LAST MONTH I CREATED the M-Line 2006 trolley route (available at my Downloads page) for Trainz. My original goal was to keep the route entirely free of assets not already packaged in the TRS2006 box. Since then I�ve taken the route a step further by making it �passenger enabled� � a capability Auran added via service pack to TRS2004 and retained in TRS2006. While I was at it, I also automated the delivery of coal to the power plant at Mattapan. In order to make the route passenger enabled, I�ve had to go to the Trainz Download Station (DLS) for one asset � AJS Station 1x50sQ (KUID2 122285:3335:5). This is an invisible tram stop. The invisible stop for the commuter station at Ashmont is already included in the box.

With all this new functionality added to the portal functionality in the original M-Line, I thought it would be useful to describe how to set up each of these capabilities so users can set up their own operating environment. I�ve also added the revised route, M-Line PE, to the DLS and made it available on my Downloads page.

I�ve included just one session for M-Line PE entitled Explore M-Line PE. This session includes programmed portals for commuter and freight trains, coal loading and unloading, passenger enabled stations, AI (artificial intelligence) trams and an AI coal train for supplying the power plant. You can also manually drive two trams.

Setting Up Destinations

A major part of our automation consists of issuing instructions to train drivers. In order to do that we must first have destinations.

Dynamic Industries. Dynamic industries and passenger enabled stations come with default names for identification purposes. In order to make the names more meaningful, we can give them names of our choosing. Just open the Objects menu in Surveyor, select the question mark (Edit properties �N�) icon and select the industry or station. Then enter a name of your choosing and select the check mark to complete the change.



Trackmarks. If the destination doesn�t provide a name, or if you want to mark a point along the way (handy in making sure a driver follows a specific route to arrive at a destination), you can place trackmarks. Do this via the Tracks menu in Surveyor. Select the icon in the upper right (Trackmark mode �V�). select the + icon (Add trackmark �A�) and select the location on the track where you want the marker placed. Give it a name via the Properties dialog and select the check mark to seal the deal.



Setting Up Portals

The Portals function was introduced in TRS2004 and continues in TRS2006. It gives you something analogous to a fiddle yard in model railroading, in which trains are made up behind the scenes, sent into the display, and optionally returned to the fiddle yard.



Portals are placed and set up via the Objects menu in Surveyor. To set up a portal:

1. Select the question mark (Edit properties �N�) icon and select the portal to display the Properties dialog
2. Enter a meaningful name and make your selections. If you check the Produce new trains option, more choices are provided. You can enter the frequency of trains and add as many consists as you want.
3. Add a consist by building one on the go (select Add new consist) or by selecting one already created (my preference � do this via the Trains menu in Surveyor � see Creating a Consist).
4. Select Add driver to consist and select a driver and select the check mark to seal the deal.
5. Give the driver instructions. You must have at least one instruction, such as drive to a trackmark or to a station or even another portal. Do this by selecting the little green arrow and selecting a driver command from the list. To remove a command, drag it off the display. When you are done, select the check mark to seal the deal.