Route and Session Basics

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The information in this Wiki Page applies to Trainz Plus, TRS22 and TRS19. It explains the basic concepts and processes involved in creating and editing Routes and Sessions.

This page is intended to provide you with an overview of the properties and features of Routes and Sessions when creating layouts for Trainz. More detailed descriptions of these various features plus instructions on getting you started with creating Routes and Sessions can be found in the Trainz Wiki How To Guides. Links are provided at the end of this document.

Workflow Diagrams

Trainz Worlds

The virtual worlds that Trainz creates can be classified as:-

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127

Routes Routes are created in Surveyor and contain most (if not all) of what you will see in your virtual Trainz world. You can have many different routes, limited only by your storage space. They can be built to represent different geographical regions (real or imagined) and different periods of time (past, present, future). They also control the environment settings in your virtual world, such as your geographic location and altitude, the season of the year, lighting conditions and the weather. Each route can have multiple saved Sessions. Sessions Sessions are also created in Surveyor but are designed to be run in Driver. They contain the instructions that will control your trains when they are operating in automatic or "AI" mode in your route. They also control the goods your trains will carry, load and unload at industries along the way. You can create different sessions for different aspects of your railway - freight, passenger, shunting or a mixture - or for different seasons of the year or times of the day. Sessions are where you can program the behaviour of objects in your virtual Trainz world. A session can also contain scenery items that are specific to a particular railway operation, season or time of day. Sessions also control the environment settings in your virtual world, such as lighting conditions and the weather. Each session can have multiple saved Games. Games (also called Driver Games, Driver Sessions, Saved Games) Games are created in Driver and save the "state of play" in a running session so you can restart it at the same point at a later time. They are optionally stamped with the date and time they were saved and the play duration.

What is a Route?

A route (also known as a "Layout") consists of most of what you will see on the screen when using Surveyor and Driver. Things such as the landform or terrain, most (if not all) of the scenery items, the ground textures, the effect layers (such as TurfFX and Clutter), plus some "environmental" features. A route consists of two parts:-

Route Data and Route Layers

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When you save a Route, all items in the Route Data and Route Layers will be saved

Route Data:

The Route Data stores all those features that are painted into a layout using a brush tool and all the Environmental Data including the World Origin (latitude, longitude, altitude)

The Route Data includes the Terrain, Textures, Effect Layers, Legacy Water and the Environmental features.

Route Data contains:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Landforms (Terrain) - baseboards and ground height Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Water height and spread for Legacy Water found in Surveyor Classic Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Ground Textures including the grid pattern which is a texture Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Effect Layers - TurfFX, Clutter, Water, Color (the Color Effect Layer is only available in Trainz Plus when using High Definition (HD)) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Environmental Settings - World Origin (latitude, longitude, altitude), Water Surface (rough/calm/etc), Snow Altitude, Lighting (sun, ambient and water colours), Sky (clouds), Road Traffic (on/off), Date (day, month), Wind strength, Fog level, Weather (rain/fine/snow), Brightness level. You must edit and save the route for these settings to become part of the Route Data - see the Trainz Wiki page  How to Use the Environment Tools for more details.

Route Layers:

Route Layers are used to hold the scenery assets that you want to appear in all sessions created for the route

All scenery assets are held in layers. Route Layers (you can have many layers) give you a way of organising or grouping the assets displayed in your route.

Route Layers contain:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Track and Track Objects (such as signals, switches, bridges, tunnels, speed signs, etc) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Most (or all) scenery items (e.g. buildings, trees, rocks, active industries/stations) and scenery splines (e.g. roads, fences, etc) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Rolling Stock (including locos) -  Note:  It is strongly recommended that all rolling stock be placed into a Session Layer Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Lineside and Fixed Cameras Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Trackmarks, Triggers, Direction and Priority Marks - these are often placed into a Session Layer so that they can be specific to a particular session

Scenery objects can also be stored in a session. This can cause confusion if you load a route without loading a session and find that some scenery items are "missing". See Loading an Existing Route below for how to deal with this situation.

A detailed description of Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki Page:- How to Use Layers

Loading (and Creating) a Route

The Main Menu screen is shown below. The first option (shown highlighted in the image) opens Driver/Surveyor with all its options including loading and creating a route.
	Notes: Routes:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 are saved as entries in the Trainz Database, not as files on your hard drive. Loading a route will retrieve it from the database. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be loaded directly into Surveyor from Content Manager. See Loading a Route Into Surveyor From Content Manager below Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be exported as files (in the Trainz .cdp file format) from Content Manager for backup or transfer. Steps: To Load or Create a Route:-  Left Click  on the large Driver / Surveyor graphic shown highlighted in white in the image on the left
In the Driver/Surveyor screen a strip of thumbnails of all the Routes, installed and as well as available as DLC, will be shown at the base of the screen.
If there are too many to fit in the available space, then either:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 move the mouse pointer onto the base of any thumbnail image to reveal the scroll bar device, as shown above, then Left Click and Drag the scroll bar left or right to reveal the additional routes OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 move the mouse pointer onto any thumbnail image and roll the mouse scroll wheel forwards or backwards to reveal the additional routes OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 use the Expand View button described below. This will fill the screen with thumbnail images. If there are still too many to fit then use either of the two methods listed above to scroll the full screen view left and right

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 A Left Click on the  MAIN MENU  button (bottom left) will take you back to the starting or main screen. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 A Left Click on the  Sort By A-Z  button (top near right) will give you a drop down menu of sorting options for the thumbnail list. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 A Left Click on the Expand View button (top right) will expand the thumbnail list to fill the screen. Left Click the Expand View button again to return the thumbnails to the strip at the bottom of the screen.

The thumbnail images are colour coded.

Payware on DLC	Must be purchased and downloaded, but some may be free - depending on your membership options. If you click a thumbnail with this colour a  DOWNLOAD  button will appear on the bottom right of the screen. If a price is included in the button then that is the purchase price (in $US)
Payware installed	Already installed from the DLC. DLC items cannot be deleted. To remove them use the Uninstall option in the Content Store from the Launcher. You can reinstall them later without any additional cost
Installed	Downloaded from the Download Station (DLS) or created by you. This includes any cloned DLC Routes and Sessions (see Cloning a Route/Session below)
Multiplayer	For simultaneous development by multiple players. Special conditions apply

Creating a New Route

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When you create a new Route a new default Session will also be created for it. Sessions contain specific data that are not found in routes. See  What is a Session? below. When you save the new route you will be given the opportunity to save the session as well. If you have not added anything to the session then saving it is optional. WARNING: If you have added anything to the session-layer or edited any session data (e.g. the products carried by a wagon) and do not save the Session as well as the Route then that data will be lost. See  Saving a Route and Session below for more information.

In both Surveyor Classic (also known as S1.0 or S10) and in Surveyor 2.0 (also known as S2.0 or S20) Left Click on  CREATE ROUTE . This will start Trainz Surveyor and create a new blank route with a single baseboard using the Default settings which are usually those that were used when you last created and saved a route. The default settings may include a ground texture other than the grid pattern, for example - thick grass.

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Surveyor 2.0 screen shown

Notes: for Trainz Plus Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the default grid resolution for a new route is HD (High Definition) Grid Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to convert your new HD resolution route to 5m resolution or to 10m resolution, at any time, see  The Marquee Tool for the details Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you want to convert an existing 5m resolution or 10m resolution route entirely to HD resolution then see  Upgrading a Route to HD for the details Notes: for TRS19 and TRS22 Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the default grid resolution for a new route is 10m Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 using Surveyor 2.0 (in TRS22PE) to convert your new 10m resolution route to 5m resolution, at any time, see  The Marquee Tool for the details Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 in Surveyor Classic to convert your new 10m resolution route to 5m resolution, at any time, you will need to individually convert each baseboard

You can easily edit the route settings at any time after the route has been created. Steps: To Edit the Route Details at Any Time:- Open the Edit menu from the top menu in Surveyor and select the  Edit Route...  option The keyboard shortcut is  Ctrl  +  E

It is recommended that you enter some details before you click the icon to create the new route. A bare minimum is listed on the right that will save you some time and effort later, and you can always change them at any time.

Route name:  Enter a name for your new Route (keep it simple but descriptive)  Geographical region:  Select a region from the drop down list

A Left Click on the icon at the bottom right of the window will apply the new data settings to the single flat baseboard that you have just created. A Left Click on the icon at the bottom right of the window will cancel the data entry and continue to use the default data settings (usually the settings entered for the last route you created) in the single flat baseboard currently on the screen.

