TRAIN STORE

AUTHOR
======

Tony Formoso
tfmsts@btconnect.com


VERSION
=======

V 1.1.1
Released February 2003

(This version is compatible with Windows XP)

INTRODUCTION
============

Train Store assists in storing MSTS Routes, activities and consists efficiently, without requiring changes to the MSTS configuration, and without making additional copies of files or installations of MSTS.

Individual Routes and or Activities can be 'In Use' to MSTS, whilst the remainder of your MSTS configuraton is 'In Store' and unavailable to MSTS.

This improves MSTS start-up and closedown times dramatically. It also removes the problem of 'too many consists'. Changing between Routes and Activities is very quick. Combinations of Routes and Activities (or individual Routes or Activities) can be saved as 'Scenarios'.

There is a facility to include additional 'Explore Mode Consists' as part of the definition of a Route, so that the facilities can be used with or without Activities. Because of the way Train Store operates, all of the Paths that have been set up for a Route are still available in Explore Mode.

A simple Information facility is included for Routes Activities and Consists, together with a rudimentary print facility.

The software is very easy to use, displaying a 'tree' of Routes and Activities. Selection of a required configuration can be completed in 3 to 4 mouse clicks, including launching MSTS. Most of the facilities have options which can be set by the user.


The software is a single executable. Installation instructions and full operating information is included within the "TrainStore.PDF" file.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
================

I would like to thank everyone for their comments and encouragement particularly those who have helped with reports and diagnostics about the problems caused when running Train Store V1.0 on Windows XP and Windows 2000, amongst others - AlexHall, buttercup, downside, dgauci, heffed, jcnighs, Main Lines, MikeSimpson and sixman.


INSTALLATION
============

PLEASE RUN THE 'TRAIN STORE SETUP' PROGRAM. THE SETUP PROGRAM ONLY INSTALLS THE TRAIN STORE PROGRAM AND THE FULL TRAIN STORE MANUAL TO YOUR SYSTEM. IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY OTHER CHANGES, AND IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR MSTS INSTALLATION OR THE MSTS FILES.

AFTER INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE AND THE MANUAL, PLEASE SEE THE MANUAL FOR FULL DETAILS ON SETTING UP AND USING TRAIN STORE. DO THIS BEFORE RUNNING THE TRAIN STORE PROGRAM.


WARNING:

THIS SOFTWARE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND TESTED ON WINDOWS ME. THE INITIAL VERSION ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS XP INSTALLATIONS. THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED IN THIS VERSION AND THERE ARE NO OTHER OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS USED THAT I AM AWARE OF, BUT I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR FEEDBACK CONCERNING OTHER PLATFORMS.

THE SOFTWARE DOES NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ANY FILES WITHIN YOUR MSTS CONFIGURATION. THERE IS ALSO THE FACILITY AVAILABLE IN THE SOFTWARE TO 'UNSTORE' EVERYTHING (i.e. RETURN EVERYTHING BACK TO THE STANDARD MSTS CONFIGURATION).

YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO BACKUP YOUR MSTS CONFIGURATION BEFORE USING.


LEGAL
=====

By unpacking this archive and using its contents you agree that :-

a) You will not use this software for commercial or resale purposes.

b) You are allowed to distribute this software complete providing you acknowledge the original author.

c) The software is used at your own risk. The author is not responsible for possible damage this software might do to your system, however caused.


Copyright T. Formoso 2003