MSTS Route

[Paul Charland]

Hi All,

I spent four months creating Kentville for MSTS, if I had everything I needed it would take another year working six hour a day, six days a week to make it to Windsor. For whatever reason there doesn't appear to be that much interest here to justify doing this kind of work.

I also have ten people how I've asked or who have asked to be on the beta list for the project. Last beta nine people downloaded the route, two have stated they did install the route, took a quick look, but didn't have time to actually test anything, fine. It's been three weeks since the beta was posted and that's been it for replies. Compared to the two other routes I created, the only thing I can think of is little to no interest.

I can't see spending any more time on this project under these circumstances... so, I think maybe there's a couple of loose ends to wrap up and maybe Steve might want to have a go at the 1940s version that would use the Kentville yard and head out to Kingsport, maybe people will be interested in that aspect of the DAR.

Paul

[stem]

Am I the only one who's totally thrilled about this?

I think no one truly realizes the amount of time, skill, and commitment that it takes to build an MSTS route let alone work on it through a tiny 640 x 480 development window that crashes often!

I can hardly blame your disappointment in the fact that not too many have actively participated in the Beta.

Perhaps it would be wise to set it aside and give yourself a break Paul.

I often wonder why you don't actually consider continuing to develop these routes as a vocation or even join forces with others that already have like Maple Leaf Tracks. Last year MLT even released a line - The Shuswap Line that was authored by a third party.

Perhaps this should be the ultimate destiny for the DAR. I for one would pay the going rate for your talent without blinking twice.

In the meantime, would you allow me to hold the Beta line as a download and an archive and to be the clearing house for any further development apart from yourself should it occur?

And last of all.. PLEASE DON'T STOP!! Wah! I promise to paint more DAR stuff soon!

[fergusontea]

I'm sorry I couldn't contribute more. I, too, am very excited about what's been done. I only wish I had the time to devote to assisting but with 3 kids, a job that requires more than full time, property and a quarterly magazine to edit, I don't even have time for my model railroading!

-mike

[stem]

So were you able to load up the route and take a look at it? Did you load any of the extra rolling stock like the 9059 Dayliner, the S3s or the Vans?

Just wondering how far some guys got with the whole process or if they experienced any difficulty with loading the route or any extras on.

[briantrainman]

I e-mailed Paul and let him know how much his efforts are appreciated but after reading more of this post it only seems fair that this support is shared here for all to see. Paul has done an amazing job and I for one am gratefull for all his effort. Take a well deserved breather Paul if you are feeling burned out at this point but know that there are people like myself that would be willing to support you financially to complete the route. I purchased MSTS for the sole purpose of running this route and I recommend that anyone who doesn't have MSTS yet check out eBay. As someone who barely finds time to read his e-mails some days I can appreciate the hours and hours of time spent to get the route to this point. Congratulations on a job well done. Brian

[Dan Conlin]

As someone who is not deep enough into computers to make the MSTS leap, I have really enjoyed your work, Paul. What you have done so far is a milestone in itself. I hope after you take a break, the virtual DAR world will advance further one way or another.

Dan Conlin

[hecrowell]

As I pointed out in another post in another part of the forum, I am a new-comer to MSTS and that was only by accident. All my efforts until now have been spent on Flight Sim. I realize the MSTS has been around for a while, and I feel thet there are lots of people out there like me - unaware that this simulation actually exists. That may be one of the key factors in the seemingly lack of interest in the DAR routes. Ny thought now is - what can we all do to stir up some interest in MSTS? For one thing, I am the webmaster for a local club here in Saint John and I plan on obtaining permission from the membership to put up a link pointing to MSTS as well as this Forum. Secondly to that, I have also assumed the webmaster roll for a local Flight Simulator club (http://www.fsnb.ca) here in the province of NB and I will see about getting links up on that website also.
I have been doing some very basic work with the route editor/builder in hopes of maybe someday (if I live long enough) to do some route work in the Yarmouth to Weymouth or Digby area.
As a scenery designer hobyist for FS, I can attest to the time consuming task at hand...starting right from the research side of things up through the development - not to mention the huge learning curve.
My hat is off to anyone fortunate enough and patient enough to be able to do this work which very often goes un-rewarded. But what the hey? its all in the spirit of being a hobbyist....that's simply the way it is sometimes.
But I ain't gonna stop now!

Finally - is the MSTS DAR route still available and if so, How do I obtain it?



HC

[hecrowell]

Hi Paul
Downloaded the MSTS Route after some issues with downloads timing out. After fixing that problem finally got things in order. I believe I have tested every piece of track, every switch and mechanically everything seems A-OK.
The various buildings are great and you actually get the feeling of "being there" - it actually feels like the "Valley". Even though I was merely a tyke when I used to make trips between Yarmouth and Falmouth (relatives lived in Mt Denson) I still remember many things on that route. As far as I am concerned, a great piece of work! Keep it up.....
Harold

[stem]

Paul also has two other beautiful routes too available as free downloads at Train-Sim.com

Go here:
http://www.trainsim.com/file.php?cm=SEARCH

Search only: MSTS: Routes
Search for text: Paul Charland

Enjoy. They're great!