Pre-built switches ( how? )

I'm sure I am not the first to ask this silly question, but how do I get the switches (turnouts ( pre-built ones)) under the object tab to change? I cant seem to figure them out. I have figured out how to use a juntion when you ahve two track lines meet, but these pre-built ones are giving me headaches, any help would be nice. Thank you.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you say you want the switches to change. Do you mean ..

1. to simply delete a switch and replace it with another one of your choosing, or
2. have trainz automatically use a different switch from the default one whenever a new junction is created, or
3. to have the switch direction and/or orientation changed

The first is simple. Select the delete button (the "X") when in Trackside Object mode, click on the switch to be deleted. Select a new switch from the display window under the tab then click the add button (the "+" - in later versions of Trainz this is automatically selected) then click on the junction to add the new switch lever.

The second is more complex and I have never attempted it but I believe that it would involve altering a configuration setting in some obscure part of the program with associated risks.

The third is the easiest - the switch action (i.e. the direction it will send a train) is controlled by the junction direction button (it looks like a fork). Click this button then click the switch. The switch orientation (which side of the track it is on) is controlled by the rotate object button (looks like a loop). Click this button then click the switch.

Peter Ware

I was refering to the third. I dont get a juction direction button on the prebuilt switches such as the Hott set of switches, I have added a few to a route I am building but am unable to get them to work.

OK - the HOTT switches are animated and require a lot more work than simple non-animated ones. I just gave myself a "crash" course in using them and have encountered the same problem.

From what I could see and achieve, you need to add a HOTT junction object from the scenery tab to the track, then use invisible track (e.g. JK Junction wire (blue) or (green) or (grey)) to join the yellow diamonds, then add and orientate the HOTT switch itself.

At that point I can only get the double sided red arrow, not the green and red of a working switch so I am obviously missing something.

I did a search of the forum for HOTT and did not find anything useful that was in English.

The original JK animated switches that I used in 2006, 2009 and 2010 do not work in TS12.

So more help is needed from someone with experience please.

Peter Ware

Try you tube, I've seen tutorials on I think russian/trainz RU points.

Thank you, I am still working with some others that I have but it looks to be the same with them so far.....

SUCCESS

I have managed to get the animated HOTT junctions to work - it takes a bit of care.

Here are the steps:

1. place a HOTT junction scenery object (this is actually a fixed track junction) in place first
2. use invisible track (but one that has a visible line in surveyor - such as the JK invisible tracks) to join the far yellow diamond on one of the two diverging branches to the bottom yellow diamond on the common root track - you will need to use SHIFT-Left Mouse Click to place the invisible track correctly at both ends.
3. use invisible track to repeat the above step from the yellow diamond on the other diverging branch but this time make a junction point (no SHIFT when you Left Mouse Click) well before the top yellow diamond on the common root track. This will create a junction with the Trainz default switch lever - it should have both red and green arrows.
4. move the newly created junction point to rest on the top yellow diamond on the common root track
5. delete the default switch lever and replace it with your selected HOTT lever
6. orientate the HOTT lever so that the track it contains is in the correct position (facing up or down)
7. connect track to each end of the HOTT fixed track junction object

If everything has gone correctly then the animated switch will work. But be careful, you cannot move the HOTT scenery switch without having to move the invisible track segments.

Peter Ware

I will try this shortly

so the train actually runs on a section of invisible track? not the actual turnout?
will have to try this, always wondered how they worked

I believe that is basicly main way how they function, being wired up correctly on hidden wires, so the points actualy function, and the train runs on the hidden wires ... one drawback is that they must be meticulously custom rotated, and that they can not be used on a gradient.