2 Track vs 1 Track

[gkutcher]

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that it stated "2 (double) track should not be used as it will cause problem for AI trains.
Later I would like to construct a route but I don't want to use the "double" if it is going to cause me a lot of problems down the line.
If any of you have had experience with this, I would appreciate your input.
Thanks,
George

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Double track is ok if both tracks are running in the same direction (as in 'up fast' & 'up slow'), but if one track is 'up' & the other 'down', then 2 'single' tracks is the way to go, otherwise it will cause AI problems.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Single track can be straightened ... multitrack splines can not be straightened for use with curves. If you lay a multitrack straight, then a curve, then a straight using multi track splines you will see whoop de doo's swervies in the curves.

The only thing I use multi track splines for is figuring out where the straight segments should be, as a track spacing guide, and I later replace them all with single track splines. Single track is best for curves.

 

[paulzmay]

Double track is ok if both tracks are running in the same direction (as in 'up fast' & 'up slow'), but if one track is 'up' & the other 'down', then 2 'single' tracks is the way to go, otherwise it will cause AI problems.

...except I've never seen any actual evidence of that happening when the route is properly signalled. It's probably a bit of an urban myth.

The one thing I would advise against is using double track for curves, as the geometry comes out horrible. I use double track straights, and then link them with single tracks pieces for curves - works fine for me, and I've never had AI dramas because of it.

Paul

 

[Dermmy]

. It's probably a bit of an urban myth.
Paul

I will go further and say the whole 'Track Direction' thing is definitely a total urban myth! AI faults supposedly related to 'direction' always have other explanations.

I still wouldn't use double track though, mostly because it can't be 'straightened' and curve geometry relies on curves coming off 'straightened' track.

Andy

 

[philskene]

Agree

Andy --

" ... the whole 'Track Direction' thing is definitely a total urban myth!"

That's been my experience too. The only thing it seems to influence is the direction that items placed on the track (eg signals, Track Markers in Surveyor; locomotives and rolling stock when setting up a session) face.

Phil

 

[stovepipe]

One thing to bear in mind is you cannot swap double track for another type later on using the replace assets tool, wheras you can with single track.

For this reason I don't usually keep downloaded routes with double track.

 

[Retro00064]

Double track (and other multi-track splines) is technically considered by Trainz to be a bridge object, as bridge objects are the only "kind" of spline in Trainz that support multiple instances of track attached to the same spline. As a clarification, tunnel objects are also a type of bridge object.

Trainz determines how to handle the bridge object by what the "height" field in the Config.txt file is set to.

True bridge objects have a negative height value, which causes Trainz to keep the track(s) flat between point A and point B (as the bridge model is supposed to appear to support it. ).

Simple multi-track splines use a "height" value of 0, which causes Trainz to ignore the spline's own mesh and instead just render the tracks. This also causes the tracks to follow the shape of the land (like a normal spline), instead of being flat between point A and point B. The spline's own mesh is only used for the preview image in the Tracks tab as a result, so if you are just creating a simple multi-track spline, you can simply alias a built-in double-track spline to get its preview in the Tracks tab, which also saves you from having to model a new mesh.

Tunnels use positive "height" values.

Regards.

 

[gkutcher]

Thanks Guys.......Good advise and useful info.....Cheers
George