I bought this route on the Steam sale yesterday. Disappointingly no career scenarios, but whatever. However, I thought I'd try the 30 minute scenario as a short introduction to the route, however the game just crashes to desktop when loading. Has anyone got this route working?
Yes. If the game crashes to desktop, it's a sign of failed blueprints.pak cache generation. Open up the Windows command line. (Press Win+R, enter "cmd", press Enter) cd to your RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains folder type "dir /s *.pak" check the output for a zero byte blueprints.pak, note which folder it is in. That's step one. The problem is JT's file distribution - you may end up with two .ap files in a folder which you will have to merge yourself. Report back with the folder name(s) and we can continue to rearrange your JT assets.
Do the file distribution issues occur as well if the DLC is purchased through Steam rather than directly through the JT website? Just asking as I have other packs from them which seem to work fine. But thank you for your reply, I will do what you have suggested.
They will all work on their own - it's the combination of DLC which can cause trouble, especially mixed Steam/JT shop stuff.
Hmmmm.... not sure what's going wrong here. Trying to cd to the folder in CMD isn't working. The folder address is correct as I both tried copy/pasting and dragging the folder into the window.
You have to switch to the E: drive first by just typing "E:", change dir only works on the active drive. (which is shown at the prompt)
Thank you.... You can tell how often I need to use Command Prompt!!! Here's what comes up: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains>dir /s *.pak Volume in drive E has no label. Volume Serial Number is 5217-7E4C Directory of E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains\CommonLibrary 20/03/2024 22:01 20,616,847 Blueprints.pak 1 File(s) 20,616,847 bytes Directory of E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains\GreatWestern 20/03/2024 22:34 1,711,194 Blueprints.pak 1 File(s) 1,711,194 bytes Directory of E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains\HST 20/03/2024 22:00 169,282 Blueprints.pak 1 File(s) 169,282 bytes Directory of E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains\Mark1Coach 20/03/2024 22:01 489,697 Blueprints.pak 1 File(s) 489,697 bytes Directory of E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains\SouthamptonSalisbury 31/01/2024 21:29 91,369 Blueprints.pak 1 File(s) 91,369 bytes Total Files Listed: 5 File(s) 23,078,389 bytes 0 Dir(s) 271,263,682,560 bytes free E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, cache is ok. That means no multiple .ap files with overlapping content. Before we continue, have you cleared the cache after installing the route? If not, just type "del /s blueprints.pak" in the prompt. Then I must see the contents of each folder. type dir /s *.* > filelist.txt Attach that file here, it will be in the JustTrains folder
Ok I see what could be the issue. First: Directory of E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Assets\JustTrains\GreatWestern 21/03/2024 13:30 <DIR> . 21/03/2024 13:30 <DIR> .. 20/03/2024 12:27 2,853,306,586 CMLGreatWesternAssets.ap 20/03/2024 12:27 2,136,639,104 GreatWesternAssets.ap 2 File(s) 4,989,945,690 bytes These two files must be merged. They have overlapping content, which is not allowed. We might have to fix the CommonLibrary too. I recommend using 7zip file manager for the following steps.
I have already merged them which fixed the issue for me. You need to set up a temporary folder (right window) where we unpack the .ap files So you need to copy the contents of both CMLGreatWesternAssets.ap and GreatWesternAssets.ap into our temporary folder. NOTE: It MIGHT be enough to just remove the "GreatWesternAssets.ap" - if you want to be safe though continue as follows. When asked to overwrite files, choose "YES" if the the file is newer (datestamp will be shown), choose "NO" when the file is older than the exisiting one.
Thanks, I've merged them both into one .ap archive. Does it matter whether the title is CMLGreatWesternAssets.ap or GreatWesternAssets.ap? And will I need to do anything about those blueprint files which were deleted in the previous step? I need to head out shortly so won't be able to test the DLC until around 6pm this evening, but I've really appreciated your help with this!
