Track Laying and Troubleshooting - A tutorial for new surveyors

[crb001]

Here's a tutorial for those new to the Trainz Surveyor module. It deals with many aspects of getting your new route off to a good start. It covers such things as:

Working with track and switches
Making your turnouts look nice
Controlling train speed through a switch
An introduction to signalling
Working with signals
Installing bridges
An introduction to portals
Case studies in AI train operations
Trackside Industries
Using the ruler tool to keep your tracks straight
Sometimes 35 is faster than 60
Installing trackside cameras
Signalling crossovers and double track junctions
Installing a turntable and operating it under AI control.

***Update: August 2009. A new tutorial has been added, "Creating a Milepost System for your Route."
: A quick, easy method of placing your milesposts accurately.
: Placing mileposts, signals and speed limit signs in a tunnel.

*** Update: September 1st, 2009. A new tutorial section been added, "Bells, Horns and Fooling the AI", a number of mini-tutorials for improving your traffic flow.
: Using dummy junctions to improve train movement
: Adding automatic bells and horns at your passenger stations
: Using the Invisible Speed Signal selectively slow trains at a station
: Using a trackmark at a portal to improve train speed
: Improving signal operations at a divergence

We'll go into considerable detail on these issues, and the tutorials are now available as downloadable .pdf files you can print out at home. You can find the tutorial here: http://trains.0catch.com/tutorial.html (http://trains.0catch.com/tutorial.html)

In addition, the main site has links to my own routes, Midwest Central and Erie Northern, plus two pieces of short railroad-related fiction. Find out more at http://trains.0catch.com

When new parts of the tutorial are released, they will be announced here--in this post; no need to go digging through the whole thread.

Chuck

[Bill_A]

Hi crb001

What an excellent tutorial. I have been a keen user of 04 & 06 for a number of years now but I picked up a lot of good tips and knowledge by reading the tutorial right through. Couldn't find out how to download it for future reference but it is certainly worth keeping a reference to the thread so I can look it up again.

Your Midwest Central route also looks worth trying. Can't find it on DLS. Is it coming soon???

Bill_A
:) :) :)

[BLACKWATCH]

Superb tut.

It`s now in my bookmarks for future perusal. :)

[crb001]

...Couldn't find out how to download it for future reference but it is certainly worth keeping a reference to the thread so I can look it up again.

Your Midwest Central route also looks worth trying. Can't find it on DLS. Is it coming soon???

Bill_A
:) :) :)

Thanks, guys. Glad you found the tutorial helpful.

Bill, you can download Adobe Acrobat versions of most chapters by clicking the small acrobat logo located at the top of each chapter, right below the title.

As for Midwest Central, I hope to have it posted in the next week or so. It's 133 baseboards, with 25 miles of double track mainline. So far there are six sessions to test your driving skills.

[Bill_A]

Thanks Chuck

When I went back into the tute after my post, I checked more closely and did find how to download. Got it all on my computer now.

I look forward to downloading your Midwest Central when it goes on DLS.

Cheers

Bill_A
:) :) :)

[WileeCoyote]

Whoa this thing certainly helps, I wasn't that good at tracklaying to start with since I was more a signal modifier but now I can do it very well. You should rename it "Trainz tracklaying for dummiez", it worked that well for me.

WileeCoyote:D

[crb001]

February 17th: A new case study has been added to the tutorial: Trackside Industries.

Check the first post in this thread for information.

[ess1]

Where would we all be without such dedicated and helpful hobbyists.
Many thanks:) :)

[Swordfish]

Thank you very much for this helpful tutorial - and your beautiful map with the sessions. :)

In the part of the tutorial about the portals is missing the instruction, how to add a running number to a loco, leaving the portal:
Configuring the duties of the consist you have to add as the first command the "Locomotive Running Number Command" by Phil_C (trainz://install/<KUID:86105:60579>) (trainz://install/%3CKUID:86105:60579%3E)
After that most locomotives will be leaving the portal numbered.

Have a Happy New Year!

Regards

Swordfish

[OldEric]

This is an excellent tutorial and should be more well known.

Eric

[sethmcs]

Excellent job. This is a great souce of information on several route building topics. track laying, signaling, AI and portal functions. I recommend this thread be made a sticky!:cool:

So that cranky veteran trainzers can point curious newcomers in the right direction quickly and painlessly.:hehe:

I bookmarked just in case it doesn't made sticky.

Thanks again for a great job.:wave:

[rroby]

A most excellent site which one of the forum vets pointed me to in my early days (not that I have that much experience - I've only been at it for a year).

I've got a hard copy of the site printed out that I refer to regularly while working on my route that I'm building for my son.

I agree that this should be made a sticky as it contains information that could answer a lot of basic questions.

[OldBarney]

Thanks Chuck for a most helpful series of tutorials. It was one of the first aids I was pointed towards, and it's made a heap of difference to my layouts ever since. One of the first things I did was to copy it all onto a word processor and print out a hard copy. Already it looks a bit tattered from constantly referring to it, it's so well used. All the very best for the coming year. Cheerz. OldBarney

[crb001]

Greetings, and thanks to everyone for your kind comments about the tutorial and the Midwest Central map. Your encouragment means a lot.


