How to Configure Trainz Settings

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 the process of configuring the performance and other settings of Trainz. It applies to TRS19, TRS22 and Trainz Plus.

Key Points:- a new install of Trainz requires that you must Login to the program. This is usually a one time only process the user controlled configuration settings in Trainz allow you to match the performance of the program to:- your installed hardware, including your GPU and video the unique requirements of any routes you are running you can specify the location of your Local Data Folder, which holds all your installed assets, and you can switch between different folders you can switch between the normal and the Beta Test program streams if you are an asset creator you can optimise the program for advanced asset testing

Load the Trainz Launcher

Start your copy of Trainz which will load to show the Launcher Window (shown below).

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The examples and images shown here are for the TRS22 Platinum Edition but the process described below is almost identical for all versions of Trainz from T:ANE onwards. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The earlier versions (T:ANE and TRS19) will have some different messages and some different labels. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Later versions (TRS22 and Trainz Plus) will have some additional options and controls

Open the Trainz Settings Controls

	The Trainz Settings control how Trainz interacts with your Operating System and Graphics Display, where it stores your data, its overall performance, etc
	It also stores your login credentials which, amongst other things, gives you free access to the Download Station or DLS where assets such as routes, sessions, rolling stock and many different types of scenery can be downloaded and installed

Steps: To In the Trainz Launcher window  Left Click  on the box labelled  Trainz Settings  This will open the Settings Dialogue Window shown below. Each TAB in this window controls different aspects of the program. Tab Configures...  General your display characteristics such as the screen resolution, synchronisation, preferred language and font size.  Installed the location of your Local Data Folder where all your assets are kept and the type of program updates you want to receive.  Performance the performance of the program to better match the hardware of your computer system and the demands of the routes you are running. Some experimentation will be required.  MyTrainz your user login details and online features. In some older versions this Tab is labelled Internet.  Dev the program for advanced testing of assets that are under development. These features are for asset developers ONLY. Unless you are an experienced asset developer you are strongly advised to NOT change these settings as some of them will adversely affect many older assets.  Left Click  on the required TAB (e.g. Performance, MyTrainz, etc) to open an display the selected settings. The General Tab is automatically opened when the Settings Dialogue Window is opened.

The General Settings

These settings are your display characteristics such as the screen resolution, synchronisation, preferred language and font size.

Left Click  on the  General  tab

Some of these settings may require experimentation on your part to get the visual and performance results that you like. The settings will depend on your hardware and the characteristics of the routes that you run.

Display Settings

This sets the display monitor that Trainz will run on, its screen resolution and other features.

Primary Monitor

IF you have more than one display monitor/screen attached to your computer then you can select the one that you want Trainz to use. Steps: To Select the Monitor:-  Left Click  on the menu box or its arrow icon to show the attached display monitors that your operating system has detected. Then  Left Click  on the display monitor that you want Trainz to use.

Screen Size and Display Resolution
This sets the screen size (as in full screen or windowed), its resolution (in pixels) and the refresh rate (in Hertz or cycles per second).
	If the Full Screen box is NOT checked then Trainz will run in windowed mode with the Trainz Railroad Simulator bar at the top of the program window and the Windows Tool Bar at the bottom of the screen.
This allows you to resize the window when required and to easily switch to other programs when needed. The resolution settings drop box cannot be opened if the Full Screen is not checked.
	If the Full Screen box is checked then Trainz will run in full screen mode WITHOUT the Trainz Railroad Simulator bar at the top of the program and the Windows Tool Bar at the bottom of the screen.

The Screen Resolution and Refresh Rate values are determined by your video card and not the display monitor you are using. It is important to match the selected settings from your video card with the same settings used by your display monitor. Some experimentation may be required to get the best results.

Steps: To Set the Screen Size and Resolution:-  Left Click  on the Full Screen check box to check it ON. This will allow the full range of available screen resolutions to be shown and selected.  Left Click  on the menu box or its arrow icon to display the list of screen resolutions and refresh rates that your graphics card supports. Then  Left Click  on the resolution and rate that you want to use. Some experimentation may be needed to get the best results.

