How to Use Track Markers

The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus and TRS22.

Track Marks are red coloured track objects that are invisible in Driver but visible in Surveyor They are used as destinations or waypoints for AI driver commands They only work on AI controlled trains and have no effect on manually controlled trains The direction that the markers point has absolutely NO EFFECT on their operation

What are Track Marks?

The Trainz AI relies heavily on Track Marks to direct trains around a layout. They are only visible in Surveyor

Track Marks are the targets for:- destinations using Drive To Trackmark and Navigate To Trackmark driver commands waypoints using Drive Via Trackmark and Navigate Via Trackmark driver commands They can also be used to:- hold Navigation Points set locations for Coupling operations

Route or Session?

Track Marks can be placed in a Route Layer or in a Session Layer

Notes: Placing Track Marks in a Route layer (e.g. in the same layer as the track) will save them with the Route and they will be available in all Sessions created using that particular Route Placing Track Marks in a Session layer will save them with the Session and they will only be available in that particular 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.

Information on Route and Session layers can be found at:- How to Use Layers

Adding a Track Mark

Notes: A Track Mark has two important properties:- its name which is needed for all commands and rules that use the Track Mark, and its Trigger Effect Radius (the red "wings" shown in the image below, the radius value is shown below the Track Mark name). This controls how closely an AI train has to approach the marker (smaller radius = closer to the Track Mark) The direction that a Track Mark is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation

In Surveyor Classic (S10)

Adding a Track Mark (S10)

Steps: To add a trackmark:- Open the Tracks Tool Flyout or press the  F4  key Left Click on the Trackmark button or press the  V  key Left Click the item named Track Marker in the asset list Left Click the  +  Add button - it may already be selected - or press the  A  key Left Click on the track location where the Track Mark is to be placed If necessary, you can adjust the position of the Track Mark by dragging it along the track using the Move tool

Immediately after the Track Mark has been placed its properties window will appear. You can:- Enter a Name for the Track Mark, and if needed, select a Layer and a Bound Layer - see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Use layers for the details

Enter a useful name for each Track Mark - the name will be needed for driver commands and session rules. Many creators base the name on the location (e.g. "Maintown Track 1 North")

Set the Track Mark Effect Radius (S10)

At the bottom of the Track Tools flyout menu is an Advanced button. Left Click this button to open the advanced tools.

The Effect Radius is the size of red "effect wings" attached to both ends of the marker. This sets how close a consist has to approach the marker to complete certain driver commands such as "Drive To Trackmark". The smaller the radius the closer it must approach.

Steps: To set a Track Mark Effect Radius:- In the Track Tools flyout, Left Click on the Advanced button to open the Radius tools and properties. You will have a choice of 4 methods to set and adjust the Effect Radius Options: Choose one of:- To copy the Effect Radius of an existing Track Mark Left Click the Get Effect Radius icon Left Click on the Track Mark whose radius you want to copy - the radius will be copied into the Effect Radius Value text box (the default value is 20.00 metres) To apply the new value see option below To manually alter the Effect Radius value Type the new value (in metres) into the Effect Radius Value text box To apply the new value see option below To apply a value in the Effect Radius Value text box (from methods , or ) to another Track Mark Left Click the Copy Radius Value icon Left Click on the Track Mark that is to receive the new value (you can click on more than one) To adjust the Effect Radius value up or down Left Click the Adjust Effect Radius button Select the Track Mark Left Click and Drag Forward (to increase the value) or Backward (to reduce the value) The new value will be immediately applied to the selected Track Mark as the mouse moves (but only one Track Mark at a time)

Once you have an Effect Radius entered in the value box, you can apply it to any number of Track Marks by using method shown above

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20)

Surveyor 2.0 is currently only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum.

Adding a Track Mark (S20)

In the Asset Palette either:-

Left Click on the Track Mesh Filter icon

OR

Left Click on the Content Drop-down Box Then select Track Objects

Notes: If the Assets Palette is not shown on the screen, then:- Steps: To display palettes:- open the Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen   visible palettes have ticks next to their names invisible (hidden) palettes have no ticks next to their names if the Assets Palette, or any required palette, does not have a tick next to its name then Left Click on the name of the palette or on the empty box next to its name. This will add a and make the palette visible There is a Trainz Wiki Page specifically covering the S20 Palettes at  How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes

Shortcut  If you already have a Track Marker placed in your route then:- move the tool pointer over the existing track marker object and hold down the  Alt  key. The object name will appear in a ToolTip attached to the pointer while holding down the  Alt  key Left Click on the track marker to identify it in the Assets Palette and to select the Placement Tool. Release the key. Jump to Step below.

To narrow down the filter list, type "mark" (UPPER/lower case does not matter) in the Search Text Box

This will list all the Track Objects containing the text "mark" in the filter list. Left Click on the item name Track Mark. If you are not sure about an asset then Double Left Click on the name to bring up its image and description.

Place the Track Mark on the track.

Notes: To add a track mark, or any object, you will need to select the Placement Tool To edit a track mark once it has been placed you will usually use either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool

Steps: To add a track mark:- Select the Placement Tool (or press the  E  key) from the Tools Palette Left Click on the track at the position where you want to place the Track Mark Once placed a Track Mark can be easily moved if needed. Notes: To delete a Track Mark (or any asset):- Steps: select either the:- Free Move Tool (or press  S ) OR Fine Adjustment Tool (or press  D ) Left Click on the Track Mark press the  Delete  key

If you need to rotate the Track Mark to face the opposite direction then:- Steps: select the Track Mark then Left Click on its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select the  Rotate Trackside  option Note: the direction it faces has no effect on its operation

Change the Track Mark Name (S20)

The Track Mark name is used to identify it for Drive and other commands.