...In the part of the tutorial about the portals, it's missing instruction on ..."Locomotive Running Number Command" by Phil_C...

Swordfish

Swordfish, I've looked at the running number command you mentioned. It works okay, and it's worth a mention in the tutorial, but personally I'm not sure I want to use it. I would have liked it much better if it had allowed me to choose a range of numbers from which to randomize. For example, I use 98xx numbers for my GP38-2's, but the command just seemed to pick any four numbers at random. It would have been nice if it could say, "enter starting range number:" and then, "enter ending range number." That way I could enter 9801 and 9830, and it would pick from that range. The other thing I didn't care for was that it didn't center the numbers on the side of the cab. On my loco's I always enter a space after the four digits, and that centers the numbers nicely on the side of the cab. I know, picky, picky, picky, but I'll suggest those changes to Phil, and see what he says. Fair enough?

Newswise--I'm working on several new tutorials, including one entitled, "Sometimes 35 is faster than 60." :) They should be ready soon.

As far as my route is concerned, the original version, Midwest Central Build 360, is now approaching 12,000 downloads. That's amazing. And now available on the website is Midwest Central Release 2, which adds 15 miles of new mainline and more industries. For the moment, you can only get the map through the website, since the DS station version doesn't work. http://trains.0catch.com.

More news soon.

[Swordfish]

...I would have liked it much better if it had allowed me to choose a range of numbers from which to randomize. For example, I use 98xx numbers for my GP38-2's, but the command just seemed to pick any four numbers at random. It would have been nice if it could say, "enter starting range number:" and then, "enter ending range number." That way I could enter 9801 and 9830, and it would pick from that range. The other thing I didn't care for was that it didn't center the numbers on the side of the cab. On my loco's I always enter a space after the four digits, and that centers the numbers nicely on the side of the cab. ....

For the first of your wishes I could propose something. In your sessions you are using your own locos. That's why they could be "ARN"-ed by you without problems: Every loco with editable number can be given a range of automatically assigned numbers. Necessary for this is a script by Wulf_9, to be obtained here (http://www.trainzproroutes.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3080) (registration necessary for downoads ).

For the second one, the space after the four digits, indeed I do only see the possibility that Phil_C or Wulf_9 could be helpful. :)

Regards

Swordfish

[crb001]

Two new sections of the Trainz Simulator tutorial are now available. See the first post in this thread for more information.

[lornyk5]

Thanks for the tutorial, very good read.:D

Lorin

[llebrez]

I say: Auran should use this tutorial to explain how to use all the features of out Trainz! Instead they left us to find out how to properly use and "discover" the many things Trainz has. Good Job!

[crb001]

22 November 2008 - A new section has been added to the tutorial. Check the very first post in this thread for details.

[ess1]

Thanks again for your tutorial. Have you utilised the adjust ratio in track/marker/advanced? I find this works quite well.
Best, Sellick

[Lucidor]

Sorry to say the link does not work for me. Are there any changes?

[crb001]

Thanks again for your tutorial. Have you utilised the adjust ratio in track/marker/advanced? I find this works quite well.
Best, Sellick

Sellick--

That's very interesting. I did some experimenting with it, and found that if set the radius to 11m, I could get the train to stop fairly consistently with the nose of the loco right over the track mark. Cool. Thanks for the tip. It's nice to know we have that option.

---
Lucidor--

As to the non-working link, I wonder if the site might have been down briefly when you tried it, as the link in the first post worked fine for me when I tried it. You might also try http://trains.0catch.com to get to the Midwest Central page, then scroll down to the bottom to find the link to the tutorial.

[crb001]

29 November

A new tutorial has been released. See the first post in this thread for details.

[martinvk]

Had a quick look at some of your tutorial pages and must say, you have a clear and easy writing style.

In Part 11 - Installing and Using Trackside Cameras, you spend quite some time in trying to explain how to place overlapping cameras so that you can get a continuous view of a train as it passes by. Instead of all the calculations, angles and measurements, have you ever tried using two simple camera guides available on the DLS?

guide camera sphere KUID: 70337:23049
guide camera static KUID: 70337:23050

They give you a visual feedback of each type of camera's field of view making it quick and easy to know exactly when a specific camera will "see" a train and thus eliminating all guesswork in their placement. Also very handy when you want to place multiple cameras in a crowded area to avoid jarring changes in points of view when the wrong camera captures a train momentarily.

[crb001]

... Instead of all the calculations, angles and measurements, have you ever tried using two simple camera guides available on the DLS?

guide camera sphere KUID: 70337:23049
guide camera static KUID: 70337:23050

They give you a visual feedback of each type of camera's field of view making it quick and easy to know exactly when a specific camera will "see" a train and thus eliminating all guesswork in their placement....
Martin--

Many thanks for your post and your email. Good idea. I have revised and reposted the camera tutorial to include the tools you suggested.

