Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does my computer need to be connected to the internet to use TrainPlayer?

What operating system is required for TrainPlayer?

Does TrainPlayer work on Windows Vista and Windows 7?

Does TrainPlayer run on a 64 bit version Vista machine?

I’ve just upgraded to Windows Vista OS, how do I locate my TrainPlayer Files?

I bought the web download version of TrainPlayer, where do I find a detailed User Manual /Guide?

Why do I get a "Operation Timed Out" message when I am downloading a car collection / layout?

How do I find a layout I just downloaded via the web chooser on my Vista machine?

Why doesn't the screen saver show up in the list under desktop properties?

Why doesn't my license code work?

Why don't all my sounds show up in the chooser?

I just upgraded to a new version, why don't I see all the commands on the menu ? My tool bar is fouled up!

Why does the train jump the track in some places? 

Why doesn't the turntable stop rotating when it comes to a connecting track? 

How do I zoom in on the action?

Do you have permission to use Linn Westcott's track plans?

Why can't I get these cars to uncouple?

How can I create my own car collection?

Why do I get this message?  "Trainplayer.exe - Unable to Locate DLL?.

Is there a Switching / Operating plan for TrainPlayer?

Is there an easy way to simulate real train operations?

How do I link together several layouts to make my own railroad empire?

Is there a way to determine what size the JPG needs to be for my existing layout, drawn with TrackLayer?

Why is it that in the Train Tree, as soon as I enter a car, the name of my train gets changed?

When I rewind a script, the file reverts back to the original rolling stock. Why is that happening?

Does TrainPlayer let me import any layout designs from other design programs like WinRail?

How and where do I upgrade to TrainPlayer 3.3?

When should I uninstall an earlier TrainPlayer version? 

I have just recently upgraded to TrainPlayer 3.3 release but now I can only see about 15 of the 101 Track Plans.  What do I do to get access the rest of them?

How do I find out what license I'm currently using and what upgrades are available to me?

How do I share my finished layout with other users at TrainPlayer?

I am having issues when downloading TrainPlayer 3.3 when using my Download Manager – GetRight.  What do I need to do to successfully download your program?

This is a  problem that I have had with multi-section layouts before. Suddenly the rolling materiel gets stuck in cyberspace, somewhere between the two layouts. What’s happening and how do I resolve it?

I am unable to download a large car collection completely from the Cartype Web Chooser. What is causing this problem?

Q.  Does my computer need to be connected to the Internet to enjoy TrainPlayer?

A.  No, you would have access to all of your own layouts and car types that are on your computer.  With an active Internet connection, you would be able to immediately access any of the web based content for layouts, car types, scenery and sounds via your web choosers.  You would also have a connection to the web based TrainPlayer and TrackLayer User Manual and Guide and to the Frequently Asked Questions information.

Q.  What operating system is required? 

A.  TrainPlayer runs on Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, NT4.  The program operates with minimum memory (256MB), but more is better -- the more memory you have, the closer you can zoom in on a large layout.  More memory on your video graphics card in your PC will also improve performance.

Q.  Does TrainPlayer work on Windows Vista and Windows 7?

A.  Yes, it runs well on both.

Q.  Does TrainPlayer run on a 64 bit version Vista machine?

A.  According to our testers,  yes it does

Q.  I’ve just upgraded to Windows Vista OS, how do I locate my TrainPlayer Files ?

 A. Inside Vista, TrainPlayer files should be in two locations:

C:\Program Files\TrainPlayer 
or
C:\Program Files\TrainPlayer 3.3 
and
C:\Documents and Settings\<Your Name>\Application Data\TrainPlayer\ 
or
C:\Users\<Your Name>\Application Data\Roaming\TrainPlayer

By Microsoft reasoning, only the program should be in Program Files. All layouts, car types, sounds, etc should be in C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Application Data\TrainPlayer\. Only if you want to consolidate ALL your TrainPlayer files in ONE location, would you need  to move them to either one of the two locations noted above.  After consolidation, you will need  rebuild your trees inside the web chooser.

To find where your layouts are, inside Windows Explorer,  do a “file search” as “*.rrw”. This will reveal where the layout files are and typically the associated .jpg or (tpg) files as well.

Some of our users have created an additional folder in C:\Program Files\TrainPlayer and named it <My Layouts> which stores the layouts they have created plus any modified layouts. You will need to browse to the correct location "C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Application Data\TrainPlayer\" for Layouts, Cartypes, Sounds. Set my Additional Layouts to my "My Layouts" folder. Do the same if you have an additional folder for cartypes.
 

Q.  I bought the web download version of TrainPlayer, where do I find a detailed User Manual /Guide?

A.  You can access the full TrainPlayer User Manual from the Main Tool Bar.  It is located under the Help submenu  under “Contents”.

