Raise/Lower Tracks function corrupts tracks.bin file

[Shawmut]

I've been upgrading all of the original KRS Euro routes (NY, OP, HS, SD) with the AP track textures, and need to raise the tracks a bit (usually +0.1000) to prevent terrain spills. This functionality of RW (found on the Route Building Tools\Check Routes or Scenarios\Raise or Lower Track button) used to work fine. But with the latest version of RW_Tools, 8.1.16, the use of this tool corrupts the tracks.bin file by moving buffer posts and, in some cases, causing tracks to disappear. See pics below by clicking on the thumbnails.

So I thought that perhaps the problem was with one of the recent Windows Updates; perhaps some .dll file was changed or omitted and this was the cause of the problem. What if I restored Win10 to the version I got when I joined that freebie Win10 download that MS offered 3 years ago (Windows 10 Pro Version 1607 OS Build 14393.0, to be precise). I still had that on a thumb drive, and the registry was being clogged anyway, so a refresh of the OS might get me a faster machine as well as fixing the Raise/Lower track problem.

Long story short, I did get a vastly quicker machine, but the Raise\Lower problem is still there. So I went back to the earlier full version of RW_Tools, v8.0.20, and tried that. Still no dice. I unfortunately ditched my earlier versions of RW_Tools, so do not have recourse to that option.

Anyone else have this problem? You can check for yourself by simply clicking on one of your routes on the "Check Routes or Scenarios" screen and select the Raise or Lower button, then choose a small amount to raise or lower. (BTW, the bug operates the same whether you raise OR lower.) Don't worry, Mike's program saves a copy of the route's tracks.bin file, so you can simply toss the modified one and revert to your original. If it does work for you, please let me know, and also know what OS and RW_Tools version you are using.

Thanks,
Dave


Paddington pre-modification #1


Paddington pre-modification #2, buffer post in proper position


Paddington post-modification #1 What's this buffer post doing here?!


Paddington post-modification #2 Hey, where's my buffer post?!


Paddington post-modification #3 At least the post doesn't impede traffic or derail stock.

The situation out west in Oxford is even worse; buffer posts are the least of it! See below:

[mikesimpson]

Hi Dave,

As you may have seen from the General section here, I am not in a position to make any further changes to RW_Tools. However for your info, I have not changed the raise/lower code for many years.

This does not of course mean that there have not been changes in the tracks.bin format somewhere which is causing a problem when RW_Tools edits it. There have been problems with other files in the past.

As for earlier versions of RW_Tools, the following versions are still on my site and can be downloaded from:-
http://www.agenetools.com/downloads/xxxxxxxxx.zip where xxxxxxxxxx can be RW_Tools8036.zip, 8111.zip, 8112.zip, 8115.zip and 8116.zip so maybe you can try 8036 and see if that helps.

Mike

P.S. From the position of those buffer posts in the photos, it looks like not all of the track is being raised, hence the track is split and the buffers appear.

[Shawmut]

Thanks Mike; I've downloaded the lot and will give them all a try. I should have mentioned that whilst I was converting Cajon Pass, Oxford-Paddington, Newcastle-York and Ruhr-Sieg, one route - the Bath-Templecombe S&D route - I chose not to convert using the AP textures, mainly because it would be a bit anomalous to see concrete sleepers on a 1950's BR route!

So instead of using the AP files (which actually are based on the Konstanz-Villingen textures) I used a couple of the genuine 3-D bullhead rail tracks from Thomson's West Highland Line Extension, and when I went to raise the tracks this time the result was perfect. So it definitely has something to do with what kind of track you are attempting to raise.

If I get positive results on Oxford-Paddington I will definitely report back!

Thank you again,

Dave

[Shawmut]

Well, I discovered a solution to my problem ... and it had nothing to do either with RW_Tools or what particular OS I was using. Actually, the fix was so simple that it literally took less than a minute to implement.

Mike's suggestion that the misplaced buffer stop might have something to do with some of the track not elevating was spot on. So what I did was open up Oxford_Paddington in the route editor, move to that last section of track with the misplaced buffer stop, click on the gradient tool and then click on the affected piece of track and WHAMMO! the buffer stops literally flew back into position! I didn't have to click on one of the yellow arrows and attempt to move it up a bit; all I had to do was click once on the track and the job was done! I saved the route and the results are below (click on the thumbnails to view the larger screenshot).

After converting the track to the AP Konstanz-Villingen textures I also took the route occlusion files by Fodda (from the DPS site) and combined them with the Dave Dewhurst OLE fix (UKTS 29219) so that Paddington no longer has a leaky roof and the OLE isn't hanging in mid-air all by itself. I also added the AP Weather Enhancement Pack and as a result this very first KRS/RW/TS20XX route looks brand new!

In conclusion, thank you Mike for your suggestion and such a wonderful utility; it's given me hours and hours of pleasure.

Cheers,
Dave

No more misplaced buffer stops!



The AP textures allow for both rusty rails in yards and shiny railheads on mainline track:



Paddington never looked so good!

[mikesimpson]

Thanks Dave, sometimes the fix is really simple when you know how :-)

Mike