AI and Trainz...especially ChatGPT

[valbridge]

Firstly, let me say I am not an AI chat freak. In fact my views regarding platforms like Chat GPT are not particulaly positive. However I was surprised at the depth ChatGPT came up with when requesting its familiarity with TRS22.

Secondly, how accurate it explained the functionality of Trainz generally. From generating route development to suggesting assetts to be used for said route.

I gave it a scenario. Liverpool in February 1947. Not only did it give me a detailed weather condition of that time but also asked me if I would like it to generate a TRS22 route. I responded, "lets see wht you've got".

Within seconds it provided me with a suggested route to construct, but also what stock and assetts to use, as well as utlising what weather conditions from the environment settings. This together with an outlined route map and generated winter image of that era! Consider my amazement at how much time can be saved by utilising this platform to construct a route. Upon further exploration it all looked authentic.

So my q here is. Has anyone tried this out for route creation, and if so how did it fare?

 

[H222]

Certainly not route creation, but give it enough variables and it’ll make at least a workable engine spec within Trainz’s parameters.

 

[pware]

it provided me with a suggested route to construct, but also what stock and assetts to use, as well as utlising what weather conditions from the environment settings.

While that is impressive and was undoubtedly generated from many different sources (including possibly these forums) it must be remembered that ChatGPT is a LLM (Large Language Model). It can also create images (but not Spreadsheets or PowerPoint presentations) so I would not expect it to be able to create a Trainz route with all its mapfile data containing heights, textures, asset positions and orientations.

 

[kingstondouglas]

Firstly, let me say I am not an AI chat freak. In fact my views regarding platforms like Chat GPT are not particulaly positive. However I was surprised at the depth ChatGPT came up with when requesting its familiarity with TRS22.

Secondly, how accurate it explained the functionality of Trainz generally. From generating route development to suggesting assetts to be used for said route.

I gave it a scenario. Liverpool in February 1947. Not only did it give me a detailed weather condition of that time but also asked me if I would like it to generate a TRS22 route. I responded, "lets see wht you've got".

Within seconds it provided me with a suggested route to construct, but also what stock and assetts to use, as well as utlising what weather conditions from the environment settings of army acft calculator. This together with an outlined route map and generated winter image of that era! Consider my amazement at how much time can be saved by utilising this platform to construct a route. Upon further exploration it all looked authentic.

So my q here is. Has anyone tried this out for route creation, and if so how did it fare?

Yes, some users have used ChatGPT for TRS22 route creation. It helps with planning, historical accuracy, asset suggestions, and weather settings, but you still build the route yourself. Many find it speeds up the creative process and adds depth.

 

[jd_james]

I once asked ito to generate a tractive motor sound script to add to locomotives as a test. It did spit out a script with a breakdown of how it woeked. Not sure if it worked as I just moved onto something else.

I just asked ChatGPT how to add ARN to a locomotive. Here's the result...

Applying Automatic Running Numbers (ARN) to a locomotive in Trainz built with Blender involves a combination of Blender setup, mesh naming, texture preparation, and configuration in the config.txt file. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:


---

1. In Blender – Create ARN Meshes

Trainz uses specially named meshes to assign running numbers dynamically.

a. Text Mesh or Texture Plane: You need to create separate mesh objects (usually simple planes) where the number will be displayed. These must be:

UV unwrapped

Assigned with a transparent ARN-compatible texture

Named specifically (see below)


b. Mesh Naming Convention: Name each ARN digit mesh like this:

number_0
number_1
number_2
number_3

Each mesh will represent one digit in a 4-digit ARN (you can adjust for more or fewer digits).


---

2. Use the ARN Font Texture

Trainz uses a special font image (texture) and alpha mask for ARN. These are normally included in the built-in assets or you can download them (e.g., arn_font.texture.txt, arn_font.tga, arn_font_alpha.tga).

Apply this texture to each of the number_X meshes via a standard Trainz-compatible material.


---

3. Position the Digits

In Blender, place your number meshes (number_0 to number_3) where the numbers should appear on the locomotive. Each digit should be evenly spaced.


