How to Use Track Priority Markers

The information in this Wiki Page describes how to install, configure and use Track Priority Markers in TRS22 and Trainz Plus using both Surveyor 2.0 (S20) and Surveyor Classic (S10). The Surveyor Classic sections provide a basic guide only for TRS19 and T:ANE.

Key Points:- Track Priority Markers are purple coloured track markers that are invisible in Driver but visible in Surveyor They only work on AI controlled trains. They have NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains They are used with Priority Levels that are also assigned to each train They direct specific trains (those with a matching Priority Level) under AI control through the track section where they are placed The direction that the marker is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation They can be placed in a Route or in a Session Navigation Icons used in this Document   at Chapter Headings to jump to the top/bottom of the document   at Chapter Headings to jump to the next or previous Chapter e.g. 1. to 2. to 3., etc   within Chapters to jump to the next or previous Section e.g. 3.1 to 3.2 and back to 3.1, etc   within Sections to jump to the next or previous Sub-section e.g. 3.1.1 to 3.1.2 to 3.1.3, etc  Link Internal link to another section within this document  Link External link to another document

What are Track Priority Markers?

	Track Priority Markers are track markers that are invisible in Driver but visible in Surveyor
	They match the Priority Level assigned to AI consists with the level assigned to the marker on the track to decide if the consist is allowed to use that section of track
	Priority Levels have no set meanings but can be assigned to specific AI trains to force them through selected sections of track (the sections are defined as the track between consecutive junctions, industries or crossings)

Track Priority Markers are used to assign different levels of Priority to track sections. Trains under AI control that have:- the same Priority Level to the track will, under normal conditions‡, be directed along that track reardless of its actual length a different Priority Level to the track will, under normal conditions‡, follow the normal rules for deciding which is the shortest path to take which may result in that track being selected anyway ‡ assuming that there are no conflicting driver commands or movements A better way of thinking about the meaning of Priority is to use the word Preference instead of "Priority". Preference indicates a choice between different paths while Priority is often mistakenly taken to mean importance

How Do They Work? When an AI controlled train is plotting a path to its next destination, it will always select the shortest available path. A Track Priority Marker with the same Priority Level as the train basically "fools" the AI into accepting that its path IS the shortest even when it is not. There are some exceptions - see  Track Priority Marker Operation below. The Priority Level is set for all the track segments...

Starting at any one of:- a Junction an Industry Owned Track a Crossing

AND

Ending at any one of:- the next Junction the next Industry Owned Track the next Crossing

For Example: a Track Priority Marker placed on the track between a junction on one side and an industry track on the other side will set the Priority Level for ALL the track segments between the two, not just the one it is attached to.

Route or Session?

Track Priority Markers can be placed in a Route or in a Session

Notes: Placing Track Priority Markers in a Route layer (e.g. in the same layer as the track) will save them with the Route and they will be available in all Sessions created using that particular Route Placing Track Priority Markers in a Session layer will save them with the current Session and they will only be available in that particular Session. This can be useful if two or more Sessions are being created and you do not want to use the same Track Priority Markers in each Session.

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

Adding a Track Priority Marker

Notes: A Track Priority Marker has just one important property:- its Priority Level which will only have an effect on AI controlled trains that have the same Priority Level. The direction that a Track Priority Marker is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation

In Surveyor Classic (S10)

Surveyor Classic (or S10) is the original Surveyor interface supplied with every version of Trainz and is available as an option in TRS22PE and Trainz Plus.

The Surveyor Classic interface used here is the one found in Trainz Plus and TRS22PE. There are some differences from the Surveyor Classic interface found in older versions of Trainz.

Adding a Track Priority Marker (S10)

Track Priority Markers are Track Objects and have to be attached to a track segment. They can be moved along the track and to other tracks.

Steps: To Add a Track Priority Marker:- Open the Tracks Tool Flyout (the  F4  key) and  Left Click  on the Trackmark Mode button (the  V  key)  Left Click  on the Track Priority Marker object shown in the asset list  Left Click  the  +  Add Object button - it may already be selected - or press the  A  key  Left Click  on the track location where the Track Priority Marker is to be placed Avoid placing a Track Priority Marker on a junction. You could accidentally place it on the wrong junction branch which means that it may have NO EFFECT on the targetted train if it is directed to the other branch This will place the Track Priority Marker on the track and open its Properties Window. It will be given a default name and assigned to the currently active Layer. You can edit its Name. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Set its Name and Layers (S10) below. You can change its Layer and/or Bound Layer. See the section  Set its Name and Layers (S10) below. Information on the Layer and the Bound Layer settings can be found at:-  How to Use Layers.. WARNING: Switching an objects Layer between a Route Layer and a Session Layer will change where it is saved (in the Route or the Session). You can edit its Priority Level. This WILL affect its operation. See the section  Set its Priority Level (S10) below. You can reverse the direction it points. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Change its Direction (S10) below. You can adjust its position on the track by dragging it along the track or to another track. See the section  Move it Along the Track (S10) below. You can adjust its Effect Radius. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Set its Effect Radius (S10) below.