Notes: Route Options Enter a  Route name  for the route - keep it simple but as descriptive as possible (without writing an essay). This will be the first thing that users will see when looking for a route to download from the DLS. Enter a  Route description  for the route. At the starting stage this is basically a "memory jogger" for you so a basic description would be sufficient but before you release the finished route (e.g. to the DLS) it should contain some critical information such as Trainz Plus only, "high detail assets used" and the source(s) of any non-DLS dependencies Setting a  Region  sets some basic features of the route - such as its latitude (used to determine the season of the year), the altitude (in metres) of the first baseboard, the number and types of moving road vehicles (if any) and the side of the road they drive on, to name a few. If none of the installed regions are suitable you can download others from the DLS or create a region of your own - see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Create a Region Asset Create a  Route thumbnail  image. At the starting stage this is less important but at some point, before the route is released, select a suitable camera view point and  Left Click  on the  Set Thumbnail  button. The thumbnail is an advertisement for the route and many potential users will judge the quality of your work by the thumbnail when deciding whether to download or not The  Working scale  provides measurements that are comparable to model railroading dimensions, but the actual (physical) sizes of the layout and its assets are not altered or scaled down. It is only the Surveyor Ruler and its measurements that will be affected. The choices are between Real scale (which is the default), G scale (100m real scale = 4.4m G scale), HO scale (100m real scale = 1.1m HO scale) and many other options. The  Working units  provides a choice between Metric (metres, kilometres) and Imperial (feet, yards, miles) which only affects measurements used by rulers (in Surveyor 2.0 separate metric and imperial rulers are available) and train speeds (km/h or mph). See Notes below. The  Route Edit Detail  in Trainz Plus only. This sets the minimum ground brush size when working with HD resolution. It can be swapped between the two settings at anytime when editing. See  SD/HD Options  below for more details The  Draw distance cap  sets how far away from the camera that scenery objects will be drawn. A high setting, particularly the  Disabled  option (which means no draw distance cap), could affect the game performance, including the fps rate (frames per second), on some systems

Notes: Height, Position and Speed Measurements Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 All Height and Position data in the Surveyor Tools are always entered and displayed in metres even if you are using Imperial units (feet) for your rulers and distance measurements. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Track speed signs are always locked at either Metric (km/h) or Imperial (mph) - there are separate speed signs available for each. The number shown by a speed sign will not be changed if you switch between the two systems. However, their speed values will be converted. So a track speed sign that is set at 40 mph will still be displayed as 40 but it will be read as 64 km/h in Driver if the Working Units have been set to metric. Notes: Ground Texture and Regions Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When a new route is created all the baseboards added will be covered with the Default Ground Texture which is usually the last one that you set. Selecting a Region (Point  3  in the Notes: Route Options above) will set the ground texture to be used in every baseboard added to the new route. Some regions have a standard grid pattern as their default ground texture - look on the DLS for region assets with TRS19 Grid or similar in their titles. You can change the selected Region and its ground texture as often as you like but this can also change other properties of the route as described above. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can create your own Region with your preferred ground texture and other features - see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Create a Region Asset for the details

SD/HD Options

This option, available in Trainz Plus only, allows you to set the route detail when working in HD resolution to the default HD (High Definition) or to a lower SD (Standard Definition) which is easier to work with over larger areas. The distinction between these two options is:-  HD  This is the full HD Mode where the minimum brush size is 0.12m (12cm) - HD Mode is only available in Trainz Plus  SD  This is a reduced HD Mode where the minimum brush size is 2m Both options are using HD resolution and have all the HD controls and features. Both  SD  and  HD  can be used in the same baseboard The setting can be switched during editing without affecting or altering the existing terrain. For example:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 you can start editing the terrain using the HD Mode to give you the highest level of precision in one area of a baseboard Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 then switch to SD Mode to work in another area of the same (or a different) baseboard at a lower level of precision - which would be faster than using the HD Mode Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 then switch back to HD Mode to continue working in the same, or another, high precision area Steps: To Switch Between HD and SD Modes at Any Time:-  Left Click  on the Main Menu  Edit Menu and select the  Edit Route...  option. The keyboard shortcut is  Ctrl  +  E   Left Click  on either the  SD  or the  HD  button  Left Click  on the icon to make the switch

The Surveyor World View

Notes: The terms Grid Size and Grid Resolution when used in this document refer to the following:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Grid Size: - the size of the yellow grid squares shown in an untextured baseboard. The grid squares are always 10m x 10m in size regardless of the Working Scale (Real Scale, G Scale, HO Scale, etc) or the Working Units (metric or imperial). When a ruler object is used to measure the squares it will show their size using the selected Working Scale and Working Units Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Grid Resolution: - a measure of the level of detail that can be shown when using the Ground Height and Ground Texture brush tools. A 10m Grid Resolution will allow the use of a brush of radius 10m without restrictions anywhere in the baseboard. Smaller brushes can be used but with restrictions that will increase as the brush size is reduced. A 5m Grid Resolution will allow the use of a brush of radius 5m without restrictions anywhere in the baseboard. Smaller brushes can be used but with restrictions that will increase as the brush size is reduced. A HD Grid Resolution will allow the use of a brush of radius as small as 0.12m (12cm) without any restrictions anywhere in the baseboard - HD Grid Resolution is only available in Trainz Plus.

Depending on the Route Editor settings and the version of Trainz you are using, you may see or be affected by the following factors:- Baseboards and Grid Squares:

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Each Baseboard is always 720m x 720m (2362.2ft x 2362.2ft) regardless of the Working scale and Working units you have selected Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Baseboards without any applied ground texture will be covered with grid squares. Each yellow Grid Square is always 10m x 10m (32.8ft x 32.8ft) regardless of the Working scale and Working units you have selected But in both cases the distance measurement shown by a ruler object will depend on the Working scale and Working units selected Grid Resolution: See Notes: above Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 10m resolution - the default setting for new baseboards created using TRS19 and TRS22 OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 5m resolution - at 4x the resolution of 10m. You can have a mixture of 10m and 5m resolution baseboards in the same route OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 HD (High Definition) resolution - at 6400x the resolution of 10m and 1600x the resoltion of 5m this resolution is only available in Trainz Plus. It is the default setting for new baseboards created using Trainz Plus and it is NOT recommended that HD baseboards be mixed with 10m/5m baseboards in the same route Baseboards can be converted between these resolution settings at any time Baseboard Altitude: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The altitude (in metres) of the first baseboard will depend on the Geographic region you have selected but the default value is 0m Baseboard Texture: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The baseboard will be covered with a texture, such as grass or a grid pattern. This is set by the Geographic region and the selection made in the Ground option from the Surveyor Display Menu - see  Default Baseboard Ground Texture below

 In Surveyor Classic (S10) 

Surveyor Classic or S10 is the version of Surveyor found in TRS19, TRS19PE and TRS22. It is one of two versions of Surveyor available in TRS22PE and Trainz Plus. In Surveyor Classic the baseboards are controlled using the Topology Tools. To open the tools fly-out either Left Click the Topology Tool Tab or press the  F1  key.

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127

	The Key Topology Tools, as shown in the diagram above, are:-
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Add New Baseboard - Left Click (it will stay active until another button is clicked) and then Left Click in a blank area outside the baseboard to add a new baseboard in that position. Each click will add a new baseboard at the same altitude as the first
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Delete Baseboard - Left Click (it will stay active until another button is clicked) and then Left Click anywhere on a baseboard to delete that baseboard. You will get a warning dialogue window -  you CANNOT undo this operation to restore a deleted baseboard
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Grid Resolution - a pop-out menu will give you a choice of 10m (the default) or 5m. The option for the HD resolution is only available in Trainz Plus. This sets the resolution of the baseboard. It does not alter the size of the grid squares which is actually a painted texture and will always stay at 10m x 10m. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 With a 10m resolution the smallest area in which you can set a height is 10m x 10m Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 With a 5m resolution that becomes 5m x 5m, so 4 different height values can be set in each 10m grid. This allows you to create more accurate topology features such as railway cuttings and embankments but it has a penalty,  significantly larger route map files  Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 With HD resolution (in Trainz Plus only) the smallest area (resolution) in which you can set a height is 0.125m x 0.125m. This allows you to create even more accurate topology features but it has a penalty,  enormously larger route sizes  - on average 5x or more larger than 10m resolution maps Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Each new baseboard you add will have its resolution set to the selected value. You can have different baseboards set to each resolution - for example: baseboards used by the track set at 5m and those further out at 10m This control is also used to change an existing baseboard from one resolution to the other.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Advanced - this will open another window in the Topology Tab that will allow you to select a grey scale bit map image to set the height of each grid

 In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) 

Surveyor 2.0 or S20 is an alternative version of Surveyor found in TRS22PE and Trainz Plus. Surveyor Classic is also available as an option in both TRS22PE and Trainz Plus. In Surveyor 2.0 there is no separate Topology Tools fly-out. A single  Tools Palette  replaces all the separate tools "fly-outs" found in the original Surveyor Classic.

Steps: To Add New Baseboards:- select the Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Marquee Tool from the  Tools Palette  (or press the  F  key). Note that in S20 you can add and delete multiple baseboards in a single step, not just one-at-a-time. Left Click and Drag (using the Left mouse button) to draw out an area where the new baseboards will be added. This area can include the current baseboard.

