How to Use Track Direction Markers

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The information in this Wiki Page describes how to install, configure and use Track 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.

Track Direction Markers are yellow coloured markers that are invisible in Driver but visible in Surveyor They are "One Way" signs that force trains under AI control to travel in a specific direction through the track section where they are placed They only work on AI controlled trains and have NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains

What are Track Direction Markers?

Track Direction Markers are yellow track objects that are only visible in Surveyor. They set the direction that AI trains are forced to travel along a section of track between junctions, industry tracks and crossings. They only work on AI controlled trains. While Track Markers can be used to direct trains around a layout, they must be added to the Driver Commands in the form of Drive Via commands, and similar, to individual train drivers to work. Track Direction Markers can perform the same task without needing to be added to the command lists of drivers. Their disadvantage is that they will affect all AI controlled trains while Track Marks will only affect those AI trains where they appear in the driver command lists. A good place for Track Direction Markers is on industry track, changeover points between yards, sidings, mainline track and crossovers.

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How Do They Work? Track Direction Markers set a direction for a TGL (Track Graph Line - the path for an AI train to follow). A TGL can be made up of many track segments, but they generally start and end at a junction, industry owned track or crossing. When an AI driver plans a path it will query if it can enter a TGL. If the TGL contains a Track Direction Marker that is pointing against the planned path then that path will be rejected.

Notes: If a train starts it's AI pathing already in a TGL with a Track Direction Marker then the marker will be ignored. Unlike Priority Markers, Track Direction Markers are absolute. An AI train will not enter a TGL where the Track Direction Marker is pointing against it.

Route or Session?

Track Direction Markers can be placed in a Route Layer or in a Session Layer

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Placing Track Direction 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 Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Placing Track Direction 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 Direction Markers in each Session.

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

Adding a Track Direction Marker

Notes: The only important property of a Track Direction Marker is the direction it is pointing. This is the direction that all AI controlled trains will be forced to take.

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 Direction Marker (S10)

Track Direction 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 Direction 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 Direction 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 Direction Marker is to be placed Avoid placing a Track Direction Marker on a junction. You could accidentally place the Track Direction Marker on the wrong junction branch which means that it will have NO EFFECT if the targetted train is directed to the other branch This will place the Track Direction Marker on the track but, unlike the other markers, it will NOT open its Properties Window because the Track Direction Marker has no properties that will affect its operation. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can edit its Name. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Change its Name (S10) below for the details. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can change its assigned and bound Layers. See the section  Assign it to Another Layer (S10) below for the details. WARNING: Switching an objects Assigned Layer between a Route Layer and a Session Layer will change where it is saved (in the Route or the Session). Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can reverse the direction it points. This WILL affect its operation. See the section  Change its Direction (S10) below. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 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. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can adjust its Effect Radius. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Set its Effect Radius (S10) below.

Notes: To delete a Track Direction Marker:- Steps: 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 Direction Marker.

Set its Name and Layers (S10)

	The name of a Track Direction Marker is only needed to locate it in a route or session. It is not used in any Session Rules or Driver Commands
	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 Direction Marker are in its Properties Window.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	To open the Properties Window of a Track Direction Marker:-
Steps: To Open the Properties Window of a Track Direction 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 Direction Marker to open its Properties Window.

To change the Track Direction Marker name Left Click on the name text entry box, delete the current name and enter a new name Use a name for the marker that will make it easy to remember and locate. To change its Assigned 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 - see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Use layers for more details on layers. WARNING: Switching an objects Assigned 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.

Change its Direction (S10)

The direction the marker is pointing is the direction AI trains will be forced to take.

The direction that a Track Direction Marker points is its ONLY important feature.

Steps: To Reverse the Direction of a Track Direction Marker:- In the Track Tools Flyout (the  F4  key) select Trackmark Mode (the  V  key) Then select the Rotate Trackmark Tool (the  R  key)  Left Click  on the Track Direction Marker

Move it Along the Track (S10)

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

If you need to move a Track Direction Marker then:- Steps: To move a Track Direction 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 Direction 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 Direction Marker.
	Its default value is 20m. Changing it has NO EFFECT on its operation.

A Track Direction Marker will set the  allowed direction  of travel for ALL AI controlled trains travelling along a section of single line track. It has NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains. Placing a Track Direction Marker on a track segment will affect all connected track segments...

Starting at any one of:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a Junction Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 an Industry Owned Track Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a Crossing AND Ending at any one of:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the next Junction Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the next Industry Owned Track Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the next Crossing For Example: a Track Direction Marker placed on the track between a junction on one side and an industry track on the other side will set the AI contolled train direction for ALL the track segments between the two.

