Albula Line and Bernina

[slipperman]

Hi Nick,
My apologies It's a very long time since I installed the Bernina route - well, that's my excuse, anyway!!

I've just re-installed it. By default, it installs a folder 'Train Simulator Bernina' into the same parent location as the default MSTS installation, as specified in the Registry. In my case, the default MSTS root folder is at T:\MSTS\Train Simulator, so this route installs into T:\MSTS\Train Simulator Bernina. I did NOT see any batch file run during the installation although it must have done so because it runs fine in MSTS. If you've tried to persuade it to install elsewhere, that might be your problem. I don't know what happens if you don't have an MSTS Registry entry because that is used by the batch file to locate the files to be copied into the route. The Readme.pdf file gives details, although the reference to the "Microsoft Games" may not apply to you (it doesn't to me!).

Cheers,
Ged

EDIT : I've just re-installed the route to a completely different partition. This time, I did see the batch file run and some files weren't found. I'm pretty certain that they were for XTracks and New Roads, which my default MSTS installation doesn't have. After adding those, this second route ran OK in MSTS.

[niknak]

Hi Ged,

Thanks again. I think I'm going to give this route a miss. Life's too short etc lol

[slipperman]

Hi Nick,
That's a pity - it's a very nice route
There's really no problem installing it, provided you've got a proper MSTS installation, but it's your decision!

Cheers,
Ged

[R. Steele]

Followup on my last post...Bernina and Albula installled. Both okay...since I know nothing about European electric, TCS emergency brake systems, and such....I had a fine old time getting the Allegra EMU's to move...finally had to reset OR to simple physics and adhesion, reset superelevation to 1000mm Guage, and other resets...but all is well now, exploring the Bernina...with my skills on this sort of route and equipment...it's much like a roller coaster ride!!!

First impressions...how did this crew produce this route using MSTS RE....what an accomplishment, staggeringly well done work.

[landnrailroader]

I've never had any problem except that somewhere back in the years, I saw where the Bernina line required
being installed in it's own root directory which is what I did. It is a fantastic route. Much of the equipment was
done by Lukas Lussar who used to post on here quite a bit. The fellow that did the route is a friend of his so
it was somewhat of a collaboration. And yes, I'm not a very good driver on it either. Lukas' wife has a relative,
cousin I believe, who is a driver on the line and I got to admire him.

J. H. Sullivan
(aka landnrairoader)
retired from CSX & Southern Rwy.

[landnrailroader]

I looked back at my install to see what I did to get it to run. If you install the freeware version (mine is on my "F" drive) the
install looks like this:

"F:\5MSTS\Train Simulator Bernina\--actual program directories etc." (quotation marks because of spaces)

This is, according to Win-7, an invalid location.

So change it to this: (you can have anything where I have 5MSTS)

F:\5MSTS\--actual program directories etc. (eliminate section with spaces, and remove quotation marks)

If you check the properties on your shortcut, it will look like this (on my machine).
I am running Win-7 with no plan to upgrade except by force. 8G memory, ATI video.

If you wish I can send you a copy of my full install as a zip file. It will be large and I use "WeTransfer" so
I will need your email address. You will get a link which if selected will download the zip file. You should
be able to unzip that to a directory of your choice and set set up a shortcut along the lines of mine
below.

J.H Sullivan

[csantucci]

The difficulty is driving downwards on the steep Bernina route, but once one knows how to do that, it works well.
On Open Rails:
1) enable the graduated brake release option
2) ensure to have installed from https://www.rhb-trainsim.com/BerninaBahn.html all update packs, and in particular the three update packs dated 2020, which are Open Rails specific
3) keep always the train brake engaged to low values (about 1% to 5 %) and don't touch that value; the value must be selected so that the train slowly increases speed with dynamic brake not applied; operate the dynamic brake as needed to keep the speed constant. NOTE: it has been said to me that this is the way real Bernina train drivers drive.
Under OR the viewing distance must be set to 2000, because transitions between standard terrain and distant mountains are optimized for that distance. Set the distant mountains viewing distance at least at 80 km, and use the relevant keys to reduce fog at a minimum (Debug fog decrease); view is usually crisp there...

It's many years that I don't run the Bernina route under MSTS, but I think that point 3 can be valid also for MSTS.

[landnrailroader]

It ranks as the best of all routes I have seen regardless of whether one uses MSTS or ORTS. You set the standard with the bar real high for the rest of us.

[niknak]

A HUGE thank you to Jerry ( landnrailroader ) who took the time and trouble to email the complete route to me. I now finally have it up and running.

[csantucci]

It ranks as the best of all routes I have seen regardless of whether one uses MSTS or ORTS. You set the standard with the bar real high for the rest of us.

Thank you! That has been the result of a great teamwork.

[joe_star]

Both freeware routes are an amazing representation of the real thing.

I can't speak highly enough of either route.

I also can't speak highly enough of the drivers on the line, I think I am a miserable failure as a driver on either line...

I just tried the Bernina route in OR

On a rainy day, needed autopilot to get myself up some of the 7% grades and can't count how many times I would surely have derailed on the way down!

[landnrailroader]

You too, Joe. Cackle, Cackle. Well during strikes on the Southern in the long ago, I ran a few trains and what is
different about the Bernina line is mainly that the equipment responds much much quicker than our heavy diesels
and trains. A touch of throttle, a little too much or too little dynamic, and you would be in deep doo doo if it was
not a simulation.

Jerry Sullivan
(aka landnrailroader)