Tried to run the Long Haul activity tonight, and couldn't due to 'Unknown Loco'? I have all the pertinent rolling stock packages installed that's been advised. Also, if I go into Activity Editor, it gives me about 4 error messages of a consist ala 'CTN 610+611+615 Not Found. Continue?'

What's that all about?

Unknown loco? Hard to say when we don't know what the unknown loco is. Maybe you could give us a little more information like the exact error message or something?

The missing consist? I don't even have a listing for such a consist unless you got the prefix wrong and it should be Sud_ instead of CTN_ which then in that case you should have it. Check your installation procedure.

Rich Garber

The "unknown" loco probem is due to a name problem in the .eng file. For instance, MLT's Dash9 had a problem. File name of Dash9 with a reference in the file to dash9 ( small d ) can cause problems. I don't remember which one is the exact problem, but making the capitalization the same in all should help.

As to that consist, I don't have a Canton engine #610. Please post the EXACT consist name shown in the error message. Thanks.

"The "unknown" loco probem is due to a name problem in the .eng file. Fori instance, MLT's Dash9 had a problem. File name of Dash9 with a reference in the file to dash9 ( small d ) can cause problems. I don't remember which one is the exact problem, but making the capitalization the same in all should help."

Joe: I'm guessing you are approaching this as a generic response to the question which is okay but specifically we do not have a problem of this nature in any of the Canton engines that I am aware of. And being this is the All Aboard forum my assumption is the poster is questioning if a Canton engine has this problem. So to keep this simple let's just keep this a Canton issue and leave MLT's issues with MLT. If we were to have this problem, we know Dick C is a frequent visitor to this forum and had this been raised even remotely Dick would have seen to it that it be fixed.

Rich G

Rich,

Sorry I wasn't more clear. The MLT thing was just an example. I was just trying to answer the "unknown" loco problem. It appears to me that this person has modified his Canton stock in some way, since I do not have an engine number #610, nor any consist starting with that engine. That is why I asked for the EXACT error message he was getting in regards to the consist. There is NO error like this in any of the default Canton locos. If the loco has not been changed in some way by the user, then a re-install of the equipment will fix things ( and will probably fix things anyway, that is what I love about the way "official" Canton equipment is distributed and installed ). And, I repeat, these type of errors DO NOT exist in the Canton stock as distributed by Rich. If you are seeing these, it is from some modification made to the files.

Let me chime in here, there are several things that cause the "Unknown" loco, the filename vs the wagon and engine lines, as stated earlier in this thread,in the srv files if the case of the consist filename is not the same it will also cause the "Unknown".There is a text file that I now include with conbuilder which will guide a person on how to correct it.

Joe, the 610 was probably just a typo like the CTN part. What he probably meant to type was 611. There is a consist, if it's typed right, that resembles what he is looking for. But it's already part of the installation which is why I requested he check his installation procedure. The unknown loco is probably in reference to something else. Maybe not in his mind but that would be my guess.

There was an issue back in the old days because a couple of the consists like the one mentioned above were not installed. This happened because in midstream I started including the activities in with the route. But before that a couple of the consist were apart of the rollingstock package so as when you got the rollingstock package there were some ready made consists. The problem that created was I would inadverntly use the rollingstock consists in with the activities. So if you didn't have that particular rollingstock package you would be missing that consist. So what I did was to clean that up in subsequent route installs. If that is happening to this guy then he needs to double check his installation procedure. But he should be getting more errors than just this one consist. And the loco thing... now that beats me.

The real problem is his post is vague enough we're we are just guessing as to his intent. My original reply to the guy's post which I didn't post was 'what's up with what?' I wasn't sure when I first read his post if he was asking a question or trying to make a point. Meaning, that it's alot easier for us to help if a clear question is put to us rather than an ambiguous remark.

Rich Garber

How true, Rich. Sometimes it may seem as if we are being "less than helpful" when we ask for more info, but it is truly necessary to have as much info as possible, and as accurate as possible, if we are to help. MSTS is so fussy about some things, and has so many quirks that sometimes even one space or character being wrong causes problems. One bad .eng file can keep the Activity Editor from showing all of a type of locomotive. One extra bracket, and brakes don't function. I always worry that those I am trying to assist will take it the wrong way when I say I need more or "EXACT" information, but without it, any of us will just be guessing. Of course, the "patience" level seems higher here than at some other forums.

Sorry guys. I was hoping there'd be a quick answer to my little problem. But I'll be more specific if that can help shed light? As for 'Long Haul' - The engine is indeed 'Unkown Loco', and nothing appears in 'Details' except scenery? And MSTS crashes out if I press 'Start'?

Checking in Activity Editor, and opening Canton 00, the message is as follows;
"Error: Continue?
Error reading train database file
File:Trains\Consists\sud_611+604+615.con"
And this message appears four times, saying Yes to each - before the editor finally opens?

Got all the the rolling stock add ons in, and haven't tampered with anything consist, naming, or engine editing wise?

That's the best insight I can give fellas. I'm not to adept at all this programing stuff for MSTS still.

Okay. Now that we got the right consist nailed that helps because activity #67 (Long Haul) uses that same consist: sud_611+604+615.con.

My assumption up to this point is you have Canton Suddenly and Thompson. From what I see that consist is installed when you installed Suddenly.

The easiest way to fix your problem is to reinstall Suddenly but then you'll have to reinstall Thompson too if you have it. Another way to fix the problem is to install Suddenly to fake folder like c:\fake and then copy the missing consist file from the fake folder to your Trains/Consists folder.

This should remedy the situation.

Holler back if it doesn't.

Rich Garber

Do you have a chipset anti-virus on your machine if so did you turn it off when you installed?

Closest thing that shows up in the Thompson download is 'ctn_608+308.con' off the CD Rich? Where else might have this 3 engine lash up eminated from? One of Dick's extra add-on's outside the A, B, C packages?

It's installed with Suddenly which is why it has the prefix Sud_

Rich G

Step 1: Look in your consists folder and see if you have a consist with that name. The one I have has just the three engines in the order in the consist name. If you don't have the consist, you should re-install Suddenly, then Thompson.

Step 2: Look in your trainset folder and see if you have all three engines. They are GP9's with the numbers used in the consist name. If you don't have all of them, then you should re-install the equipment packs.

That should solve your problem.

Okay, I loaded Suddenly to another area and got the consist alright. But the question now is why that would disappear loading Thompson? I've never tampered or deleted any consists before, so it's very odd that it should go amiss like that?

But I got going on The Long Haul atleast. Got down and made the pick up at Prudence, and as I'm rolling out to Jerimiah from the yard at 10-15mph - Activity Ended, Broken Coupler...

Just not my night for train driving.