree modular points (A1tPnt10d*) with provisions for a true three way switchs (A1tPnt3w*). New 3 degree and 5 degree frogs (A1tFrog3d*/A1tFrog5d*), 40 degree and 75 degree crossings (A1tXover40d/A1tXover75d). Replacement shapes for 5d points & 10d YPnt and finally also some additional small pieces to fit odds and ends with the others. Please check the track laying page for Steven's directions on how to use these new sections.

  Mark Hyams's smooth curves are new, as are Okrasa Ghia's new tram sections (A1t5dTramCrv/A1t15dTramCrv). These are also available in dual line tracks (A2t*) and so is the old 30d (A2t30dTramCrv). I've also added a 4.985m straight that is usefull with 90 degree curves to get correct track spacing. Also The 3000/6000 radius curves looked bad and thus has been updated.´
  TSection.dat build #27.


 
• Visit Xtracks' Home page at http://www.xtracks.tk/  for all previous version information.