Rules and Their Usage

[billcaboose]

Hello !
Finding my way to this little posting spot was tough. It means I'm either as dense as a post or this online forum stuff is as complex as the game itself.

I'm a retired old guy with time on my hands and a desire to build a railroad. Got Railroad Simulator, Trainz 12, several weeks ago and have been reading and re-reading the book, building test track, and generally scoping out the game. Also have pulled info off of Wikipedia--a good source for railroad information. Got some good visuals by downloading train and track photos off the Internet for computer slideshows.

I'm methodically trying to understand this game and would like to eventually create a layout of about 10 or 14 trains. I'm thinking 8 or 10 AI with only 1 or 2 that I run and perhaps another two on Auto Pilot. Would like to create a great geography of many tables/boards, scheduling for operations in my own made up world. I've started working my way through testing the rules on small layouts, trying to isolate how they work and looking to discern the possibilities. I'm having a lot of trouble determining how a lot of the rules work: what they individually mean (most give little or no information) and how they're set up for operations. Is there a place where I can learn about the ins-and-outs of this???

For example: I've tested very many of the rules in various configurations, singly and/or jointly to try to get an AI coal train to work at the Lignite Coal Co. Aside from using a trackmark, I can't figure out how to set up a "pathway" for the train to get there and perform operations. I'd sure be glad to find some like minds out there. I'm thinking of this as a hobby more than a game. I love its scope and potential. Hope to hear from you.

Billcaboose, or just Bill

 

[fran1]

Set a route by using track marks and the command drive/navigate via. So it would be navigate via xxx trackmarks then to coal mine, load, navigate via xxxx trackmarks to unload point, unload.
If you have other Ai consists running at the same time it's the only way to go otherwise you'll end up with stalemates, 2 consist wanting to use the same track.
Use the route layer in surveyor and place the trackmarks.
Add the schedule library and the copy commands from rule. In the library make a set of commands which will take you to the industry and then to your unload point.
In the driver session you then pick a driver and give them the command "copy commands from library", coal run1 (or whatever you've named the set of commands you want them to follow). no limit to how many sets you place in the library.

 

[sniper297]

One way to do it is examine a session somebody else made which has the type of thing you want to do.

American Flyer,<kuid:522774:100852>
American Flyer Template 1,<kuid:522774:100864>

The "template 1" is the base session for the route, that has coal trains spawning in the mine, loading the cars and driving to another town to dump the coal at a power station, then returning empty to another city. Sequence is drive via trackmark, drive to (name of unloader), unload, drive to next trackmark, etc.

The problem is an old one;

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?75080-Session-rules-No-description-provided

And in most cases you just have to make a new post asking about what you specifically want to do so someone can tell you that a rule exists, then you have to ask again how to use the blasted thing since there are no instructions. The whole Trainz experience is like walking in at the middle of a movie and having to leave before the end, and people trying to tell you how it ended assume you saw the beginning.

 

[danny5]

Hi Bill, I to am a old you know.I've been with trainz for 8 years and if you down load Team Speak (it a free talk program) I will help & talk you thru what i can & mabe get you into multiplayer session too.

 

[KenGreen]

I found the Manual that came with TRS2006 invaluable for understanding Trainz but I don't know if it is generally available (someone may provide a link if available). I also found the Marias Pass Approach and the sessions that were built into TRS2006 TS2009 & TS2010 useful as the pop up instructions told you what to do if you wanted the AI to drive. (the route and sessions are on the DownLoad Station - DLS)

Ken

 

[billcaboose]

Hello danny5,
Thanks for answering my post. Sorry I haven't gotten back till now. Holidays! "Team Speak" sounds interesting. Am looking into it. SS budget restraints. Which do you believe is more important to game success at beginning stages: a "First Class Ticket" or communications with other Trainz enthusiasts via "Team Speak"? The more involved I become, the more lost I feel. But as a hobby, it offers such opportunities to learn and create something involving and nice.
billcaboose (Bill)

 

[Dap]

Bill,

Welcome to the fantastic world of Trainz and old guys. TeamSpeak is free. www.teamspeak3.com An FCT is essential if you want to download any amount of content. And as one old guy to another, you will be downloading lots of stuff.

When I started Trainz back in '06, my goal was to model the FtDDM&S. I decided to do it historically, creating the original Boone Vally Coal & Railway line and then as the years go by, add the appropriate track. I still go back to this project from time to time, but there are so many other interesting things to do.

Here is a link to the sessions rules guide. http://ebookbrowse.com/trs2006-sessions-rules-guide-pdf-d219248889

When you get things more organized and ready to do some real prototype operations, check out my CMTM system. It gives every freight car a destination that is displayed in a list format. Great if you are doing any amount of yard switching and industry servicing. Take a look at Cattaraugus Creek & Lake Erie CMTM3,<kuid:32711:100377>, CC&LE week of operations,<kuid:32711:100380>. It is a whole week of operations and uses only 8 rules.

Some rules are very complex and powerful such as QuickPortalManager. Others are quite simple and do one thing once.

And now that you know how to post on this forum, you will find an answer to every question you have . . . . .

David

 

[danny5]

BTW Bill once you Download teamspeak there a lot of channels to go to so the one i use is (24.34.133.237)you must put in the dots too.
you will see all the people that on that server and whitch channel they are on. Just double click on the little green box above the person(s) you what to talk with.