Because it didn't work so well
The 'custom' folder required trainz to rebuild a database of it EVERY time you loaded TRS. The distpatcher folder was able to be contained in a database file (chump file), but each time you installed content it had to be rebuilt... Very slow, especially when your working with large amounts of content...
CMP/CM2 on the other hand, edit and rebuild their own databases automatically. They can update it, rebuild it if it does corrupt (not as common in CM2, infact the only times I've rebuilt the DB lately are either when 09 crashes, or I've put in a patch), and a number of other little niftys as well if I remember right.
These are the times I myself recorded, not what I've heard, just what I had. Rebuilt the chump file in 04, anywhere up to 20 minuters with larger amounts of content. Plus, with large amounts of work in progress content in the custom folder, probably another 5 minutes. And this 5 minutes has to load EVERY time you start trainz...
TS09, takes about 15 minutes to rebuild the database. But, it doesn't have to rebuild anything each time you load, unless something goes wrong. And then you just run a DB repair in CM2. So, loading times? About 30secs - 1min for 09 to load, no matter if I have or haven't installed any new content. CM2's DB rebuild, normally about 5 minutes, but it has hit 15mins if I have other stuff running.
So, basically. Custom folder, very slow and combersome for Trainz to handle. And can make things painfully slow for you as well. Overall, it would be quicker to have your own 'custom' folder which you can drag the items from (in explorer) over into CM2 and let it import.
To do this, make a folder in explorer (I called it 'trainz content working folder'). Then work in here for your content. Same idea as the custom folder, but Trainz will NOT touch it. When working on stuff, have CM2 open. Doesn't seem to do much, if any, harm to GMax/3DSMax/Notepad/Context. Then, when you want to test, just click on the folder in explorer, drag it down to the task bar and sit it on the CM2 'box'. Then, without letting go of it, drag it up into CM2 (which should have appeared when you dragged it onto it), and release for it to import
Zec
