Video 12: Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Multiple Instant Routes

[@E_73]

Looked at the next lesson. Thanks Bob! ❤

[@MissedrBones]

Thank you again Bob. Informative, easy to understand and to the point, brilliant.

[@bobfuller]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kite7214]

Brilliant. Thanks Bob. Keith

[@Modelrailwaysforfun]

Excellent As Usual. Well Explained

[@bobfuller]

Thanks Ashley!

[@xcrisso]

Nicely Videos Bob, love em, from denmark

[@bobfuller]

Thank you Henrik. Good to know that they are enjoyed in Denmark, too.

[@xcrisso]

@@bobfuller Yes your videos have so far made me choose itrain for my home board train layout. so my sons and i can have some fun ;)

[@goodisonroadmodelrailway6798]

This is turning into a wonderful resource = well done! Wouldn’t it be great if the developers of iTrain reward you both for your hard work JC

[@bobfuller]

@GoodisonRoadModelRailway many thanks. Yes, the goal was that these would become a source of learning for new users, and as a reference source (memory jogger) for experienced users.

[@geoffrouse9406]

Once again great video, so useful, with all you videos so far I have managed to get itrain to work automatically but still needs some fine tuning more so around signals at junctions so hoping there will be one on this in the near future, keep up the great work Bob.

[@bobfuller]

It's in the To Do List, Geoff.

[@RonArmes]

Thanks once again Bob. I really look forward to seeing your new videos, you explain everything so clearly. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@bobfuller]

Many thanks Ron.

[@alainhomassel1035]

Hi Bob, your videos are very much interesting! I am currently in a process to go from analogic to digital on my network. I am equiped with Z21 and Itrain on my computer. Aim is to implement computer driven interlocking. I followed all the steps of your tuto and I feel more confident. As a French, I have also very much appreciated your Oxford english speaking! I have one topic which bothers me: during my off line tests, I lost my screen organisation : I have only left the TCO and the trains/locos control pannel : no more train list with positions and destination indications. Could you advise me on how to come back to the initial screen set-up? Thanks again. Alain

[@damenfeld]

Alain, what you need to do to get you TCO back is to go into the Backup Directory which you will find in the same location as you existing, faulty TCO file. You should choose the latest file and work backwards picking older files until you find the file that has all the data in it. Once you have the file you want then resave it with the proper name. Alain, ce que vous devez faire pour récupérer votre TCO est de vous rendre dans le répertoire de sauvegarde que vous trouverez au même endroit que votre fichier TCO existant et défaillant. Vous devez choisir le dernier fichier et travailler à rebours en sélectionnant les anciens fichiers jusqu'à ce que vous trouviez le fichier qui contient toutes les données. Une fois que vous avez le fichier que vous voulez, enregistrez-le à nouveau sous le nom approprié. Iain

[@royendersby2980]

Any reason why I don't get the additional menu to split and join a train?. Right click & hold?. I'm on the current version.

[@bobfuller]

Hi Roy, iTrain needs to know the exact position of the train before this option will appear, so if you have just placed the train on the layout, the option will not appear. The train needs to have been moved first, so that iTrain knows its exact position (i.e. there is a position measurement showing in the "Position" column in the overview window). Then when you LEFT click and hold, the split train option should appear. Sorry, there is an error in the video, because I say right click and hold (hadn't noticed that before).

[@ARB4957]

Hi Bob (and Iain) Alastair here again tundling dorward under your excellent guidance. I was wondering, once iTrain know s=which way the locos are pointing on the layout why doesn't it allocate a direction indicator (maybe make one end of the block symbol pointed, e.g. emulating your little train icon on your videos) so that you always know (until you remove the train and maybe loco from the layout in the real world) which way it's pointing on the switchboard ? Or is that a dumb question ?

[@bobfuller]

Hi Alastair. This has been requested by others, too, and numerous solutions have been proposed. It continues to be discussed from time to time. But each time the conclusion is that in the long run it would be a superfluous cluttering of the switchboard because users get used to understanding the direction. There is also the issue of the loco orientation in a train. The loco orientation (and therefore whether it is in forward or reverse gear) can be different to the train direction. This all ends up with too many arrows on the switchboard. As a compromise, Xander added the direction arrow that briefly appears when a train is placed either side of the block symbol. I think Xander is keen to keep a neat and uncluttered view of the switchboard.

[@ARB4957]

Hi Bib, I just spotted the briefly appearing little direction arrow, cool - thank you@@bobfuller

[@ARB4957]

Hi Bob, I'm really enjoying this. I've got to splitting the train. But when I press the right mouse button while hovering over a block (which contains a train - loco with wagons) I do not seem to get the option 'split train' in my drop down box list 😞 Any idea why that is ? I have iTrain plus. 5.1.10 13th Dec 23 Windows 11

[@bobfuller]

The train needs to have been previously moved. So, first perform an instant route to another block somewhere. Then right-click on the block and Split Train will appear. I forgot to mention this in the video so I wrote it in the video description notes.

