Laying Track (Direction)

[dricketts]

I've read in the TRS2004 manual and the forums that laying track in the same direction is advised. I have some routes where I can confirm the track was not layed in the same direction but I don't see any errors with the AI drivers and signaling.

How critical is this with respect to signal performance? Does an entire route need to have all track layed in the same direction or just between signals. I'm a TRS2004 user.

Thanks!

 

[cascaderailroad]

Dirrection/Signals

I lay track in the intended dirrection of where the train traffic flow will travel...on my 4 track mainline I lay two right hand running tracks going east, and the other 2 going west, in the opposite dirrection.

Sidings on a single track route usually are layed backwards, in the opposite dirrection of the single track route.

European routes usually have track layed as left hand running rule.

 

[gfisher]

In my own experience, the direction you lay the track makes no difference at all. I think it is one of Trainz's urban myths.

 

[davesnow]

In my own experience, the direction you lay the track makes no difference at all. I think it is one of Trainz's urban myths.

I am inclined to agree.

One thing that irks me is, if there is a small spur, the loco will invaribly take that spur, no matter that taking the spur will result in the train taking "the long way around." Even laying the track directions opposite seems to have no effect... the train will STILL take that spur. In most cases, my only option is to plave a "drive via" to bypass the spur.

 

[Dermmy]

I'm with George and Dave - urban myth. There is always another explanation if 'track direction' seems to be an issue.

@ Dave - Trains under AI control will always take the shortest route, if trains are not holding the main then the siding is shorter.

'Drive via' commands can fix it but IMO a better solution is 'Drive to Trackmark List' (on the DLS here) which allows you to prioritise tracks. You can set it so trains will hold the main if it is free, but take the siding if the main is occupied....

Andy

 

[paulzmay]

I've never experienced any issues when using track laid in the 'wrong' direction, though I must confess I usually lay in the direction of travel (mostly so trackside objects don't need turning). After all, double track splines are always two lines in the same direction. I do wonder though if it might make a small difference in the absence of adequate trackmarks and / or signals; otherwise how would a myth like that start?

Now prepare for a few posts by folks who'll swear it makes all the difference...

Paul

 

[dricketts]

Thanks for the replies. I tend to agree.

I've recently spent several hours/days tweaking track and signaling on a large route with no concern to the direction the track was laid. The AI drivers seemed to do great even with several driving at any given time.

It would not be practical at all to try to make realistic turnouts, curves, yards, grades, etc. without laying track from both directions.

 

[Dermmy]

It would not be practical at all to try to make realistic turnouts, curves, yards, grades, etc. without laying track from both directions.

One issue is that even if track IS laid 'directionally' any time a spline point is added and then deleted the direction of any spline in Trainz is reversed. So to get all track absolutely guaranteed directional you would need to lay in every single spline point needed for all trackwork with an absolute certainty that none would ever need deleted....

Too hard!

 

[R701Rusty]

One issue is that even if track IS laid 'directionally' any time a spline point is added and then deleted the direction of any spline in Trainz is reversed. So to get all track absolutely guaranteed directional you would need to lay in every single spline point needed for all trackwork with an absolute certainty that none would ever need deleted....

Too hard!

I was intrigued with this issue and laid a single piece of track across a single baseboard for almost the entire width. I then divided the track into six separate splines by adding spline points and then put trackmarkers on each individual section. Next, I removed the spline point between two sections, which automatically removed the trackmarkers and then replaced at least one trackmarker with a new one. Assuming that the trackmarkers are automatically pointed in the direction of track laying I then found that the new marker had turned around but any marker on track beyond the outside spline points remained as originally placed.
These results show that track direction can be changed by removing spline points but only in sections directly connected with those spline points.
If this affects the workings of AI trains I cannot definitely say but think that if the track is laid "directionally" it can be one less area to worry a lot about when the AI drivers do their own thing. And they will, sooner or later!

Cheers
Russell.

 

[AussieNightcrawler]

The only problems that you will have with laying track in a different direction to travel is that the signals and speed boards will face in the direction in which the track was layed. So you will have to go around and 'rotate' all the signals and speed boards so they face the correct way you want.

This is the main reason why I lay track in the direction of travel by default, saves time going back over everything.

This goes for 'markers' as well, they will face in the direction in which the track was layed.

http://members.westnet.com.au/nightcrawler/trainz/track-misalign-02.jpg

You can see this in the above screen, you may also see that at the spline point the rails are misaligned.