Does 'Abandoned Track' exist as just Objects?

[Noisemaker]

Looking in the file library, and couldn't see it anywhere? I'm thinking for the MLT's Niagara Corridor route mainly - there's an abandoned track just east of the Brantford station. This was nicely laid by the MLT folks as is. But it seems to wreak havoc on Route Editor and/or just running the sim after I've placed retaining walls under it in certain areas and/or just weeds and debris to make it look more 'abandoned'. Route Editor refuses to open after I saved, and trying 'Rebuild Track Database' freezes up as well. And if I go on the sim around Brantford, it will open and run - but suddenly gets real jumpy approching this easterly 'abandoned track' and the whole sim just then freezes and crashes. So I guess it's because this 'abandoned track' isn't connected to the 'database' - and when I try to detail around it, RE thinks it should be then?

But I was thinking it might be nice to have some 'Abandoned Track' scenery objects as just a handful of simple sections - much like the US 2 Lane Road Sections perhaps? 22 and 45 degree turns, L & R switches, and say a 10m, 50m, and 100m straight sections. And these could be made to look all rusty and stained with maybe weeds and debris on them. And whether for the Niagara Corridor, or any other route - this could avoid a lot of mishaps with the Track database and RE et al should anyone like myself want to tweek around it later on.

I'm no good with making object's though, and wondered if anyone here would be up for the challenge? I think it would make for a popular download in the File Library (if it doesn't exist already?)

[inflammable]

No one has to make them, and you don't have to download anything.

You already have the shapes.

Pick the track pieces that you want, and copy them from the Global/Shapes folder, along with the SD files.

If nothing more, you can paste these into the Route/Shapes folder, and make REF file entries to use them. They'll use the ACleanTrack1 and 2 like the real tracks do.

If you want them to look different, then uncompress the shapes, and change the texture filename to something else. On Jim Ward's PO&N series of routes, he used these tracks, and renamed the other textures as things like ADirtyTrack1 and 2, AMainTrack1 and 2.

There are rusty track textures in the library.

This is why there is no download for this. It isn't needed. Anyone can make these, with a base level of knowledge.

James

[Noisemaker]

Thanks James! Of course one of those 'why didn't I think of that!' - and you make it sound so easy. ;) I'll give that a try, and keep my fingers crossed. As much as I like tweeking routes and all, I've still never gotten into all the graphics and programming side... Other than installing shapes and textures and reference file entries of course. ;)

Thanks again James! :D

[charlie]

Actually there already are dummy tracks and roads in the library. Look for "DUMBTRAK.ZIP" and "DUMBROAD.ZIP".

S's and SD's are renamed, and ref file entries are provided...

regards,
charlie

[mrmgp]

You can always lay real tracks, then go into the .w file for the tile you are on and change everything from a track object to a static object. Then do a track database rebuild, and you will have static track pieces. It would probably be quicker and easier to do it this way since you can also use the live tracks to sculpt terrain as necessary, then change them to static objects rather than try to lay static track pieces and get them all lined up.