A newbies guide to the world of trainz

Jimmyp4

New member
I recently have noticed there has been a spike in questions about how to create routes in trainz and stuff like that.

well I compiled a tutorial consisting of pictures from my old guide thread prior to the great forum crash, as well as some new ones to teach the new guys how to create routes in trainz.

users feel free to add you own little lessons and tips to the thread!

trainz2009-10-3018-20-05-68.jpg

first part is easy, create a route. You give it a name and you can set a region.
The region does NOT determine which kinds of vehicles and buildings are available, you can still place UK stuff on a US layout.

trainz2009-10-3018-20-16-69.jpg

Ok, heres where we start with a blank slate. The most frequently asked question I've seen is, "how do you make the space larger?" Ok, see the two buttons on either side of section? (in the lower part of the expanded construction menu?) the one on the left adds another square to the layout, the one on the right deletes a square and everything on it.

trainz2009-10-3018-20-29-30.jpg

Click in the direction you want another board (out in space, not on the current board), and another one will appear.

trainz2009-10-3018-20-34-13.jpg

you can make all sorts of shapes this way.

don't post yet!
 
Last edited:
laying track is fairly straight forward. however here are some tips to help!

trainz2009-10-3018-21-46-18.jpg

heres a straight piece of track, with nothing with it, it will stay straight.


trainz2009-10-3018-21-52-08.jpg

but, add another section of track, and the stright section kinks!

trainz2009-10-3018-21-55-80.jpg

use the track straightening tool at the bottom of the menu (its highlighted in the picture) and click on the original straight section of track. it will now be straight again. TIP: the straightener tool also works on spline sections to straighten them out

trainz2009-10-3018-22-09-47.jpg

make the curve the radius you want it to be, and then make another section and straighten it. this makes a nice, free-flowing curve.

trainz2009-10-3018-22-56-59.jpg

making a switch is the same way. just make sure you make it smooth.
 
trainz2009-10-3018-24-29-02.jpg

when you make a side by side trackage section like this, you can see the track on the siding isn't straight. Use you straightener tool to fix that. then move the track until you get a smooth switch.

trainz2009-10-3018-24-33-11.jpg

much better!

trainz2009-10-3018-25-35-51.jpg

buildings are simple! its easy to figure out what does what. Here I have lined up a building with the tracks.

trainz2009-10-3018-25-39-90.jpg

the two big buttons at the top of the menu control the selection. The one with the house is the buildings selection, and the one with the lines are called "splines". these are objects like track you can bend and shape by attaching them to each other like track. fences, tree sets, roads, parking lots, etc all go in this category.

trainz2009-10-3018-25-53-56.jpg

just placed a loading dock to show how you place a spline.
 
trainz2009-10-3018-26-10-72.jpg

onto fences. in this case i have a straight fence.

trainz2009-10-3018-26-13-55.jpg

however, add another section and it does this.
In the lower right of the menu there is what looks like a curve. click it, then click a spline point to detach them. when you originally laying the fence, you can also press shift so the spline points won't attach.

trainz2009-10-3018-26-25-30.jpg

tada!
 
Just a quick note that there is a very good tutorial in the TRS2006 PDF manual. I've been going through it recently, and have found a few things that I never knew. E.g. how the 'plateau' tool operates!

I would highly recommend having a read of it :)

Zec
 
Did I miss the part of making sure the side that should be north is north before starting creating?. Probably not important for a layout but it can be important for a route.
 
virtual railroader.com is an online zine that deals with "v scale" railroading. there are a series of articles that pertain to the basics of track, turnouts, signaling, portals and many other topics as well. i have found a ton of useful stuff there
 
The region does NOT determine which kinds of vehicles and buildings are available, you can still place UK stuff on a US layout.

The Region does determine what vehicles will be driving on the roads; and what side of the road they are on.

peter
 
Back
Top