Track rules/Track type

[cilldroichid]

I have a few quick question about track rules and track type.

I understand from all the advice i've read in forums that it is a bad idea to have different track rules in a route. Am i right in thinking that means you can only use the track that appears under the Track Rule (current) box? Can you safely use any of the track that appears under Track (all) while you have a particular track rule selected? Or would that cause problems down the line?

Also is it ok to use the All Track rule or can that be problematic as well?

Thanks.

[Acorncomputer]

The Track Rule defines the characteristics of the track such as primary and secondary speed limits, maximum radius of bends, distance between tracks, the model for junction levers, etc.

When the track rule is created it specifies which track type can be used with it. In the game, when you select a track rule in the bottom left hand fly-out window, the type of track associated with that rule is indicated in the middle left fly-out window. As long as you stick to that track rule you can mix any of the track types associated with it in the game.

The danger of mixing track rules is that you may lay some track with a different speed limit to the one adjacent or perhaps a yard rule in the middle of a main line and although this will not stop the game working, it may cause big problems for the dispatcher when working out the best route when creating a scenario.

You can mix track rules in obvious circumstances, such as when entering a yard you can use a yard rule as long as all the yard uses the same rule.

It is not too difficult to create your own track rules using a blueprint from the source folder but that does need some research although this is the recommended and safest way to create new track rules. You can specify which types of track you want to use in your route and all of it will have the same rule as you lay it.

Alternatively, you could copy the .xml file from a default track rule, open it in an editor such as Notepad 2, amend the appropriate sections and save it back as a new rule. This is not recommended procedure, however, and it is easy to make an error that might stop RW working or might cause big problems later if you made a mistake in the basic information.

The all track rule is a very good all round rule so you can use this with confidence but on a large project it is best to create your own.

It is possible to change some of a tracks' properties after it has been laid but this is tricky and time consuming and is best avoided.

[cilldroichid]

Thanks for the quick reply Acorn, it clears up a few things.

It is not too difficult to create your own track rules using a blueprint from the source folder but that does need some research although this is the recommended and safest way to create new track rules. You can specify which types of track you want to use in your route and all of it will have the same rule as you lay it.

I had a look around for a tutorial on creating a track rule blueprint but i can't find anything, apart from railsimdownloads.com, which isn't a step by step guide, which a like me needs. Is there such a tutorial anywhere on the net? I'm thinking something like your excellent, easy to follow guide for your textures blueprint, Acorn. No matter if there is not i think the all track might suit my needs.

I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row, i've been messing about in the editor for the past two months now with out actually doing anything constructive, and inspired by threads in the route building forum by Javis, crsmith1, and firebox, i going to at least make an attempt at something that might be releasable in the future.

Thanks.

[bigvern]

You are not limited to the track types listed under the specific rule, but I believe the limitation is if you use one outside the list you can't change sound properties (e.g. apply bridge or similar audio effetcs). However it doesn't affect applying speed limits etc. The key is not to mix track rules unless you have two separate unconnected track networks, but track not specifically under the rule is still generally okay.

[FoggyMorning]

I'd be very wary of using two track rules for any connected sections of track, even fairly self contained areas like yards are best handled using the main route track rule in my opinion. You can get a tighter radius of curvature by adjusting the track type to freight or yard as you are laying, but as Vern says a separate track rule is better used only if you have two completely unconnected track networks.

As far as setting up your own track rule is concerned, the wiki has some information http://www.railsimdownloads.com/wiki/ti ... e%20Manual

Steve

[Acorncomputer]

Hi

Some good additional information from Vern & Steve there.

The general idea is that it is best if you create your own rules for your route from your own blueprint choosing the specific requirements of your route.

Whilst it is a good idea to stick with one rule for a route, an example of two rules would be Bath Temple Main and Bath Temple Yard which are default rules.

I think there is some personal preference here and more than one way to approach this but I think we can all agree that you do not mix rules in a network unless you know what you are doing.

As regards creating a track rule blueprint then the link Steve gave is good but you could also open up a default rule .xml file (in Notepad 2 or RW Tools or another editor) and study the entries made there. These will be a good guide to the information required to be entered in your blueprint.

[mikesimpson]

I have about finished a route I was working on, but started it when RailSimulator first appeared. It is now a complete mess as I had no idea at all about track rules when I started, and would appreciate some advice as to what I should do if I eventually decide to relay all the track.

The route consists of :-
1. About 20 miles of the ECML which requires quite a high speed limit
2. A large yard where about 60 steam locos were housed and a goods yard on the opposite side of the main line.
3. A zig-zag light rail from the goods yard down a steep slope to the docks on the riverside
4. 2 branch lines connecting the ECML to the Waverley line, one with double line working much of its length the other single line working. Speed limits were I believe in the 25-30 mph range

It does not appear to be possible to use a single track-rule which would cover the above, but when I kept changing track rules, it was very easy to forget which you were using and end up with 15mph limits on the main line (or 70mph on the branch)?

Mike

[Acorncomputer]

Hi Mike

On my first route I had to manually change the speed limits and other properties of most of the track using the track properties editor but the track was left intact. The biggest problem was that changing speed limits through junctions often left a tiny bit of track at the track join which would not change. In scale terms the unaltered track was only a couple of inches long but it mucked up the 'next speed limit' warnings as they always showed the next small bit of track.

That was the lesson really about making sure that uniform rules were used although at the start I did not know that.

I don't know a method of universally changing the rules on laid track but there must be way