Msts - Addon - Routes And Trains -5 Of 6- -
Here is critical news for the modern sim racer: MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6- is actually more compatible with Open Rails than with original MSTS. Why?
To convert Part 5 for Open Rails: Simply copy the routes and trainsets into your Open Rails Content folder. Do not run the old .apk batch files. Instead, manually edit the trk file to remove “Skip” references.
While every pack is different depending on the creator (e.g., TrainSim.Com’s 2005 mega-pack or the European “Banliyö” series), a typical MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6- includes two or three of the following masterpiece routes:
Before installing Part 5, make a backup of your ROUTES folder. If this addon overwrites a track database or tsection.dat file incorrectly, it can break routes you installed in Parts 1-4. Better safe than sorry!
If you want, I can make Part 6 covering advanced customization (scripting, DLL mods, timetable editing) or create a short checklist/installer script for a specific addon — tell me which.
(Invoking related search-term suggestions for further exploration.)
The phrase " MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6-" typically refers to a specific split or multi-part archive file (part 5 of 6) used in the community to distribute heavy add-on content for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) or its modern successor, Open Rails.
Because large custom routes and detailed trainsets require massive amounts of data, creators often zip or split them into numbered parts (e.g., 1 of 6, 2 of 6, etc.) to bypass strict upload and download limits on file-sharing sites. 🛠️ The Most Useful Feature: Completing the File Set
The single most important "feature" or rule regarding a multi-part file like this is File Set Continuity.
The file is unusable on its own. Part 5 of 6 contains only a middle fragment of the total data.
Extraction will fail. If you try to extract or install just part 5, your extraction software (like WinRAR or 7-Zip) will throw an error stating that the archive is corrupt or that it needs the next/previous volume. 💡 How to Use Split MSTS Files
To successfully use this add-on in your simulator, follow these steps:
Download all parts. You must acquire all 6 parts (1 of 6 through 6 of 6) from the source website and place them in the exact same folder on your computer.
Extract only the first file. Open your extraction software and run it only on part 1 (usually ending in .part1.rar, .001, or listed as file 1 of 6).
Let the software chain the files. The extraction program will automatically read part 1, reach the end, and seamlessly pull the necessary data from parts 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 to assemble the complete route or trainset.
Follow installation paths. Once completely extracted, move the resulting folders into your MSTS directory (usually placing route folders into MSTS/ROUTES/ and train files into MSTS/TRAINS/TRAINSET/).
📌 Pro-Tip: Many modern freeware routes designed for MSTS require you to have all six original default MSTS routes installed beforehand to copy over standard shapes and textures. Ensure your base simulator setup is fully complete before attempting to extract heavy community add-ons. MSTS-IR Newbie - Copy of Route Collection
Routes and Trains - 5 of 6 is a compilation add-on pack for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) that bundles together specific community-created or third-party routes and rolling stock originally released separately. This volume typically focuses on regional expansions that extend the functionality of the base simulator. Content Overview MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6-
The "5 of 6" volume usually highlights European and British rail expansions, often featuring:
Detailed Routes: Additions like the Yorkshire Coast Railway which includes a stopping service down to Whitby.
Locomotives: Often includes iconic diesel units like the Class 24 or Class 25.
Custom Assets: Enhanced sound sets and cab views, such as the North Wales Coastal sound set for the Class 24, which provide a more realistic "two-tone" horn and in-cab ambiance. Critical Reception
Visuals & Detailing: Reviewers note that while the routes are expansive, the detail can be inconsistent. For instance, the arrival at Whitby Town in some versions of this add-on lacks a station building and appears "bland".
Nostalgia Factor: Modern players often view these routes through a lens of nostalgia, appreciating them as "oldies but goodies" that bring back the early days of rail simulation.
Physics & Realism: Like most MSTS content, the physics are dated compared to modern simulators. Trains can feel "stuck to the tracks" with linear motion and lack the swaying or "wobble" found in newer titles like Train Sim World.
Technical Performance: Because MSTS is a 20-year-old engine, these add-ons generally run well on any modern system, though they may suffer from legacy bugs such as stuttering or slow loading times. Compatibility Note
Most users now run these older MSTS add-ons through Open Rails, a community-built open-source simulator. Open Rails is backward compatible with MSTS content and significantly improves the graphics, frame rates, and physics while fixing many original MSTS crashes.
The phrase " MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6- " typically refers to the fifth volume
of a multi-disc or multi-part collection of community-created or commercial add-ons for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS).
While these collections were often unofficial "megapacks" distributed via physical media or large digital archives, the specific content usually includes:
Regional Routes: Volume 5 often focused on specific geographic regions. In many common 6-pack sets, this volume featured European routes (such as Swiss or German lines like the Gotthard Route) or extensive Indian Railways expansions.
Locomotives & Rolling Stock: It typically bundles a high number of trainsets, including both diesel and electric locomotives (e.g., WAP-7, WDM-3A) along with corresponding passenger and freight cars.
Pre-configured Scenarios: Included with the routes are "activities" or scenarios that provide set tasks, such as hauling heavy freight or managing a tight passenger schedule. Related Add-on Providers
3D Train Stuff: A known developer of high-quality MSTS routes and rolling stock, such as the Swanage Route.