---

4. Export to Trainz (FBX or IM)

Export the model using FBX (recommended) or IM, making sure the number meshes are included and properly UV mapped to the ARN font.


---

5. In config.txt

Here’s a basic ARN block:

script "arn"
class "ARN"
mesh-table
{
default
{
mesh "body.lm"
auto-create 1
}
number_0
{
mesh "number_0.im"
auto-create 1
}
number_1
{
mesh "number_1.im"
auto-create 1
}
number_2
{
mesh "number_2.im"
auto-create 1
}
number_3
{
mesh "number_3.im"
auto-create 1
}
}
extensions
{
running-numbers-103475
{
number-low 3000
number-high 3099
}
}

Make sure:

The script and class are defined

Your ARN meshes are referenced in mesh-table

The range of running numbers is defined in the extensions block



---

Optional:

If you want different textures or fonts, you can create your own arn_font.tga and alpha images. Keep the layout compatible with Trainz expectations (usually 10 digits in a single row).


---

Would you like me to show an example .blend setup or supply an ARN-ready texture set?

 

[kingstondouglas]

I once asked ito to generate a tractive motor sound script to add to locomotives as a test. It did spit out a script with a breakdown of how it woeked. Not sure if it worked as I just moved onto something else.

I just asked ChatGPT how to add ARN to a locomotive. Here's the result...

Applying Automatic Running Numbers (ARN) to a locomotive in Trainz built with Blender involves a combination of Blender setup, mesh naming, texture preparation, and configuration in the config.txt file. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:


---

1. In Blender – Create ARN Meshes

Trainz uses specially named meshes to assign running numbers dynamically.

a. Text Mesh or Texture Plane: You need to create separate mesh objects (usually simple planes) where the number will be displayed. These must be:

UV unwrapped

Assigned with a transparent ARN-compatible texture

Named specifically (see below)


b. Mesh Naming Convention: Name each ARN digit mesh like this:

number_0
number_1
number_2
number_3

Each mesh will represent one digit in a 4-digit ARN (you can adjust for more or fewer digits).


---

2. Use the ARN Font Texture

Trainz uses a special font image (texture) and alpha mask for ARN. These are normally included in the built-in assets or you can download them (e.g., arn_font.texture.txt, arn_font.tga, arn_font_alpha.tga).

Apply this texture to each of the number_X meshes via a standard Trainz-compatible material.


---

3. Position the Digits

In Blender, place your number meshes (number_0 to number_3) where the numbers should appear on the locomotive. Each digit should be evenly spaced.


---

4. Export to Trainz (FBX or IM)

Export the model using FBX (recommended) or IM, making sure the number meshes are included and properly UV mapped to the ARN font.


---

5. In config.txt

Here’s a basic ARN block:

script "arn"
class "ARN"
mesh-table
{
default
{
mesh "body.lm"
auto-create 1
}
number_0
{
mesh "number_0.im"
auto-create 1
}
number_1
{
mesh "number_1.im"
auto-create 1
}
number_2
{
mesh "number_2.im"
auto-create 1
}
number_3
{
mesh "number_3.im"
auto-create 1
}
}
extensions
{
running-numbers-103475
{
number-low 3000
number-high 3099
}
}

Make sure:

The script and class are defined

Your ARN meshes are referenced in mesh-table

The range of running numbers is defined in the extensions block



---

Optional:

If you want different textures or fonts, you can create your own arn_font.tga and alpha images. Keep the layout compatible with Trainz expectations (usually 10 digits in a single row).


---

Would you like me to show an example .blend setup or supply an ARN-ready texture set?

thank you so much for your suggestion

 

[RetroRails12]

Yes, some users have used ChatGPT for TRS22 route creation. It helps with planning, historical accuracy, asset suggestions, and weather settings, but you still build the route yourself. Many find it speeds up the creative process and adds depth.

one user actually Got his Computer hacked using A.I. to create a Route! it litterly took his computer down for several months and lost every bit of information he had on his system....

 

[valbridge]

one user actually Got his Computer hacked using A.I. to create a Route! it litterly took his computer down for several months and lost every bit of information he had on his system....

