Xtracks Installation Guide
(Version 3.20, includes tsection.dat b38)
by Okrasa Ghia (okrasaghia@yahoo.com)

Overview

Xtracks is an expanded range of straight, curved, trolley, bridge, tunnel track pieces, as well as switches (turnouts), crossovers and a turntable. Xtracks also includes corrected track shapes and other files that were omitted from Microsoft's original MSTS release.

 

Xtracks For the End-User

You've downloaded a route and it says you need Xtracks to get it operating correctly. This is the section for you.

Irrespective of the version required for the route (most route documentation will state "Xtracks 3.xx or higher", download and install this latest version, which will ensure trouble-free operation. This installer also installs the latest version of tsection.dat (don't worry if you don't understand that, just know that it's a good thing to do).

Download Options

  • Single-file installer

    You prefer the convenience, accuracy, speed and simplicity of an installer.
    Click on the link below to commence downloading the latest version of Xtracks.

    XTracks3_20_EndUser_MSTS1_Setup.exe
    1. Download this installer and save it to your hard drive.
       
    2. You should already have made a back-up copy of your "Train Simulator\GLOBAL" folder (simply click on "Global" in Explorer, press press Ctrl-C | Ctrl-V and you'll have a "Copy Of Global" folder - just in case).
       
    3. Simply double-click on the saved XTracks3_20_EndUser_MSTS1_Setup.exe file and follow the prompts. The installer will find your MSTS installation.
       
    4. That's it - you're done! Fire up MSTS and away you go on your new route.
    Notes on the installer:
    1. The installer is a Qsetup installer and the Xtracks installer has been written by Okrasa Ghia author of Xtracks;
    2. It will try to find the MSTS folder from your registry - it reads only, it DOES NOT WRITE TO THE REGISTRY;
    3. this installer will check existing files on your hard drive: IT WILL NOT OVER-WRITE existing files on your system that have a newer date stamp.

  • ZIP file archive

    You prefer the tedium, fiddliness and control of a .ZIP file.
    Click on the link below to commence downloading the latest version of Xtracks.

    xtracksf.zip
    1. Download this archive and save it to your hard drive.
       
    2. You should already have made a back-up copy of your "Train Simulator\GLOBAL" folder (simply click on "Global" in Explorer, press press Ctrl-C | Ctrl-V and you'll have a "Copy Of Global" folder - just in case).
       
    3. Unzip the file into a folder named "Xtracks" on your hard disk. Make sure you select "All Files" and "Use folder names" when extracting.
       
    4. Copy the contents of folder XTracks\GLOBAL\SHAPES to folder Train Simulator\GLOBAL\SHAPES, overwrite ALL files when asked.
       
    5. Copy the file XTracks\GLOBAL\tsection.dat to folder Train Simulator\GLOBAL\. 
    6. You will get a question: "Do you want to replace ... last changed date something ... with the file ... last changed date something else".
       
    7. If the date of your file (the first one) is LATER than the date of my file (the second one) you should answer "No".
      If mine is the newest you should say "Yes".
      If you don't get the question you've done something wrong.
       
    8. That's it - you're done! Fire up MSTS and away you go on your new route.

If all you want to do is operate a route you've downloaded or installed, STOP HERE , you're done.

 

Xtracks For the Route Builder

You are building a route and you need the expanded track and road options as you find the standard sections too limiting. You will need to download the standard Xtracks package as ZIP or installer (see Xtracks for End-User, above).

In addition, you will need to download the XTracks package for Route builders from this link below (the route builder's package is available only as a .ZIP file - if you can build a route, you can use a .ZIP file):

xtracksr.zip

Comprehensive documentation is in the package in HTML format.

You may also wish to download the Xracks Reference route which demonstrates the sections "in-situ".

xroute.zip

 

File Sizes

XTracks3_20_EndUser_MSTS1_Setup.exe 17.8 MB (18,738,949 bytes)
xtracksf.zip 17.6 MB (18,515,512 bytes)
xtracksr.zip 30.2 MB (31,680,008 bytes)
xroute.zip 3.04 MB (3,194,013 bytes)

 

Tech Support

  1. If you run into problems, ask for help either at the Route Designers forum at train-sim.com or the XTracks forum at http://www.uktrainsim.com (other forums might also be able to help) or mail the person that made the route;
     
  2. You could also try emailing Okrasa or even try reading the documentation XTracks.htm in the XTracks Route Builder's Package. DO NOT PANIC!
     
  3. XTracks' Home Page is http://www.nklj.se/xtracks/  for all online documentation and information.

 

Version History