Is There A Way To Create A Simple Route Map?

[sterrett]

Just curious. Some of the layouts I have downloaded are great. The only thing is, I always rweak them to have Passenger Enabled Stations (usually use the AJS ones).

If I don't use a layout for a while, (thinking of UK Branchlines), I tend to forget the stations and which Platforms face which direction.

Similarly, my own "Beeching's Withered Arm" is now getting very unwieldy for anyone not familiar with South West England and when I package it up on CD-ROM for Auran, I would like to include a "ReadMe Route Map".

Short of hand-drawing a route map of my own and scanning it as a BMP or JPG image, is there an alternative way of doing a simple route map?

(Before anyone suggests TrainzMap, it wants to churn out 64 pages for UK Branchlines and over 1000 pages for Beeching!)

 

[bl4882]

Post withdrawn.
Bernie

 

[Jananton]

Well, I won't suggest TrainzMap then:hehe: , allthough the number of pages depends on the drawing size you can setup in a dialog somewhere. I agree not very intuitive and quite user unfriendly.
I've personally never tried this, but I suppose you could make screenshots from the map in surveyor with allmost all added data switched off. Then open up your favorite paint program, open those screenshots, make them BW and then patch them together. After that remove the unimportant bits, or the pieces that you will show in a more detailed section map. Then scale it all down to a size that will fit the layout of your ReadMe pages.

Well, this is just an idea of course.

Greetings from nighttime Amsterdam,

Jan

 

[sterrett]

Thanks Jan from nighttime Amsterdam! (With what I remember of nighttime Amsterdam, I'm surprised you have any time for Trainz! :hehe

I will have a closer look at the TrainzMap settings, but your idea is pretty sound.

You see, what I am trying to achieve is similar to this:

http://www.semgonline.com/sr_map/lswrmap.html

You see, the old LSWR just used three sheets of paper (or light card) was sufficient for quite a detailed map of a sprawling network 220 miles from Waterloo to Padstow to place in a railway carriage!

 

[stagecoach]

You could use a text document like word pad and list all stations for each route (Exeter to Barnstaple or Plymouth to Exeter) then place the platform name for the up line and the down line next to them. Ive done this with my route and also show any via trackmarks etc that you would need to use for the route to run ok.
Station.............Down........Up
Exeter...............1,2,3........3,4,5.. ..Do not use 1 for Exeter Central
Exminster...........3,4...........2,1
TM Via DW..........dn...........up........Dawlish Warren non stopping only
Dawlish Warren....dn............up
TM Via HY..........App..........Exit......All trains except those for Hackney Yard
Newton Abbot.....3,4...........2,1

The platform name/number is shown with the main platform first then the next important one
These can then be printed out for reference.

 

[jjqburch]

As Jananton mentions, you could take screenshots of the in-game map, and if you have photoshop, you could use its photomerge option to automatically stitch the images together. Its accurate and quick. Its not going to look quite so authentic as you might be hoping but it would be relatively easy.

 

[trackplate]

Personally I use a combination of a Photo and a Word program to create a simple working map in jpg form as you will find included in the pack with all my routes
Regards Bob V

 

[Paddington]

SIMPLE ROUTE MAP?

I use Excel type pages to make a system map. I transfer this from sketches in the design stage. It includes all point #'s, Section or area codes for route selection and signalling. Platform no's also are noted together with the compass directions and track running directions. The drawing says a lot and it can be updated (with references and dates).

When the time comes to make a Timetable, I again use an Excel Worksheet (in the same Workbook) to keep them all together. It all makes a nice PC file to keep notes in about a layout for future reference etc.. I keep route running times in a Table also because they form the basis of the timetable.

using Excel for the timetable also means that you can use its formula to repeat schedules etc..

 

[Red_Rattler]

I think he means a simple line map, like the various cities transport routes, such as London's simple underground maps. It may take a bit of time, but it's not that hard to do. Just have say a rectangle for say a yard or depot, (& maybe have an inset for these), and for example thicker lines to represent multiple maps, and thinner lines for single lines.

 

[Paddington]

Excel has all the capabilities that Red Rattler submits. You can even use colours and shading to indicate buildings etc..