I hope Mike doesn't mind me reposting this here and if he does he can let me know over on UKTS if it is a problem and I'll delete this thread accordingly. Many of you here will know of TS-Tools (previously known as RW-Tools) and many of you will have used it too. I'll admit as a relative newcomer to TS (owned it since 2013 but didn't really get going with it till a couple of years ago) I still struggle with many of the complex yet invaluable functions TS-Tools offers, whilst other functions I genuinely doubt I'd have maintained an interest in TS at all namely rolling stock swapping and consist fixing. So on that note it is with a little sadness I quote this post of his from UKTS. I would also like to wish Mike a long and happy retirement. Thank you for all your hard work and expertise.
That's a shame, but hey, I wish him well for his retirement. I can imagine the latest and last version will continue to be used for quite some time.
The only issue in regards to that is Mike's shutting down his website too which means that as that's the only legitimate download location then new users (or those that lose data) will no longer be able to gain a final version copy, unless of course Mike talks with someone that's prepared to perma-host it on his behalf with his express permission, I wouldn't hope for UKTS to host it either because it's future seems far from orange.
New users, yes... that's a problem. Let's hope someone arranges something re: hosting the final version.
TS-Tools is available on SimTogether. The version hosted is 1.0.82, 24 June 2022. You have to register to download.
I have used RW Tools, now TS-Tools, from its earliest days (2009 if not earlier?). It is such an indispensable piece of software for TSC, whether that's checking routes or changing stock in consists and I still use it all the time. I'll always remember the pictures of Mike's dogs on his website! Happy retirement, Mike.
Other than that, not surprising, I had some dealings with him in MSTS days when he did Route_Riter, and I seem to recall he was in his 60s back then, and that is 10-15 years ago.... I think he was considering retiring due to age already then
Sad to see TS Tools ending. Perhaps he'd be willing to let somebody else take over its development? It's such a useful tool that really it needs to be kept alive.
UKTS seems to be on borrowed time too. Anyhow best of luck to Mike on his retirement and I too would like to add thanks for this great utility and indeed its MSTS predecessor.
Not sure, I've always been redirected to Mikes own site to download it. Just double checked before submitting my post, there is a 2018 version of RW-Tools uploaded to UKTS so that's hardly the latest final version. Is that endorsed by Mike? I'm not being accusatory, I'm genuinely curious how this site hosts it whereas everywhere else always points you to Mikes site (aside from the UKTS older version mentioned above of course, but that was uploaded by Mike himself yet interestingly never updated to the current version).
Well, there is locoswap, if that could have the ability to remove empty consists added, it'd be a good replacement for scenario editing, but for route-related stuff that's not going to do any good of course...
Sorry, I've no idea of the provenance of the hosting, but Mike Simpson is identified as the author and there is a graphic identifying Mike's (currently defunct) site as the place for the latest version.
Unless Mike has a specific concern, Github might be a great option. Assuming he didn't plan earning money from it in the future (if at all), nor did others. On top of that, it could allow tagging the legacy version and then people contributing. Which could devalue some functionality of RWE2.
Mike has actually made the final version available via a dropbox link over on the UKTS forum, I also know he's in talks with a few people regarding distribution and possible continuation of the project, so all is not lost.
It would be better if the program was uploaded to a Train Sim site. Like UKTS, RailSim.de and others.
and just to remember, Mike's earlier RW Tools were once considered a thorn in the side of DTG's predecessor .... Indeed it would be nice of development and improvement of TS Tools can be guaranteed
I REALLY need the tstools-lite version to be available. It has functions indispensable for quick drive creation.
DTG's predecessor (you don't mean RSC do you? - PS DTG is RSC ) - and as far as i'm aware there was never any issues with RW Tools
I heard about the ATS one earlier, and knew of SimTogether. I hope Mike has a happy retirement. I hope other development can occur as an open source project, but hope his final version remains available either way.
