Creating model railroads

[enginewhistle]

I would like to build a model railroad of any scale in Trainz, but how do I get the correct dimensions for scales like HO and N? I've tried to do this before, but the layout becomes overly huge. I'm trying to keep it as close to the scale as possible:'(

 

[mp202]

Hope this helps:

1 N Scale Mile = 33'

Just measure a length of track on the plan and do a simple equation to figure out how long it is in N Scale Miles.

 

[narrowgauge]

Your route will almost certainly end up larger than you like because you have to maintain the correct size in relation to the assets, especially the locos and rolling stock which are all made to Trainz full scale. If a prototype loco is 50 feet long the Trainz equivalent has been made 50 Trainz feet long.

Put an HO loco on your HO layout and see how the layout size compares to what you expect in Trainz

Peter

 

[ray_whiley]

Why use Trainz to make a model railroad instead of taking advantage of the unlimited space offered by Trainz to create a route with correct, prototypical proportions - ie. sweeping curves, stations the correct length, etc?

Just one baseboard In Trainz might be bigger than any model railroad you might have room for!

You can see my thoughts on this at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/raywhiley/layout.plans.html

Ray

 

[mezzoprezzo]

If you use the ruler in Surveyor, you can change the units of measurement from Imperial (or metric), to a selection of your choice from a list of several various modelling scales.

It doesn’t alter the size or looks of the layout or baseboard/s, but it does allow you to measure distances to the model scale chosen. It works pretty well for longish distances, but won’t be very helpful for, e.g. measuring a shed, because the values shown only go to one decimal place.

Here I’ve shown a shed measured in metric, and the n-scale measurement which appears after the scaling has been changed. (The result circled in yellow is pasted over the first image for illustrative purposes only. You can’t get both showing in Surveyor at the same time).

I can’t see much use for it for what I do. Like Ray, I enjoy the unlimited potential af a very large route.

However, it could be useful for someone who wants to re-create their current physical, or childhood memory, mini-scale model in Trainz. (I've built the HO scale layout which used to be in my bedroom sixty years ago!)

The scales can be changed on my version in Surveyor Menu>Edit Route>Working Scale

The choices are:

• Real scale
• S scale
• TT Scale
• Z Scale
• #1 Scale
• 1/2 Scale
• G Scale
• HO Scale
• N Scale
• O Scale
• OO Scale

Cheers
Casper

 

[slabay]

Why use Trainz to make a model railroad instead of taking advantage of the unlimited space offered by Trainz to create a route with correct, prototypical proportions - ie. sweeping curves, stations the correct length, etc?

Just one baseboard In Trainz might be bigger than any model railroad you might have room for!

You can see my thoughts on this at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/raywhiley/layout.plans.html

Ray

I've got to say this, though..... making something off of a model railroad plan gives the possibility that someone can make a layout and ACTUALLY FINISH IT in a few days ( maybe even a few hours!), versus the ponderous prototypical layouts that NEVER come to fruition (I can claim responsibility for one or two of these myself!). I've eyed a few track plans myself and might give one or two a try.

 

[JCitron]

I built the Scenic and Relaxed in TRS2009 and recently updated it to TS12 standards. I used a jpg scanned from Atlas' book the Nine NScale Track Plans. In real life I built the SnR and never finished it, which sounds familiar Scott. In Trainz I had the route done in about an hour.

John

 

[philskene]

Don't underestimate the work!

Hi Scott --

" ... ( maybe even a few hours!) ... " might be a bit of an underestimate.

Even just laying the track for the most simple layout takes several hours, then comes the signalling, structures, terra-forming, texturing, ... .

See this thread, Post #1 and 14:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...designer-for-a-very-simple-commission-project

The thread continues here:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?94865-TrinityJayOne-a-fun-route-begins

Compare the original request in Post #1 and the final outcome.

I have taken it further into a fully functioning route, but it has taken many days.

Phil

 

[BD1]

placemarker

 

[itareus]

When I first bought Trainz it was to help the planning of a model railway. Now the model, half completed, has not benn used for 3 years !

BUT I still like creating model railways in Trainz, there is something about the "manageability" of a small layout. I've even created some 'basebord edge' assets so that I can confine the space used. At the end of the day it's up to the individual...

As Casper said the ruler can help with scales, another way is to think about train lengths - on a model railway how long would the train be ? Then work from this as your ruler.

 

[slabay]

" ... ( maybe even a few hours!) ... " might be a bit of an underestimate.

Even just laying the track for the most simple layout takes several hours, then comes the signalling, structures, terra-forming, texturing, ... .

>snip<

I have taken it further into a fully functioning route, but it has taken many days.

Phil

Sure, a few hours may be a bit short, depending on the complexity....

I was actually following those threads and somehow missed the latest release! I played around with the bare bones map and really liked the layout. I've just downloaded the latest version.

 

[philskene]

Scott --

Ooops!~! Sorry.

I didn't mean to imply that the download is the fully functioning route. It's where it stood before - untextured and with just a small task to do as the AI circulates from one portal to the other.

Phil

 

[ray_whiley]

I've got to say this, though..... making something off of a model railroad plan gives the possibility that someone can make a layout and ACTUALLY FINISH IT in a few days ( maybe even a few hours!), versus the ponderous prototypical layouts that NEVER come to fruition (I can claim responsibility for one or two of these myself!). I've eyed a few track plans myself and might give one or two a try.

Yes, Scott, I fully agree. I myself make layouts using model railway plans but, as I say on my website, expanding them to use the advantages offered by Trainz. As an example, my 'RM1156' route for TRS2004 (originally, but equally OK in later versions). This used a plan by Cyril Freezer (a name which will be familiar to all UK railway modellers) designed as a portable 8' x 6' layout on six 3' boards, but using a whole Trainz board and only built-in content. Great fun to build and use, and relatively quick to complete, yet capable of modification (I have done it in a French setting too) and expand gradually by adding more boards, if desired.

Ray