Tutorial (1): Folder & File Structure (INSTALLATION HELP!)

Hello,

Here, the directories and filetypes of Microsoft Train Simulator will be described, all the things you need to install 3rd party addons.
The procedure of installation from ".zip" files or similar archives is described, too.

- The main program folder of MSTS is called "Train Simulator", the default path to this folder is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator", at least for English versions.

There are several sub-directories in this main folder. However, the only ones which are important for normal users are "ROUTES" and "TRAINS".

- The "ROUTES" folder:

Here, the routes MSTS uses are installed. Every route has got its own folder, the default routes are:

- "EUROPE1" Settle - Carlisle
- "EUROPE2" Arlberg
- "JAPAN1" Tokio - Hakone
- "JAPAN2" Hisatsu
- "USA1" North East Corridor
- "USA2" Marias Pass

New routes you install have to go exactly into this "ROUTES" folder in their own directory. If you open the folder of a specific route, there should be various files and folders, then you know it's properly installed.
Sometimes you have to run a program called "installme.bat" or similar in a route's folder to complete the installation.

- The "TRAINS" folder:

It contains two sub-directories: "CONSISTS" and "TRAINSET"

- The "TRAINSET" folder:

Here, all locos and cars are installed, each one in its own directory. It's also possible to have several locos/cars in one folder, "ASM - IR Loco" of the IR Loco Packs on this site is one example for this.

Every folder has got several files and often sub-directories. The possible sub-directories are: "CABVIEW" and "SOUND"
As a user you don't have to do anything inside these folders, but it might be necessary to copy one of these folders into the directory of a loco you just installed.
For example: If the "readme" file of a loco you just installed states "Cabview of the default GP-38 has to be copied", then you should go to the "GP38" folder inside the "TRAINSET" folder, copy (not cut!) the "CABVIEW" directory from there and paste it into the folder of the newly installed loco. With the "SOUND" folder, the procedure is identical.

Keep in mind that copying the folders is not always required, most new developments "alias" the cabview and sounds of the default locos, which means that these locos just have to be installed to make it work and you don't have to do anything.

Folders of often used default locos:

- "380" Gölsdorf 380 steam loco
- "ACELA" Acela Express
- "DASH9" Dash 9
- "GP38" GP-38
- "HHP" Acela HHP + HHL cars
- "KIHA31" Japanese KIHA 31
- "SCOTSMAN" Flying Scotsman steam

- "CONSISTS":

Here, the so called consists are stored, these are the rakes of trains you can drive in MSTS. If a loco which is installed inside the "TRAINSET" folder doesn't have a consist file in here (ends with ".con"), it won't show up in the simulator.

Most installations either copy the ".con" files automatically into this folder or leave it inside the folder of the installed loco in the "TRAINSET" directory. These have to be manually moved into the "CONSISTS" folder (just select all files ending with ".con", cut and paste them).

Some installations don't have ".con" files included. How to make your own consists will be described in a more advanced tutorial.

- installing from ".zip" files:

+ Almost all downloads have got a "readme" file coming with them. Read the installation instructions.

+ In most cases, a path is specified where to the addon should be installed. Using default locations (change according to yours, if it is somewhere else) which are:

Main program folder:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator"

Main routes folder:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\ROUTES"

TRAINS folder:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\TRAINS"

TRAINSET folder:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\TRAINS\TRAINSET"

folder of loco/car XXX:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\TRAINS\TRAINSET\XXX"

+ Be sure to unpack ALL files, not just the ones you selected, for example with WinZIP. (if you opened the "readme" file, it's probably the only one selected after you read it)

+ Some installations already have got the full path included, of course this just is valid for the default location of MSTS. If you have got doubts, unpack the installation to a temporary location and then find and copy the right folder into the appropriate MSTS directory.

+ Don't forget to copy the consist files into the right place, if there are any and it's necessary.

These were the absolute basics of MSTS files and folders, look out for more detailed tutorials.