Engine will not show up

[TrainGuy58]

Hello all, I have installed the South Ozark Lines #23 Prairie from the file library, and created a corresponding .con file with TSRE5, but for some reason, the engine still does not appear in-game. I've checked the .con file myself to see if there were any errors, but it seemed to look just fine. If anyone asks, I did put everything in the correct folders, the .con file was placed in the "CONSISTS" folder and the engine itself was placed in "TRAINSET". I'm stumped, so if anyone can help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

[R. Steele]

Which simulator? MSTS or Open Rails? If it's OR please check the "OpenRailsLog.txt" file found ( by default ) on the desktop. It should provide some information if the engine is missing in the simulator. Check to see if the engine file is complete with a description, lack of a description will cause the engine to not appear in OR. There are other things...so check the log .

If you're using the MSTS simulator...have to wait for someone with MSTS experience to see the thread...or you can check the Steam 4ME site and the troubleshooting tips.

[TrainGuy58]

The simulator I’m using is MSTS.

[crstagg]

What is the path to your MSTS install root folder? As in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator or C:\1MSTS?

FYI If the ENG file for the loco has a Name line, MSTS will list the loco by the contents of the Name line. It the ENG file has no Name line, it will list the loco by the filename of the ENG file.

[TrainGuy58]

The path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator.

[crstagg]

The path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator.

Snake bit by Windows Security. Windows is trying to "protect" you by not allowing files to be saved to C:\Program Files (x86) or to :\Program Files. Remember MSTS was written 20 years ago. You should NEVER install to C:\Program Files (x86).

See Installing MSTS on Win7 with 32 or 64 bits OS. (trainsim.com)
Goto http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/i...g_msts_w7.html
and print out the instructions and check off each step and reinstall MSTS.
Then reinstall any addons you may have added. If you have installed a LOT of addons then copy your Train Simulator folder to a temp location and then copy it over your new install after completing all the steam4me instructions.

Also you will need to recreate the consist(s) files.

[TrainGuy58]

So would it work if I just completely copy pasted all the files over to my Documents directory?

[slipperman]

Hi TrainGuy58,
If you used ConBuilder v2.4.9 (available from the library), there is a bug in it which puts the incorrect information in the Consist file.

I suggest you open the consist file, in something like NotePad or ConText.

If the EngineData line values are : PRAIRIE262 Prairie262 change it to Prairie262 Prairie262

If you've used the other loco, make a similar change :

clPRAIRIE262 Prairie262 change it to clPrairie262 Prairie262

Note, also, that the Name entry at the end of the clPrairie262.eng file to too long for MSTS to display with the result that both show as the same, and only one appears in the list :

Change "SOL Prairie #23 Class Lights" to "SOL Prairie #23 Lights"

... and, PLEASE, follow Charles' advice regarding the location for your MSTS installation. I don't believe this was the cause of your inability to 'see' the loco in MSTS, but it will save you a great deal of trouble in future!!

Cheers,
Ged

EDIT : No. mate, DO NOT use your Documents directory!!

[TrainGuy58]

Thanks for all your help guys, it finally works in the game now! Who knew a small little Prairie locomotive could cause me so much trouble.

[crstagg]

Hi TrainGuy58,
If you used ConBuilder v2.4.9 (available from the library), there is a bug in it which puts the incorrect information in the Consist file.

I suggest you open the consist file, in something like NotePad or ConText.

If the EngineData line values are : PRAIRIE262 Prairie262 change it to Prairie262 Prairie262

If you've used the other loco, make a similar change :

clPRAIRIE262 Prairie262 change it to clPrairie262 Prairie262

Note, also, that the Name entry at the end of the clPrairie262.eng file to too long for MSTS to display with the result that both show as the same, and only one appears in the list :

Change "SOL Prairie #23 Class Lights" to "SOL Prairie #23 Lights"

... and, PLEASE, follow Charles' advice regarding the location for your MSTS installation. I don't believe this was the cause of your inability to 'see' the loco in MSTS, but it will save you a great deal of trouble in future!!

Cheers,
Ged

EDIT : No. mate, DO NOT use your Documents directory!!

Ged,

It is not a "bug" as you describe. The problem is caused by two of the three ENG files having case differences between their filenames and their Wagon and Engine lines.

#Prairie262.eng is correct it has "Wagon ( #Prairie262" and "Engine ( #Prairie262" for its Wagon and Engine Lines.

clPRAIRIE262.ENG has "Wagon ( clPrairie262" and "Engine ( clPrairie262" Which does not match the case of the filename.

PRAIRIE262.ENG has "Wagon ( Prairie262" and "Engine ( Prairie262" Which does not match the case of the filename.

The easiest solution is to change the filename to match the Wagon and Engine lines.
That is change clPRAIRIE262.ENG to clPrairie262.ENG and PRAIRIE262.ENG to Prairie262.ENG.

BTW Using ConBuilder's item tester on this group of ENGs would have resulted in two syntax errors.

[crstagg]

So would it work if I just completely copy pasted all the files over to my Documents directory?

NO absolutely NOT!!!

Why? Because your "Documents" folder is in C:\USERS\(your name)\Documents and Windows Security treats the USERS folder just like it treats the Program Files folders.

[slipperman]

Hi Charles,
My apologies
The first CB I used was v2.2.9 which did use the 'Engine (' value, but I've just tested it and 2.4.7, 2.4.9 and my payware version and these all use the .eng file name, as you say.

Incidentally, if one uses CB (other than v2.2.9) to create consists for the default Class50, GP38, SD402 and Dash9, they, too, will not show up in the Locomotives list because the case in the Consist file doesn't match that of the 'Engine (' entry. The same applies to the R_R Consist Editor, Convoi and TSRE, but doesn't it seem odd that only the old CB version matches how MSTS AE creates consists?

Cheers,
Ged

[crstagg]

Hi Charles,
My apologies
The first CB I used was v2.2.9 which did use the 'Engine (' value, but I've just tested it and 2.4.7, 2.4.9 and my payware version and these all use the .eng file name, as you say.

Incidentally, if one uses CB (other than v2.2.9) to create consists for the default Class50, GP38, SD402 and Dash9, they, too, will not show up in the Locomotives list because the case in the Consist file doesn't match that of the 'Engine (' entry. The same applies to the R_R Consist Editor, Convoi and TSRE, but doesn't it seem odd that only the old CB version matches how MSTS AE creates consists?

Cheers,
Ged

?? I always use the Route Riter's 5-6 step process to make all the entries of Foldername-Filename in Activities, Consists, Services, and Trainset consistent.

[TrainGuy58]

Hey everyone, sorry for the minor bump, but now I'm having the same issue with Jon Davis' Booth-Kelly Lumber Co. #2 addon, the 1910 variation specifically. I checked the consist file to see if there were any mislabeled folders in it, but I didn't find any. For context, the consist is simply just the engine by itself. One thing that I found very strange was that in the days when I used Open Rails on my old computer before I switched, I would never have any issues with consists.

[crstagg]

Did you not learn from the previous posts that when the filename, the Wagon lines and the Engine line are not all of the same case the loco will not appear in the list?
Filename = 2662bk2
1st Wagon line = 2662BK2
Engine line = 2662BK2
2nd Wagon line = 2662BK2
Easiest solution for this loco is to edit the filename.