MSTS Assets naming

[stem]

Over the years I have felt the need to organize my folders, combine as many similar models together as possible sharing ACE files and naming the items in the same fashion so that they show up in a logical order in my Con-Builder.

I'd like to share my naming coventions with you in the hope you too may create some order from the mayhem your program folder becomes after years of add-ins.

All assets are named in the following manner on my game:
{Road Name} - {Asset type} - {Asset Description} _ {Asset Number}_{Secondary Asset Indetifier}

Road Names: (3 Letters Always Preferred)
CNR, CPR, DAR, etc

Asset Type:
ED - Engine Diesel
ES - Engine Steam
ET - Engine Tender
PC - Passenger Car
FC - Freight Car

Asset Description:
Diesel Engines - Common desigination with no dashes; S3, SD40, F7
Steam Engines - Named wheel designation; American (2-4-0), 10Wheeler (2-6-0), Pacific (2-6-2)
Freight - Pretty open but start with: BC40', BC50' (Boxcar), GC (Gondola car), HO (Hopper Open 3 bay), HC3B60' (Hopper Closed 3 bay 60 foot, FC40' (Flatcar 40 foot), TC40' (Tank Car 40 foot),

Asset Number:
4 digit numbers normally for engines
6 digit number normally for all other rolling stock
follow 6 digit numbers with ld or my to indicate whether the car is empty or loaded.

Final examples as per attached screen grab:
CPR-FC-BC40'_123456mt
CPR-FC-BC40'_123456ld

Hope you find this helpful. It sure cleaned up my folders and Conbuilder into something I could work with and find everything with.

There are more advanced things I have done too. I have realized that there are a limited amount of models like the Larry Goss boxcar or the Paul Charland S-3 upon which hundreds of repaints are based. I then group those repaints into a single folder for example "CPR-FC-BC40'" inside of which I'll put all my CPR repaints of Larry's box car. Then once inside, I'll edit the WAG and S files so that the ACE files that indentify the individual box car will be named by more popular convention on the web "cp123456_a", "cp123456_b", etc and common elements will have the same name in all the S files.

If you want more details on advanced editing like I've just described, feel free to contact either Paul Charland or myself for more details.

[Paul Charland]

Hi Steve,

There is a really serious problem with renaming someone else's files. As much as it make more sense to do so activities that are created that use the author's original name will no longer work. If I create a consist using the author's name of let's say "pchopper" and you've renamed the file "PC_54_LO" or even simply "PChopper" the activity will never find the car and when opening it you will be hit with a series of error messages. Likewise if you were to open any activity for any route that uses a file you renamed it will not open error free. you may be able to hit "continue" for the errors but when the sim does eventually open, those cars will be missing. If you were to create an activity and share it, people on the other end would never be able to use it.

Believe me, I'd be all for renaming rolling stock to something recognizable, some of there's guys naming the car one thing, the zip another, and neither have anything to do with the car in the file.

One thing you might want to add to the end of your boxcar number, door size. B406s would be a 40' boxcar with a single 6' door, B4012d would be a 40' box with a 12 foot double door, a B5012c would be a 50' car with a 12' combination door.

Just a thought.

Paul

[stem]

This I already know! I've spent many hours on activities and consists (I name them the same way) finding the intended rolling stock and reconnecting them! Even though it may seem counterproductive, when it comes to rolling stock I'm willing to go through it to keep mayhem at bay. I've also learned a lot following other activities authors around like this.

I like the idea of designating the doors somehow. I'll have to think of that the next time I start to get on a renaming kick.

I said my consists are named the same way and so they are:
{Road Name} - {Consist Type} - {Engine} - {Description}

The most important part of of course the Road name and consist type in order to keep some order about the consists. I use few consists types but here they are:
PT - Passenger train
FT - Freight Train
MT - Mixed Train
UT - Unit Train

In the the Descriptions are usually some indication of purpose and period. I have no real rules but usually I indicate the lead engine followed by the period with a year followed by some kind of short description. Examples:
CPR-PC-Hudson 1948 Heavyweight.con
CPR-PT-F7 Canadian East 1955.con
CPR-FT-SD40-2 Grain MT East.con
CPR-FT-SD90MAC Intermodal 1.con
CPR-MT-GP9 1966 Ft Mix 1.con
CPR-MT-1833 Mixed.con
CPR-UT-SD40 1976 Coal 1.con

Can't think of anything else. Sure helps keep it neat. TO be honest, I seldom run any other activities except the MLT ones that came with those lines. Your activities on the other hand have proven to be every bit as good if not better that the MLTs and so I have been putting in the effort to translate them over to my consists and units to give them a try, expecially on the beta so you get some feedback on the route.

Every day I play with the DAR I get more and more ideas! Thanks Paul.