Can't throw switches in Driver

[davesnow]

Put a new rail line down and some of the switches I can throw in driver, but these I can't (see picture). I can throw them by going to map view but not in driver. Anyone got a clue? I already replaced the switch machines but that didn't help.

Thanks

Dave

 

[normhart]

Dave, look at the switches in Surveyor. Do they have red circles instead of yellow/white circles around them? If so you may have to tweak their height/angle etc to get the circles to go yellow/white.

 

[RJArtim]

No good. When that does to me, I just have to lift the track at switch and it will work. RJArtim

 

[JCitron]

Those red circle are normal with regular track, and that doesn't appear to be protrack.

I did have this occur once due to some data corruption. For some reason my track became scnery objects and the only way to repair that was to open the track for editing and then submit it. (Don't revert).

 

[RJArtim]

Not from me, but I try when it happens for me. RJ Artim

 

[davesnow]

In surveyor, all the switches look the same as my screenshot above. It's just that some of them work in driver just fine, but those in the shot do not.

 

[cascaderailroad]

If you have a constant gradient on a straightaway, (using the "Hold" "Shift" KB Key) lay a section of sacrificial single track slightly off to the side, and straighten it, the entire length of the gradient, and apply the measured gradient height numerals to each end of the sacrificial single track, and it should end up laying that same gradient as the mainline, to the single track

Look straight down, and rotate the trackage perfectly horizontally across your monitor

If you want to find the correct spline point height of an adjacent spline point ... Place a spline point directly across on the sacrificial single track ... measure that spline point height, and lock and load that numeral in to the "get/apply spline point" height numeral box ... Press "Undo" and the sacrificial track spline point will disappear, and will be straight again ... Now apply that sacrificial track spline point height numeral to the intended adjacent track spline point ... keep doing this process all up and down the gradient, and all your switch's will be on solid ground, once you apply the "smooth spline" tool button

The trick is pressing "undo", and locking and loading the sacrificial spline point numeral into the "apply height" track box ... and never having more than one intermediate track spline point circle on the sacrificial single track

 

[llebrez]

If you have a constant gradient on a straightaway, (using the "Hold" "Shift" KB Key) lay a section of sacrificial single track slightly off to the side, and straighten it, the entire length of the gradient, and apply the measured gradient height numerals to each end of the sacrificial single track, and it should end up laying that same gradient as the mainline, to the single track

Look straight down, and rotate the trackage perfectly horizontally across your monitor

If you want to find the correct spline point height of an adjacent spline point ... Place a spline point directly across on the sacrificial single track ... measure that spline point height, and lock and load that numeral in to the "get/apply spline point" height numeral box ... Press "Undo" and the sacrificial track spline point will disappear, and will be straight again ... Now apply that sacrificial track spline point height numeral to the intended adjacent track spline point ... keep doing this process all up and down the gradient, and all your switch's will be on solid ground, once you apply the "smooth spline" tool button

The trick is pressing "undo", and locking and loading the sacrificial spline point numeral into the "apply height" track box ... and never having more than one intermediate track spline point circle on the sacrificial single track

Interesting that you describe exactly what I do in my gradients: Kudos. Now, when the gradient have curves, the method is not exactly as you describe, because you are forced to have intermediate splines, but there are ways around this.. Anyhow, in order to have perfectly straight lines with several points on the way (close proximity), I lay, and superimpose, a rails only track (press shift for this), where one spline end is here, and the other at the near end of the straight track you're working. For the sake of been sure, use your straight tool to make this sacrificial track perfectly straight. Then is easy to see that at some points the basic track is not aligned to the sacrificial track. Move them until all the splines are exactly over it. Delete the sacrificial track and look at the results: Is amazing.

 

[davesnow]

I have gone back and re-worked everything--- fixed track and switch heights--- replaced track and switches--- to no avail. All my switches work in surveyor and driver--- EXCEPT those four in my screenshot. I'm at a loss....

 

[cascaderailroad]

Tugging them around back and forth in trackside/trackmarker mode may fix them ?

I place switch machines on the straight leg of a turnout, then slide it backwards, into place using the trackmaker mode, then it stays on the straight leg, and doesn't jump across to the curved leg, (as what happens by sliding it in trackside mode)

 

[philskene]

Hi Dave --

Can't throw the switches in Driver? Do you mean with a mouse click or by using the "J" key?

If the latter I don't know. If the former it might be that a structure or object is intercepting the mouse. I see that there is a big building to the top left and bottom right of your screen shot. Perhaps try removing that.

Please tell us if it helps.

Phil

 

[davesnow]

Hi Dave --

Can't throw the switches in Driver? Do you mean with a mouse click or by using the "J" key?

If the latter I don't know. If the former it might be that a structure or object is intercepting the mouse. I see that there is a big building to the top left and bottom right of your screen shot. Perhaps try removing that.

Please tell us if it helps.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Apparently it was the structure and all surrounding buildings (all one BIG asset) that was preventing the switches from working. I moved my crossover away from the structures and now the switches work. Thank you for your insight.

Dave Snow

 

[snurf]

I just had the same problem. It was caused by a small shed close to the switch in the same layer. Moving the shed to a different layer solved the problem. I was used to larger structures extending their impact to other areas, buyt this was the first time I had a problem with a small shed. Phil, you're a genius!

 

[llebrez]

Try to ad switches (any kind) to one of these harbors having cranes and ships. You will discover that the points do not change when you activate with the mouse. However, in surveyor they work. Plus, if you use the "track view ahead", they can be changed clicking in the switch icon. Also, doing the "J" or control "J" should also change the near-loco one. This is an old malady of Trainz, still to be resolved.. if ever.

 

[caroper]

Thanks Phil,
I had the same issue with a new layout and found this whilst searching for an answer.
It wasn't a building in my case but the backdrop that was blocking things.
And the Points in question where nowhere near it.

Ever since 2019 service pack 5 Trainz is virtually unusable for Model Railway simulation.