New Raton Pass Route

[rszucco]

Just wondering how the new Raton Pass III Route compares to the version II scenery wise etc...also signal viewing from distance....considering replacing previous scale rail version...any info appreciated ...tks Bob

[cp5513]

I just managed to run it a bit last night after downloading & installing. I've stored my old version of Raton 2 on an external HD so can't really compare the two side by side, but from everything I've seen the scenery detail is nicely upgraded. Mr Wirth has used a version of Siglight, but with a larger lens texture and resulting in a 2:1 ratio for the siglight.ace in the sigcfg.dat math. Results in only seeing the signal a little over 1/2 of a mile away, but no 'ghost' squares from mipmapping conflicts are visible around the signal heads when viewing forest regions behind them. I'll keep the tradeoff as there are a lot of forest regions used, the Colorado section of the route contains a lot of conifers.
I'm playing around with my copy, changed out the track texture right away, now swapping terrtex texture files with SLI ones, some of the bush/veggie textures too. From the little bit of playing I've done it already looks like a killer route. :)

On the Colorado & Wyoming RR between Allan Mine and Jansen:-
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/alcoted/Raton3001.jpg

[oakpalms]

Bob has done outstanding work with the quality of detail for this route. Remember that version 1 was the first route that he did--version 2 was a product of 3dtrains using their scalerail. But, Bob's experience with the other routes that he has done since first making Raton Pass has been included in this remake which will make it very special.

However, this is more than just a remake since it covers the entire Raton Pass Sub which begins at La Junta, CO and runs to Las Vegas, NM. The other two routes began at Trinidad, CO and went to Las Vegas. Bob has also included new branch lines (other than the York Mine) that will allow for the shipment of a lot of coal over the route. You will find a lot more track than what came with Raton 1 and 2.

This is also single track mainline entirely which will make for a lot of interesting activities.

Bob Edwards

[Kenny1234]

All;

I found this website on coal mining in the region. There are five pages arranged in chronological order, with the last the most recent. Puts some good context to the facilities that are modeled along the route.

http://www.sangres.com/history/coalhistory01.htm

[goneon66]

i'm not good with computers and don't want to mess up msts so here is a question.

i've extracted the atsfrp3 route folder and am ready to copy it into the msts route folders. what is the trns45.exe?? do i need to do anything with this???

do i just copy atsfrp3 folder into the msts routes folder and run the install me bat that is in the atsfrp3 folder???

thanks for any info,

66

[rszucco]

the file your asking about is the file that refers to the physics update by Joe Realmutto.....maybe someone else will tell u more on that....i did not unzip it ..i just did the install per the instructions....example....download the route...to desktop folder of your choice...unzip route...then move the atsf fp3 folder into your trainsim routes folder and double click on the installme.bat......you will see 100s of files being copied...be sure you have all six default routes...and new roads and what ever else bob wirth says to have....x tracks 3.12 or later etc ( read the install instructions -cant say that enough )...then go ahead and bring up the sim and run route in explore mode....it will take 5 minutes or so the 1st time to build terrain buffers...then your ready to roll.....if u run an activity and you have problems make another post here...if you have missing files and route does not load ......make a post here naming specific files missing..etc...its a great route and you should have no problems...bob

[goneon66]

thanks bob,

i successfully installed raton 3 thanks to your help. i just ran a long amtrak superliner consist led by 2 of 3dts's genesis units from la junta to trinidad. what a great route so far.

also, thanks bob wirth for taking the time to create such an awesome route. your are a very talented and generous man...............

66

[jonnybon33]

Hi all. I would also like to use my Selgiman textures in this route. Is it difficult to do, and what are the steps in replacing the files:confused:

[TrainMan_112]

Is there ANY BNSF freight traffic along this line anymore?

[SouthwestChief]

Is there ANY BNSF freight traffic along this line anymore?

Good question. I was in Albuquerque in June and saw a couple of local switchers, but no freights all day...and I was there all day waiting for a very late Southwest Chief.

I'll be east as far as Lamy, NM in early August, but not any further.

I'd be interested to hear of any BNSF freights routed through Raton. I think, even after selling the line to NM, they can detour over Raton if necessary. But the southern line will always be the preferred route.

[TrainMan_112]

Even if there was, who would supply the crews? I doubt there's enough traffic to hold any position there.

[oakpalms]

The Route was sold to the state of New Mexico as far as what is in New Mexico. BNSF still has option rights over the route and Amtrak is still using the route. I think I read where New Mexico is considering light rail from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. I think that is about all that is going on with the route. Of course, the Raton Pass does not go south to Albu--the Glorietta Pass does.


Bob Edwards

[henry3]

Actually, the State of New Mexico is planning to run heavy commuter rail from Albuquerque up to Santa Fe. The current Rail Runner operation from Belen to Bernalillo (north of Albuquerque) is the first phase(s) of a comprehensive project. However, the plan includes the construction of a substantial amount of new right of way to get into the capitol as the original line is too cumbersome.

Also, I believe the state grabbed the entire line with an eye to future service all the way to Colorado. It will be interesting to see if that ever occurs.

Take care,

Henry

[Mikas500]

ok i ran the installme.bat and loaded MSTS. the route isn't appearing on the route selector.
btw the installme stopped at at_casa1.ace. please help because im getting fed up w/MSTS.

[rszucco]

did u follow bob wirths instructions in the file that comes with the route....did u read my post as to what i did when i installed route...?....basically download route to desktop...in folder of your choice...unzip...move atsfrpIII folder from desktop to routes folder in train sim....besure all six default routes are there..(basic full install) plus other requirements stated in creators instruction( x tracks 3.12 or later...new roads etc)...run installbat....dont run other zip yet( joe realmuttos physics zip)...route should be in menu when u bring up the sim...beyound that the gurus on this forum will have to help u....bob

[Mikas500]

i did all of that. its still not working.

[rszucco]

i dont know anymore than ive told you.....go ahead and make a post on the train sim forum under routes...atsf raton pass 3....you should get some replys from the gurus who know the basics....i hate to tell u to download again...make a post...bob

[BN_9402]

No freights besides the occasional baretable that either picks up or sets out somewhere along the line. Still have a 7 man extraboard out of Raton.

[CSX4878]

Yea, I read somewhere that once the other line was built, traffic was transfered to the other line from the Raton/Glorieta pass due to the newer line have less of a big grade.

[USRailFan]

Does anyone else get a report that Terrtex file K at_half_at_terrain2_at_scrub.ace is missing?

[rszucco]

my suggestion would be to run route riter....should fix it...bob

[hiball 3985]

I only had one problem, a default consist was missing (my fault) I replaced that. Other than that it loaded fine and I've been running it a lot with no problems FWIW

jim

[oakpalms]

Much of the traffic over Raton pass was moved to the Belen cutoff and over to Clovis on the Clovis Sub. There are many good activities that can be made for the route taking things back a few years. In the 1980's a lot of coal was shipped east from the York Canyon mine. Loaded trains would stop at Raton and move half the train over the mountain to the Jasper yard just south of Trinidad, then the engines would go back over the mountain with its 3.5 percent grades and pick up the last half of the train and move it to Jasper. Engines were placed as mid helpers to expedite the move. Once the train was reassembled at Jasper, a couple of the engines would be cut free since they were not needed east of Raton.

Many activities could be made using helper engines. The route also has an east and west bound Amtrak "chief" that passes through Trinidad during the mornings.

Bob Edwards

[hiball 3985]

I've already added an eastbound Chief activity. I have never been through Raton myself. Are the small stations in the small towns really bright yellow? I've been thinking about changing them