Another Newbie to route design

[nioux26]

I have read all topics in this section, and I have found a number of invaluable information. Unfortunately, I found nothing covering the very basics. Ok, so I am attempting to make a very small route going through the tiny town I live in. Right from the start of an having difficulties. I know how to lay track and for the most part, how to lay roads. I am having problems however when it comes to making a proper intersection where roads and track meet. I cant get them to "merge" so to speak. I only get the rail laying on top of the roads. I have 3 intersections like that on my 5 mile route. So, maybe some of you "pro's" can educate and new comer to some of the tricks of the trade. I am sure it's something simple I am over looking.

Thanks for all input!

[micaelcorleone]

Welcome to the route builders club.

It's pretty easy. You can use the "Gradient" tool in the world editor (track/road mode) to increase or decrease the height of tracks or roads.
A yellow arrow will appear and you can place it on the road (maybe there are already some of them on the road). By clickling on that arrows and with mousemovement you can now control the gradient.
So you can elevate the road and make it the same level as the tracks.

Another easier possibility is to download the ScaleRoad sytem from 3DTrains. There is free version available and it comes with numerous different roads and the proper crossing sections. So there is a little gap in the street for the rails.

I hope this helps. Question? Just ask.

[nioux26]

Ok, so I have been doing it correctly. I already have scale rail and scale roads. I thought I was building the roads wrong because I can't get my crossings to work, despite following the you tube tutorials to the letter. Everone says "the roads and rail must be laid properly". I assumed I was doing the roads wrong. Thanks for your help. I will keep at it. BTW: I am using SMM crossings, so maybe that's why? Also, something just occurred to me. I am simply placing an engine on the tracks without a driver, close to the crossing, then saving and hitting the play button. Am I wrong to assume that since I started a free foam scenario by selecting the train, that with the train that close to the crossing, that the animation should be operating? Or do I have to put a driver in the train for it to be recognized? This just came to me and unfortunately I will not be able to attempt it until I return home in 2 days.

Thanks again!

[micaelcorleone]

SMMCrossings are the best and should work without problems with the roads (also from 3DTrains).
I think you need to place a driver icon and select the loco (maybe move it) to get the crossings to work.

[sleepyto]

Check out the manual for scail rail in the manuals of Railworks. That explains how to do that. I have found that getting it to work right with the crossings the track/road should be level as the crossings are a lofted item and cannot be adjusted to the terrain or a track/road that has a gradent to it. I place the crossings and then adjust the track/road to it with the gradent tool. Takes a bit of worrk to get it right but the end result is worth it.

Good Luck

[nioux26]

Ok, thanks again. I wish I would of thought of that earlier. Oh well, I will have to wonder until I can play again. This railworks is getting more addicting than flight simulator. I didn't think that was possible.

[LoneWolfDon]

Welcome to the wonderful world of RailWorks.

Learning to use the editor can be a rather steep learning curve, and will take time, patience, practice, trial and error.

A couple of resources I'll suggest (if you haven't referred to already) are;

* Read over the "Creator Manual". A quick and easy way to access this is from the RailWorks initial launcher, click on the "Tools & Docs" tab, then you should see a clickable-link for the "Creator Manual" there. You can also click on the "Open Folder" button there to see some other manuals that may have come with your RailWorks installation and additional DLC you may have got.

* Watch various tutorial-videos can give you good ideas and insights on how to do some things with the editor.
A good channel on YouTube for this is RailSimulatorDotCom's own channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RailSimulatorDotCom , then check out the various uploaded videos they have.

* Check out the RailWorks Wiki: http://www.railsimdownloads.com/wiki/tiki-index.php

* Visit various RailWorks related sites & forums you can find, as there's lot of useful information to be found, and knowledgeable skillful people you can ask questions of.

* Jump in, make a test route, experiment, explore, get your hands-dirty, have fun... soon enough you'll start to get the hang of things.

Cheers!