Mile Posts Marker Placement

[dricketts]

Does anyone have a preferred method of placing mile posts on a prototypical route?
I have a list of bridges and stations with their respected mile mark for reference. I was thinking I could use Google Earth and the ruler tool to trace back from those points.
Has anyone used an easier method?

 

[cascaderailroad]

On a straight track, measure with the Trainz ruler 5280 feet ... place a train such as: several "3000 Ton US Coal" ... delete cars one at a time until the train is 5280 feet long .... save as a "New Consist": named @ 5280 Foot Train.

Use the 5280 Foot Train as a rolling Trainz ruler measuring tool.

In Google Earth use the Tools/Ruler/Path/Feet ... when measureing a curve use many short straight segments around the curve

 

[dricketts]

Great idea using the consist. Never thought of that and that would be pretty easy.

Thanks

 

[davesnow]

I use the "consist method" when placing mile markers. I have a consist 1/2 mile long, with a set of green cars 1/4 mile long and a set of white cars for the other 1/4 mile. I place mile markers every 1/4 mile. Also, I use this same consist for placing whistle signposts... placing them 1/4 mile before a crossing for main line. If the crossings are in a city with a slower speed limit, I just interpolate where to place them.

 

[Dermmy]

An added twist to dave's 'W' post method:

Assuming 1/4 mile placement, make a consist 1/2 mile long and make sure the car in the centre of the consist is distinctive - I use all white hoppers, with a red box car as the centre car.

When placing the consist, get vertically over the crossing and click the mouse dead centre of the crossing. In the absence of any obstructions this should place the distinctive car slap bang on the crossing, with the end cars 1/4 mile either side. If there is an obstruction the distinctive car won't be on the crossing alerting you instantly to the problem...

Need more? Add another distinctive car a hundred yards or so in from each end to locate 'W' posts in lo-speed areas.

And a twist to placing mile post markers:

Folks refer to 'moving' the consist to place markers - don't, that's just too hard! Get one consist in the right place, put down the marker, then add another mile-long consist, place the marker, add another consist etc. Much quicker than 'moving' one consist along the track...

Andy

 

[rrfoose]

I too use the consist method for placing mile markers. Never thought of it for whistle boards though! Is there a rule/law for how far ahead of time a train should start blowing it's whistle. I usually just "eyeball it" based on what my speed limits are - not so great for standardization purposes... But if there's a specified time, then one could easily make up consists to equal appropriate distances for given speed limits.

And since Andy beat me with his post, I just have to add that I like his ideas! That'll definitely be easier than continually moving the consist...!

 

[dricketts]

All great ideas guys!

 

[Pencil42]

I just use the rulers, verifying against known points that still exist on the Google images (bridges, stations, etc.)
The fixed length consists don't help me too much, since I'm also locating grade crossings, culverts, sidings, etc; much of which has been covered in development in the intervening 60 years....

Curtis

 

[schweitzerdude]

Just did this today - one more suggestion

Today I put km markers on all of my main lines. Since I have a straight track over 1 km, using the ruler it was easy to build a 1 km consist. But then I had trouble moving the end of the consist to the marker to see where the next one marker should be placed.

Turns out you can't move a consist in surveyor if switches are set against it, so you may need to reset them.

Once I discovered that was the problem, all went well.

 

[Krupa]

Check the DLS for the following:-
Measurement wagon 12 yards, KUID: 74495:100733.
Measurement wagon 18 yards, KUID: 74495:100734.
Measurement wagon 24 yards, KUID: 74495:100735.

Les.