The Marquee area, shown with a green border in the image below right, shows the positions where 3 new baseboards will be created to add to the existing baseboard. The Marquee area has a Context Menu icon as shown in the image.
	Left Click on the Context Menu icon or press the  T  key to open up the Marquee Context Menu.

The main Marquee Baseboard Operations, as shown in the Marquee Context Menu above, are:-  Set Marquee to Brush Height  to create new baseboards in the selected area. The Brush Height is the value stored in the  Height  setting in the  Tool Options Palette . This value will be used to set the height of the new baseboards. Any part of the initial baseboard that is covered by the marquee will also have its height set to the brush height  Convert Baseboards to  a pop-out menu will give the options, 10m, or 5m or (for Trainz Plus only) HD resolution. Selecting one of the options will create the new baseboards in the selected resolution. This tool is also used to convert existing baseboards from one resolution to the other. WARNING: It is NOT RECOMMENDED that you mix HD resolution baseboards with 5m or 10m baseboards in the same route. It should be ALL HD or none. See  S20 Tools - Upgrading a Route to HD for more details.  Delete Baseboards in Marquee  to delete the selected baseboards. The Undo command  Ctrl  +  Z  will restore the deleted baseboards

Default Baseboard Ground Texture

When a new route is created or a new baseboard is added in both Surveyor Classic and Surveyor 2.0 it will be covered with the ground texture for the selected Region or the default texture/grid if no region has been set. This can be changed to a different texture (including to the standard TRS19/TRS22 grid pattern).
	Steps: To Disable the Current Default Ground Texture (Easiest Method):- open the Surveyor Display Menu select the  Ground  option select the  Grid  sub-option. This will use the current grid texture.
A more complex solution is to edit an existing Region or create one of your own to add your preferred ground texture (such as the standard TRS22 grid pattern) to each new route you create and every new baseboard that you add.

Notes: The Baseboard Ground Texture, chosen from the Surveyor Display Menu or by specifying a Region, will become the default for every new route you create and every new baseboard you add, until you change it to something else.

Information on creating and editing Region assets can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:- How to Create a Region Asset

Loading an Existing Route

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When you load an existing Route without also loading a Session, a new default Session will be created for it. Sessions contain specific data that are not found in routes. See  What is a Session? below. When you save the route you will be given the opportunity to save the new default session as well. If you have not added anything to the session then saving it is optional. WARNING: If you have added anything to the session-layer or edited any session data (e.g. the products carried by a wagon) and do not save the Session as well as the Route then that data will be lost. See  Saving a Route and Session below for more information.

You must first find and select the route to load from those already installed. At the top of the Driver/Surveyor screen the search options are shown as a set of buttons, the first 3 are drop down lists and the last is a text entry box.

Type:	ROUTES  is the default selection. No need to change this.
Source:	PURCHASED  is the default selection, Click and change to  MY CONTENT  for a route you have created (or already modified) or to  INSTALLED  for one you have downloaded from the DLS.
Region:	ALL  is the default selection. You can select a particular geographic region if required and IF the route had a geographic region set when it was created.
Search:	You can narrow down the list of routes by typing the first few letters of its name (e.g. SA) as shown in the image above.

This will produce a display of thumbnails at the bottom of the screen.

Left Click on the thumbnail for the route you want to load, then Left Click on the  EDIT ROUTE  button to load the route into Surveyor.

Notes: Routes and Sessions - An Endless Source of Confusion Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Scenery objects that have been placed in a session will NOT APPEAR if the route has been loaded into Surveyor without also loading the session Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If scenery objects have mysteriously vanished when you reload a route into Surveyor it is highly likely that those objects have been saved in a session. You must load the session into Surveyor to make them visible again Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can easily move most scenery objects from a session into a route if needed - see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Use the Bulk Asset Update/Replace Tool for more details

Loading a Route Into Surveyor From Content Manager

Trainz provides a shortcut that allows you to load an existing route directly into Surveyor for editing from Content Manager.

Steps: To Load a Route from Content Manager:- in Content Manager select the filter Routes & Sessions identify the route to be edited Right Click on the route to open its Command Menu select Open..., then select Edit Asset in Surveyor

Loading After an Unexpected Shutdown

If you select a route for loading after an unexpected shutdown of Trainz then any route (or route and session) that was open and running in Trainz Surveyor or Driver will be left marked as Open for Edit. When you attempt to load this route into Surveyor or Driver you will see a message listing the route and session (if any) that were affected.

The message is saying that the assets in the list may have been changed since the last time you loaded them and exited Trainz normally. For example if you had been editing the route and/or session and had experienced a crash to the desktop or had used Windows Task Manager to terminate the program. Note: A similar message will appear when you load a Game (see  Loading Games below) after editing the original route or session that was used to create the Game. It is possible that the changes you have made may affect the operation of the saved game.

The options you will see are:-

Use changes  Use the edited/changed versions that are in the open database assets.  Note:  there is a possibility that these assets may have been damaged during the shutdown and may be corrupted  Revert changes  Ignore the edited/changed versions and load the previous versions instead  Cancel  Cancel the Load and return to the Surveyor/Driver menu screen You could also use the Content Manager program (select  Manage Content  from the Trainz Launcher) to Submit the open route or route and session assets. This has the risk of replacing the last good copy of that asset or assets with a possibly faulty copy.

Editing a Route

When a Route is loaded or a new Route is created all the assets you add will be automatically placed into a Route Layer

When you create a new route, or load an existing route without a session, and start adding scenery assets they will automatically be placed into a Route Layer. See  How to Use Layers for more details. Any ground textures, effect layers (e.g. TurfFX, Water, Clutter) you add, or terrain changes (including new baseboards) you make, will be added to the Route Data.

WARNING: Do not edit track in a Route that is occupied by consists in any of the Sessions based on the Route Moving or deleting a section of track in a Route that is occupied by a consist in a Session can cause the consist to become a "missing asset". This can happen if you load the Route only and not the Session. If a consist becomes a "missing asset" then the only immediate solution is to use the Delete missing assets command from the Tools menu in Surveyor. Prevention: if you have the consists placed in a Session then always load the Session, not just the Route, and move or delete any consists BEFORE editing the track they are occupying.

You can edit the Route Characteristics at any time by selecting the  Edit Route...  option from the  Edit Menu OR simply by pressing the  Ctrl  +  E  keys. This will bring up the Edit Route dialogue window (shown below).

Route Characteristics:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Name and Description Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 assigned Geographic Region, which sets a number of different features Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Thumbnail image Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Working Scale and Working Units Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Draw Distance

Route name . Editing this will change the route username in the config.txt file but it will not alter the route <kuid> value  Route description . Edit to include additional information or describe changes that have been made  Region . Changing the region (the Geographic region) selected could affect other features such as the moving road traffic, season of the year (through the latitude tag) and altitude  Route thumbnail . Left Click on the  Set Thumbnail  button to take a snapshot using the current camera view which will be used as the new thumbnail. The image shown in the example on the left has been edited.  Working scale . Changing this will only affect the measurement shown in the Surveyor Ruler tool  Working units . Switching between Metric and Imperial will change how train speeds are calculated and displayed in Driver (in km/h or mph), the speeds set by track speed signs and the units used by the ruler tools

Route Edit Detail  in Trainz Plus only. This sets the minimum ground brush size when working with HD resolution. It can be swapped between the two settings at anytime when editing. See  SD/HD Options  below for more details  Draw distance cap  will affect how far away from the camera that scenery objects will be drawn. A high setting, particularly the  Disabled  option (which means no draw distance cap), could affect the game performance, including the fps rate (frames per second), on some systems Left Click on the icon to save the entered values and exit back to Surveyor. Left Click on the icon to cancel any entered values and exit back to Surveyor

SD/HD Options

The Surveyor Route Editor will allow you to switch between two minimum brush sizes when working with HD resolution routes.