Vertical Synchronization

This is a technology that matches (synchronizes) the construction of each video frame between your graphics card and your display monitor. Vertical Synchronization, when turned on, prevents the next frame from being sent to your display monitor before the previous frame has been fully drawn on its screen.

Steps: To Select the Vertical Synchronization:-  Left Click  on the menu box or its arrow icon to show the options. None your graphics card will not delay sending each frame to the display monitor. Only recommended if your display monitor has a higher refresh rate than the rate set on your video card Full each video frame is sent to the display monitor, line by line, in one pass, when the monitor is ready to receive it Half each video frame is sent to the display monitor in two passes when the monitor is ready to receive it. The odd numbered lines will be sent in the first pass then the even numbered lines in the second Then  Left Click  on the setting that you want to use. Some experimentation may be needed to get the best results.

Renderer

DirectX is the program interface (API) used by Windows to render 3D images on your display monitor. Currently there are two versions in use by most games and simulations. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 DirectX 11 is supported by all Windows versions of Trainz. It uses only a single CPU core and does not support ray tracing. However, it sometimes works better in older (legacy) games than the newer DirectX 12. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 DirectX 12 is currently only supported by the latest Windows beta version of Trainz Plus. It uses multiple CPU cores, which makes it faster, and it supports ray tracing (not yet implemented in Trainz). The performance benefit you will get from using DirectX 12 depends heavily on factors such as game optimization and your computer hardware.

If you select the DirectX 12 renderer in the current Trainz Plus beta version then all TurfFX Effect Layers will be disabled and will not show.

Steps: To Select the Renderer:-  Left Click  on the menu box or its arrow icon to show the options. All non-beta Trainz versions   Trainz Plus SP8 beta Then  Left Click  on the Renderer that you want to use.  Note:  the DirectX 12 option is in beta test and is only available in the beta version of Trainz Plus.

Language and Font Settings

	The selected language sets the preferred language for all internal menus, palette titles and commands, drop down lists
	The language used in all driver session message popups and HTML pages is set within those assets and not in this configuration
	The selected font size option only applies to asset lists

Language

Trainz allows you to choose a preferred display language for all menus, option boxes, command lists, etc that are part of the program. The default language is English.

Steps: To Set the Preferred Display Language:-  Left Click  on the Language menu box or its arrow icon to display the list of available languages.   Then  Left Click  on the language that you want to use - for example Français (French). Close the Trainz Settings dialogue window. The program will immediately search all installed assets for language tags that include the selected language in their config.txt files. A progress bar will be shown in the selected language. When the progress bar completes and disappears close the Trainz Launcher. Restart Trainz. The Trainz Launcher will reappear using labels in the selected language. All other menu screens will also be shown using the selected language. The names of individual assets, as shown in some Surveyor 2.0 Palettes, Surveyor Classic Tools and in Content Manager, will only use the preferred language IF that language has been added to the assets. Otherwise English will be used.

Font Size

This allows you to display lists of assets (content) in a larger font size. It applies to the asset lists shown in some Surveyor 2.0 Palettes and in Content Manager.

Steps: To Set the Asset Name Font Size:-  Left Click  on the menu box or its arrow icon to show the options.   There are only two choices: Standard which is the default and Large  Left Click  on the size option that you want to use. Assets Palette Standard Font Assets Palette Large Font This will only change the size of the font used to display the names of individual assets, as shown in some Surveyor 2.0 Palettes and in Content Manager. It has no effect on the font sizes used in Surveyor Classic.

Misc Settings

Key Points:-
	You can display all assets in Content Manager using their thumbnails
	You can add support or some non-keyboard game controllers

Content Manager Thumbnails

This allows you to display all the assets in Content Manager using their thumbnails. The thumbnails will be constructed from the actual mesh and texture files (if present) in the assets and not from the Thumbnail.jpg images supplied by the creator.