[@ARB4957]

Hi Bob, Right-oh 🙂 That's worked fine. Is it OK to ask you another question here ? I hope so. On the demo layout I am using two trains from my real layout. I tried the splitting of the train (named UP 6936 Local - a DD40AX UP 6936 plus 4 autoracks) successfully and moved the loco (as a new train) from S2 to S3. I then shunted the same loco (I only have two trains with locos in iTrain so far - must try harder 🙂) back to the wagons sitting there virtually. All good. Then I joined the two trains. All good (loco and wagons in the train properties) but the newly rejoined train is now called UP 6936 not UP 6936 local (the original train's name). Do you have any idea why that might be ? In your tutorial example the rejoined train (with a different loco) retained it's original name.

[@bobfuller]

@@ARB4957 it's much easier and more efficient to provide responses using the iTrain forum. Without being able to see your layout file, the replies will mostly be speculation. So, post your question on the iTrain forum and attach your .tcdz layout file using the "Attachments" tab below the post window. You will get a much quicker and more comprehensive response on the forum from either me and other much more experienced users. Cheers.

[@ARB4957]

Hi Bob, Sorry to be on here again - but I've finally finished this video and got everything to work. I found out what my problem was when joining the loco back onto the train. My train name was UP 6936 local (and the loco was UP 6936) and iTrain (understandably) got well mixed up. Changed the train name to Henderson Local and everything is tickety boo . Thanky you for your patience. And I'll use the forum from now on 🙂

[@RonArmes]

Hi Bob Just a thought, in video 7 you said that routes were created for manual operation. With this new method, is iTrain using these routes automatically or would it still work without creating routes first?

[@bobfuller]

Hi Ron, There are three different types of routes in iTrain. Track Routes Instant Routes Train Routes (we have not covered Train Routes yet - will be in video 14 or 15). Video 7 was only about Track Routes which are completely different things to Instant Routes and Train Routes. Videos 11 and 12 are about Instant Routes. You do not need Track Routes to be able run Instant Routes and vice-versa. All that Track Routes do is to set a sequence of turnouts and allow you to SAVE the Track Route so you can use it again - and that is all. To drive your train along the Track Route you would drive your train manually. Instant Routes are more sophisticated than Track Routes but they are temporary so they are not SAVED. Once the Instant Route has finished it is lost. As you will see in the next video, Instant Routes can be used for Automatic, Semi-Automatic or Manual running of your trains. Instant Routes are just quick ways to create a route (using drag'n'drop) and allow the train to be controlled automatically, semi-automatically or manually. Train Routes are the most sophisticated and most commonly used of the three Routes. These allow you to construct very complex routes and save them. They are intelligent, so they are capable of making decisions and can react to Actions. You also assign Train Routes to your Trains, so that different Trains can be running different Train Routes. I'm pretty sure that Train Routes will be what you will want to be using on your layout. Wait until video 14/15 and hopefully things will become a little clearer.

[@RonArmes]

Thanks for such a detailed reply Bob. I find it incredible that iTrain can alter the turnouts to form a route by itself, which I why I thought you had to input the routes first. I’m still wiring in sensors on my layout at the moment but can’t wait to try all of this out. It just keeps getting better Thanks so much for your videos, they are a great help

[@damenfeld]

@@RonArmes There is also the fourth routing option within iTrain which is fully automatic whereby iTrain decides everything. It will decide where to route the train, it will decide when to stop the train and it will change the signals to match what the train is doing and what route has been chosen. Using a combination of scripted routes with unscripted automation provides a 'virtual exhibition' experience and it is actually how I run my layout using iTrain. It is that knowledge and experience that is helping help Bob in the creation of these videos.

[@stmichaelshill7421]

Another great video Bob. What's the best way to get in touch - do you have an email? Would be great to exchange a few emails about a few things if you'd be happy to do so. Or if you're on Facebook that would be great too. Rich

[@bobfuller]

Hi Rich, email is best for me. Not sure how to send the email address to you, though. Don't want to make it public, here.

[@stmichaelshill7421]

@@bobfuller Drop me an email - [e-mail]

[@bobfuller]

Rich, how do I get in touch with you on Facebook?

[@damenfeld]

The best way to discuss iTrain is by using the iTrain forum where you will get the most up to date and accurate advice that also has the advantage that the program author is available to provide advice and help. You will find the forum at the link and when you apply for a trial licence you are given a logon to the forum. berros.eu/itrain/forum/viewforum.php?f=1