The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19 and Trainz Plus.
What are Track Markers?
In Summary: |
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Track Markers are red coloured track objects that are invisible in Driver Mode but visible in Surveyor Mode. They are used as destinations or waypoints for AI driver commands |
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Track Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have no effect on manually controlled trains |
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The direction that the marker is pointing has absolutely NO EFFECT on its operation |
Trainz relies heavily on Track Markers to direct trains around a layout under the control of the AI system.
Route or Session?
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Track Markers can be placed in a Route layer or in a Session layer |
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Notes:
- Placing Track Markers in a Route layer (e.g. in the same layer as the track) means that they will be available in all Sessions created using that particular Route.
- Placing Track Markers in a Session layer means that they will only be available in that Session. This can be useful if two or more Sessions are being created and you want to use different Track Marks (destinations and waypoints) in each Session.
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Information on Route and Session layers can be found at:-
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Adding a Track Marker
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Notes:
A Track Marker has two important properties:-
- its name which is needed for all commands and rules that use the Track Marker, and
- its Trigger Radius (the red "wings" shown in the image below, the radius value is shown below the marker name). This controls how close an AI controlled train has to approach the marker
The direction that a Track Marker is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation |
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Enter a useful name for each Track Marker - the name will be needed for driver commands. Most creators base the name on the location (e.g. "Maintown Track 1 North") |
Setting the Trigger Radius
At the bottom of the Track Tools flyout menu is an Advanced button. Click this button to open the Track Marker advanced tool set.
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Once you have a Trigger Radius entered in the value box, you can apply it to any number of Track Markers by using method shown above |
Track Marker Operation
The most common use for Track Markers is as destinations for driver commands or as "way points" to direct a train to a destination via one or more intermediate places. They can also be used as the targets for Navigation Points and coupling operations.
Driver Navigation Commands
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Information on adding driver commands can be found at:-
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Drive To Trackmark and Drive Via Trackmark commands will NOT force the AI to find a clear path to the Track Marker if the shortest path is blocked |
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Navigate To Trackmark and Navigate Via Trackmark commands will force the AI to find a clear path to the Track Marker if the shortest path is blocked. The path chosen may not be prototypical |
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Drive To Trackmark
Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Marker. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Marker. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will NOT attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed.
This command is built in to Trainz
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Drive Via Trackmark
Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to and through the designated Track Marker. If there are no further navigation commands (e.g. Drive To, etc) then the AI will halt the train after passing the Track Marker. If there are further navigation commands then the AI will proceed through the Track Marker to the next Track Marker or Industry at normal speed. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will NOT attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed.
This command is built in to Trainz
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Navigate To Trackmark
Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Marker. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Marker. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed.
This command is built in to Trainz
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Navigate Via Trackmark
Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to and through the designated Track Marker. If there are no further navigation commands (e.g. Navigate To, etc) then the AI will halt the train after passing the Track Marker. If there are further navigation commands then the AI will proceed through the Track Marker to the next Track Marker or Industry at normal speed. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed.
This command is built in to Trainz
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Navigation Points
Navigation Points can be attached to Track Markers to provide users with session instructions.
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Information on navigation points can be found at:-
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Coupling Operations
An AI controlled train can be issued with a driver command to couple with the consist located at a specified Track Marker.
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The AI driver moves the train (or just the locomotive if it is by itself) to couple with the wagon that is closest to a specified trackmark. More information on this command can be found at Couple At Trackmark
This command must be downloaded from the DLS and installed in Trainz
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Information on adding driver commands can be found at:-
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Related Links
Trainz Wiki
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More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz
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This page was created by Trainz user pware in September 2019 and was last updated as shown below.