Running A Train
A Car Inventory must exist before the Train feature can be utilized. During this exercise we'll show you how to create a Car Inventory.
Defining a Prototype
Model Cars (aka "Parts") are based on Prototype Cars. To create a model car, one or more Prototypes must be either loaded from Parameter Files or defined from scratch.
Loading Prototype Cars from Parameter File
- Load Prototypes
- File > Parameter Files... select Browse button then select the file "protoam.xtp", click Open.
- Click Ok on Parameter Files
- The Prototype cars are now loaded.
- You can skip "Defining Custom Prototype Cars" and go directly to "Adding an Engine"
or Defining Custom Prototype Cars
- Select Menu item Manage > Custom Management
- Custom Update window will pop up.
- click "New" and "Car Prototype"
- (as indicated in bottom status) Enter a prototype name. I named "Default Diesel Loco". Size defaults are fine.
- status bar on bottom of window should indicate "added new prototype".
- Click "Close"
- Now you should be looking at "Custom Update" window again.
- You can continue to define a Car Part through the Custom Update dialog (choosing "New" then "Car Part") or you can define a Car Part through the Car Inventory dialog as instructed below under "Adding An Engine".
- Click "Done" on the Custom Update dialog.
Adding An Engine
- Before you can run a train... you have to define a Car Part and add it to the inventory.
- Click on the Icon that looks like an old steam engine.. and this will bring up a warning window that states "There are no cars defined in the current Scale. Do you want to use the Car Inventory dialog?"
- Click Yes.
- This brings up an empty window with only a few buttons highlighted-- the top one highlighted says: add.
- Click it.
- Click the customize bubble, this will change the window, and give you a basic outline of the trains available
- Click the arrow on the drop down menu to chose a known railroad company that you wish to model (or you have) or you can type in the name of your fictional company.
- Choose an engine number and call letters, then click the second drop down menu next to the word "Prototype" and choose an Engine. The 25C works really well on the tutorial track
- Once you have an engine... click add.
Adding Cars
- Then change the drop down next to prototype to say freight cars.
- choose between 5-8 cars of any length.
- clicking add after each one, and changing the number (if you want) for each car.
Placing Cars onto the Layout
Once your cars are added click the X on that window, and the next. Click on each car on the top bar, and drag them to your track, place them anywhere.Run the Train
You now have a small window to control your train's speed and direction. Click the drop down menu and choose your engine. press select and click on a switch to change it's direction.The red line shows you which track your train will use. Turnouts are changed by holding the 'Shift' key while clicking on the turnout.
You need to make sure the "Panic Stop" is not Red. That is the button on the toolbar next to the "Exit" button when in Run Trains mode. If it is Red, click it. Otherwise, your trains will be paused and won't run. This is a valuable tool if you have multiple trains running an suddenly need to stop everything. Just click the Green button.
You now have a completely operational model rail way on your computer... albeit a simple one.
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