Routes Identified for Cleanup

[eric]

As previously announced, there will be file cleanup starting after March 1, 2023. Older routes which have newer versions will be the first candidates for release. If comments are made here indicating why a route version should not be removed, the files will be rescued/retained from removal.

These routes can be viewed at the following link: https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/tslib....dir=descending

This will include several popular Indian routes including the Southern Railways and Western Railways.

If anyone is familiar with those, it's not clear if the Phase 1-3 versions are full replacements or cumulative updates which require the earlier versions.

I'm really hoping someone is able to speak to those before they are removed permanently.

[sim-al2]

I need to point out that the ADFRR v4 also needs the installation of v3 *AND* v2 as the newer versions are based on upgrades of the v2. Right now v2 is flagged for deletion which would make it impossible to install the ADFRR route.

[eric]

ADFRR has been removed as a removal candidate.

This is the type of feedback that's critical and being sought in this thread, so please advise of others that build on previous versions and are listed.

[eric]

I've removed a few posts where questions were addressed to try and keep things back on track.

[NW 2156]

Can we please keep the Canadian Pacific Mactier Sub please. This is a really well done Canadian Pacific route based off real world trackage.

Also the Cleveland Union Terminal is worth keeping. This is a very interesting railroad that used big electric locomotives for traction.

The Australian MSTS community is almost none existant anymore. The Coal Road was a popular route when it came out. Can we keep it for preservation purposes please?

I'm a little surprised to see Glorieta Pass in the list. This being part of the famed ATSF Raton Pass line. I would like to see a combined version of this route with photo real terrain and updated scenery. This being a very historic route for the ATSF!

Thanks.
Robert

[CSRX]

I'm kind of confused as to why the UP Cima Sub is up for removal.. Same with the Norfolk Southern Horseshoe Curve Route, and the CP MacTier Sub.

Yeah, all are a bit dated, but geeze, it's not much effort to swap tree textures and do some scenery updates to your liking?

Guess I'll be downloading some of these routes that may possibly be gone forever.


However, in regards to the CP MacTier sub, I believe the full thing can be found on trainsimulations for free.

[R. Steele]

I'm kind of confused as to why the UP Cima Sub is up for removal... .

Is it?, this route was only uploaded within the last five years? I think there was just a "Tag for Removal" added, that doesn't mean someone actually tagged it. It could be confusing. There's a lot going on right now, reorganizing...I'll check.

cimasub.zip >>> Date: 05-21-2017

[eric]

I'm kind of confused as to why the UP Cima Sub is up for removal.. Same with the Norfolk Southern Horseshoe Curve Route, and the CP MacTier Sub.

The devil is in the details, folks.

There were dozens of routes with a full download and a split download option. In these cases, the full is being kept, and the spanned files are being dropped.

Many more had multiple versions which never saw the old versions removed. Where a route has a newer version that states it is non-dependent on the earlier versions, the older will be removed. There might be routes which didn't state this, so if you know that v3 builds on v2 which builds on v1, please let me know.

To address specific concerns from above:

• UP Cima had both a full and spanned version. The full is kept.
• Mactier had multiple versions. The latest 1.5 is kept (2012). The original 2010 is being dropped.
• NS Horseshoe had multiple versions. The latest from August 2011 is kept. June 2011 is being dropped.
• Coal Road had multiple versions. 2004 version is kept. 2003 version is dropped.
• Bob Wirth's Glorieta has multiple versions. BNSF and ATSF version from 2010 are kept. ATSF from 2003 is dropped.
• Cleveland Union Terminal has multiple versions. 2007 is kept. 2005 is dropped.

I don't think I missed any from above, but I hope you can see the pattern emerging. You can check the MSTS Routes category for yourself if you see a favorite and are truly concerned. Or, search "all files" and sort by size descending. If one was truly done in error, it'll be addressed. Nothing listed is being deleted immediately.

As time permits, I'll try to update the notes for routes being removed as to why, but understand that with over 455 files right now, it's going to take a while to work thru that...


Here's the possible space savings:

• Routes --- 32.5 Gb
• Stock, Sounds and Cabviews -- 2.4 Gb
• Activities and Route Aids -- 300 Mb (and I haven't really started to look at these yet...)
• Scenery Signals and Tools -- 600 Mb

That's more than 10% of the current file library that's occupied with duplicates and older versions. And we haven't even started seriously looking at rolling stock, reskins or sounds.

The routes tagged for removal will be put into "cold storage" on a thumb drive and possibly zipped up on the server as long as there's free space. If it's found later that a version removed is needed for the future update, it can be restored.

[NW 2156]

One area of concern I will bring up is the CN Blackfoot route. The newer version isn't backward compatible with the activities available. The majority of available acts is for the older version. There isn't as many scenerios available for the later version.

I'd also like to ask about the Mersey Route and Crewe Route slated for scrapping?

Thanks.

Robert

[eric]

Mersey 4.1 (2006) is being kept as it's a full install. Versions 1/2/3 are going away.

MSTS Blackfoot V2 (2008) is being kept, MSTS Blackfoot Version 1 (2003) is going away. Blackfoot Summer Only V1 (2017) is also being kept because it's ORTS Only.

[CSRX]

Thanks for the clarification, Eric. I had not realized those routes had standalone installers as well as multiple zip files to download separately as needed for older internet options of the early 2000's.

[NW 2156]

Is the NECV4 being dropped?

Thanks.

[eric]

I'd rather have people ask the questions now than be upset later...

FWIW, I now have a full backup of the file library that's not on the TS server. It will be going to cloud cold storage for safer keeping.

[eric]

Is the NECV4 being dropped?

Yes, unless someone has a good reason to keep it. The NEC is included in the 2019 PRR-Eastern V2 which was also created by Vince and the same team as the 2003 version.

[necrails]

NEC 4 is a smaller download, loads faster and has less demand on less robust systems. I for one could care less about anything east of harrisburg. NEC 4 would be perfect if it could be extedted to NYC or Boston, even through in Harrisburg. While the eastern division is a terrific route having smaller portions only makes far more sense to me.