This option, available in Trainz Plus only, allows you to set the brush detail to the default HD (High Definition) or to a lower SD (Standard Definition) which is easier to work with over larger areas. The distinction between these two options is:-  HD  This is the full HD Mode where the minimum brush size is 0.12m (12cm). This is the default selection  SD  This is a reduced HD Mode where the minimum brush size is 2m Both modes:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 have all the normal HD controls and features Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 will work anywhere within the grid squares of a HD resolution route and are not restricted to the grid lines or intersections Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be used in different areas of the same baseboard The setting can be switched during editing without affecting or altering the existing terrain. For example:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 you can start editing the terrain using the HD Mode to give you the highest level of precision in one area of a baseboard Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 then switch to SD Mode to work in another area of the same (or a different) baseboard at a lower level of precision - which would be faster than using the HD Mode Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 then switch back to HD Mode to continue working in the same, or another, high precision area Steps: To Switch Between HD and SD Modes at Any Time:-  Left Click  on the Main Menu  Edit Menu and select the  Edit Route...  option Shortcut: Press  Ctrl  +  E  This will open the Route Editor dialogue window which, in Trainz Plus only, has an additional control, the Route Edit Detail  Left Click  on either the  SD  or the  HD  button  Left Click  on the icon at the bottom right of the dialogue window to make the switch When using  SD  mode brush sizes less than 2m will be ignored and a 2m brush size will be used instead. Larger brush sizes can be set and used

Adding Terrain Height, Textures, Effect Layers in a Route

	Terrain, Textures, Effect Layers can only be added to a route not a session
	The height of the terrain can be adjusted to represent hills, valleys, plains, slopes
	The Terrain can be painted with textures to represent real ground surfaces
	Effect Layers (grasses, rocks, water, etc) can be added to the terrain to enhance its appearence. The types of effect layers that are available will depend on your Trainz version, GPU and Operating System

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The Ground Height and Ground Texture are kept in special layers that cannot be renamed, moved, deleted or merged with other layers Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The Effect Layers (TurfFX, Clutter, Water and Color) are found:- in the Advanced Topology Tools (press the  F1  key and open the  Advanced  tab) in  Surveyor Classic  as layers in the  Layers Palette  in  Surveyor 2.0  They can be deleted and renamed but cannot be moved or merged with other layers

 In Surveyor Classic (S10) 

In Surveyor Classic (S10) the tools and objects are in tabbed icons on the right of the screen which can be opened by a  Left Click  on the icon or by pressing its Function Key

F1  The Terrain Height, Legacy Water and Effect Layers are added and manipulated by tools in the Topology icon (the  F1  key). For the Effect Layers you will also need to open the  Advanced  tab  F2  The Ground Texture is added and manipulated by tools in the Paint icon (the  F2  key) Opening each tool will reveal a selection list of assets and/or a set of tools for applying and manipulating the selected feature

 In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) 

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) there is a single set of common tools that can add and manipulate objects of any type. Select a tool by a  Left Click  on its icon in the  Tools Palette  or by pressing its key. You can also select multiple objects, that can be of different types, and manipulate them (move, rotate, delete) as if they were a single object.

W  The Brush Tool in the  Tools Palette  sets the Terrain Height, paints the Ground Textures and adds/edits Effect Layers (including Water). The textures and effect layers are selected using the  Filter Palette  and the  Assets Palette  There is a Wiki Page that covers in great detail the use of the Surveyor 2.0 tools at  How to Use S20 Tools with specific sections dealing with Ground Height, Ground Terrain and Effect Layers

Effect Layers The Effect Layers are TurfFX (grasses, bushes, crops, etc), Clutter (small ground cover such as grasses and stones), Water and Color Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The TurfFX Effect Layer is only available if you have an NVidia Graphics Card (e.g. a GTX or RTX) and Windows OS (Windows 10 or 11) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The Color Effect Layer is only available in Trainz Plus when using the High Definition (HD) mode

Adding Assets to a Route

	Assets include all visible objects (trees, buildings, roads, tracks, signals, rolling stock, etc) and invisible objects (track triggers, track marks, etc) that can be added to your route
	Objects added to your route will be present in all sessions created using that route

 In Surveyor Classic (S10) 

In Surveyor Classic (S10) the tools and objects are in tabbed icons on the right of the screen which can be opened by a  Left Click  on the icon or by pressing its Function Key.

F3  Scenery objects (e.g. buildings) and splines (e.g. roads) are added and manipulated by tools in the Objects icon (the  F3  key)  F4  Railroad tracks and track objects (e.g. signals, switches, etc) are added and manipulated by tools in the Tracks icon (the  F4  key)  F7  Rolling stock (locomotives, wagons) are added and manipulated by tools in the Trains icon (the  F7  key) Opening each tool will reveal a selection list of assets and a set of tools for applying and manipulating the selected asset

 In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) 

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) there is a single set of common tools that can add and manipulate objects of any type. Select a tool by a  Left Click  on its icon in the  Tools Palette  or by pressing its key. You can also select multiple objects, that can be of different types, and manipulate them (move, rotate, delete) as if they were a single object.

E  The Placement Tool adds ALL objects (scenery, splines, track and track objects, rolling stock) selected using the  Filter Palette  and the  Assets Palette   S  The Free Move Tool moves ALL objects, either individually or as a group, to anywhere on the surface  D  The Fine Adjustment Tool moves and rotates ALL objects, either individually or as a group, in small movements to anywhere on, below or above the surface There is a Wiki Page that covers in great detail the use of the Surveyor 2.0 tools at  How to Use S20 Tools

Editing the Environment of a Route

You can edit the Environment Controls of a Route by selecting the  Edit Environment...  option from the  Edit Menu. This will bring up the Edit Environment dialogue window, more commonly called the Environment Tools. For more details on editing the Environment see the Trainz Wiki Page at  The Environment Tools

Environment Controls in a Route:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 lighting conditions Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 weather and cloud cover Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 water color and water surface (rough, calm, etc) for Legacy Water only Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 wind speed (for SpeedTree assets only) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 fog and snow Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 season (by the date and latitude) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 road traffic (on or off only) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 world origin (latitude, longitude, altitude)

Notes: It is possible (and sometimes even expected) that a Route and its Sessions will have different environmental settings - for example the Route may have been created for the summer season but one Session may be set in winter and will require an overcast sky, snow, fog and generally lower light levels. See the Trainz Wiki Page at  The Environment Tools for more details.

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When a route is created all the Environmental Settings will be set to their default values and they will remain at those values when the route is saved unless they are changed.   Most Environmental Settings are found in both the Route and the Session. An edited setting in the Session (e.g. Weather) will always take priority over the same setting, edited or default, in the Route. See  Edit the Environment of a Session for the details.

Edit Effect Layers

The Edit Effect Layers menu option allows you to add, remove and edit the special effect layers

Effect Layers contain:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 TurfFX - 3D animated grasses including crops (e.g. wheat) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Clutter - rocks, stones, small clumps of plants (grasses, flowers, etc) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Water - a layer of water that covers the entire route but its height can be set to different values to be hidden or revealed throughout the route. It is possible to set a slope on the water (perfect for a water skiing scene 😀) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Color - a transparent "skin" that covers the ground texture throughout the entire route. Different parts of this layer can be given different colors or "tints" to alter the appearance of the texture below. This is only available for  Trainz Plus subscribers when using HD terrain  You can have multiple effect layers of each type (except the color layer) in a route.

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Currently, there are differences in the Effect Layers between Windows and MacOS versions of Trainz. Some of these differences are hardware (GPU) dependant. This means that some of the effect layers or features will not work on the MacOS platform. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 TurfFX is hardware dependent and requires an Nvidia graphics card. TurfFX is an Nvidia software product and is not from N3V. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The latest versions of Trainz are starting to eliminate these differences and, for performance improvements, are moving the implementation of some effect layers from the CPU to the GPU.

Merging Routes

Two (or more) separate routes can be joined together (merged) to create a new route

There are some important restrictions on the merging of two routes:-

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Payware (DLC) routes cannot be merged with Freeware (DLS) or other Payware routes
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	The Session Data and Session Layers in the first route can be saved in the merger (if required) but those in the other route cannot
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	There may be a significant height difference between the two routes and this may not be easy to overcome
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	The orientation of the two routes (East-West or North-South) cannot be changed (it is possible but will usually require a lot of time, effort and patience)

A detailed description of the process of Merging Routes can be found on the Trainz Wiki Page:- How to Merge Routes

What is a Session?

	A Session is always a part of an existing Route - you cannot have a Session that does not belong to a Route
	If you create a Route without a Session then ALL the active industries and rolling stock, time, environmental conditions, etc, will revert to their original (default) values. There will be no AI drivers and drivers will have a very limited set of available commands for manual driving

In general, while a route provides the physical structures (or "hardware"), a session provides the services (or "software"). While you can easily have a route without a session, it could be a very limited (or even a boring) experience. A single route can have multiple sessions, or none, but a session must always belong to a route. To put it into Trainz terminology, a session has a route as a dependency. A session consists of two parts:-

Session Data and Session Layers

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When you save a Session, all items in the Session Data and Session Layers will be saved

 Session Data: 

Session Data are often the "invisibles" that control the operation of a session. Session rules, driver orders and loco assignments, commodities (loaded, unloaded and carried) and most of the Environmental Settings are examples of Session Data.

Session Data contains:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Drivers (names, AI commands and assigned locos) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Driver Commands - those available for AI and manual driving Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Session Rules Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Industry Settings (commodities consumed and produced) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Consist Settings (commodities carried) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Consist Locations - this is stored in the session even if the consists are placed in the route Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Switch Settings (left/right) - but the default switch direction is stored in the route. See  Setting Switch Directions in Routes and Sessions for more information on this Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Environmental Settings - Water Surface (rough/calm/etc), Snow Altitude, Lighting (sun, ambient and water colours), Sky (clouds), Road Traffic (on/off), Date (day, month), Wind strength, Fog level, Weather (rain/fine/snow), Brightness level. You must edit and save the session for these settings to become part of the Session Data - see  How to Use Environment Tools for more details. If both a route and a session have saved Environmental Settings, which do not have to be the same, then those in the session will be used. If the session does not have any saved Environmental Settings then those in the route will be used

 Session Layers: 

Session Layers are used to hold the scenery assets that you want to only appear in that particular Session and not in all Sessions. The Session Layers can be left empty and the Route Layers can contain all the scenery assets

Session Layers give you a way of organising or grouping the assets displayed in your session.