Steps: To Display Assets Using Thumbnails in Content Manager:-  Left Click  in the checkbox to turn this option ON or OFF.   This will only affect the display of assets in Content Manager. The Assets Palette and Filter Palette in Surveyor 2.0 each has a button icon that will turn their thumbnail view on and off.

Game Controller Support

This allows you to control Trainz using an external game controller instead of the keyboard and mouse. The RailDriver Controller is one example. You must have the necessary software drivers installed.

Steps: To Enable Game Controller Support:-  Left Click  in the checkbox to turn this option ON or OFF.

The Install Settings

	These settings identify the location of your Local Data Folder where all your assets are kept and the type of program updates you want to receive.

Left Click  on the  Install  tab

Local Data Folder This controls where Trainz stores all the assets that are built-in, downloaded (DLS, DLC, etc) and those that you have created yourself. Your screenshots are also stored here. The xxxxx shown in the image above and left will be based on your Windows User Name and will be different for each user. You can:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 edit the contents of this box to point to an empty folder on the same drive or another drive and, after restarting, Trainz will automatically create a new Local Data Folder there that will only contain the assets that came built-in when the program was installed. This is a fresh install. The original folder with all its contents will not be deleted. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 use Windows File Explorer or another file utility to move the current folder to a new location and then edit the address in the text box to point to that location. When Trainz restarts it will use the new location as its Local Data Folder. WARNING: While the steps involved in moving your Local Data Folder are relatively simple they must be done with care. Common mistakes include not checking if the new location has enough storage space and simple typing errors will lead to problems.

Instructions for moving or copying the Local Data Folder can be found on the Trainz Wiki.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	A  Left Click  on the button labelled Instructions for moving your content will load the page at Moving Content.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Other related pages on the Wiki can be found at:-  How to Create a Clean Local Data Folder  How to Move Your Local Data Folder

Trainz Updates
	This will allow you to manually check if any new updates (Service Packs or Hot Fixes) are available for your version and buld number of Trainz. If you are a beta tester then it will also check for new beta updates.
Notes: Trainz will periodically check for any updates automatically so you do not have to run this manual check at all. If an update is detected by the automatic system you will be given the option to download and install it, or to ignore it for a few days to two weeks before another request to update is made. During this time delay this button allows you to change your mind and perform the update at a time that is more convenient to you.

The Performance Settings

	These settings are where you can "fine tune" the performance of the program to better match the hardware of your computer system and the demands of the routes you are running.
	You may need to experiment with these settings to get the best match with your system and the routes you run.

Left Click  on the  Performance  tab

The MyTrainz Settings

	These settings identify your user login details. In some older versions this Tab is labelled Internet.
	You can also check your current FCT status and, if required, purchase more FCT access.

Left Click  on the  MyTrainz  tab

MyTrainz account: This section should show your normal Trainz Forum username which should be the same name you used when you purchased this copy of Trainz. IF you have NOT set up a Trainz Account then you will see the following information in the MyTrainz tab, depending on your version of Trainz. TRS22 and Trainz Plus version   TRS19 version First Class Ticket status: This section shows the status (active/inactive, days left) of your current FCT and the option to purchase a new one. An FCT gives you faster and a higher priority access to the DLS. If you are a Trainz Plus subscriber then you will have an FCT as part of your subscription for the duration of your subscription.

Enter Login Details

	Your Login details are needed to access the Download Station and other online data.
	Your Trainz Login is the same as the Trainz Forum Login that you used to purchase or subscribe to your current copy of Trainz. If you do not have a Trainz Forum Login then you can create a new account.