Do you know which AI LLM managed to do this? How did it happen? Might be useful to be specific rather than vague on the topic.

 

[pware]

one user actually Got his Computer hacked using A.I. to create a Route!

As @valbridge points out above that is a very vague claim. Where is the evidence to back it up?

A search on the issue of AI hacking turned up a great deal on the potential of AI systems being hacked by cyber criminals to steal data but very little on AI being used to hack into your computer. If the AI delivers your data request as an image or as text then I do not see how that could happen.

If the AI delivered data contains a link that you are foolish enough to click on then it is the same as you clicking on a link in an email from an unknown source. Who is to blame? Is it the hacker (or AI) for sending out the email or is it you for blindly opening its link?

This is not to say that such an attack will not (eventually) happen but again, if you don't put in defences that check all incoming data and don't exercise some caution, then who is to blame?

As for an AI (and I don't mean Alister and his fellow Trainz AI drivers) creating an entire route - while I have learned that with technology you can never say "never", I suspect that we are still "a ways off" that happening for a small niche hobby game.

 

[wreeder]

I guess if you were using an AI agent to write code that you then executed on your PC, you could in essence hack yourself.

"Hey Grok, write a virus and test it"

 

[wreeder]

On a side note, Steam announced that they are adding more than 19,000 new games a month. Many of those are indie games mostly written by AI. They aren't big fancy 3D games. More like phone apps but it is quite impressive that an AI can do it.

 

[RetroRails12]

Do you know which AI LLM managed to do this? How did it happen? Might be useful to be specific rather than vague on the topic.

look up DannyBTrains on youtube and look for his A.I. Route Build Series.... just shortly after like the 6 or 7th video his posted a note to his community page telling what happened.. i seen it first hand at what happened... the post has since been taking down by Danny but the build series videos are on his channel. look at the second community post from Danny where he explains what happened https://www.youtube.com/@DannyBTrainz/community

 

[RetroRails12]

As @valbridge points out above that is a very vague claim. Where is the evidence to back it up?

A search on the issue of AI hacking turned up a great deal on the potential of AI systems being hacked by cyber criminals to steal data but very little on AI being used to hack into your computer. If the AI delivers your data request as an image or as text then I do not see how that could happen.

If the AI delivered data contains a link that you are foolish enough to click on then it is the same as you clicking on a link in an email from an unknown source. Who is to blame? Is it the hacker (or AI) for sending out the email or is it you for blindly opening its link?

This is not to say that such an attack will not (eventually) happen but again, if you don't put in defences that check all incoming data and don't exercise some caution, then who is to blame?

As for an AI (and I don't mean Alister and his fellow Trainz AI drivers) creating an entire route - while I have learned that with technology you can never say "never", I suspect that we are still "a ways off" that happening for a small niche hobby game.

see post 12.. this such thing happened a year and a half ago..

 

[pware]

see post 12.. this such thing happened a year and a half ago..

I accessed his YouTube Channel (using the address you posted). His videos and posts only go back 1 year. I found one post from 7 months ago referring to a major system "crash" where he lost all his data.

I come to you all with some very sad news. I am most likely going to lose ALL of my data on my computer that I have been using to build on in Trainz 22.I saw there was a needed update, and once I processed that and restarted, I was greeted with this screen, locking me out of my computer because of BitLocker. I have gone to the websites mentioned, logged in to all of my possible Microsoft accounts, even contacted my college to see if it was linked to my old school email address that was shut down. No dice. I can’t find the BitLocker recovery key, which means I’ll likely need to take this in to GeekSquad for a full system recovery, likely eliminating all of my stored data as well.

This was followed by an image of the BitBlocker screen he was experiencing.

Thankfully, this seems to more or less impact DannyBTrainz more than anything here. I keep a lot of stuff on DropBox, so I can come back to it. I still have all of my railfan catches on DropBox, so I can keep that safe.

It really just more or less wipes out all of my game data more than anything. So, expect a refresh

Nowhere does he mention a "hack" or any attack from an AI system. BitBlocker is certainly not an AI system. It is a feature provided by Windows to help secure your data as explained below.