Notes: Deleting a Track Priority Marker Steps: To Delete a Track Priority Marker:- If they are not already open and selected, open the Track Tools Flyout (the  F4  key) and the Trackmark Mode (the  V  key).  Left Click  on the Delete icon.  Left Click  on the Track Priority Marker to be deleted.

Set its Name and Layers (S10)

	The name of a Track Priority Marker is only important if you need to locate it in the route.
	The Layer it is assigned to will decide if will be saved in a Route or in a Session

The Name and Layer Settings for a Track Priority Marker are in its Properties Window.
	The Properties Window will open as soon as a new Track Priority Marker has been added to a track segment.
	To open the Properties Window for an existing Track Priority Marker:-
Steps: To Open the Properties Window for an Existing Track Priority Marker:- In the Track Tools Flyout (the  F4  key) select Trackmark Mode (the  V  key)    Left Click  on the  ?  icon.  Left Click  on the Track Priority Marker to open its Properties Window.

To change the Track Priority Marker name  Left Click  on the name text entry box, delete the current name and enter a new name BUT its name has NO EFFECT on its operation. Use a name for the marker that will make it easy to remember and locate. To change its Layer and/or its Bound Layer  Left Click  on the approprite layer text entry box (or use its scroll arrowheads) and select a new layer. Information on the Layer and the Bound Layer settings can be found at:-  How to Use Layers WARNING: Switching an objects Layer between a Route Layer and a Session Layer will change where it is saved (in the Route or the Session). To confirm the changes  Left Click  on the icon or the  Save Changes  button (depending on your Trainz version) at the bottom of the window OR click on the icon or  Cancel  button to cancel the changes. Both actions will close the Properties Window.

Set its Priority Level (S10)

The Priority Level is the ONLY important property of a Track Priority Marker. Its possible values are 1, 2 and 3.

A Track Priority Marker sets the  Preferred Path  for AI controlled trains that have the same Priority Level (see   Modifying Train Priority Levels below). It has NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains or on AI controlled trains with a different Priority Level.

The Priority Level will affect ALL track segments...

Starting at any one of:- a Junction an Industry Owned Track a Crossing	AND	Ending at any one of:- the next Junction the next Industry Owned Track the next Crossing
For Example: a Track Priority Marker placed on the track between a junction on one side and an industry track on the other side will set the Priority Level for ALL the track segments between the two.

Steps: To Set its Priority Level:- Open the Tracks Tool Flyout or press the  F4  key  Left Click  on the Trackmark Mode icon or press the  V  key At the bottom of the Flyout  Left Click  the Properties button (the ? icon) or press the  P  key.  Left Click  the Track Priority Marker. This will open up its Properties window. If the Script Properties section is closed as shown left,  Left Click  on its arrowhead icon.  Left Click  on the Priority 0 link (instead of 0 it may show 1, 2 or 3).  Note: In the latest versions of Trainz this will open the Priority Selection window (shown below). In older versions each click on the current Priority Level number will cycle through the Priority Level numbers. In the latest versions of Trainz  Left Click  on a Priority Level (1, 2 or 3). To complete the task  Left Click  at the bottom of the window either on the icon to accept the selection or on the icon to cancel the selection.  Left Click  on the  Save Changes  or on the  Cancel  button to close the Properties window.

Change its Direction (S10)

The direction a Track Priority Marker is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation.

If you need to change the direction of a Track Priority Marker then:- Steps: To Reverse the Direction of a Track Priority Marker:- In the Track Tools Flyout (the  F4  key) select Trackmark Mode (or press the  V  key) Then select the Rotate Trackmark Tool (or press the  R  key)  Left Click  on the Track Priority Marker

Move it Along the Track (S10)

Track Priority Markers can be dragged along the track and moved to other tracks.