The name of the .ap file is arbitrary - zlib.dll provides access to its content, and the name of the .ap is not relevant for the game engine, it does not see that file, only its content. So back up the original two .ap files, and move your updated pack into the folder, you could name it MergedGWEAssets.ap for example. It's important when packing your own .ap to use zero compression! And yes, make sure the cache is cleared (delete blueprints.pak in the GreatWestern folder.) - as it must be regenerated using your newly created archive.
I opened both in 7zip, and copied the contents from one to the other, then deleted the one I'd copied from. I assume this will have worked? And will the blueprint files regenerate next time I load up the TSC executable? Thanks again!
Do it like I told you, opening both and copying contents directly in to an .ap file will apply compression which is not used in TSC and can again cause issues. Both .ap's content must be copied to a new folder and then repacked. As said, choose yes to overwrite if newer only.
Ok, all files are now in a zip file with the zero compression option selected when packing. Do I just now change the file extension from .zip to .ap, or do I need to do something else to make it work? I note that .ap is not an option directly in 7zip when packing. Thanks.
Thank you! I'll get that done and I'll get it all tested when I'm back at my PC. Thanks again for taking the time to help, I appreciate it!
You're welcome - though if it still don't work we have to take care of the CommonLibrary - possibly the external files are older and override the .ap's content.
It is now loading successfully, so thank you so much for your assistance! I'd never have known to do any of that, so it is very much appreciated.
I have noticed some missing assets though, as shown in this screenshot! Any idea how to fix this please?
Please show me the content of Assets\JustTrains\GreatWestern... I suspect you have made an error packing the assets so they are not loading correctly If you look at post #13, you have to select all the folders and then pack them - not the GreatWestern folder itself.
Do you think it's worth doing a verify game files on Steam and then redoing the steps I went through earlier?
Is this file present in your .ap? It's missing in your Westbury screenshot. Steam verification should be avoided - do you still have the two old .ap files?
Clear the cache in the game settings->tools and try again Also make sure in the game settings that Scenery Density slider is set to max! (which it unfortunately is not by default...) That must be it.
Yep, the scenery density slider sorted it. Thank you! Final question. Are you using custom shaders? I like how the station looked in your screenshot. I'm using RW Enhancer Pro so I'm interested in your settings if you're using the same as the sim looks really good in your screenshot!
Good to hear that! I am using AP weather and an older version of the AdaptiveBloom shader which is too aggressive since TS2019, for the slight desaturation. Nothing else. I've attached it, copy it to RailWorks\dev\shaders Back up the old file (though it's so ugly you shouldn't)
Hordriss There has just been an update to the SWEX and CommonLibrary - I'll keep you informed what to do. The update will overwrite your newly created .ap - it musted be merged again with the CMLGreatWesternAssets.ap. 1. Unpack your current GW ap 2. Unpack new GW choose "Yes" to Overwrite if asked. 3. repack. For the CommonLibrary it's probably best to throw out everything but the CommonLibraryAssets.ap from its folder, as everything should be included there in this latest version. I'm a bit disappointed JT didn't realise they have to unify the CMLGreatWesternAssets.ap and the GreatWesternAssets.ap themselves to prevent the crash.
That will destroy the changes and reintroduce the bug as both packs from Cornish Main Line if owned, and SWEX will be reinstalled and leave you with two .aps in an asset folder causing the cache generator to crash because of duplicate content. And what does this have to do with video drivers? If they work, they work. Updating these can cause more issues. Have you read the thread? The cause has been located and issue fixed.
No worries - but in some cases these generic tips can cause more trouble . Better to first read through the thread - I've mentioned above a Steam verification should be avoided.
Thanks for the update. I'll get the above done (I hadn't had TSC on for a while as I've been mostly playing Football Manager and Balatro over the last couple of weeks).
Yep, be sure to merge the Cornish Main Line assets with the GW assets just as you did before, they still haven't unified the .ap for all their routes. As the updated GreatWesternAssets.ap is the latest one, unpack this first to an empty folder. Then unpack the CML assets.ap there, choosing "NO to overwrite" in case it contains older versions of the same files.