Q.  When attempting to download car collections, I have frequently gotten the “Operation Timed Out message” . A subsequent attempt to download does not work. What’s happening?

A.  When you choose a car collection in the web chooser, before it can show you the images it needs to download the entire collection into the Cartypes_DL folder in your system temp directory. Then if you click Install, it copies them into your regular Cartypes location. If you are seeing this "Operation Timed Out" alert, then inside your Web Cartypes Chooser, at the top of the directory tree, do a right mouse click on Cartypes.  This will bring up a submenu.  From that submenu, select "Clear Download Cache"

This procedure should eliminate that problem.  You can also use this same technique to remove "old images" from your web Scenery chooser as well.

Q.  I downloaded a web layout in Vista via the web chooser. Where on my hard drive is it downloaded to? When I look in program files (x86) then TrainPlayer, then layouts, I can't find it!!.

A.  The first place to look is under main TrainPlayer menu File > Preferences, General tab. There is a Download Directory item shown there. Second thing to know about is how to find your Application Data directory, which is in a strange place on Vista.  Use Start > Command Prompt or select RUN to bring up the command box, then type "set appdata". This gives you the directory where you will find the TrainPlayer folder containing data files.  .

Q.  Why doesn't the screen saver show up in the list under desktop properties?

A.  If you are running a 64-bit machine, the screen saver file gets installed in the wrong place.  First try running TrainPlayer once, then exiting -- this attempts to move the screen saver into the right place.  If that doesn't work, consult the readme file for further instructions.  You must have a copy of TrainPlayer on your PC for the TrainPlayer screensaver to work.

Q.  Why doesn't my license code work?  I enter it and get "the name/key you entered does not appear to be valid."

A.  You must enter both the name and the key exactly as given to you -- spacing, capitalization, and all.  The best way is to copy and paste -- as a shortcut, copy both name and key from the e-mail and paste both lines into the Name box of the Reminder dialog.

If you are entering the key by hand, round characters are zero 0, not  the letter O, and you must enter all the dashes.

If you have a license key but are not prompted to enter it, use Upgrade License from the Help menu.

The Enter Key dialog may have a name in the box which differs from the one provided with your license.  Be sure to use the one which came with the license you are entering.

Q.  Why don't all my sounds show up in the chooser?

A.  You may have older sounds under c:\program files\trainplayer\sounds.  These are not included in the chooser tree.  To fix this, navigate to the old sounds folder in Windows Explorer, and drag it into the sound chooser tree.  Or, using Windows Explorer, cut and paste your old Sounds folder into whichever of these directories Vista has placed your other TrainPlayer files:

C:\Documents and Settings\<Your Name>\Application Data\TrainPlayer\ 
or
C:\Users\<Your Name>\Application Data\Roaming\TrainPlayer

With Windows XP and TrainPlayer 3.3, all of your Sounds, Cartypes and the new Scenery files will be found here: C:\Documents and Settings\<Administrator or USERname>\Application Data\TrainPlayer

Q.  I just upgraded to a new version, why don't I see all the commands on the menu ? My toolbar buttons are fouled up.  

A.  When you upgrade without running an installer, sometimes you need to reset your menus and toolbars as follows:

This does not apply to most users.  If you run the installer, it takes care of this reset.

Q.  Why does the train jump the track in some places?  Sometimes it doesn't move where the tracks do, or splits up at a junction, or does something else odd.

A.  There are some bugs in the track work.  If you encounter one, please report it.  You can fix this yourself,  if you have TrackLayer. 

When designing your own layout and running trains over it, a good recommended practice is to check your track frequently.  To set this up automatically, select Tools \ Options from the main menu bar. Then in the pop up window - Preferences , use the left mouse button to "Check Track while Drawing".  Another good habit to get into while designing your layout is to Save your work frequently.

Q.  Why doesn't the turntable stop rotating when it comes to a connecting track?  Sometimes it just keeps rotating.

A.  This can happen due to faulty track work.  If you encounter a faulty turntable, please report it.

When designing you own layouts, if you have activated the "Check Track" feature, it will clearly identify where a mistake has occurred with a brief explanation.  You may find it easier to delete the problem track and re-lay it again. 

Q. The layout is so big, I find it hard to see the details.  How do I zoom in on the action?

A.  There are several ways you can zoom into a layout.  The most commonly used method is to go to the Main toolbar, Select View \ Zoom then select from the choices offered..   Or, you can use the “+ / -“  buttons on the main tool bar to slowly increase or decrease the image size. If you have Auto-Follow checked in the layout context menu, the zoomed-in view follows the train around.