If you need to move a Track Priority Marker then:- Steps: To Move a Track Priority Marker to a New Position or to Another Track:- In the Track Tools Flyout (the  F4  key) select Trackmark Mode (the  V  key) Then select the Move Trackmark Tool (the  M  key)  Left Click and Drag  on the Track Priority Marker to its new position. It will follow track curves and height changes as it moves.

When dragging a marker from one track to another it will not move until the mouse pointer is over, or very close to, the second track when the marker will instantly jump across.

Set its Effect Radius (S10)

	The Effect Radius sets the size of green "effect wings" attached to both ends of the Track Priority Marker.
	Its default value is 20m. Changing it has NO EFFECT on its operation.

Changing the Effect Radius of a Track Priority Marker has NO EFFECT on its operation but it allows you to keep its "visibility" clear of other track objects such as junctions and other markers.

The Effect Radius controls for a Track Priority Marker are in the Tools Menu Advanced Window.

Steps: To Open the Advanced Tools Window:- In the Track Tools Flyout (the  F4  key) select Trackmark Mode (the  V  key)  Left Click  on the  Advanced  label at the bottom of the Track Tools Flyout. This will open the Advanced Tools Window (shown below).

Other Track Objects that have an Effect Radius include:-  Track Triggers  Track Markers  Track Direction Markers

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

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

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20)

Surveyor 2.0 (or S20) is the latest Surveyor interface and is supplied with TRS22PE and Trainz Plus.

Adding a Track Priority Marker (S20)

Track Priority Markers are Track Objects and have to be attached to a track segment. The Track Priority Marker can be moved along the track and off the track (left, right, above, below) but its attachment point is always connected to a track segment.

In the Filter Palette either:-  Left Click  on the Track Objects icon OR  Left Click  on the Content Drop Down Box Then select Track Objects  Shortcut  If you already have a Track Priority Marker placed in your route then:- move the tool pointer over the existing Track Priority Marker object and hold down the  Alt  key. The object name will appear in a ToolTip attached to the pointer while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the Track Priority Marker to identify it in the Assets Palette and to select the Placement Tool. Release the key. Jump to Step below.

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

In the Assets Palette to narrow down the filter list, type "priority" (UPPER/lower case does not matter) in the Search Text Box

Both pallets shown docked

This will list all the Track Objects containing the text "priority" in their names or descriptions.  Left Click  on the item name AI Routing Priority Marker - you may have to scroll down the list to find the asset but in this case there is only a single match for the search. If you are not sure about an asset then  Double Left Click  on the name to bring up its image and description. When you select any Track Object asset in the Assets Palette list it will automatically select the Placement Tool so the next  Left Click  on a track will add that asset to your Trainz World

Place the Track Priority Marker on the track.

Notes: Deleting a Track Priority Marker Steps: To Delete a Track Priority Marker:- select either the:-  Free Move Tool (or press the  S  key) OR the  Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key)  Left Click  on the Track Priority Marker to be deleted press the  Delete  key

Steps: To Add a Track Priority Marker:- If, for some reason, the Placement Tool has not been selected then  Left Click  on the Placement Tool or press the  E  key.  Left Click  on the track at the position where you want to place the Track Priority Marker. Avoid placing a Track Priority Marker on a junction. You could accidentally place it on the wrong junction branch which means that it will NO EFFECT if the targetted train is directed to the other branch. This will place the Track Priority Marker on the track. It will be given a default name and assigned to the currently active Layer. You can edit its Name. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Change its Name (S20). You can open its Layer and/or its Binding Layer and select new layers. See the section  Assign it to Another Layer (S20) below. See  How to Use Layers for information on the Layer and Binding Layer settings. WARNING: Switching an objects Layer between a Route Layer and a Session Layer will change where it is saved (in the Route or the Session). You can edit its Priority Level. This WILL affect its operation. See the section  Set its Priority Level (S20) below. You can reverse the direction it points. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Change its Direction (S20) below. You can adjust its position on the track by dragging it along the track or to another track. See the section  Move it Along the Track (S20) below. You can adjust its Effect Radius. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Set its Effect Radius (S20) below.

Once you have added a Track Priority Marker and set its properties it can be quickly duplicated (Cloned) in Surveyor 2.0 with those properties and moved to a new location. You can then easily edit the name and properties of the clone at the new location. See  How to Use S20 Tools - Cloning Objects for the details.

Change Its Name (S20)

The name of the marker is only useful for finding it in the route. It is not used for any operational purpose.

