Disappearing Wag files...

[00986994]

I am seeking help because I recently downloaded John Kelly's D&RGW caboose repaint, drgwngca.zip. I used the narrow gauge caboose in a consist, but when I tried to use it an error message was displayed, reading:

“Error reading train database file:File:Trains\Trainset\drgwngcab\drgwcab.wag".

If I click "Yes", MSTS keeps running, but if I click "No" MSTS crashes. I am unable to delete the consist, since it has disappeared from the consist menu in the Tools and Editors Activity Editor. It is a huge inconvenience, and I want to uninstall the car but I cannot until I delete the consist. It does not appear in my Consist folder.

Worse, the same thing is now happening to another freight car, a repaint of a 1960's Frisco car carrier into Full Bucket Line livery (fbl-auto.zip). The simulator cannot find the .WAG file for the third carrier. More specifically, the error reads:

“Error reading train database file:File:Trains\Trainset\fbl-autoracks\fbl-autorack3.wag".

I am really only adept enough with computers to cut and paste files, but I did notice that the usual .WAG file is called ".ENG.WAG", and the .SD file is named ".SD.SD". I don't know if that is part of the problem, since the autorack has none of these discrepancies. I tried uninstalling and re-installing MSTS, but it installed everything back on, including the consist file using the caboose. The same thing happened with the consist using the autorack.

If it helps, I am running Windows 7 on a Dell XPS laptop, with a 32-bit operating system and an Intel Core2 Duo CPU and 4.00 GB of RAM.

I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you.

[buttercup]

Those errors indicate the sim is looking for the files along the path indicated.

In other words it is looking for the drgwcab.wag in the drgwngcab folder. Check to see that you have a file named drgwcab.wag and that it is in the drgwngcab folder.

If you are using Train Store make sure that it is unstored.

[00986994]

Thank you for the advice! The files are where they should be, however. As for Train Store, I don't know what that is. Is it an application that comes with the 2 Disk installation set?

[buttercup]

Train Store is a utility that lets you install and manage a large number of routes and rolling stock. My install has over 450 routes.

You say they are in the correct folders. Are the names exactly as listed in the error messages?

[00986994]

I guess I don't have Train Store, since I don't have anything like that!

Yes, the names are exactly the same (for both the caboose and the autorack) as the error message. I am completely at a loss as to what is going on, since everything appears fine.

[buttercup]

If everything is located and named correctly then Windows 7 maybe the problem. I would consult the PC Tech forum to see if a fix can be found there. Vista and Win7 have similar problems.

[derekmorton]

There are no issues like this with Vista or w7.

Derek

[baldwin]

.....I tried uninstalling and re-installing MSTS, but it installed everything back on, including the consist file using the caboose......

When you uninstall MSTS it only removes what was originally installed, thus leaving behind any consist files made or added after the original install. The uninstall routine does however have a small problem. It also takes a random filetype and removes avery one it can locate in the Routes or Trainset folder. These are eng and wag files from the Trainset folder, so you might have a consist looking for a wag that is no longer there, unless you have also reinstalled everything.

[00986994]

I made sure to copy the entire contents of my Trainset folder before uninstalling/re-installing. I then installed every locomotive, passenger car and freight car back in. I did reinstall everything, so the .WAG file is definitely where it should be. Your idea was a good one, Baldwin, and it gave me an idea. If I could remove the leftover consist tags remaining from after the uninstallation, I think it might be possible to re-install MSTS without the error that is driving me up the walls. Any thoughts?

[drjoe]

Check it with Route Riter. Train Store is also able to do some error checking ( not as easy to use for error checking ). Also, ConBuilder ( payware ) could help track down this error. In addition, Train Store Easy Mode will let you run MSTS without this error as long as you don't select an activity to run that calls for the missing files. Of course if that happens, then you have a good clue about the problem.