Determine track type in existing route (TS2019)

[Dakota]

I am doing an extension of an existing route (Cajon Pass Alpha by Tomcat). In order to make things consistent, I must use the same track types (the track rule is Stevens Pass Tracks, I already know that). How do you determine the exact type of existing track in a route?

I read where using the select tool is supposed to allow you to see the track type in the track properties fly-out, right? Nope, not in TS2019, apparently. Rarely, you will see a track type showing in the fly-out but most of the time you will see [Unchanged] in Track Type field. You can see the track speeds change as you select various track ribbons, so you know that selecting is working and you aren't making some sort of rookie mistake. And I am unsure if the track type y9ou see is really the one you selected. I have selected what is clearly ScaleRail track only toe see a Stevens Pass type appear in the Track Properties (I think... it is so rare for anything to appear there and I got burned out)

So in desperation, I converted Tracks.bin to XML and searched the BluePrint paths of all of the tracks used (e.g. SR_SP\Track\SR_133C1_MTrk.xml). OK, great I know that for any given track it is one of about a dozen track types either Stevens Pass or ScaleRail. Now what? Another stab in the dark was to select some track and then use the Track Properties Track Type list to see if I could repeatedly select different available ones until I got the one that matched perfectly. Well apparently the only track types that will show there are those which intrinsically have the track rule in use, and for this, that means the Stevens Pass Track rule, hence the Stevens Pass :StP xxxx" track types. But Tomcat used a bunch of ScaleRail tracks with the Stevens Pass Tracks track rule in effect. So you cannot "test"those (ScaleRail) track types against the mystery track type. Furthermore you have to click out of the track type fly-out before your selection appears on the selected track. If it's different too bad because UNDO does not work to return you to the original track type.

I'm going to be really embarrased if I am missing something obvious... I'm here after giving it my best shot though.

[Tomcat]

Unfortunately the select tool does not tell you squat about exactly which track was used, I don't think it ever has. I can tell you that 98% of the route is one of just 3 tracks: For cement ties I used Scalerail SP C1: Mainline, for wood ties I used Scalerail SP W1: Mainline, for brighter cement ties I used Steven's Pass (GNTX) StP MA136CC_B1.

If you are extending the Cima Sub, the track I used there is Scalerail SP W1: Mainline.

You already know I used the Steven's Pass track rule but you can use any track from any of the providers I used for the route (Steven's Pass, Pacific Surfliner, Sherman Hill, Scalerail) provided you keep on using the Steven's Pass track rule.

[DanSSG]

I read where using the select tool is supposed to allow you to see the track type in the track properties fly-out, right? Nope, not in TS2019, apparently. Rarely, you will see a track type showing in the fly-out but most of the time you will see [Unchanged] in Track Type field.

I can tell you one reason why this could happen. Someone has changed existing tracks to a new type (like ScaleRail) but hasn't laid at least a small piece of it somewhere on the route (that could be deleted later), before he has changed the tracks.bin.

I also had this problem as I swaped the tracks on my route.

[BoostedFridge]

The reason the track dialog box is not displaying the track type is because it is Scalerail track, laid using the Stevens Pass trackrule. Other than not being able to use this dialog box to tell you which track has been laid, there is no downside that I can see to doing this. Resist the urge to have multiple track rules on connecting tracks on your route.

Track 1.jpg

Notice below that the Stevens Pass track type is displayed when selecting this track.

Track 2.jpg

[Dakota]

Thanks everyone! @Tomcat your scenery creation skills are outstanding! @BoostedFridge I found that I could only see Stevens Pass tracks but even most of those came up [Unchanged]. As I mentioned I did figure out that only the tracks that "come" with the selected track rule show if any. @Tomcat, here are the tracks that came up in Tracks.bin... you might be surprised :-) And I will take your advice on the tracks. The ScaleRail wood mainline (SR_133W1_MTrk) looks right for that area for mainline. I have the track and sidings laid to Manix. The 9 mile straight was fun to get to overlay Google Earth! No cheating, all yellow outline. The whole thing is CTC (well except the mini yards). This will be a very long term project ha ha. I will be out there in the Cima sub in the Fall when they bring the 4015 back to SoCal as close as they can get to the LA County Fairgrounds where she came from 4 years ago. I drove out there from PHX to see her when she was being towed to Cheyenne. Seen at Kelso. I'm no railfan but that trip was worth it.

Code: Select all

   GNTX_Track_M_136____B2.xml
   GNTX_Track_M_136____X.xml
   GNTX_Track_MA136CC__B1.xml
   GNTX_Track_MA136CC__X.xml
   GNTX_Track_MA136CCB1X.xml
   GNTX_Track_MA136WS__X.xml
   GNTX_Track_S_136WS__B1.xml
   GNTX_Track_S_136WS__B2.xml
   SH_track_Yard.xml
   SR_133C1_MTrk.xml
   SR_133C1_MTrk_x.xml
   SR_133C1_STrk.xml
   SR_133C1_YTrk.xml
   SR_133W1_BTrk.xml
   SR_133W1_MTrk.xml
   SR_133W1_RTrk.xml
   SR_133W1_RTrk_x.xml
   SR_133W1_STrk.xml
   SR_133W1_YTrk.xml
   SR_133W1_YTrk_x.xml