Another way to access the Zoom features is from the Edit toolbar:

A. Yes.  We have a signed exclusive agreement for the use of Kalmbach artwork.

Likewise for our new collections now appearing on our layout web chooser, we have permission from the original designers or copyright holders to allow our users to enjoy these layouts.

Q. Why can't I get these cars to uncouple?  The tool is dimmed for no apparent reason.

A. There are reasons you might not be able to uncouple, having to do with physics and common sense.  You can't uncouple if the train is backing up, unless you're uncoupling a car which sits ahead of the engine, because if you did, the next movement of the train would cause it to re-couple.

Also, to couple you must not be going too fast.  The default coupling speed is 15 MPH.  You can change this in the Preferences dialog. 

Also, you are prevented from uncoupling when cars sit atop a junction point (usually at the frog of a switch).  If the uncouple button is dim, try moving a little forward or backward.

A. If you want to create your own car collection of  your favorite road, review the Car Collection chapter in the User Manual.  Here are a couple of pointers:

1) the side GIFs work best ,inside the program, when each one is paired up with its own accompanying car top. The majority of the car collections on your web chooser are set up this way. Make sure that the name for each car top exactly matches that of the accompanying GIF file. For example CNW GP9R.gif would have a matching file called CNW GP9R_t.bmp. the "_t" means it is a top file and the BMP means Bit Mapped. All car tops are BMP files. Some side car images are starting to appear in BMP format also since it allows you a bit more color detail potential.

2) the best way of finding the top BMP files for your own collection is to find a similar one in any of the car collections that closely matches your side GIF.  Once you've renamed the GIF (i.e. myroad-boxcar.gif), you can use it "as is" or you can use MS Paint to re-color it to suit your model.  To find MS Paint, when you are viewing your individual GIF files, right mouse click on the image and in the next menu, select "Open with" - from the next drop down menu - select MS Paint

3) Each new car type folder that you create will need a corresponding XML file to run in the program. This XML file is created when you import your car collection into the program. It appears under your general Cartypes folder inside TrainPlayer but it is not placed inside the actual car folder itself.  For example the CNW.XML file would appear under Cartypes as an individual file and a folder called CNW would also appear under the general Cartypes folder

4) with a TrackLayer - Builder license, you will be able to download the "Paint Your Own" cars  and paint the sides and tops in your choice of colors.  The  web link to "Paint -Your-Own Cars" and the tutorial  is located in the top right hand margin of this page.

Q.  Why do I get this message?  "Trainplayer.exe - Unable to Locate DLL?. The dynamic link library gdiplus.dll could not be found in the specified path."

A.  Gdiplus.dll is a library of graphics enhancements which is included with Windows XP but not with Win98, NT, or 2000.  If you don't have it, it means you haven't yet installed a program which needs it.  Please download it as follows:

An alternative method of getting this "dll" is directly from Microsoft.  Click here to download their version.

Q.  Is there a Switching / Operating plan for TrainPlayer?

A.  One of our users, Alan Conover, has developed a switch list generator program for TrainPlayer he calls TPezops .  His program creates a list of switching moves for stations on any of your TrainPlayer layouts.  Create the switch list, print it out and hold it in your hands  while you run TrainPlayer and switch the cars to where they should go.

You can download your free copy of Alan’s program at:

Q.  Is there an easy way to simulate real train operations ?

A. TrainPlayer offers a scripting feature which allows you to program all the moves your passenger or freight train will make.  What some of our users do is automate all of their passenger trains on the layout with Scripts while they focus on performing the switching moves on a local tramp freight. This makes switching more challenging and fun when you need to clear  the line for The Limited! 

Q.  I designed the track layout before having a background. Is there a way to determine what size the JPG needs to be for my existing layout?

A.  The JPG doesn't need to be any particular size, but must be the right shape. To determine what shape, look in the rrw file for the layout dimensions, which are like: xdim="7194" ydim="3568". Create your jpg to have the same proportions -- for example it could be 719 x 357

Q.  Why is it that in the Train Tree, as soon as I enter a car, the name of my train gets changed? For instance, it was named "SWITCHER"; but afterward, it was renamed to "Freight1".

A.  In TrainPlayer, the generic name "switcher1" is assigned by the program to an engine (or
steam engine and tender) without any cars attached. If you attach a freight car, it becomes "Freight1." If you attach a passenger car, it becomes "Passenger1." If you detach all the cars, the name reverts to "Switcher1," denoting its current status.

If, however, you rename the train, it will retain that new name for all cars attached to the engine, even as some are added and drop.

A.  In TrainPlayer, the generic name "switcher1" is assigned by the program to an engine (or
steam engine and tender) without any cars attached. If you attach a freight car, it becomes "Freight1." If you attach a passenger car, it becomes "Passenger1." If you detach all the cars, the name reverts to "Switcher1," denoting its current status.

