If you can no longer see the loose consists and the playback no longer works, you may need to edit the registy. BE CAREFULL, as this can destroy your computer if you are not carefull.

- Run regedit. (Start->Run->type in regedit then press OK)
- Search the registry for HWRenderer. (Ctrl-F in the regedit window,
then type in 'HWRenderer� in the search field, I search only for
keys). It will take some time to find it during which the regedit
window does not change at all, there is no progress indicator.
- When HWRenderer is Found, on the right window pane click on the
first entry starting with AE_ , then hold the shift key and click
on the last entry starting with AE_. All the AE_ entries
should be selected.
Release the shift key. Press the 'Delete' key and delete all the
entries.
- Start the activity editor.
- Load an activity and ensure that view->service info is checked.
- Select tools->verify starting state
- The consist should appear in the 2D view

IMHO, rather time consuming finding HWRenderer by doing a search.

Easier to navigate by key.
- First click the plus sign of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Navigate to Software
- Now click the plus sign of Sofware
- Navigate to Microsoft
- Click the plus sign of Microsoft
- Navigate to Microsoft Games
- Click the plus sign
- Navigate to Train Simulator
- Clicking some other plus signs brings you to HWRenderer

And here is the complete key name
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\1.0\HWRenderer

I never did thank you for adding that Derek, so here it is - thanks!

Kevin & Derek:

Thanks a million for the above. You don't know how much head scratching you just saved me!

John