Invisible track

[shovelbell]

In both tracks and objects, I've notice 'invisible' platforms, stations, and track itself. However, I haven't yet found much explanation about it as to how those work and how to use them.

Can someone please explain what and how invisible track and stations and such are used?

 

[Dermmy]

Invis track is used wherever you need to lay track you don't want seen. I use it mostly where a bridge abutment or support is created with an offset that doesn't suit the bridge I want to use. Run Invis track above (or below) the 'real' track to get the supports/abutments at the correct level. Also useful where the AI requires an additional junction (mostly in balloon loops) or for extending track beyond end-of-track markers to get the AI to run right up to a set of buffers for example.

Invis platforms are animated 'industries' where passengers get on-and-off trains. They are placed below non-animated station objects to create the illusion that passenger trainz are serving a useful function, rather than just blocking up the main and making it harder for the freight to get through...

And that was a joke, not a troll....

Andy

 

[TheWaluigiKing]

But why are they used in brick walls?

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Invisible tracks can also be used for driveable assets where seeing a railroad track wouldn't be right. For example, there are ships that can be driven like trains. An invisible track at the appropriate depth below the waterline gives the ship the path to follow. Similarly, there are driveable aircraft and invisible track, raised to an appropriate height, permits them to actually fly up in the air. There are driveable horse-and-riders and horse-and-carts for Old West or such layouts. So, in addition to the railroad uses Andy described, they can be used for a couple neat effects with other transportation!

 

[shovelbell]

The 'drivable' cars and ships, wagons, etc, how does one know amid all the other static cars, and other, which ones are drivable and to be used with invis track. Or are they all drivable if configured in some way?

Also, are specific kinds of roads required to place over invis track?

 

[oknotsen]

The 'drivable' cars and ships, wagons, etc, how does one know amid all the other static cars, and other, which ones are drivable and to be used with invis track. Or are they all drivable if configured in some way?

Set the filter in your Content Manager on "Train Vehicle". Notice for example the amount of airbusses and boeings you find in that list.

Also, are specific kinds of roads required to place over invis track?

No.

 

[shovelbell]

Dear Oknotsen,

While in Surveyor, and with the Content Search Filter box open, when I type in "Train Vehicle", absolutely nothing shows up in objects, tracks, or engines. They are empty. Is there something I am doing wrong? Also, in the 2006 extended manual, it says to "toggle traffic" which I have done and laid down a track road with splines. There is no traffic whatsoever going back and forth on that road.

Man! This Trainz is neat at first. But how do you get a car going on a road? I got track laid, engines and stock going, cool industry things. Even got a horse and rider trotting down a wagon road. All real cool. Naturally I need some carz (regular automobiles).

Any help appreciated.

 

[oknotsen]

Hi,

I didnt say in surveyor. I mean the tool you download new content with: Content Manager. I dont know if it is the same in 2010 as in 12; I assume it is, so select "content" in the start-up menu of the game to the download world. Try to apply the filter I suggested in that. I dont know where they end up in surveyor, as I havent tried to add them to a route yet; my knowledge on this point comes from finding those items on an invisible track on downloaded routes.

But I am slowly starting to get the idea that what you are actually looking for is something slightly different. I understand that you have found the roads, but that apparently you do not have any cars driving on them. I again assume that this works the same in 2010 as in 12: Go to "Edit Route..." which you find under the Main Menu (in surveyor this time). Check which geographical reagion is selected. Make sure that it is not default; select something like "United States" or something (again, still asuming this is working the same in 2010). It is the geographical reagion that decides which cars are driving on the road (and on which side of the road for that mather).

Hope this helps.
Do know that the second half of my answer has nothing to do with the original topic: Invis tracks.

 

[JCitron]

The invisible tracks are also good for abandoned ROW where you want to put in bridge abutments without track. I use them on my route where I now have single track, but it was once a double track line there previously.

John

 

[shovelbell]

Update: Got the cars to driving. Just have to be patient until somebody happens to drive by. I'm real pleased with this game. Wish I'd become a customer sooner. In my view its 100 times faster and better than another train sim I played with for years. But then they shut down. Won't mention the name, however the initials are MSTS. It was good in its day. Have a lot to learn with Trainz on how to build route, etc, but its fun. My 2010 EE came as build 42203, and now is up to 49933. Somewhere along the line, my monitor that blanking out periodically for a second or two has become fixed.