Installing Open Rails Without Microsoft Train Sim

[Paul Charland]

Hi All,

I've put together a guide to help people install Open Rails without having Microsoft Train Sim on their systems. It's fairly simple , the best thing you can do before starting this is to go to the Open Rails site and check and make sure your computer meets the requirements to run Open Rail.

After installing the program you will be able to go to the library at Trainsim.com and download hundreds or routes and thousands of pieces of rollingstock that were made for Microsoft Train Sim along with more recent files that were just made for Open Rails. It would be wise wile you are on the Trainsim website to register to be able to use the forums and ask questions as needed.

Geez, can't post a PDF or a Docx (Windows Word) file here... well, this might work but if you want a copy you'll have to copy and paste it to a notebook page.

Installing Open Rails Without Microsoft Train Simulator

The following instructions are to aid in creating the necessary file structures in order to install Open Rails, routes, and rolling stock on a system that does not have Microsoft Train Simulator installed.

Creating the Necessary Folders

You need to create a directory and set of files in order for Open Rails to find it’s own files, installed route, rolling stock, track sections and roads. It is best to install Open Rails in Drive C, outside all programs files.

You’ll need to create a main folder with a relevant name, for these instructions I’ll call it “Open Rails Train Sim”, but feel free to name it what you wish. Inside you’ll need to create four folders, named GLOBAL, ROUTES, SOUND, and TRAINS. Inside the GLOBAL folder create two folders, named SHAPE and TEXTURES. Inside the TRAINS folder create two folders called CONSISTS and TRAINSETS.

Open Rails Train Sim

GLOBAL, inside add SHAPES and TEXTURES folders
ROUTES
SOUND
TRAINS, inside add CONSISTS and TRAINSETS folders
Inside the main Open Rails Train Sim folder place a simple text file with anything even a single letter and name it “train.exe”. Some downloads you may need will look for anything called train.exe before they will install.

Installing Open Rails

From the Open Rails website at http://openrails.org/ follow the link near the top of the page to the Downloads>Program section. Choose the “Stable Version” and download it. Once this is complete, unzip the downloaded program and copy and paste the Open Rails folder to the Open Rails Train Sim folder you created earlier.

New Roads and xTracks

All routes require roads and tracks. Both can be found in the library at https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/forum.php Search the library for newroads.zip and xtracks.zip. Download each, follow the instructions to install them, and make sure you change the path to your Open Rails Train Sim folder.

Installing Routes and Rolling Stock

Installing routes and rolling stock takes two forms. Some can be just unzipped and installed to their correct folder and others come in a self-installing exe. If you have one with a self-installer you’ll need to pay attention when the installer asked where you want it to install to and change the path to the correct folder in your Open Rails Train Sim folder.

Paul

[stem]

Send me the PDF and I'll get it on Paul.