Session Layers can contain any assets that will be unique to that Session:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Scenery Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Rolling Stock (including locos) -  Note:  It is strongly recommended that all rolling stock be placed into a Session Layer Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Trackmarks, Triggers, Direction and Priority Markers

WARNING: While it is possible to add track and track objects (bridges, tunnels, turntables, signals, switches, etc) to Session Layers it is NOT RECOMMENDED. These assets should always be placed into Route Layers Group and, preferably, into the route-layer itself.

A detailed description of Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki Page:- How to Use Layers

Notes: Scenery, Rolling Stock, Triggers and Markers (Track, Direction, Priority) can be used in both Route Layers and Session Layers. Assets placed in a Route Layer will appear in all sessions that are based on the route. The vast majority of (if not all) scenery items will be placed in Route Layers. Assets placed in a Session Layer will only appear in the currently loaded session. Examples of assets that would be placed in a Session Layer instead of a Route Layer would include:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 products waiting at a factory for pickup in an industrial session that would not be present in a weekend or holiday passenger session Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 signallers holding lanterns in a night session only or standing alongside manual track switch levers in a daylight shunting session Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 trackmarks and triggers that are only required in one session but not in all sessions Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 crowds of onlookers alongside the track in a session recreating an historic steam train run, together with Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 historic rolling stock in a special vintage train session running on a modern route

Loading (and Creating) a Session

Creating a New Session

To create a new Session you must first create a new Route or load an existing Route

A route can have many individual sessions so a new session can be added to a route that already has sessions

Steps: To Add a New Session to an Existing Route:- Locate (but do not load) the route as described in the section  Loading an Existing Route above Once you have selected the route from its thumbnail, Left Click on the  VIEW SESSIONS  button Then Left Click on the  CREATE SESSION  button. If no other session exists for this route then this will be the only choice available to you

Loading an Existing Session

There are two different ways to load existing sessions into Surveyor.

Search For the Session  The easiest way to load an existing session is to use the search tools at the top of the Driver/Surveyor screen.  Type:    ROUTES  is the default selection. Left Click on the button to change it to  SESSIONS .  Source:    PURCHASED  is the default selection, Left Click on the button to change it to  MY CONTENT  for a session you have created (or already modified) or to  INSTALLED  for one you have downloaded from the DLS.  Gameplay:    ALL  is the default selection. There is no need to change this  Search:   If required you can narrow down the list of sessions by typing the first few letters of its name. Notes: Sessions:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 are saved as entries in the Trainz Database, not as files on your hard drive. Loading a session will retrieve it from the database. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be loaded directly into Surveyor from Content Manager. See Loading a Session Into Surveyor From Content Manager below. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be exported as files (in the Trainz .cdp file format) from Content Manager for backup or transfer. A strip of thumbnails of all the Sessions, installed and as well as any that may be available from the DLC, for the selected route will be shown at the base of the screen. If there are too many to fit in the available space, then either:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 move the mouse pointer onto the base of any thumbnail image to reveal the scroll bar device then Left Click and Drag the scroll bar left or right to reveal the additional sessions OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 move the mouse pointer onto any thumbnail image, as shown above, and roll the mouse scroll wheel forwards or backwards to reveal the additional sessions OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 use the Expand View button. This will fill the screen with thumbnail images. If there are still too many to fit then use either of the two methods listed above to scroll the full screen view left and right. Left Click the Expand View button again to return the thumbnails to the strip at the bottom of the screen. The same colour coding system used in the route thumbnails also applies to session thumbnails.              Payware on DLC Must be purchased and downloaded, but some may be free - depending on your membership options. If you click a thumbnail with this colour a  DOWNLOAD  button will appear on the bottom right of the screen. If a price is included in the button then that is the purchase price (in $US)              Payware installed Already installed from the DLC. DLC items cannot be deleted. To remove them use the Uninstall option in the Content Store from the Launcher. You can reinstall them later without any additional cost              Installed Downloaded from the Download Station (DLS) or created by you. This includes any cloned DLC Routes and Sessions (see Cloning a Route/Session below)              Multiplayer For simultaneous development by multiple players. Special conditions apply Left Click on the thumbnail for the session you want to load and then Left Click on the  EDIT SESSION  button. This will load BOTH the route and the session into Surveyor. If the  EDIT SESSION  option is not present then the selected session is a saved Game (a "game" saved when in Driver) and cannot be edited. See the section  Loading Games below.

OR

Select the Route First  Steps: To Load a Route and Then a Session:- Select the route as described in the section  Loading an Existing Route above. Then Left Click on the  VIEW SESSIONS  button. A strip of thumbnails of all the Sessions, installed and as well as any that may be available from the DLC, for the selected route will be shown at the base of the screen. If there are too many to fit in the available space, then either:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 move the mouse pointer onto the base of any thumbnail image to reveal the scroll bar device then Left Click and Drag the scroll bar left or right to reveal the additional sessions OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 move the mouse pointer onto any thumbnail image, as shown above, and roll the mouse scroll wheel forwards or backwards to reveal the additional sessions OR Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 use the Expand View button. This will fill the screen with thumbnail images. If there are still too many to fit then use either of the two methods listed above to scroll the full screen view left and right. Left Click the Expand View button again to return the thumbnails to the strip at the bottom of the screen. Select the session thumbnail you need and then Left Click on the  EDIT SESSION  button. If the  EDIT SESSION  option is not present then the selected session is a saved Game (a "game" saved when in Driver) and cannot be edited. See the section  Loading Games below.

Both and will load the route and session into Surveyor.

Loading a Session Into Surveyor From Content Manager

Trainz provides a shortcut that allows you to load an existing session directly into Surveyor for editing from Content Manager.

Steps: To Load a Session into Surveyor:- in Content Manager select the filter Routes & Sessions identify the session to be loaded and edited in Surveyor Right Click on the session to open its Command Menu select  Open... , then select  Edit Asset in Surveyor  Both the route and the session will be loaded into Surveyor for editing.

Loading a Session into Driver From Surveyor

To start Driver simply select a session as described above in Loading an Existing Session and Left Click on the  DRIVE SESSION  button.

This will load both the session and the route into Driver.

You can save your "game play" in Driver at anytime. See  Loading Games below.

Loading a Session into Driver From Content Manager

Trainz provides a shortcut that allows you to load an existing session directly into Driver from Content Manager.

Steps To Load a Session into Driver from Content Manager:-: in Content Manager select the filter Routes & Sessions Identify the session to drive Right Click on the session to open its Command Menu select  Open... , then select  Open Asset in Driver  Both the session and its parent route will be loaded into Driver and the simulation will be started.

Editing a Session

WARNING: When a Session is loaded into Surveyor or a new Session is created all the assets you add will be AUTOMATICALLY placed into a Session Layer. To place them in a different layer, for example a Route Layer, change the Active Layer to the required layer before adding them to the route. See the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Use Layers for more details.

Any changes made to the Session Rules (including drivers and their commands), the Environment Tools, Industry or Rolling Stock settings, will be added to the Session Data. There are other changes that will also be added to the Session Data.

You can edit the Session Characteristics at any time by selecting the  Edit Session...  option from the  Edit Menu or by simply pressing  Ctrl  +  R . This will bring up the Edit Session dialogue window which is more commonly called the Session Editor (shown below). For more details on editing a Session see the Trainz Wiki Page at  The Session Editor - screenshot shown below.

Session Characteristics:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Name and Description Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Session Rules which set:- drivers and their consists driver commands time of day/night events and much, much more

You can edit the Name of the Session. This will change the session username in the config.txt file but it will not alter the session <kuid> value You can edit the Session Description You can add, delete and edit the Session Rules

Adding Assets to a Session

	Assets include all visible objects (trees, buildings, roads, tracks, signals, rolling stock, etc) and invisible objects (track triggers, track marks, etc) that can be added to your session
	Any objects added to a session will only be available in that session

 In Surveyor Classic (S10) 

In Surveyor Classic (S10) the tools and objects are in tabbed icons on the right of the screen which can be opened by a  Left Click  on the icon or by pressing its Function Key

F3  Scenery objects (e.g. buildings) and splines (e.g. roads) are added and manipulated by tools in the Objects icon (the  F3  key)  F4  Railroad tracks and track objects (e.g. signals, switches, etc) are added and manipulated by tools in the Tracks icon (the  F4  key)  F7  Rolling stock (locomotives, wagons) are added and manipulated by tools in the Trains icon (the  F7  key) Opening each tool will reveal a selection list of assets and a set of tools for applying and manipulating the selected asset

 In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) 

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) there is a single set of common tools that can add and manipulate objects of any type. Select a tool by a  Left Click  on its icon in the  Tools Palette  or by pressing its key. You can also select multiple objects, that can be of different types, and manipulate them (move, rotate, delete) as if they were a single object.