Steps: To Enter your User Details into Trainz:  Left Click  on the link No MyTrainz login or username If you simply need to confirm your current login then  Left Click  on your username link and renter your details. Enter your Trainz Forum Username and Password into the dialogue window text boxes. If you do not have a Trainz Forum login then skip to the next section  Create an Account.  Left Click  on the button which will become active as soon as data has been entered There will be a delay while the data is checked. This will be followed by one of two messages IF you see the login succeeded message then  Left Click  on the button. IF you see the failed message then try again (you may have mistyped the username or password). If the failed message persists then contact the Support desk. After entering your login details, close the Trainz Settings dialogue window and exit the Trainz Launcher. Then restart Trainz.

Create an Account

	You will need a Trainz Account to be able to access the online features of Trainz including the Download Station where there is a vast library of free assets (routes and sessions, locomotives and rolling stock, signals and tracks, scenery of all types, ground textures, etc) available for you to download and install.
	A Trainz Account will also give you a Trainz Forum Login username and password to access the Trainz Forum.

Notes: If you already have a Trainz Forum username and password then you already have a Trainz Account that will also log you into the Trainz program as described in the section  Enter Login Details below. In this case you do not need to create a new account. The Trainz Forum is located at  Trainz. Near the top right of the Forum home page, between the links for Code of Conduct and Search, if you see a letter on a round coloured background followed by a name, then that is your username and you already have an account. If you see a link called Login then you most likely do not have an account and you will need to login with the account details that will be created by following the Steps described below.

Steps: To Create a New Account:  Left Click  on the link No MyTrainz login or username In the dialogue window (shown right) where you are asked to enter your Username and Password  Left Click  on the button. In the New Account Dialogue Window (shown right) enter ALL the information requested. When complete,  Left Click  on the button. This will create a new Trainz Account with a Username and Password to enter into your Trainz program and into the Trainz Forum. After entering your login details, close the Trainz Settings dialogue window and exit the Trainz Launcher. Then restart Trainz. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If required, you can then enter your login details into Trainz as described in the section  Enter Login Details below. It would be a good idea to login again to confirm that your new Trainz Account is working correctly. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You will also be able to login to the Trainz Forum using your new login details - open the  Trainz Forum home page and click the Log In link. Then enter the same username and password that you entered in the New Account Dialogue Window. Each time you access the forum this username and password will be used automatically to identify you without having to login again.

First Class Ticket

	The FCT or First Class Ticket is an optional prepaid feature that gives you higher speed priority access to the Download Station or DLS.
	An FCT is automatically included in all Trainz Plus subscriptions for the duration of the subscription.

With an FCT:-
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	there is no limit to how much or how often you can download from the DLS.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	you get priority Download Station access.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	Only 1 FCT is needed per account, not 1 per Trainz product. So if you own both TRS19 and TRS22 then the same FCT will be used for both.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	you will get increased download speeds. The exact speed will depend on external factors such as the speed of your internet connection, the paths taken by the data to reach your system, the access speed of the servers used by N3V and any restrictions imposed by your Internet Service Provider.

Notes: FCT FaCTs Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 FCTs can be purchased for periods of 7, 30, 90, 180 and 365 day durations Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Once purchased an FCT has to be manually activated before it can be used. You can purchase an FCT when it is on sale, for example, and leave it inactive until you are ready to use it. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 FCTs that have not been activated do not lose any days from their account. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 You can stockpile multiple FCTs - have more than one stored in your account - and only activate another one after the active FCT expires. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If you have a Trainz Plus subscription then you will automatically get an FCT that will last until the subscription expires. Renew you subscription and the FCT will also be renewed.

The FCT Status indicates how many days are left on your current active FCT.  Left Click  on the button to purchase another FCT (you can activate it at any time after purchase).

The Dev Settings

	These settings are designed for asset developers ONLY to test the performance and other features of the assets they create.
	Unless you are an experienced asset developer you are strongly advised to NOT change these settings.
	They also control how often automatic backups will be made of any routes or sessions that you are currently developing in Surveyor.

Left Click  on the  Dev  tab

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Trainz Wiki

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

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This page was created by Trainz user pware in July 2026 and was last updated as shown below.

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