Open Rails FAQ for Public Release v342 or higher
Is there a downloadable version available?
The Open Rails software will be available at www.openrails.org/coders.html starting on September 17, 2010 at about 9 a.m. United Kingdom time, which is 4 a.m. EDT in the United States.
What new features has the Open Rails team added to the software since the last public release?
The Open Rails team has added an impressive array of new and exciting features for public release 339 of the software. These developments include the following:
- Phase One 2D cab views
- Phase I engine lights
- Improved AI Dispatcher function
- Expanded F5 HUD information covering Braking, Dispatcher, Debug and train forces
- F4 Track monitor window
- F9 Train Operations window
- F8 Switching window.
- Dynamic shadows
- Dynamic track fixes
- #4 Trackside camera view.
- Sound improvements – covering MSTS cab and eng sms; stereo Cab & passenger sounds, route location sounds and BIN trigger compatibility
- Compass window
- Improved display of water – 3 layer
- Proper calculation of distance for accurate timetable operations
- Realistic train forces, including slack action and tractive effort
What are the cab views like in Open Rails?
MSTS interior Cab view is now supported by clicking on the #1 key. You can move your point of view to the right and left by using on the right and left arrow keys. Changing to the outside Cab view is by using the up or down arrow keys. Holding down CTRL + Arrow keys accelerate the rate of view movement. Dynamic controls and gauges are on the To Do list of the Open Rails team.
How do the engine lights operate in Open Rails?
To enable the engine lights to work, you first go to the Options menu on the main Open Rails screen and select engine lights. Once Open Rails has loaded your locomotive and the route you have chosen, use the H key once to activate the engine lights. Pressing the H key again cycles lights to Bright. SHIFT+H key combination cycles lights from Bright to Dim to Off. At the present time only the main headlight is supported, ditch and other secondary lighting has not been implemented.
The engine lights in Open Rails are a work-in-progress feature. Therefore, not all of the engine lights on locomotives display properly. You may notice, for example, that the source of the lights on certain locomotives appears slightly down from where they should be. The Open Rails team will continue to improve the train lighting in the software.
What is the AI Dispatcher function?
The AI dispatcher function can now keep track of the player train in addition to all AI Trains. The dispatcher can now follow the player train and throw switches as needed. For more information, please see the Open Rails User Guide included with the next public release of Open Rails.
What does the F4 Track Monitor show?
Open Rails has a basic track monitor in place for the time being. The track monitor currently displays the distance to the next station, location of the reverser, and the locale of the end of Authorization given by the AI Dispatcher. To access the monitor, click on the F4 key.
What is the F9 Train Operations window?
The Train Operations window currently shows the coupling status of the cars on your train. The Display uses the UiD of the cars from the Activity file. To uncouple a car from your train, double click on the coupler connection between the cars you want to keep and the cars you want to drop. Uncoupling can also be accomplished by mouse clicking on the coupler with the main game window.
How do I access the F8 Switching window?
To access the Open Rails Switching window, which is helpful when switching the track that trains are on, you click on the F8 key - the same as you would with MSTS. Clicking on the G key changes the switch directly ahead of your train. Shift+G key throws the switch directly behind your train. Any Switch within view can also be changed by clicking the mouse when the mouse arrow is on a switch.
How have sounds in Open Rails been improved?
They're now BIN trigger compatible and Cab sounds are now in Stereo. Open Rails also now supports sound placements in your Routes.
What objects have shadows in Open Rails?
In Open Rails, trains, trees, buildings and other scenery objects cast shadows.
With the last public release, I saw gaps in the track, but I was still able to drive the train over these sections? Can Open Rails now display Dynamic track sections?
Yes, Open Rails now displays Dynamic track; however, there might be a few visual anomalies present because of different track textures used. For example, certain ScaleRail track pieces, when viewed in Open Rails, may have a flat appearance.
How do I see my train and other trains go by from the track?
To watch the train go by, select the #4 key.
How do I activate the compass in Open Rails?
You can activate the compass in Open Rails by clicking on the 0 (number zero) key.
I do not see any signals when I opened up a route in Open Rails. Where did the MSTS signals go?
The Open Rails team is currently testing a signaling system for the program.
What information is available in the #5 HUD display?
The Open Rails User Guide has complete information on the information, what the data in the window means and how players can use the information. In general, the #5 HUD has five (5) positions: Basic game information; Basic plus Braking information; Basic plus Dispatcher information, and Basic plus Train Forces information. Cycle through the views by selecting the #5 key.