[Railroad Librarian]

G'day, all.

I have simple request for assistance.

I am trying to create an activity in which I can place equipment in a yard, so that I can take take group screenshots. But I am still not understanding how to create such an activity.

That's it. No running trains, no traffic, just want to create large static groups of locos and equipment.

Is anyone willing to help an old fart out?

Thank you in advance.

KevinB

[charland]

Hi Kevin,

What are you using to create your activity?

But basically, you'll need to create a player consist that includes an engine so you'll have access to a cab view in the sim. You can use F2 or F3 to take screenshot from outside the cab and move the camera away from the engine if you don't want it in the screenshot.

The rolling stock you want in the yard and all going to be "loose consists". I use the old MSTS Activity Editor and I just select where I want to place a loose consist, right click and choose Place Consist, and window will open, I select New, another window will open, I give it a name, select Cars (Freight) then select what freight cars I want in the consist. Hit save and exit, and then another window will come up to say they are no drivable engines listed, just say OK.

Paul :-)

[Railroad Librarian]

Paul,

I figured I'd try to use TSRE but would it be easier if I use the MSTS tool?

I am totally 'new' to this exercise so really starting from scratch...sigh

KB

[R H Steele]

I'd use TSRE along with the TSRE consist editor.

Try this:
Use the Consist Editor to make the loose yard consists you plan on using. Name the consists using the track number or some location identifier.
These consist will then reside in the Consists folder.

Use the TSRE itself to place the consist where they belong.
There is an excellent manual by Pete Willard ( found on GitHub ). Here's a screenshot from the section on placing consists.

Important note: after placing consist, make sure you Deselect the Place Consist button or else the next time you click the mouse you will place another consist.

Attached File(s)

•  placeconsist.jpg (106.89K)
  Number of downloads: 1

[Amtrak115]

Railroad Librarian, on 13 February 2024 - 09:57 AM, said:

Paul,

I figured I'd try to use TSRE but would it be easier if I use the MSTS tool?

I am totally 'new' to this exercise so really starting from scratch...sigh

KB

TSRE will work fine...

first you need to create the consists of cars you want to place in the yard. 1/2/.../multples cars. This can be done with the TSRE Consist Editor. You'll use these consists later when you create the activity in TSRE.
second using TSRE select the route you want to use.
third under "tools" in TSRE select Activity
fourth...move to the yard you want to use.
fifth.. create a "New" activity. You might have to create a player path, then a player service...
sixth on the activity screen right side of TSRE, half way down...you'll see Activity Objects..... below that you'll see a pull-down labeled consists.....from that list select the consist you want to place in the yard. then hit "place consist"....move the mouse pointer over the yard track you want to place the consist on....then left click.....(don't double click).... hit the "place consist" button again to turn off placing consists
seventh hit save activity button at bottom of activity panel...

that all there is to it....(says with smug smile).....

Amtrak115 (aka Barry)

[R H Steele]

Amtrak115, on 13 February 2024 - 01:00 PM, said:

....
that all there is to it....(says with smug smile).....

Amtrak115 (aka Barry)

That got me laughing Barry, yup there's a learning curve here. I still keep forgetting to deselect the Place Consist button and remember other quirks of the TSRE activity editor...but it is worth it climbing the curve. Much easier.

[charland]

I'm able to use MSTS Route Editor because I have it on a Windows 7 computer. I've used it for over a decade so for me it's easier. I've no tried creating an activity in TSRE, maybe I should some time just to see how it works. Using MSTS RE would really depend on if you can get it to work on your computer.

Paul :-)

[Weter]

Hello.

Quote

move to the yard you want to use

It's easier to do with Navi Window:
Select desired station's name, or even track's name from drop-down list, then press "jump" button, instead of mowing camera there manually.

[eric from trainsim]

I believe Navi window only works if there's a MKR or KML file with the locations...

[Laci1959]

eolesen, on 13 February 2024 - 10:48 PM, said:

I believe Navi window only works if there's a MKR or KML file with the locations...

Hello.

Not necessarily. In newer versions ( TSRE5_v0.7.012 ), the Navy window works even if there are already named platforms.
Sometimes I put down platforms with weird names like "Continue" just so I can jump right in there the next day.
TSRE really has its quirks, some of which I had a hard time getting used to. I think that those who start with this will have a much easier time because they are not bound by the things fixed in MSTS.

Sincerely, Laci 1959