Steps: To Change the Name of a Track Priority Marker:- using either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool select ( Left Click  on) the Track Priority Mark to be renamed in the Info Palette (you may need to make this palette visible - see the Notes: for Step  1  above)  Left Click  in the Name: entry box. Enter a name for the Track Priority Marker and press the  Enter  key BUT its name has NO EFFECT on its operation. The Name of a Track Priority Marker will not be shown above it in Surveyor. The name will appear in the  Info Palette  if the object is selected.

Assign it to Another Layer (S20)

The layer assigned to a marker will control where it is saved, in the Route or the Session.

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

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

Change its Direction (S20)

The direction that the Track Priority Marker points has NO effect on its operation.

If you need to reverse its direction then:-

Steps: To Reverse its Direction:- select the Track Priority Marker and  Left Click  on its  Context Menu Icon labelled in the diagram (or press the  T  key). From the popup Context Menu select the  Rotate Trackside  option

Set its Priority Level (S20)

The Priority Level is the ONLY important property of a Track Priority Marker. Its possible values are 1, 2 and 3.

A Track Priority Marker sets the  Preferred Path  for AI controlled trains that have the same Priority Level (see   Modifying Train Priority Levels below). It has NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains or on AI controlled trains with a different Priority Level.

Steps: To Set its Priority Level:- select the Track Priority Marker and  Left Click  on its  Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) From the popup Context Menu select  Edit Details  In the Script Properties section ( Left Click  on its Down Arrow if it is not open)  Left Click  on the Priority 0 link (it may show 1, 2 or 3 instead)  Left Click  on one of the options 1, 2 and 3  Left Click  on the icon to accept the selection or the icon to reject it  Left Click  on the  Save Changes  button to accept the selection or the  Save Changes  button to reject it

Move it Along the Track (S20)

Markers can be moved along the track or moved to other tracks.

Steps: To Move the Track Priority Marker:-  Left Click and Drag  Forward or Backward on the Yellow Dot, its Attachment Point, next to the Track Priority Marker or on the object itself (see Notes: below), to move it along the track or to another track Notes: If you drag the object itself and not its Attachment Point then it will stay at its original height as it is moved along the track. If the track is on a grade then the object will rise above or fall below the track as it is moved. To return the object to its correct height on the track see the next section Move it Vertically (S20) below. Dragging it by the attachment point will force it to stay at the height of the track as it is moved.

When dragging a marker from one track to another its Attachment Point will stay attached to its original track until the marker is moved closer to the second track. At that point the Attachment Point will instantly jump across to the second track.

Move it Vertically (S20)

Markers can be physically placed above or below the track.

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

Steps: To Move a Track Priority Marker vertically:- Choose Option OR :- Select the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key) Then  Left Click and Drag  Forward or Backward on the  Blue  Vertical Axis Line (labelled as in the image) to move it up or down   OR In the  Info Palette  enter a value in the  Height  setting and press the  Enter  key. NOTE: the height is measured from the absolute 0m level and not from the current height of the object or the track. If you need to return the Track Priority Marker to its original position then:- Steps: To Correctly Reattach the Track Priority Marker to the Track:- select the object and open ( Left Click  on) its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track

Move it Horizontally (S20)

Markers can be physically placed left or right of the track.

This feature allow a marker to be placed so that it will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on the marker. A change in position left or right will have NO EFFECT on its operation.

Steps: To Move a Track Priority Marker Horizontally:- This option is only available with the Fine Adjustment Tool - the  D  key   Choose from options OR  Left Click and Drag  Forward or Backward on the  Red  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Track Priority Marker to move it left or right   OR  Left Click and Drag  Forward or Backward on the  Green  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Track Priority Marker to move it forward or back If you need to return the Track Priority Marker to its original position then:- Steps: To Correctly Reattach the Track Priority Marker to the Track:- select the object and open ( Left Click  on) its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track

Notes: The  Green  Horizontal Axis Line shown as in the image pointing forward from the Track Priority Marker will move it forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. It has the same effect as Move it Along the Track. However, by using this tool it is possible to move the Track Priority Marker beyond the end of the track if that is ever required.

Set its Effect Radius (S20)

	The Effect Radius sets the size of green "effect wings" attached to both ends of the Track Priority Marker.
	Its default value is 20m. Changing it has NO EFFECT on its operation.

Notes: The Effect Radius setting has NO EFFECT on the operation of a Track Priority Marker but it allows you to keep its "visibility" clear of other track objects such as junctions and other markers.

