How do I install custom maps or edit config files in 3D Ultra Lionel TrainTown?

Installing custom track layouts and tweaking configuration settings in 3D Ultra Lionel TrainTown involves managing .RR layout files, editing .INI preference files, and adjusting Registry paths.

1. Installing & Loading Custom Maps (.RR Files)

Custom layouts created in the game's editor (or downloaded from preservation archives) are saved as .RR files.

How to Install Downloaded Maps

1. Locate your game installation directory (e.g., C:\Games\TrainTown\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Sierra\3D Ultra Lionel TrainTown\).

2. Open or create a folder named Layouts inside the main game directory.

3. Copy your downloaded .RR layout files into the Layouts folder.

How to Save & Load Layouts In-Game

• Prerequisite: Make sure you have Patch 1.1 installed (if playing the original 1999 release) or are using TrainTown Deluxe, which adds native layout saving.

• Loading a Map: Open Build Parks (or Layout Tinkerer), enter any park environment, and press the L key. A file browser prompt will appear allowing you to select and load any .RR layout file.

• Saving a Map: While in the Layout Editor, press the S key to bring up the save prompt and store your layout as a custom .RR file.

2. Editing Configuration Files (.INI & .CFG)

Game preferences, window states, and audio settings are controlled through text configuration files located in the root installation folder or the C:\Windows\ system directory.

Editing TRAINTOWN.INI

1. Open Notepad as Administrator.

2. Navigate to your game folder (or C:\Windows\) and open TRAINTOWN.INI (or LIONEL.INI).

3. Key options you can modify:

Ini, TOML

[Display]
FullScreen=0          ; Set to 0 to run in windowed mode, 1 for fullscreen
Width=800             ; Default display width
Height=600            ; Default display height

[Audio]
SoundVolume=100       ; Sound effect volume (0-100)
MusicVolume=80        ; Background music volume (0-100)
WaveDevice=1          ; Audio driver ID

[Paths]
CDDrive=E:\           ; Drive letter of your virtual or physical CD-ROM

Editing RESOURCE.CFG

The RESOURCE.CFG file controls engine audio and data directory paths:

• Open RESOURCE.CFG in Notepad.

• Ensure res=.\ points to the current directory so the game reads local data files rather than searching for the original CD.

3. Advanced Tweaks via Windows Registry

If you are running the game without an active CD drive mounted or need to alter launch paths, you can adjust its registry entries:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   • 64-bit Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Sierra On-Line\3D Ultra Lionel TrainTown

   • 32-bit Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Sierra On-Line\3D Ultra Lionel TrainTown

3. Double-click CDDrive and set the value to match the drive letter where your mounted ISO or virtual drive resides (e.g., D:\ or E:\).

4. Modify InstallDir if you moved the game folder to another location or drive.