"BitLocker" is a feature in Windows that encrypts entire drives, protecting your data from unauthorized access if the drive is stolen or accessed on another device. It works by requiring a decryption key, usually a password or recovery key, to access the data. If BitLocker is enabled, accessing the drive without the correct key will result in the data appearing as gibberish.

 

[hiawathamr]

Yeah, if you don't have access to your Bitlocker key, you are out of luck.

Even Bitlocker recovery programs (which I had to use when I accidentally wiped the data on the wrong drive, thank goodness it wasn't formatted as data would’ve been unrecoverable but that didn’t happen. All what wiping the data just deletes the links to those files (aka hides them) and marks those files to be written over). Because I didn’t proceed with the installation nothing was overridden and thus I was able to recover everything again after providing the recovery program with the BL key.

When I made some hardware changes for my network server by adding a 10gbe network adapter and removing the 1030 GPU as it was no longer needed, it asked for the Bitlocker key as it detected hardware changes – I’d say that's a good security standpoint. It didn’t stop me from booting as I could retrieve my BL keys off my external drive (which is also encrypted as it’s a backup drive for the server data) so I could continue with the boot up.

I’ve been using Bitlocker for several years and didn’t have any issues but do make sure you backup and don’t lose your recovery key as you never know if the day might come if you need to type that in to access your data because something caused the TPM to think something has changed.

This is why backups are important.

Cheers

 

[RetroRails12]

I accessed his YouTube Channel (using the address you posted). His videos and posts only go back 1 year. I found one post from 7 months ago referring to a major system "crash" where he lost all his data.
In Response to your question here is my answer:
Trainz 22: AI-Inspired Appalachia Route (Lost Route) This Link Provides the Evidence of when the crash happened the very last video #4 was the one last one he made before the Computer Crash from Using A.I.! if you watch thee entire series from beginning to end He shows how to build the route using Bing A.I. which at the time was in Beta testing released to the general public...

This was followed by an image of the BitBlocker screen he was experiencing.
In Response to your second question: That Bitlocker screen known to most as another BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH is one that is very selldom Recoverable without the correct Passcode to unlock the bitlocker. For Example, I had this exact same thing happen in 2020 when i got hacked and i was able to trace what happened back to a Family member who i knowlonger speak with... sometimes you can trace where it came from and like what Danny Had happen and i asked him about this he said according to Geek Squad he was Hacked by an Unknown Hacker..

To answer your third question about the Attack from AI system dannyb put out a message on his personal facebook page that talked about what happened (the post since has been taken down because for the fear of Retailiation from the hackers to protect himself and his family...)

Nowhere does he mention a "hack" or any attack from an AI system. BitBlocker is certainly not an AI system. It is a feature provided by Windows to help secure your data as explained below.

"BitLocker" is a feature in Windows that encrypts entire drives, protecting your data from unauthorized access if the drive is stolen or accessed on another device. It works by requiring a decryption key, usually a password or recovery key, to access the data. If BitLocker is enabled, accessing the drive without the correct key will result in the data appearing as gibberish.

 

[martinvk]

one user actually Got his Computer hacked using A.I. to create a Route! it litterly took his computer down for several months and lost every bit of information he had on his system....

So the sky wasn't falling. Not AI, just a Bitlocker issue.
That's how rumours are started.

 

[RetroRails12]

So the sky wasn't falling. Not AI, just a Bitlocker issue.
That's how rumours are started.

go see my Reply to Pware post number 16

 

[pware]

go see my Reply to Pware post number 16

A badly formatted and confusing post. The quotes attributed to me contain material that I never posted.

As pointed out by @martinvk above, the issue he was posting about was BitBlocker. There is no evidence, despite your claim about alleged coercion and threats, that any form of AI was involved. I could not find any similar claims in my searches on AI and cybersecurity that identified clear evidence of AI based hacking attacks. I accept that he may have been under the impression that an AI system was to blame but, so far at least, the cybersecurity industry does not support that beyond future possibilities.