TestTrak no longer bundled with TS2014

[OlPaint]

After a "Verify..." to repair a crashed TS2014, I discovered that TestTrak route is no longer in my Routes list. I am unable to use it as a test platform that I am familiar with.

I posted at RailWorks Forum to ask about how to restore my missing TestTrak and got this reply from DPSimullation:

-Quote
"TestTrak was removed as a freebie due to compatibility problems for new users, it used assets that they wouldn't have.

If you had it previously, have you by any chance since purchased either one of the TS2014 base bundles during the sale, or one of the new DLC that was available as standalone? With the latter, an issue with the way Steam handled it meant everything you owned would completely reinstall, but now thinking you are a new user, it wouldn't give you TestTrak.

Unless you had a backup, you won't get it back until it is made available on the workshop, which will be quite soon.

DPSimulation"
-Unquote

Well, I did recently purchase the F45 Add-on pack from Steam Store, so my install must have been updated with accompanying removal of TestTrak. Since my backup was corrupted, I have no possibility of recovering my "tried and true" testing platform. I must await the re-released TestTrak from Workshop, when ever that may be.

OlPaint

[mikesimpson]

That is strange, I have downloaded stuff recently and done a Verify Cache but my Test Track and a further clone of it also used for testing are both still there.

Mike

[OlPaint]

Mike

The Engine Driver Blog said that TestTrak was pulled to update the route since Lots of its assets were now obsolete. The RailWorks forum says that the TestTrak will be upgraded by DTG and re-released in an .AP compressed file format. But my copy of TestTrak was hyjacked off my RailWorks install during a recent "Verify..." several weeks ago SO DTG does not know I did had a working copy of TestTrak before. So I guess that I am s*** out of luck expecting a free update/upgrade, Correct?

OlPaint

[NSrailfan6130]

Yup my test track was lost during a file verify

[mrennie]

Mine's still there - I had a look at the Free Roam scenarios and there are two, one for UK stock and another for German.

[OlPaint]

Mrennie

Did you get a TestTrak .AP in one of your last few Steam updates? That is what was implied in the Engine Driver Blog article that talked about DTG's new technical department that TestTrak would be updated and compressed.

OlPaint

[mrennie]

Mrennie

Did you get a TestTrak .AP in one of your last few Steam updates? That is what was implied in the Engine Driver Blog article that talked about DTG's new technical department that TestTrak would be updated and compressed.

OlPaint

That's odd - it's like it never left. The files in the 00000008-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 route folder are dated between 2012-2013. There' are no new files and no .AP.

[OlPaint]

OK. Here is the official word from DTG,

Recent News:
"Owners of the legacy TestTrak route will soon receive an update patch through their Steam Client. TestTrak was an early piece of DLC developed by Dovetail Games, and was included with all previous versions of Railworks and Train Simulator up to Train Simulator 2013. This patch includes some changes to the location of files of TestTrak and disconnected references to other asset packs sold on Steam. This patch will not affect scenarios for the route and scenarios supplied with DLC from Steam will continue to install on TestTrak as before, without interruption to service."

"We have taken all assets used by TestTrak and moved them to a new location at Assets\RSC\TestTraK. They are now contained in our standard .AP format as TestTraKAssets.ap. We have then pointed the TestTraK route itself at this new asset pack, and disconnected references to other asset packs sold on Steam."

I am waiting patiently but I still have not received my TestTrak update, period.

[buzz456]

I don't have it either. Maybe the Thurs.-Fri. ninja update will have it.

[Antwerp]

I don't have it either. Maybe the Thurs.-Fri. ninja update will have it.

I have it.

And it looks different than before...

[OlPaint]

Antwerp

Did your updated TestTrak come through as a .AP compressed file in the \Assets\RSC\TestTrak directory? That is where DTG says Steam Update will put the TestTrakAssets.ap file.

OlPaint

[Chacal]

They are now contained in our standard .AP format as TestTraKAssets.ap. We have then pointed the TestTraK route itself at this new asset pack,

Well that settles the question of who is the source for .ap files.
A little while ago, some DTG support people were saying that the .ap file format was a Steam thing and not related to DTG.

[arizonachris]

My Test Trak files are the same as Mike's. I have no separate Test Trak folder under \assets\RSC\TestTrak, no .ap files.

That's odd - it's like it never left. The files in the 00000008-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 route folder are dated between 2012-2013. There' are no new files and no .AP.

[peterhayes]

AFAIK it is still to be released in ap format.
They announced that it was being upgraded but it may take a little while to get into the steam system.
I still have the original route.
pH

[CrimsonKing]

The following was posted by DTG_Admin on Feb 19th in a thread about Test Trak on Steam

That is because it hasn't been released yet. People said they wanted the patch notes to go up in advance. That is what we have done. The patch is uploaded to Steam and ready to go. We are just waiting on Steam to push it out to everyone. As soon as it goes live we will let everybody know through the usual channels including an announcement through the Steam Community HUB.