18 replies to this topic

[GogglesPizanno]

As the title says....looking for a DOS copy of Trackmate to load on an old DOS PC to use with oldschool HO track for the total 80's vintage experience.

 

Yes, I know I can use a modern PC with Trackmate now, but this is for the total vintage experience. If someone can help me out, it would be much appreciated. 5 1/4" floppy would be the required media, however even an ISO disk image would be fine, as I am also using a Gotek floppy emulator with the machine to get software into it much easier. 

[mreibman]

I don't want to be a bubble burster here, but really?

 

Trackmate says on their website they were founded in 1997. In 1997, we were already out of the DOS era.

 

So *IF* you can even get trackmate for DOS, your best bet is going to be going to the source, https://trackmateracing.com/

 

I wish you the absolute best of luck with this endeavor.

[MG Brown]

Keep an eye out for a TCP lap counter. That's old school.

 

No computer is required.

[Bill from NH]

Paul. have you tried contacting some of the long-term MARC racers?  Rob Haynes. from Cambridge, MA is still around.  He's a member on here using the Bridgehampton66 username, if you want to send him a PM.

[GogglesPizanno]

Paul. have you tried contacting some of the long-term MARC racers?  Rob Haynes. from Cambridge, MA is still around.  He's a member on here using the Bridgehampton66 username, if you want to send him a PM.

Bill, I have not. That's probably not a bad idea. I'll give Rob a shot.....

[GogglesPizanno]

I don't want to be a bubble burster here, but really?
 
Trackmate says on their website they were founded in 1997. In 1997, we were already out of the DOS era.
 
So *IF* you can even get trackmate for DOS, your best bet is going to be going to the source, https://trackmateracing.com/
 
I wish you the absolute best of luck with this endeavor.

I know that it was on dos still back in 1997. Not everyone had updated to windows 95 aat that point. There is a reason to the madness.

That said, I'll reach out to Trackmate and see if they have an archived version somewhere that they could help me out with.

[Dave Crevie]

I'm surprised a DOS version is hard to find. Considering that so many home track builders used older, repurposed computers to run their races. I used a DOS version of Autocad on my home computer up close to about 2000. 

[GogglesPizanno]

I'm surprised a DOS version is hard to find. Considering that so many home track builders used older, repurposed computers to run their races. I used a DOS version of Autocad on my home computer up close to about 2000. 

That was my thinking. Someone must still have an older copy somewhere. It's just not available for download on the Trackmate website anymore. And realistically, why would it be?

As I said in my original post, it's wanted for a particular reason..... for the full on vintage experience.

[Racer36]

I'm surprised a DOS version is hard to find. Considering that so many home track builders used older, repurposed computers to run their races. I used a DOS version of Autocad on my home computer up close to about 2000. 

DOS AutoCAD? Did it print out on Scrolls? Lol

[Eddie Fleming]

DOS AutoCAD? Did it print out on Scrolls? Lol

 

Stone tablets I think.

[GogglesPizanno]

 

Stone tablets I think.

You guys are too funny. You do realize that vintage computers are a thing and is a huge hobby right now, right? So I don't think my idea of using a vintage computer running a DOS version of Trakmate is such a far fetched thing.......

[Eddie Fleming]

You guys are too funny. You do realize that vintage computers are a thing and is a huge hobby right now, right? So I don't think my idea of using a vintage computer running a DOS version of Trakmate is such a far fetched thing.......

Just funning Paul.

 

Hay I would be all for a DOS machine if I could get one to run some of the more modern programs. It would be much less intrusive than 11 is.

 

I know they call that Linux.

 

Somewhere I saw something to the effect of I am a analog man trapped in a digital world.

[Bill from NH]

What was the DOS based software Steve Ogilvie use to include with his tracks? Was that Trackmate or something else?  I know it's no longer available. The local commercial raceway continued to use it until it closed in 2010.

[Dave Crevie]

Laugh all you want, but this is what a  2E sells for these days;

 

 

 

(I didn't buy it)

 

 

If it wasn't for DOS, you wouldn't have IOS or Windows.

 

I was fortunate that, in my career, I was able to see the evolution of computers and how they affected our daily lives. It took a while for me to accept them in my work. I was on the ground floor, so to speak, when the machines were controlled by ticker tape. Watched them progress to floppy discs, and finally to CD and direct interface. Now, while a machine is making one run of pieces, you are getting the next job ready in that remote station. Some machines can even do their own set-ups. No human interaction other than a few keystrokes on a computer. And yes, when I see an old video of an early NC controlled machine, I can chuckle a bit. 

[Racer36]

What was the DOS based software Steve Ogilvie use to include with his tracks? Was that Trackmate or something else?  I know it's no longer available. The local commercial raceway continued to use it until it closed in 2010.

Autotrack 2 was the system that came with both of my Ogilvie tracks. It was pretty user friendly and did the job nicely. I still have a board kicking around here somewhere.

[Bill from NH]

Dennis, thanks for reminding me what it was called, I downloaded copies of it off the Ogilvie website to update that which originally came with the local tracks. I kept one copy for a few years, then sent it to somebody in the Midwest who said on OWH they needed a copy.

[GogglesPizanno]

I found Steve Ogilvie's YouTube channel, but it looks like he's retired from track building and no longer maintains a website. So downloading from there looks like a no go.

[Bill from NH]

I forgot to mention my downloading was done 20 years ago. Sorry. Ogilvie tracks are now built in Florida by Don Bryans, a professional boat builder. I don't know if they come with any software. Autotrack was a Canadian product when it was available.

[GogglesPizanno]

Well ... I haven't had a chance to get in touch with Rob Hayes yet, but it's starting to look like a modern notebook computer is going to have to be what we use. So much for the TOTAL vintage experience......