Down to 1 line now

'So whats the SQL server 2005 Express Edition gonna be called here?

sub openconn ' open a connection to access db'
dim tries
set conn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection") 'prep connection'
set rs = CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset") ' prep recordset'
tries = 0 ' clear tries counter'
do 'try to open connection to the db
conn.open "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};" &_ 'CHANGE THIS STRING FOR SQL CONNECTION
"DBQ=" & RouteFile & ";DefaultDir=;UID=;PWD=;"
tries = tries + 1
if (err.number <> 0) then 'if errored, close this connection
conn.close
end if
Loop While (Err.Number<>0) And tries < 10 'if errored, try again. MAX TRIES = 10
end sub

Look at www.connectionstrings.com, I put some samples on there using SQL Server 2000 backwards functionality and additional using SNAC feature for SQL Server 2005 (Express)

HTH, Jens Suessmeyer.