Aerosoft/Train-World: Frequent publishers of professional European MSTS content like the Bernina Express. Here is critical news for the modern sim
Open Rails: Most of these older MSTS add-ons are now commonly played using the Open Rails engine, which provides better performance on modern hardware. Train Simulator – Page 6 - simFlight
The following report details the status and content of the Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS)
addon collection specifically referred to as "Routes and Trains -5 of 6-." Addon Overview: Routes and Trains (Collection 5 of 6)
This collection is part of a legacy series of multi-disc or multi-part addon bundles designed to expand the original 2001 Microsoft Train Simulator. These collections typically bundle various third-party routes, locomotives, and activities that were previously released as individual payware or freeware items. Fly Away Simulation Key Content Components
While specific contents of the "5 of 6" volume can vary depending on the distributor (e.g., specialized regional collections), these bundles typically include: Prototypical Routes: Often includes expansions such as the Great Eastern 2 (extending to Norwich) or regional UK branches like the Swanage Route Cambrian Route Locomotive Packs:
Features a mix of historical steam and modern diesel, such as the Amtrak Genesis series or UK steam record holders. Activity Packs:
Pre-configured scenarios that do not require using the complex MSTS editors. Rolling Stock:
Extensive collections of freight wagons, passenger coaches (e.g., LHB coach packs), and specialized maintenance-of-way (MoW) cars. Current Compatibility & Usage
The phrase "MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6-" appears to be
a specific volume or part of a community-curated collection of addons for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS)
. These collections are often part of multi-part "mega packs" or installation guides, particularly popular in the Indian Railways (IR) MSTS community. Feature Focus: Expanding Your MSTS Library
This fifth installment typically focuses on the following core components to enhance the simulation experience: Route Integration
: This volume likely contains the data for specific regional routes. In MSTS, new routes are installed into the folder of your main directory. Rolling Stock (Trainsets)
: This includes the actual locomotives and wagons. These files must be placed in the \TRAINS\TRAINSET Consist Files
files that define how a train is made up (which loco pulls which coaches). These are essential for the train to show up in your selection menu and are stored in the \TRAINS\CONSISTS How to Install this Addon Part
If you are currently working with part 5 of a 6-part set, follow these steps to ensure it functions correctly: Extract Files
: Use a tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract the downloaded archive. Many community packs use a sequential naming scheme where all parts must be in the same folder to extract successfully. Verify Pathing : Ensure the files are directed to your MSTS or Open Rails To convert Part 5 for Open Rails: Simply
installation path. A common error is a missing backslash at the end of the path during installation. Check Dependencies
: Many addons in the later parts of a series (like 5 of 6) require "global" assets found in earlier parts, such as , to avoid "Failed to open texture file" errors. Open Rails Compatibility : Most modern MSTS addons are designed to run better on Open Rails
, which provides better stability and higher memory usage on modern Windows systems. Where to Find More Content
If you are looking for the missing parts of this series or similar high-quality addons, check these major community hubs:
Title: Installation Guide: MSTS Addon - Routes and Trains - Part 5 of 6
Target Audience: Train Simulator enthusiasts, retro gamers, and community members looking to preserve or reinstall classic MSTS content.
Post Body:
Welcome back to the series! Today we are tackling the critical midpoint of this massive package. If you’ve been following along, you know that these "Routes and Trains" addons are the lifeblood of the Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) experience, expanding the default game into a global railway adventure.
Here is the breakdown for Part 5 of 6, including installation tips and troubleshooting.
Visit any MSTS preservation forum (Trainsim.Com, UKTrainsim, Elvas Tower) and search for “-5 of 6-”. You will see thread after thread of frustration:
“I have Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Part 5’s filehost is dead. My Clinchfield route crashes at the tunnel. Can anyone seed Part 5?”
Part 5 is the rarest of the six because it includes dependency shape files that the original uploaders assumed everyone already had. When those shape files vanish, the entire route collection breaks. If you own a physical CD or ISO of MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6- , you are effectively holding a digital preservation master.
Because this is the "mid-point" of a 6-part series, you cannot install it stand-alone. The -5 of 6- disc assumes you have already installed:
If you try to install Part 5 fresh, you will get the infamous "Failed to load SMS file" error. Ensure your TRAINS\TRAINSET folder contains the default GP38 from Part 1, as many Part-5 consists use it as a "slug" unit.
For nearly two decades after its initial release, Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) has survived—and thrived—not because of the base game, but because of the community. The mantra of every virtual railroad veteran is simple: “Stock MSTS is a tutorial; third-party addons are the career.”
Among the countless archives, file libraries, and restored forum links, one classification stands out as a crucial milestone for collectors and route builders alike: MSTS - Addon - Routes and Trains -5 of 6-. This specific part in a six-volume series represents the halfway point of a massive content dump that reshaped how enthusiasts catalogued North American, European, and narrow-gauge railroading.
In this article, we dissect the significance of this specific add-on installment, the types of routes and rolling stock it contains, and why “Part 5” is often the most overlooked yet operationally rich piece of the puzzle.