Steps: To Adjust the Effect Radius of a Track Priority Marker:-  Left Click and Drag  on the Green Dot next to the Track Priority Marker. Drag it Left or Right (at 90° to the direction of the track) to change its Effect Radius. The speed at which you drag it will set the speed at which the radius setting will change - faster movements will give larger setting changes. For the best results when adjusting the Effect Radius of any track object, move your camera POV (point of view) to directly above the object Other Track Objects that have an Effect Radius include:-  Track Triggers  Track Markers  Track Direction Markers

Assigning Priority Levels to Trains

A higher priority level does not mean that one consist is more important than another. A priority 1 consist will not be given first access to a junction, for example, or be the first one to depart. The priority levels have no set meaning beyond what you decide they will mean.

Notes: Every locomotive (and its consist) must have a Priority Level of 1, 2 or 3. The default priority level of every locomotive is 2. You cannot assign NO Priority to a locomotive Setting the priority level of any wagon in a consist will set the priority level of ALL the wagons (including the loco) to the same setting

For example you could assign priority 1 to express trains and 3 to slow general "all stops" freight trains, or you could assign priority 3 to express trains and 1 to slow general "all stops" freight trains, it is up to you. These values will not alter the speed or importance of these trains but will only decide which paths they should take.

Surveyor Classic (S10)

To assign a priority level to a consist.

Steps: To Assign a Priority Level to a Consist:- Open the Trainz Flyout tool (the  F7  key)  Left Click  on the  ?  (Properties button)  Left Click  on any rolling stock object in the selected consist Setting the Priority Level of one rolling stock object (wagon, loco) in a consist will set ALL the rolling stock objects in the consist to the same Priority Level In T:ANE and TRS19:-  Left Click  on the Train Priority setting - each click will cycle through the values 1, 2, 3. The default priority level for all consists is 2  Left Click  the icon to accept the change In Surveyor Classic for Trainz Plus and TRS22:-  Left Click  on the Priority setting to open a drop down menu. Select the required Priority Level of 1, 2 or 3 To complete the task  Left Click  at the bottom of the window either on the icon to accept the selection or on the icon to reject the selection. Then  Left Click  on the  Save Changes  or on the  Cancel  button to close the Properties window.

Surveyor 2.0 (S20)

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

To assign a priority level to a consist.

Steps: To Assign a Priority Level to a Consist:- select either the:- the Free Move Tool (press the  S  key), OR the Fine Adjustment Tool (press the  D  key)  Left Click  on any rolling stock object in the selected consist Setting the Priority Level of one rolling stock object (wagon, loco) in a consist will set ALL the rolling stock objects in the consist to the same Priority Level  Left Click  on the Context Menu Icon (shown in the image on the left or press the  T  key) to open up the objects control menu  Left Click  on the  Edit Properties  option in the popup menu  Left Click  on the Priority setting to open a drop down menu. Select the required Priority Level of 1, 2 or 3  Left Click  the  Save Changes  button to accept the change

Track Priority Marker Operation

	Track Priority Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains
	Track Priority Markers force a AI trains that with the same priority level into taking the path containing the marker
	AI trains will ignore a path containing a Track Priority Marker that does not match its own priority level unless that path is also the shortest available
	If the specified path is blocked, then the AI will ignore the Track Priority Marker and find another path
	The direction that the Track Priority Marker is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation

Consider the situations represented in the diagrams below. Three trains - Red, Green, Yellow - have been given priority levels of 1, 2 and 3 as shown. Each is given the driver command Drive to Trackmark or Navigate to Trackmark. The destination trackmark is shown on the right. In Figure 1 below, no Track Priority Markers have been set. All three trains will take the shortest path, assuming there are no blockages. Figure 1 In Figure 2 below, a Track Priority Marker has been placed on the top loop line and has been given a priority level of 1. The red train (priority level 1) will now take the priority 1 path because it will "see" that as being the shortest of the three possible paths. The green and yellow trains (priority levels 2 and 3) will still "see" the middle path as the shortest. Figure 2 In Figure 3 below, a Track Priority Marker has been placed on the lower loop line and has been given a priority level of 3. For the same reasons as explained above, the yellow train (priority level 3) will now take the priority 3 path because it now sees that as the shortest. Figure 3 In Figure 4 below, Track Priority Markers have been placed on the upper and lower loop lines and set as shown. The red and yellow trains will take their respective loop paths while the green train is unaffected. Figure 4 An exception, shown in Figure 5 below, will occur when a Track Priority Marker path has been blocked, for example by another train under AI or manual control. In the figure the lower loop path has been blocked. The red train will take its assigned path, the green train takes its shortest path and yellow train will be forced to take what it "sees" as the next shortest path. Figure 5

Notes: An AI controlled train will not attempt to find an alternative path around a blockage if:- the Drive To driver command is used, and the blocked path is the shortest path and has the same priority setting as the consist This is the normal operation of the Drive To command and is not caused by the Track Priority Markers or consist priority levels. This situation would occur with or without the use of priority levels and markers.