E  The Placement Tool adds ALL objects (scenery, splines, track and track objects, rolling stock) selected using the  Filter Palette  and the  Assets Palette   S  The Free Move Tool moves ALL objects, either individually or as a group, to anywhere on the surface  D  The Fine Adjustment Tool moves and rotates ALL objects, either individually or as a group, in small movements to anywhere on, below or above the surface There is a Wiki Page that covers in great detail the use of the Surveyor 2.0 tools at  How to Use S20 Tools

Setting Different Switch Directions in Routes and Sessions Steps: To Save the Default Switch Direction in the Route:- Set the switch to the desired direction for the route. If the switch is already in that direction then change something in the route (e.g. move a tree a few centimetres) to make sure that the route has been edited Save ( Ctrl  +  S  or select  Save  from the System Menu) In the Save Dialogue Window, make sure that the options Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Overwrite existing route and Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Do not save session ...are selected and then save Steps: To Save a Different Switch Direction in a Session:- Set the switch to the desired direction for the Session Save ( Ctrl  +  S  or select  Save  from the System Menu) The Save Dialogue Window SHOULD only contain the options Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Overwrite existing session Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Create new session Select one of the options and then save

Editing the Environment of a Session

Environmental settings in a Session will have priotity over those in a Route

You can edit the Environment Controls of a Session by selecting the  Edit Environment...  option from the  Edit Menu. This will bring up the Edit Environment dialogue window, more commonly called the Environment Tools. For more details on editing the Environment see the Trainz Wiki Page at  The Environment Tools The only difference between the Environment Controls in a Route and a Session is that the route has the World Origin control.

Environment Controls ina Session:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 lighting conditions Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 weather and cloud cover Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 water color and water surface (rough, calm, etc) for Legacy Water only Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 wind speed (for SpeedTree assets only) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 fog and snow Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 season (by the date and latitude) Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 road traffic (on or off only)

Notes: Environment Settings in Routes and Sessions It is possible (and often even expected) that a Route and its Sessions will have different environmental settings - for example the Route may have been created for the summer season but one Session may be set in winter and will require an overcast sky, snow, fog and generally lower light levels. See the Trainz Wiki Page at  The Environment Tools for more details. There is an order of priority with the Environmental Settings in Routes and Sessions If an Environmental Control (e.g. Weather or Date) is set in both the Route and the Session, then the Session setting will take priority over the setting in the Route If an Environmental Control is set in the Route but NOT in the Session, then the Route setting will take priority if an Environmental Control is NOT set in both the Route and the Session, then the default value for that setting will be used. The default value for the Date is today's date The World Origin is only found in a Route. If the World Origin is not set in the Route then its default setting of 52.45°N 13.3°E (Berlin, Germany) will be used

Saving a Route and a Session

Routes and Sessions are saved from the System Menu on the Surveyor screen.

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Selecting  Save  or pressing  Ctrl  +  S  will save the route, or the route and the session, with the previously entered name(s) when they were loaded or created. You will be asked to confirm both the names (and can change them if you wish) and the Save command. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Selecting  Save As...  will save the route, or the route and the session, with the previously entered name(s) when they were loaded or created. You will be asked to confirm both the names (and can change them if you wish) and the Save As command. Notes: Routes and Sessions:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 are saved as entries in the Trainz Database, not as files on your hard drive. Loading a route or a session will retrieve it from the database. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be loaded directly into Surveyor from Content Manager. See Loading a Route Into Surveyor From Content Manager and Loading a Session Into Surveyor From Content Manager below. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be exported as files (in the Trainz .cdp file format) from Content Manager for backup or transfer.

	Notes on Saving DLS/DLC Routes and Sessions:
	DLS  Routes and Sessions can be modified and saved as new routes and sessions Modifying and Creating:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you have modified a DLS route then you can delete the original route if you no longer need it and your modified version will not be affected Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you have modified a DLS session then you can delete the original session if you no longer need it and your modified version will not be affected. However, if you delete the original DLS route then your modified session  will not work  Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 you can create a completely new and original session for a DLS route but it  will not work  if the original DLS route is deleted Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the original DLS routes and sessions will not be altered or replaced by your modified versions Saving:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 when saved, modified DLS routes and sessions will become Your Content and can be found using the  MY CONTENT  search option in Surveyor/Driver Uploading:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 you can only upload your modified DLS route and session to the DLS if you have the permission of the original creator Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you have created a completely original session based on a DLS route then you can upload the session as it is your creation
	DLC  Routes and Sessions can also be modified and saved as new routes and sessions ONLY if the creators of the original DLC content have allowed it - see Cloning a Route/Session below for more details Modifying and Creating:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 some DLC routes and sessions are encrypted and cannot be modified - that is a decision made by the content creator Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 your modified DLC route or session will become an alias of the original and will need the original route and session to be present on your system to work Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you delete or disable the original DLC route or session then your modified versions  will not work  Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 you can create a completely new and original session for a DLC route but it  will not work  if the original DLC route is deleted or disabled Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the original DLC routes and sessions will not be altered or replaced by your modified versions Saving:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 when saved, a modified DLC route or session will become Your Content and can be found using the  MY CONTENT  search option in Surveyor/Driver Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the original DLC route and session will not be altered or replaced by your modified versions Uploading:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 you can upload your modified DLC route or session to the DLS but it can only be used by those who also have the same original (unmodified) DLC version installed

Saving a New Route and Session

If you have created a new route and select Save or Save As..., then you will be presented with the following Save Route Dialogue Windows.

In both cases the name of the route that was entered when it was created will be shown and you can change the name, even in the Save option. However, there is no option in either case to change the name of the created session because the other options have been greyed out and cannot be selected.

Saving an Existing Route

If you have loaded the route only and not the session and HAVE NOT edited any Session Data or Session Layers, then selecting Save will produce the following Save Route Dialogue Window.

Settings:  Option   Overwrite Route Only. This is the default selection so there is nothing to change.  Overwrite existing route and:  Do not save session the route will be saved (overwritten using its current name) but no session will be saved.  Option    Overwrite Route and Create a New Session. Tick the box  Create new session.  Overwrite existing route and:  Create new session: enter a name for the session (the suggested name Default is NOT recommended). the route will be saved (overwritten using its current name). a new session will be created using the name you enter and it will be added to the route. because you did not originally load a session, the new session will be saved with default values for all its settings.  Option   Create a New Route and a "Default Session". Tick the box  Save new route and session.  Save new route and session: enter a new name for the route. The route will be saved with its new name. the original route will not be changed. a new session will be created using the name Default and it will be added to the new route. because you did not originally load a session, the new session will be saved with the default values for all its settings. After you have made your selections, Left Click on Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Accept or Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Cancel

If you have loaded the route only and not the session and HAVE edited Session Data or Session Layers, then selecting Save will produce the following Save Route Dialogue Window.

Settings:  Option   Overwrite Route and Create a New Session. This is the default selection so there is nothing to change.  Overwrite existing route and:  Create new session: enter a name for the session (the suggested name Default is NOT recommended). the route will be saved (overwritten using its current name). a new session will be created using the name you enter and it will be added to the route. The new session will have the settings and changes you have made.  Option   Overwrite Route Only. Tick the box  Do not save session.  Overwrite existing route and:  Do not save session the route will be saved (overwritten using its current name) but no session will be saved. if you have edited the session and later exit the program without saving those edits (you will be prompted to save the session) then any changes you have made to the session will be lost.  Option   Create a New Route and a "Default Session". Tick the box  Save new route and session.  Save new route and session: enter a new name for the route. The route will be saved with its new name. the original route will not be changed. a new session will be created using the name Default and it will be added to the new route. The new session will have the settings and changes you have made. After you have made your selections, Left Click on Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Accept or Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Cancel

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you have edited any session Data or Layers but have selected the option Do not save session then later, before you exit the program, you will be prompted to save the edited session by the appearance of the Save Session dialogue box (see below). Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you decide to create a new session and leave its name as Default then a new Default Session will be created to add to any others also named Default that may already be present in a route and this will cause confusion. This is why it is not a good idea to use Default as a session name.

Saving an Existing Route and Session

If you have loaded a route and a session and have edited the route OR both the route AND the session, then selecting Save will produce the following Save Route Dialogue Window.

