How to Use Track Priority Markers

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The information in this Wiki Page applies to both TANE and TRS19.

Contents

What are Track Priority Markers?

In Summary:
DotPoint.JPG Track priority markers are purple coloured track markers that are invisible in Driver Mode but visible in Surveyor Mode. They are used to direct specific trains through the track section where they are placed
DotPoint.JPG Track priority markers are NOT a substitute for Driver Commands or Interlocking Towers

Adding a Track Priority Marker

PriorityMarker1.png

Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Open the Track Tool
  2. Select the Trackmark button
  3. Select the Track Priority Marker
  4. Select the + (add) button - it may already be selected
  5. Click on the track location where the priority marker is to be placed


This will place the Priority Track Marker on the track and open its properties window.
PriorityMarker2.png

Click the label Priority 2 to select one of level 1, 2 (the default selection), or 3.


DotPoint.JPG Priority levels have no set meanings but can be assigned to specific trains to force them through selected sections of track (the track sections are defined as between consecutive junction sets)


Assigning Priority Levels to Trains

NotePad.PNG Notes:
Every locomotive (and its consist) must have a Priority Level of 1, 2 or 3. You cannot assign NO Priority to a locomotive
PencilTips.PNG If you do not want some consists to be controlled by Priority Track Markers then assign those consists one of the three levels and do not use Priority Track Markers set to that level

Priority 2 is the default level. Again, these values have no set meaning beyond what you decide they will mean.

For example you could assign priority 1 to express trains and 3 to slow general freight stopping trains.


Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Open the properties window of a locomotive
  2. Click the Train Priority value - each click will cycle through the values 1, 2, 3
  3. Click the OK (tick) to accept the change

PriorityTrain.png

Priority Marker Operation

Main Points:
DotPoint.JPG Priority Track Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have no effect on manually controlled trains
DotPoint.JPG Priority Track Markers fool an AI train that has the same priority level into thinking that the path containing the marker is the shortest possible path, even when it is not
DotPoint.JPG If the priority level of the AI train does not match the priority level of the Priority Track Marker, then the AI will ignore the marker and select its own path which may be the same one that contains the priority marker
DotPoint.JPG If the specified path is blocked, then the AI will ignore the Priority Track Marker and find another path
DotPoint.JPG The direction that the Priority Track Marker is pointing has NO effect on its operation

Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. Three trains - Red, Green, Yellow - have been given priority levels of 1, 2 and 3 as shown. Each is given the driver command Drive to Trackmark or Navigate to Trackmark. The destination trackmark is shown on the right.

In Figure 1 below, no Priority Track Markers have been set. All three trains will take the shortest path assuming there are no blockages.

Priority Map - Priority NULL
Figure 1


In Figure 2 below, a Priority Track Marker has been placed on the top loop line and has been given a priority level of 1. The red train will now take the Priority 1 path while the green and yellow trains are unaffected.

Priority Map - Priority 1
Figure 2


In Figure 3 below, a Priority Track Marker has been placed on the lower loop line and has been given a priority level of 3. The yellow train will now take the Priority 3 path while the red and green trains are unaffected.

Priority Map - Priority 3
Figure 3


In Figure 4 below, Priority Track Markers have been placed on the upper and lower loop lines and set as shown. The red and yellow trains will take their respective loop paths while the green train is unaffected.

Priority Map - Priority 1&3
Figure 4


In Figure 5 below, two Priority Track Markers have been placed on the lower loop line and set as shown. The green and yellow trains will take the lower loop path while the red train is unaffected. Remember that the Default Priority Level of every train is 2.

Priority Map - Priority 2&3
Figure 5


In Figure 6 below, Priority Track Markers have been placed on both loop lines and set as shown. The result will be that no AI controlled trains will take the centre loop path.

Priority Map - Priority 1, 2&3
Figure 6


The exception, shown in Figure 7 below, will occur when one or more of the Priority Track Marker paths have been blocked, for example by a consist under AI or manual control. The red train will take its assigned path while the green and yellow trains will take the next available free path.

Priority Map - Priority 2&3 blocked
Figure 7


Modifying Train Priority Levels

You can alter the Priority Level of a train during the running of a driver session.

DotPoint1.JPG Manually in Driver Mode

This can be done "on the fly" using the mouse.


Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Hold down the CTRL key and right mouse click on the locomotive or on any of the wagons in the consist
  2. Select View Details from the popup menu
  3. Click the current priority setting to cycle through the values to the one you want

View Details

DotPoint2.JPG Using a Driver Command

This can be done in Surveyor in the session PageLink.PNGDriver Setup Rule or by adding a driver command to the command bar in Driver.

  • Insert the driver command PageLink2.PNG Priorityz into the driver command bar and set it to the new level

Information on adding driver commands can be found in the Trainz Wiki at:-
WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Driver Setup Rule




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