Steps: To change the name of a Track Mark:- using either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool select (Left Click on) the Track Mark to be renamed in the Info Palette (you may need to make this palette visible - see the Notes: for Step  1  above) Left Click in the Name: entry box. Enter a name for the Track Mark and press the  Enter  key

Set its Effect Radius (S20)

The Effect Radius is the size of red "effect wings" attached to both ends of the marker. This sets how close a consist has to approach the marker to complete certain driver commands such as "Drive To Trackmark". The smaller the radius the closer it must approach.

Steps: To adjust the effect radius of a Track Mark:- Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the Green Dot next to the Track Mark to increase or reduce its Trigger Radius

Move the Track Mark Along the Track (S20)

Track Marks can be moved along the track or to other tracks.

Steps: To move the Track Mark:- Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the Yellow Dot next to the Track Mark to move it along the track or to another track The yellow dot beneath the Track Mark, labelled as in the image, is the Attachment Point for the Track Mark. This is where it is attached to the track and is its Active Point, the target of Drive To Trackmark and Navigate to Trackmark commands. The attachment point is always on the track but the Track Mark object itself, the visible 3D arrow head, does not have to be physically on the track.

Move the Track Mark Vertically (S20)

Track Marks can be physically placed above (or below) the track. This feature allows them to be placed, for example, above the track so that they will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on a marker.

Steps: To move a Track Mark vertically:- This option is only available with the Fine Adjustment Tool - the  D  key Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Blue  Vertical Axis Line above the Track Mark to it up or down If you need to return the Track Mark to its original position then:- Steps: To correctly reattach the Track Mark to the track:- select the object and open (Left Click on) its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track  Because the Attachment Point of the Track Mark, the yellow dot, remains on the track, moving the track mark object vertically does not affect its operation.

Move the Track Mark Horizontally (S20)

Track Marks can be physically placed left or right alongside the track. This feature allows them to be placed, for example, beside the track so that they will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on a marker.

Steps: To move a Track Mark horizontally:- This option is only available with the Fine Adjustment Tool - the  D  key Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Red  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Track Mark to move it left or right Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Green  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Track Mark to move it forward or back If you need to return the Track Mark to its original position then:- Steps: To correctly reattach the Track Mark to the track:- select the object and open (Left Click on) its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track  Because the Attachment Point of the Track Mark, the yellow dot, remains on the track, moving the track mark object horizontally does not affect its operation.

Notes: The  Green  Horizontal Axis Line shown as in the image pointing forward from the Track Mark will move it forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. It has the same effect as Move a Track Mark Along the Track without moving its attachment point. However, by using this tool it is possible to move the Track Mark visible object beyond the end of the track if that is ever required. This will have no effect on its operation.

Assign a Track Mark to Another Layer (S20)

The Info Palette will show the layer assigned to the currently selected object. To the left of the layer name is a small arrowhead object.

Steps: To assign a Track Mark to a layer:- In the Info Palette:- Left Click the small arrowhead next to the layer name. This will open the layer properties for the selected object Left Click the Layer drop down box to select a new layer for the object if required, Left Click the Binding drop down box to select a new binding layer for the object. It cannot be bound to its own layer if required, Left Click the  Lock Layer  button to lock the selected layer. If the layer is already locked then this will be shown as an  Unlock Layer  button WARNING: You will not be allowed to place a track object in a layer that is higher up the list than the layer containing the track Moving an object from one layer group to another (e.g. from the Route Layer Group to the Session Layer Group) will change where the object is saved (in the Route or in the Session) Information on layers can be found at:- How to Use Layers

Track Mark Operation

The most common use for Track Marks 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

Information on adding driver commands can be found at:- How to Use the Driver Setup Rule

Notes: Drive To Trackmark and Drive Via Trackmark commands will NOT force the AI to find an alternative clear path to the Track Mark if the shortest path is blocked Navigate To Trackmark and Navigate Via Trackmark commands will force the AI to find an alternative clear path to the Track Mark if the shortest path is blocked. The path chosen may not be prototypical

	Drive To Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Mark. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Mark. 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 Mark. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz
	Drive Via Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to and through the designated Track Mark. If there are no further navigation commands (e.g. Drive To, etc) then the AI will halt the train after passing the Track Mark. If there are further navigation commands then the AI will proceed through the Track Mark to the next Track Mark 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 Mark. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz
	Navigate To Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Mark. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Mark. 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 Mark. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz
	Navigate Via Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to and through the designated Track Mark. If there are no further navigation commands (e.g. Navigate To, etc) then the AI will halt the train after passing the Track Mark. If there are further navigation commands then the AI will proceed through the Track Mark to the next Track Mark 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 Mark. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz

Navigation Points

Navigation Points can be attached to Track Marks to provide users with session instructions.

Information on navigation points can be found at:- How to Use Navigation Points

Coupling Operations

An AI controlled train can be issued with a driver command to couple with the consist located at a specified Track Mark.

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

Information on adding driver commands can be found at:- How to Use the Driver Setup Rule

Related Links

How to Use Track Direction Markers How to Use Track Priority Markers How to Use Track Triggers

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Trainz Wiki

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz How to Guides Driver Commands List Session Rules List (Alphabetical) with Parameters Session Rules List (Categories) With Parameters

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This page was created by Trainz user pware in September 2019 and was last updated as shown below.

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