---

Another exception, shown in Figure 6 below, will occur when a driver command overrides a Track Priority Marker. In the figure the yellow train (priority level 3) has been given the driver command Drive To Station followed by Drive to Trackmark. As the station is not on the priority 3 path, that path will be ignored to reach the station and then the trackmark. After stopping at the station the train will not reverse back onto the main line to then use the priority 3 track. Figure 6 The Special Case of Priority 2 Figure 7 below shows a situation that does not fit the points made above. A Track Priority Marker has been set to priority level 2 and placed on the lower loop. The green train has been given the command to drive to the trackmark but ignores its assigned priority 2 path and proceeds via the shortest actual path. Track that has not been assigned a Track Priority Marker will have a default priority level of 2. In this situation, the green train "sees" two paths that match its priority level so it takes the path that is the actual shorter of the two. Figure 7 Track Priority Markers can also be used to direct trains away from specific paths. Figure 8 below shows how this can be done. A Track Priority Marker set to priority level 1 has been positioned on the shortest physical path. This will block all trains of priority level 2 and 3 from using that path - they will see it as the longest available path. A second Track Priority Marker set to priority level 3 has been positioned on the 2nd shortest physical path. This will block all trains of priority level 1 and 2 from using that path. The end result is that the green train (priority level 2) has only one path available - the longest physical path. Figure 8 The situation shown in Figure 8 above only works up to a point. Figure 9 below shows what will happen when ALL paths are set to a blocking priority level. The green train (priority level 2) will ignore all the Track Priority Markers and choose its own shortest path. Track Priority Markers will only make a path *look* longer or shorter. When all paths have conflicting priorities to an AI train, then the AI will go back to selecting the actual shortest physical path. Figure 9

Modifying Train Priority Levels

The Priority Level of a consist in Driver can be altered manually or automatically

Manually in Driver

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

Steps: To Edit a Consists Priority Level in Driver:-  Ctrl  + Right Click  (hold down the  Ctrl  key and Right Click ) on the locomotive or on any of the wagons in the consist Setting the Priority Level of one rolling stock object (wagon, loco) in a consist will set ALL the rolling stock objects in the consist to the same Priority Level  Left Click  on the  View Details  option from the popup menu Depending on your version of Trainz, choose between:- T:ANE, TRS19 and TRS22:-  Left Click  on the Train Priority setting - each click will cycle through the values 1, 2, 3. The default priority level for all consists is 2  Left Click  the icon to accept the change In Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum:-  Left Click  on the Priority setting to open a drop down menu. Select the required Priority Level of 1, 2 or 3  Left Click  the  Save Changes  button to accept the change

OR

Using the Session Editor

This can be done in Surveyor in the Session Editor Driver Setup Rule

Steps: To Edit a Consists Priority Level in the Session Editor:- Open the Session Editor - this is found as Edit Session in the T:ANE Surveyor Main Menu and in the TRS19 (and later version) Edit Menu  Left Click  on the Driver Setup Rule then  Left Click  on the  Edit  button Insert the command Priorityz at the appropriate place in the Driver Command Bar for the selected Driver and set it to the new level The command Priorityz must be downloaded from the DLS and installed in your copy of Trainz

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

Track Priority in Map View

This applies to Surveyor Classic (S10) Only. It is not implemented in Surveyor 2.0

In Surveyor when using Map View or zooming the camera right out, the tracks will be shown colour coded according to their assigned track priority level. If the track layout shown in Figure 4 above, with the Track Priority Markers as used in that figure, was shown in Map View then this would be the result. Tracks that have not been given a Track Priority Marker will be shown as dark blue indicating that they have the default priority level 2.

---

---

Trainz Wiki

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

Related Links How to Use Track Direction Markers How to Use Track Markers How to Use Track Triggers

---

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

---