This article, by special arrangement with Auran, is featured in the 15 February 2007 issue of Trainz News.

Last year I used Trainz to mock up a small traction layout in HO scale (see Dogbone Traction). It was a simple dogbone design that fit into an 8�-8� x 1�-10� space. I've since built enough of the layout - physically - to have trolley cars running. Since then, Sanford Mace built similar layouts in BVE, Rail3D and Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS). (All of Sanford�s articles are available at the VR Reading Room and the first two routes are at the VR Downloads page. The MSTS route is in Train-Sim.com Flie Library.)

I've also had several requests for the Trainz original. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to it. So, I thought I would recreate the original. Along the way I got the urge to create something larger. This time it would fit an entire room of 15 ft. by 15 ft. After some experimentation I discovered a 15 x 15 layout in N scale would exactly fit a single baseboard in Trainz. Since I still wanted to use the continuous loop of the dogbone, I decided to use the Mattapan-Ashmont (aka M-Line) in Boston as a source of inspiration. For people expecting a replica of the M-Line, I apologize for any disappointment. The real M-Line is 2.61 miles long and has 7 intermediate stops between the two terminals. My version is about 2 miles long and has 3 intermediate stops.


Single baseboard layout. Mattapan is in center; Ashmont is along the right edge.

I also wanted to limit the layout to use of content that comes with TRS 2006 as standard issue. That way I could keep the finished CDP simple and let other people use it without having to download additional assets. Fortunately, TRS 2006 comes with a wealth of content, so I never felt handicapped by my decision.


Night scene at Ashmont.

Before I get too far, let me explain how "scale" works in Trainz. Regardless of the scale you select, when you create a new layout in Surveyor, the size of the objects on the baseboard are the same. All "scale" really does is effect the reading on the ruler that you can access at the top of the Tools menu. One baseboard in Real scale is 720 meters (2392 feet, just under half a mile) on a side. In HO scale it's 27.5 feet and in N scale it's 15 feet. Since N scale is 160th full size, a 15-foot baseboard is 15 x 160 = 2400 feet. We�ve come full circle. The ruler is just a convenient way of measuring. As it turns out, a single square on the baseboard is about 2.5 inches. Thus I didn't really need the ruler very much. It was usually just as easy to count squares. (For more on scale, see John D'Angelo's article "Modeling an HO Scale Railroad Using Trainz: Where the Ruler is King!" at the VR Reading Room.


Using the scale ruler available in the Tools menu.

The Layout

I began by making a simple sketch in my reporter's notebook, showing an around-the-room table with terminals at each end. Fortunately, I had written an article on the M-Line (�Boston�s Last PCCs,� Railfan and Railroad, December 1992) and could refer to the nicely drawn plans by the R&R; staff. I had to modify the Ashmont layout somewhat and, because of my limitation to content packaged with TRS 2006, could not duplicate the buildings. I also felt some limitation as to bench width, since this was to be a virtual model of a real model. Real model railroads have to deal with real issues of accessibility.

One dominant feature of the layout turned out to be the backdrops, which I placed on all four sides. I was happy to see the backdrops are visible from any point in the layout and that they mate beautifully at the corners. (I�ve since done some testing and find that the backdrops are visible from at least two baseboards away.) Fortunately, TRS 2006 has, among its collection, several suitable city backdrops.


We�re looking nearly from one corner of the baseboard to the other. The backdrops are seamless and give no hint of being at right angles to each other.

For operational interest, I took advantage of Trainz�s portals to generate and receive traffic. This included the Red Line rapid transit line that interfaces with the trolley line at Ashmont and the freight line that parallels the trolley line at Milton Junction. [Continue]

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Article and screen shots �2007 Alfred Barten. All rights reserved.

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