4.3.1 Phase 1 – Drawing Tracks

In the first phase we’re drawing track elements

  • Select the drawing tool (Main panel menu item “Edit” → “Tools”, click on “Drawing”).

  • Draw the tracks like you would with a pencil on a sheet on paper. You draw lines just by using the mouse buttons, the left to start a line or continue a line, the right to finish a line)

  • In the same tool hit the “Convert to Real” button. This takes your drawing and tries to build track elements (blocks, switches and crossings)

  • Head to Main panel menu item “Edit” → “Tools”, option “Block”. Make any adjustments like splitting blocks into smaller ones or move track elements within a block to another block to combine them into one logical block. You can also change crossing to slip switches here, although it is technically not part of this tool, and you can do it later anyway.

  • If you want to add drawbridges, head to the “Detailed List” via the Main panel menu item “Edit” → “Detailed List”, select view “Track Elements/Drawbridges, “Add More” there, and for each drawbridge you create, select the right type and place it on the scenery as desired, before continue with the next step.

  • If necessary, head to Main panel menu item “Edit” → “Tools”, option “Shifting”, to adjust location of track elements to your liking.

  • Back on Main panel menu item “Edit” → “Tools”, option “Block” hit the “Link Nearby” button. This will link all track elements together based on the type and location as they are presented right now on the screen (note: up to this point the elements were not connected – that’s why you have the previous steps for the adjustments)

  • If necessary, build connections between track elements that have not been connected yet because they are far apart on the layout

At this point the track diagram consisting of blocks, switches, crossings and drawbridges. There are no signals, connections to the outside world, or stations yet, which will be added in phase two.