Settings:  Option   Overwrite Route and Session. This is the default selection so there is nothing to change.  Overwrite existing route and:  Overwrite existing session: both the route and the session will be saved (overwritten using their current names).  Option   Overwrite Existing Route and Create a New Session. Tick the box  Create new session.  Overwrite existing route and:  Create new session: enter a new name for the session. the route will be saved (overwritten using its current name). a new session will be created using the name you enter and it will be added to the existing route. the original session will not be changed.  Option   Overwrite Route Only. Tick the box  Do not save session.  Overwrite existing route and:  Do not save session the route will be saved (overwritten using its current name) but no session will be saved. if you have edited the session and later exit the program without saving those edits (you will be prompted to save the session) then any changes you have made to the session will be lost.  Option   Create a New Route and a New Session. Tick the box  Save new route and session.  Save new route and session: enter a new name for the route. the route will be saved with its new name. a new session will be created using the same name as the original session and it will be added to the new route. the original session and route will not be changed. After you have made your selections, Left Click on Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Accept or Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Cancel

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you have edited any session Data or Layers but have selected the option Do not save session then later, before you exit the program, you will be prompted to save the edited session by the appearance of the Save Session dialogue box (see below). Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you decide to create a new session and leave its name as Default then a new Default Session will be created to add to any others also named Default that may already be present in a route and this will cause confusion. This is why it is not a good idea to use Default as a session name. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 There is a BUG in Trainz Plus and TRS22 that will treat changing the name of a Track Object (e.g. a signal, track mark, switch, etc) as a change to the session and not to the route. If you have not edited anything else in the route then you will see the Session Save dialogue window (see  Saving an Edited Session Only below) to save the session and not the route. The workaround is to make a change to the route (e.g. move a tree a few centimetres) and select save again. NOTE: This bug has been fixed in the Release Candidate for the next update.

Saving an Edited Session Only

If you have only edited the session then you will be given the option to save the Session only

If you have loaded a route and a session and have edited the session (Data or Layers) only and not the route, or have already saved the route but not the session, then selecting Save will produce the following Save Session Dialogue Window.

Settings:  Option   Overwrite the Session Only. This is the default selection so there is nothing to change.  Overwrite existing session the session will be saved (overwritten using its current name). the original route will not be changed.  Option   Create a New Session. Tick the box  Create new session.  Create new session: you can enter a new name for the session or use the suggested name which will include the date, time and session runtime. a new session will be created using the name you enter and it will be added to the existing route. the original route and session will not be changed. After you have made your selections, Left Click on Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Accept or Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to Cancel

Saving a Route and Session Using the UDS

The UDS allows you to switch quickly between Driver and Surveyor (in both directions) so you can edit a running session

The UDS (Unified Driver Surveyor) Interface (see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Use the UDS Interface for more details) allows you to quickly switch from Driver to Surveyor and back to Driver again without having to restart the session from the beginning. You can edit the route and session while in Surveyor and then switch back to Driver to continue the session where you left it.

This powerful ability does come with a warning. When you save your changes take particular care of what you are saving and how you are saving (overwrite or new save). See Notes: below.

Most of the problems users seem to be experiencing with the UDS, judging from the posts in the Trainz Forums, is when saving an edited Route or Session after switching from Surveyor to Driver. The Notes: and Options: below contain some tips and steps you can use to avoid these problems.

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 After switching to Surveyor you can edit any Route or Session objects and scenery. Be aware that the properties of some route objects are actually stored in the Session and that editing/deleting some objects, such as tracks, signals and switches, could have a serious effect on saved Sessions and Games Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Using Driver Mode involves driving consists (either manually or through the AI) and starting or completing Session Rules. This will change the session parameters Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Switching from Driver to Surveyor and editing the session is almost the same as loading the session directly into Surveyor from the opening Trainz menu. But the big difference is that after using Driver:- the consists may have moved to new positions some driver commands may have already been completed some of the session rules may have started or completed commodity levels (industries and wagons) may have changed switch levers may be in new positions signals may be in new states the clock and possibly the weather would have changed   Saving the Session after editing will save all of these changes. If you choose to save using the Overwrite existing session option then you will be replacing your original starting Session with a new one with the possible changes listed above. So when you later load and restart the Session things will not be the same as they were in the original or starting Session.

 Unless you have a particular reason for overwriting the original Session then the recommended save options are:-

Option  Do Not Save the Session
	Steps: To Save the Route Only:- Left Click the checkbox  Do not save session  This will save the Route only, using its existing name and it will overwrite the original route. This will save any edits that you have made to the Route but not to the Session.

Option  Create a New Session
	Steps: To Save the Route and a NEW Session:- Left Click the checkbox  Create new session  Enter a name for the new session This will save the Route using its existing name and it will overwrite the original route. It will also save the Session using the name you enter in the text box below the checkbox (Stage 3 in the example shown). The original Session will not be altered. This is useful when you want to test out changes to consists, industry settings, Rules, driver commands, etc but do not want to destroy the original Session.

If you have NOT edited anything while in Surveyor and select  Save  then you will be shown the Save Driver Session dialogue window to save the session in its current state as a Game (also called a Driver Game). This is exactly the same as pressing  Ctrl  +  S  while in Driver. Notes: The area below the name text entry box will show any existing games that have already been saved for this session. You can select one of them and your current game will be saved with that name and it will replace (overwrite) that game. Your saved Game will appear in the Select Session menu for the route. Loading it will resume Driver at the point where it was saved.

Exiting Surveyor

If you exit Surveyor after editing without saving then you will be prompted to Save.

Steps: To Exit Surveyor:- Open the Main Menu select the  Exit Surveyor  option Another option is to exit Trainz completely select the  Exit Game  option Regardless of which option you take, if you have unsaved work you will be prompted to save before you exit

Unsaved  Route	Unsaved  Session

Options:  Don't Save  will exit Surveyor to either the Main Menu Screen or to your OS Desktop without saving. Any changes you have made will be lost.  Save  will exit Surveyor to either the Main Menu Screen or to your OS Desktop after saving. You will be prompted to select what to save as described in the section  Saving a Route and a Session above  Cancel  will cancel the Exit command and return you to Surveyor.

Exiting Driver

If you exit Driver after running a session you will be prompted to Save the current Game

Steps: To Exit Driver:- Open the Main Menu select the  Exit Driver  option Another option is to exit Trainz completely select the  Exit Game  option Regardless of which option you take, if your Session Data has changed then you will be prompted to save before you exit

Options:  Don't Save  will exit Driver to either the Main Menu Screen or to your OS Desktop without saving. The current state of the session (positions and movements of the consists, commodity levels, time of day, etc) will be lost.  Save  will exit Driver to either the Main Menu Screen or to your OS Desktop sfter saving. You will be prompted to enter a name for your saved Game. See the section  Saving Games below for more details.  Cancel  will cancel the Exit command and return you to Driver.

Cloning a Route/Session

	A Clone is an exact or duplicate copy of an asset. Some Payware routes and sessions cannot be cloned
	Cloned routes and sessions can be edited and saved as Your Content

Cloning a Route or a Session allows you to work on a duplicate copy of the original. All changes that you make will be saved in the cloned copy leaving the original copy unchanged.

Cloned assets are subject to copyright laws and they remain the property of the original creator

Notes: Freeware routes, that have been downloaded and installed from the DLS, can be cloned and saved as new routes. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 They are saved with a new <kuid> that will include your personal identity code, so they will become Your Content and can be found using the  MY CONTENT  search option Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The original route from the DLS will not be altered or replaced by your new version Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can delete the original DLS route if you wish and your cloned version will NOT be affected Payware Routes, that have been downloaded and installed from the DLC, can also be cloned as new routes if the creators of the routes allow it. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Some Payware routes are encrypted and cannot be cloned Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When an approved DLC route is cloned it will be given a new <kuid> that will include your personal identity code, so it will become Your Content and can be found using the  MY CONTENT  search option Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The original Payware route will not be altered or replaced by your new version Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you delete or disable the original DLC route then your cloned route  will NOT work  Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can upload, depending on permissions, your edited clone of a Payware route to the DLS but it can only be used by other users who also have the same original (unedited) DLC Payware route installed Sessions that have been downloaded and installed from the DLS (freeware) or DLC (payware) follow the same rules as described for DLS and DLC routes above Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Some Payware sessions are encrypted and cannot be cloned Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 When an approved DLC session is cloned it will be given a new <kuid> that will include your personal identity code, so it will become Your Content and can be found using the  MY CONTENT  search option Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The original DLC or DLS session will not be altered or replaced by your new version Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can, if you decide, safely delete the original DLS session but not the original DLS route Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you delete or disable the original DLC session or the original DLC route then your cloned session  will NOT work  Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can upload, depending on permissions, your edited clone of a Payware session to the DLS but it can only be used by other users who also have the same original (unedited) DLC Payware installed.

Cloning Using Surveyor

Routes and Sessions that have been loaded into Surveyor can be cloned using the  Save As...  command from the Surveyor  System Menu

Enter a new name or edit the original name (as shown above) for your cloned route or session.