In addition, I liked your email suggestion to use your 'Guide Angle' tool as an alternative using the ruler tool for keeping tracks straight. I have revised tutorial Part 9 as well.

Thanks for taking the time to have a look.

Chuck

[martinvk]

The camera guide revision section looks good. Just one thing you might add is that the static guide can also be tilted so that when a camera is high up and looking down, the guide will show a more accurate field of view. The center aiming point should be aligned with the center of the camera's point of view.

As for the angle guide, if you hold down the Ctrl key while rotating the guide, the step will be in tenths of a degree, 10.0 to 10.1 to 10.2 etc.

Otherwise the instructions are very good. :)

[GaryP]

Oh you are wonderful.
I have been away from trainz for a while and this is just what I need.

thank you sooooo much for the help.

I'll be back in business in no time. I haven't seen your tutorial yet but I will on lunch!!!!!
I'm hoping to re-get signaling and what industries go with what.

Thanks again.

[ish6]

Great tutorial -- thank you!!

Ishie:D

[diabloNL]

Thank you so much for your hard work! I really appreciate it! :Y:

[whyfly]

Terrific tutorial, Chuck. If I had downloaded it three days ago and read the sections on how to use vertex height and the ruler, my first attempt at laying track would have been less of a "three-dimensional" experience. Thanks!

Art

[crb001]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. More good stuff to come. :)

[mistermoet]

WOW - Best info I have ever seen for Trainz - The new Trainz bible
I have printed out all the tutorials and bound them - excellent reference

Thankyou

[marco_pv_it]

Thanks for the tutorial indeed, I read it yesterday and is quite well done.

However, is there anywhere an explanation from Auran on why we still have to resort to "tricks" to create long straight tracks ?
I remember something like "right click, enter length" or "enter coordinate of spline point" was one of the big requests for TS2006, but as far as I understand still nothing.

Also of major concern is the creation of switches. Unless using pre-build switches, there is no way of creating prototypical ones just by moving splines, because it is almost impossible to place the spline point accurately.

Or did anything change and I just don't know it ?

Thanks, Marco.

[danny5]

Hi chuck I downloaded your tutor back in jan.2007 and printed it, now I, 'am tring to get the new updates it's wont download and i can't get it to print. Any sesgestions?

danny5

[crb001]

...is there anywhere an explanation from Auran on why we still have to resort to "tricks" to create long straight tracks ?
I remember something like "right click, enter length" or "enter coordinate of spline point" was one of the big requests for TS2006, but as far as I understand still nothing.

Also of major concern is the creation of switches. Unless using pre-build switches, there is no way of creating prototypical ones just by moving splines, because it is almost impossible to place the spline point accurately...
Marco--

Nothing has changed as far as I know, but you might try creating a new thread with the question and see if anyone responds.

On the long straight track, the problem is not so much about being able to build such a track as it is keeping the track straight once it's built. By the time you add sidetracks for industries, maybe a pass track and several road crossings, you have good potential to get your track out of line. That's why the ruler tool, or Martinvk's great Guide Angle, mentioned in the tutorial, are such a great help. Once you lay them on the map, they don't move, and you can make as many changes to the track as you wish and still have a reliable straight reference to keep things lined up. It's well worth the little bit of extra effort to place them.

Danny--

As for not being able to get the tutorials, they now require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print them out. When the tutorials were originally published, they were in HTML, but that's no longer the case. If you don't have it, you can get the reader from www.adobe.com (http://www.adobe.com). Look for the link to download it. It's about 35mb.

Chuck

[crb001]

A new tutorial is now available. See the very first post in this thread for details.

[Bluerall]

Part 1
Switchstand Medium Cylinder
<KUID:63290:24041>

Part 12
Trigger Multiple Signals rule
<kuid2:116387:26:1>
by Maggs

Cannot find either of these on the DLS

[cathouse]

Hi
found this one easily enough,
Trigger Multiple Signals rule
<kuid2:116387:26:1>
by Maggs

tried to copy the link but can't :confused:
make sure you have 04 ticked, I know it's there, I just got it.

while I'm here Chuck are you going to put the odd 2 tutes into pdf,



Operating multiple AI trains is a challenge. (http://trains.0catch.com/CaseStudies-intro.htm)
Case 1 – Multitrack portals (http://trains.0catch.com/CaseStudies-1.htm)



cheers

Roy

edit
the first one is there as well. you have to tick the 'trainz' box.

[Bluerall]

Thanks found it, wonder why it didnt show up with cm2


thanks got it

[crb001]

As Roy said, the switchstands are old content.

Perhaps why you didn't find it is the offical name is "Switchstand Medium Cylinder 1" (and 2 of course, for the other side of the track.)

I found it also by the kuid as well. Just type the numbers, without the "kuid".

---

Roy, as to the .pdf's, good idea. I'll get on it directly.

Thanks,

Chuck

[crb001]

A new section has been added to the tutorial. See the first post in this thread for details.

[crb001]

A new section was added to the tutorial September 1st. See the first post in this thread for details.