Is there a way to do this?

[UncleBuck]

With TLR seeming to be limited to a search distance of ~100Km, is there a way to get the "track" distance between two industries on a layout?

The current way that I do this is to run a session and tell a loco to navigate from industry one to industry two and (using the odometer on the QuickCustom Hud) read the distance.

This takes a lot of time when you are designing/modifying a route layout and, as the dispatch manager already knows if it can find a given commodity, I thought there may be a way to tap into what it knows about the route.

Cheers

 

[HiBaller]

There used to be a thing on the DLS that you could use to measure track distance. I do not remember the name, though. Perhaps someone will jump in here and help. A Custom query of the DLS might work as well.

Bill

 

[pware]

There used to be a thing on the DLS that you could use to measure track distance

It consisted of placing two special track markers and it would then tell you the distance between them. Unfortunately it no longer worked after a new version of Trainz appeared - that was quite a while ago, possibly TRS2009/10 or even earlier.

 

[JCitron]

I used that before and it worked well right up to T:ANE. I think it died due to timing out after N3V put in the time limits for scripted assets.

 

[martinvk]

I think TrainzMap could also do that (or I'm mistaking it for something else, it's been so long). That broke when the baseboard code was changed.
With most if not all add-ons like that made by enthusiastic volunteers for the fun of it, maintaining the code when underlying changes are made is not an easy thing to do. One of the weaknesses of being fan supported although not all for profit items are always maintained either so there is that too.
I guess we should be thankful that some people made (and still make) the effort.

 

[MountE]

You could use a consist to determine distance. There are some consists on the dls of different lengths. They may be somewhat old.

Rob

 

[martinvk]

Actually, just string a bunch of random wagons you already have together to make a convenient length, say 1 km, and use that as a flexible measuring stick. Save it as a consist to make it easy to reuse.

 

[big_b]

Use this it will measure distance in yards or meters. Just put one at each end point ( make sure there facing the right way ) and just read the measurement
listed under ( Track Side when installed ) I use it quit often to make sure passing loops are long enough
<kuid2:117746:23230:1> Track Scanner by sforget

 

[ColPrice2002]

IIRC, the AI can “see” longer - I’ve used the ECML route with over 200 miles between industries. I suspect that there are problems with indirect routing - eg where an industry is located on a branch line with multiple sidings and head shunts. I’ve also found a lot of industries used as scenery (not connected by rail), os disabled.

 

[UncleBuck]

First of all, thanks everyone for the tips, it's really appreciated.

@big_b Unfortunately that Track Scanner seems to have a distance limit of about 25Km, BUT, thanks for the pointer as it is proving to be quite handy for other parts of the building/surveying process.

@martinvk Stringing together a set of wagons 1Km long would work, but, I would have to move the consist 100 times. This seems a little on the excessive side not to mention making sure all the junctions are facing the right way.

@ColPrice2002 The AI can see the entire length of my route plus the branch lines, however, TLR does not like it when the industries are too far apart (at least that's my experience so far).

 

[oknotsen]

@martinvk Stringing together a set of wagons 1Km long would work, but, I would have to move the consist 100 times. This seems a little on the excessive side not to mention making sure all the junctions are facing the right way.

Make a longer one.
Or simply make one with a clearly visible "end" car (like a string of all white hoppers and one green one at the end). Simply add a lot of them together, fly over it counting the "end" cars, multiply by the length of your consist and done.

Or just do it as they do it in real life:
Make a close guestimate based on other known distances on the map.
Every serious railroad knows the distances between mayor towns and yards. Once you know those, you only need to figure out the distance to that known location and whatever location you need.
Nobody cares if you are off by a few kilometer if the total distance is over a 100km anyway.

 

[UncleBuck]

Or just do it as they do it in real life:
Make a close guestimate based on other known distances on the map.
Every serious railroad knows the distances between mayor towns and yards. Once you know those, you only need to figure out the distance to that known location and whatever location you need.
Nobody cares if you are off by a few kilometer if the total distance is over a 100km anyway.

Wow, this should have been obvious to me!!

If I run a consist up the line with it stopping at each station, I can get the odometer distance at each stop, then I could use the Track Scanner to get the distance from the industry to the first station and add the last bit of distance from the last station to the other industry.

Thanks for all your help guys. It really appreciated.

 

[martinvk]

While you're at it, plunk down mile posts at strategic locations to have handy references for future use. Measure once, use many times.