"Trainz-build" tag

A Trainz build version number or tag is the numbering system indicating the asset (or content's) tech-level for an asset built to the specifications of a Trainz code build version. Exactly what makes up legal fields in a trainz-build tag level has evolved over the years, and is the source of some of the errors in the download of older content. Some required data types have been eliminated, some added, and some

Trainz code build or version numbers are assigned first to each released 'retail version/retail release' of Trainz, then change by application of Hot fixes and Service packs, but while the hot fixes change the code build number, they do not advance the Trainz-build version number, which nowadays will be displayed on the title bar of ContentManager.exe (this is a recent improvement). Content may be created for different versions, making use of the newer functions in a more recent release, when it does so, it must be assigned the corresponding Trainz-build tag tech-level or version number. Consequently, some new-generation assets will not function in earlier versions of the simulator. Some older one's need tweaked, so called Error fixing to comply with the three newer GUI run time modules typically affected by service pack releases: Surveyor, Railyard and Driver.

It is important for assets to list the version of Trainz with which they are compatible. For older Trainz builds, this is done by entering a Trainz-Build number in the model config.txt file. Content Creator Plus will automatically add the correct trainz-build to the config.txt file.

A correctly-constructed asset built for an older version will usually function in a newer version of Trainz, but this is not always guaranteed, as there have been amendments made to subsequent versions. (TBD: List of known breaking changes.) A model using the latest functions will not work in an earlier version. The Download Station identifies which version of Trainz you have installed and when you use the Content Manager, it will not allow the download of a more recent model that is incompatible with your version.

The approved Trainz-Build version numbers are as follows:

trainz-build tech-level version or tag#	First Trainz product versions to support the listed content tech-level (buiild-tag) version
1.0	Trainz SP3
1.1	Trainz SP1
1.2	Trainz SP2
1.3	Trainz SP3
1.5	Ultimate Trainz Collection
1.6	Ultimate Trainz Collection SP1
2.0	TRS2004
2.1	TRS2004 SP1
2.2	TRS2004 SP2 - Passenger Pack
2.3	TRS2004 SP3
2.4	TRS2004 SP4
2.5	TRS2006
2.6	TRS2006 SP1
2.7	Trainz Classics 1&2
2.8	Trainz Classics 3
2.9	TS2009
3.0	TS2009 SP1
3.1	TS2009 SP2
3.2	TS2009 SP3 / TS2010
3.3	TS2010 SP3 / TS2009 SP4
3.4	TS2010 SP4
3.5	TS12
3.6	TS12 and Trainz Simulator Mac
3.7	TS12 SP1

Trainz-build numbers up to and including 2.8 are considered by N3V programmers as obsolete as of September 2012 and they believe they should no longer be used. Content Creators, being wiser should apply the lowest build tag level the asset needs to reach the widest possible number of Trainzers, no matter how much like a four year old brat N3V kicks and screams about the Trainz Life-Cycle Policy.