Changing the Effect Radius of a Track Direction 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 Direction 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:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127  Track Triggers Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127  Track Markers Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127  Priority Markers

Steps: To set a Track Direction 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 Direction 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 setting 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 Direction Marker Left Click the Copy Radius Value icon Left Click on the Track Direction 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 Direction Marker Left Click and Drag Forward (to increase the value) or Backward (to reduce the value) The new value will be immediately applied to the selected Track Direction Marker as the mouse moves (but only one Track Direction Marker at a time)

Once you have an Effect Radius entered in the value box, you can apply it to any number of Track Direction 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 Direction Marker (S20)

Track Direction Markers are Track Objects and have to be attached to a track segment. The Track Direction Marker object 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 Direction Marker placed in your route then:- move the tool pointer over the existing Track Direction 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 Direction 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 "direction" (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 "direction" in their names or descriptions. Left Click on the item name Track Direction Marker or AI Routing Direction Marker - you may have to scroll down the list to find the asset. 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 asset in the Assets Palette list it will automatically select the Placement Tool so the next Left Click in your Trainz World will add that asset to your Trainz World

Place the selected Track Direction Marker on the track.

Notes: To delete a Track Direction Marker:- Steps: select either the:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Free Move Tool (or press the  S  key) OR the Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key) Left Click on the Track Direction Marker to be deleted press the  Delete  key

Steps: To add a Track Direction 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 Direction Marker. Avoid placing a Track Direction 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 Direction Marker on the track. It will be given a default name and assigned to the currently active Layer. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can edit its Name. This does NOT affect its operation. See the section  Change its Name (S20) below for the details. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can change its assigned and bound Layers. See the section  Assign it to Another Layer (S20) below for the details. WARNING: Switching an objects Assigned Layer between a Route Layer and a Session Layer will change where it is saved (in the Route or the Session). Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can reverse the direction it points. This WILL affect its operation. See the section  Change its Direction (S20) below. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 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. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 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 Track Direction Marker is only useful for finding it in the route. It is not needed for any operational purpose.

Steps: To change the name of a Track Direction Marker:- using either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool select (Left Click on) the Track Direction Marker 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 Direction Marker and press the  Enter  key The Name of a Track Direction 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 Direction 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: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 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 Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Moving an object from one layer group to another (e.g. from the Route Layer Group to the Session Layer Group) will change where the object is saved (in the Route or in the Session) Information on layers can be found at:- How to Use Layers

Change its Direction (S20)

The direction the marker is pointing is the direction AI controlled trains will be forced to take.

The direction that a Track Direction Marker points is its ONLY important feature.

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

Move it Along the Track (S20)

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

Steps: To move the Track Direction Marker:- Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the Yellow Dot, its Attachment Point, next to the Track Direction Marker or on the object itself (see Notes: below), to move it along the track or to another track Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 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. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 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.

This feature allow a marker to be placed, for example, above the track so that it will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on the marker. A change in height will have NO EFFECT on its operation.

Steps: To move a Track Direction Marker vertically choose option OR :- Using the Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Fine Adjustment Tool (press the  D  key) 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 Direction Marker to its original position then:- Steps: To correctly reattach the Track Direction 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 allows markers to be placed, for example, beside the track so that they will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on the Track Direction Marker.

Steps: To move a Track Direction Marker horizontally:- Track Objects can be moved along the track using the method shown in the section  Move it Along the Track above OR sideways from the track using steps OR listed below. Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Red  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Track Direction Marker to move it left or right of the track Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Green  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Track Direction Marker to move it forward or back in a straight line that will ignore any curves in the track If you need to return the Track Direction Marker to its original position then:- Steps: To correctly reattach the Track Direction 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

Set its Effect Radius (S20)

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

A Track Direction Marker will set the allowed direction of travel for ALL AI controlled trains travelling along a section of single line track. It has NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains. The section of track it controls:-

Starts at any one of:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a Junction Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 an Industry Owned Track Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a Crossing

AND

Ends at any one of:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a Junction Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 an Industry Owned Track Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a Crossing

So its Effect Radius is actually the distance between those two points regardless of how many track segments there are.

Notes: Changing the value of the Effect Radius has NO EFFECT on the operation of a Track Direction 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 Direction Marker:- Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the Green Dot next to the Track Direction Marker to increase or reduce its Trigger Radius 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:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127  Track Triggers Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127  Track Markers Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127  Priority Markers

Track Direction Marker Operation

	Track Direction Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have NO EFFECT on manually controlled trains
	If the set path is blocked, then the AI will NOT attempt to find another path
	A set path will be ignored if a shorter path is available

Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. An AI controlled train is moving left to right towards a junction and a loop line. A Track Direction Marker (yellow triangle) has been set on the main line which only allows AI trains traveling right-to-left to pass along that section of track.

In Figure 1 below, The train approaches the junction at the start of the one way section.

Figure 1

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In Figure 2 below, the train has been forced to take the loop line to avoid the section controlled by the Track Direction Markers.

Figure 2

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In Figure 3 below, the loop line has been blocked by another train. The moving train will attempt to use the loop line but it will be halted and will not attempt to find another path.

Figure 3

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Track Direction Markers can be ignored by the AI In Figure 4 below, the Track Direction Marker has been placed on the loop line and is pointing in the same direction as the moving train. However, the mainline path represents the shorter route for the consist so the "preferred" direction, as indicated by the Track Direction Markers, is ignored. Placing a Track Direction Marker is no guarantee that the path will be followed if more suitable paths are available.

Figure 4

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Trainz Wiki

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

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

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

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