Options: If the first option ( Save new route and session) is selected then the Route will be cloned using your new or edited name. The Session will be also cloned using its original name but it will use the newly cloned Route as a dependency instead of the original Route. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the original route is Freeware (e.g. from the DLS) and you do not want to keep it then it can be safely deleted, which will also delete the original session but the new cloned route and session will remain active on your system Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the original route is Payware (e.g. from the DLC) then deleting or disabling it will disable your cloned route and session. When Payware is cloned it must remain active on your system for the clone to work. If the second option ( Save new session) is selected then only the Session will be cloned using your new or edited name (make sure that you change the "Default" to something else) but it will still use the original (uncloned) Route as a dependency - so it is vital that you DO NOT DELETE the original route. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the original session is Freeware then it can be safely deleted if you no longer need it Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the original session is Payware then deleting or disabling it will also disable your cloned session

Cloning Using Content Manager

Select the Route or Session to Clone

Steps: To Create a Clone:- In Content Manager select the filter Routes & Sessions select the route or session to be cloned then either:- Options:- from the Content Menu select  Clone  OR press  Ctrl  +  D

A Task Window will open to display the result. In the image above the original Route has been cloned and given a new <kuid> value. The newly cloned Route will be shown in Content Manager as a New Asset that is Open for Editing.

Steps: To Find the Clone:- close the Task Window select the Open for Editing filter.

Rename the Clone (an Optional Step)  You can give the cloned Route or Session a new name and a new description. Note that these changes will not appear until after the New Asset has been submitted.

Steps: To Rename a Clone:- Right Click the New Asset select  Open...  select  Edit Config File Text  The config.txt file will open in your default text editor. You can then edit both the Title (username) and the Description of the Route or Session locate the line that starts with username edit the text on that line between the Quote (") marks (but do not delete the quote marks) to change it to the new name of this Route/Session locate the line that starts with description edit the text on that line between the Quote (") marks (but do not delete the quote marks) to edit the description of this Route/Session save (usually  Ctrl  +  S ) exit the text editor

Submit the Clone (a Necessary Step)

When submitted a cloned DLC Route or Session will be described as Payware, Modified while a cloned DLS Route or Session will be described as Modified

Steps: To Submit the Clone as a New Asset:- Right Click on the New Asset select the option  Submit Edits  The New Asset entry will vanish from the Open for Editing display. Open the Content Manager filter Today to check that it has been correctly submitted. If you have renamed the clone then it should appear using its new name.

Notes: You can rename a cloned Route or a cloned Session in Surveyor but the clone would still have to be submitted in Content Manager first using its original name and then loaded into Surveyor. You would then have two Routes or Sessions with the same name to select from - one would be the original and the other the clone, and telling them apart may not be simple. You can use the Driver/Surveyor main screen  MY CONTENT  source filter to locate and load the correct cloned Route or Session because the clone will have your <kuid> code and not its original code. Load the cloned Route or Session into Surveyor, then Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to rename a route open the  Edit menu and select the  Edit Route...  option, OR press  Ctrl  +  E  - see  Editing a Route above Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 to rename a session open the Edit menu and select Edit Session, or press  Ctrl  +  R  - see  Editing a Session above Both will also allow you to edit the Name and Description of the cloned Route/Session.

Saving and Loading Games in Driver

	Games are the state of play when a route and session is saved while in Driver Mode
	A Game can be loaded back into Trainz to continue running from the point where it was saved

Notes: Games:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 like routes and sessions, are saved as entries in the Trainz Database, not as files on your hard drive. Loading a driver game will retrieve it from the database. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be loaded directly into Driver from Content Manager in exactly the same way that Sessions can be loaded directly into Driver from Content Manager Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 can be exported as files (in the Trainz .cdp file format) from Content Manager for backup or transfer.

Saving Games

Games save the "state of play" in Driver. Once saved, the Game can be loaded back into Driver to continue the play at the point where it was saved. The Game will be saved with:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 consists in their positions and states (stationary or moving, loads carried, driver commands) at the time of the save Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 industries and rolling stock in their conditions (product levels) at the time of the save Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 switches in their state at the time of the save Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 session rules in their state (completed or not completed) at the time of the save Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the game clock showing the game time at the time of the save

Steps: To Save a Game in Driver:- In Driver select  Save  from the System Menu or press  Ctrl  +  S . This will usually (see Notes below) display the Save Driver Session dialogue window showing the name of the current session with a date and time stamp (shown below left). The space below the entered name will display any other saved Games for that session Left Click on the icon to save the Game using the name shown. Alternatively, you can enter your own unique name (shown below right) and then Left Click on the icon Selecting an existing name will bring up a dialogue window asking you to confirm your choice.

Notes: Saving Games After an Edit Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can use the  UDS to switch from Driver to Surveyor during gameplay to edit the Route and/or the Session (see  Editing Games below for the details). If you edit the game it is strongly recommended that you save your edits before switching back to Driver to continue the game Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you edit the Route only and switch back to Driver without saving your edits, then the first save you make in Driver will ask you to save the Route with the usual choices of overwriting the original route or creating a new one. The next and all following saves will save the Game. Note: Some route objects have properties that are stored in the session. Editing those properties will also be editing the session Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you edit the Session and switch back to Driver without saving your edits, then the first save you make in Driver will ask you to save the Session with the usual choices of overwriting the original session or creating a new one. The next and all following saves will save the Game.

Loading Games

Saved Games will be shown along with all the Sessions for a selected Route. The section  Loading an Existing Session shows two different methods of displaying saved sessions and their games. Method will display ALL the saved sessions and games, which may be a very long list. Method will display the saved sessions and games for a SELECTED route, which should be a much shorter list. If using Method select the route first and then click the  VIEW SESSIONS  button. This will display a list of thumbnails for all the sessions and games for that route.

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Where a route has multiple sessions and games they will all be shown by their thumbnails with no way of telling which games belong to which session. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 It can also be difficult to tell which thumbnail is a Session and which is a Game, especially if you have removed the date/time stamp Trainz automatically adds to the name of a Game. A simple way to tell is to Left Click on a thumbnail to see if the  EDIT SESSION  button is still visible. If it is not, because games cannot be edited, then the thumbnail is for a Game.

Where there is only one session in a route, the session will be the first thumbnail shown in the list followed by its games (if any). Note that the session is selected by default.

Steps: To Load a Game into Driver - Either:-  Double Left Click  on the Game you want to load   OR  Left Click  on the Game you want to load Left Click on the  DRIVE SESSION  button This will load the saved Game, the session and the route into Driver

If you load a Game after you have edited the original route or session that was used to create it, then you will receive a message warning you that changes have been made to the original assets. The changes could affect the operation of the Game. If you have opened the Game in Driver directly from Content Manager then you will not be given this warning   Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Options:-  Cancel  - the Game will NOT be loaded, OR  Ok  - load the Game wirh the changes If the changes to the route or session have been:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 minor and non-operational, such as scenery assets (trees, buildings, etc) then the Game can be safely loaded. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 more significant operational changes, such as triggers, trackmarks, active industries, consists, tracks, etc, then it may NOT be wise to load and run the Game. Only you can be the judge but I would err on the side of caution

Editing Games

You can edit a saved Game using the UDS (Unified Driver Surveyor) interface. However:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you edit the the Route then those edits will be saved as a Route, not a Game. You can select to create a new route or overwrite (update) the original route Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 if you edit the Session then those edits will be saved as a Session, not a Game. You can select to create a new session or to overwrite (update) the original session In both cases the changes you make will appear in the Game when you use the UDS to return to Driver and will be part of the Game when you next save.

Steps: To Edit a Game:- Use the UDS to switch from Driver to Surveyor. The game will be immediately paused so that nothing will be moving while you are in Surveyor (do not switch OFF the Pause function) Edit the Route and/or Session as you normally would in Surveyor. Save if you want to make the changes permanent Use the UDS to switch back to Driver. Press the  P  key to cancel the Pause and resume game play

Deleting Routes and Sessions

	Deleting a Route will delete that Route, all its Sessions and all its saved Games (if any)
	Deleting a Session will delete that Session and its saved Games (if any). It will NOT delete the Route it was created from. It will NOT delete other Sessions created for that Route. It will NOT delete any other Games created for those other Sessions
	Deleting a Game will only delete that Game. It will NOT delete the Route or Session it was created from or any other Games from that Session

All the Surveyor and Driver screens for loading routes and sessions have a  DELETE ...  button as an option.

WARNING: If you delete a Route you will also delete all the Sessions and Games created using that Route If you delete a Session you will also delete all the Games created using that Session

If you need a more selective way of deleting routes, sessions and games, then use Content Manager from the Trainz Launch Screen. Select the Filter Routes & Sessions. The Type column will identify each entry as a route, session or Misc. Misc in this case means a saved Game. You can delete routes and/or sessions individually but if you delete a route by itself then its dependant sessions and games will be shown as faulty with Missing dependencies. Likewise, if you delete a session by itself then its dependant games will be shown as faulty with Missing dependencies.

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Trainz Wiki

Route and Session Building Guides How to Guides Create a Route in 10 Minutes How to Make Good Scenery How to Use the Session Editor   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

Related Links How to Create a Region Asset How to Merge Routes How to Use Layers How to Use Surveyor 2.0 Palettes How to Use Surveyor 2.0 Tools

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This page was created by Trainz user pware in September 2021 and was last updated as shown below.

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