If, however, you rename the train, it will retain that new name for all cars attached to the engine, even as some are added and drop.

To rename the Train, on the main tool bar select Train and in the drop down menu, select properties.  In the dialog box: change the selection to the name of your choice:

:

Q. How and where do I upgrade to TrainPlayer release 3.3 ?.

If you are a licensed user of any previous version, help yourself to release 3.3 here:.  http://www.trainplayer.com/Site3/Version%2033.html#How_to_Upgrade

A. The 3.3 release patches a number of minor problems and will allow you to see and use any new layouts developed using the Scenery Toolkit.

The new Scenery Toolkit is an Add-on module and as such is NOT included with the TrainPlayer release 3.3. That will cost a minimum of $29, more if you are adding additional features, up to a maximum of $59 if you are going all the way from standard TrainPlayer to the full TrackLayer 3.3.  For your options, see the Upgrade dialog after you install and start the program.

Q. When should I uninstall an earlier version? 

A.  You do NOT need to uninstall your current version before running the 3.3 installer.  It deposits program files in a new location, and does not overwrite your existing ones, so you can continue running the two versions side by side.  Once you are satisfied with the behavior of 3.3, then you should consider uninstalling the older one.

If you have been running an earlier version, take heed before you uninstall it:. In some older installers, the full set of layouts was included, so if you uninstall, these will be removed. The recommended procedure is as follows

1. Locate your older folder of layouts.  This might be under C:\Program Files\TrainPlayer\Layouts.

2. In Windows Explorer, rename the old Layouts folder to something else, say "Older Layouts."

3. Now you can safely uninstall the older program without deleting the layouts.

4. Add the older layouts to your 3.3 Local chooser tree by (a) dragging the folder into the tree from Windows Explorer to the Local chooser.  This does not move the files, it just adds pointers to them.  The other option is to drag your Layout folder(s) from their old location [usually C:\Programs\TrainPlayer\Layouts] to the new location under the 3.3 layouts folder on the disk [usually C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\TrainPlayer\Layouts in Windows XP or on Vista check your "set appdata" on the Command line

    Once you have moved your layout folder, click on Layouts in your Local Layout Chooser and select Refresh the chooser tree or restart the TrainPlayer program.

If you have any trouble with the merge or upgrade process, please let us hear about it.  This is all new.

Q. I have just recently upgraded to TrainPlayer 3.3 release but now I can only see about 15 of the 101 Track Plans.  What do I do to get access the rest of them?

A.  There was a bug that got into the program which caused this error. To get the patch for it, get the latest release of TrainPlayer 3.3.0.6 which eliminates this problem.  Follow the directions on the web page below to re-install the software. 

http://www.trainplayer.com/Site3/Downloads.html

Q. How do I find out what license I'm currently using and what upgrades are available to me?

A. Go to your main menu bar and select Help \ About <your product>

In this case, the user is already at TrackLayer 3.3.  To find out what upgrades are available, click "Purchase Upgrade..."

If you have purchased a new license, select "Upgrade License..." to input your name and your new license key which you received via email from TrainPlayer.

 Q. How do I share my finished layout with other users at TrainPlayer?

 A.  We welcome any submissions of your work either from hand drawn layouts or using the Scenery Toolkit. You can access the "Publish" feature from the File \ Publish menu.  In the next pop out menu, TrainPlayer identifies what cars and resources are needed to run your layout and there is a handy descriptive box for you to insert your name and to provide the "story" of your layout. When you have provided this information, press Okay and TrainPlayer prompts you for a location to Save your layout.  A handy way to quickly locate these "shared" files is to create a new folder on your Desktop and call it "TP Share".  When prompted to Save your "published" version, just navigate to your computer desktop and click on your TP Share folder.  Then you send the files to us at support@trainplayer.com and we will take care of the rest.

You can also share your work with the Yahoo TrainPlayer group on their site  [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TrainPlayer ]  by uploading your files using their Files tools.  Click on Files in the left column. At the next screen, select "create new folder" from the mid screen tool bar.  Name your Folder. Then Open your new folder and select "Add File".  Be sure to provide the background image, if there is one, the RRW file and the thumbnail [name_t.jpg] file for your layout. 
 

Q- I am having issues when downloading TrainPlayer 3.3 when using my Download Manager – GetRight.  What do I need to do to successfully download your program?

 A. The download manager in this case is Getright. It normally intrudes a stub into each browser it finds, sometimes utilizing a program called FlashGot. Usually, this is a good thing, because it keeps a download manager in the loop no matter what browser you're using. However, in this case it's the wrong thing to do and was hard to disable.

 To get it to stop trying to download the file, it was necessary to open the configuration options, click Monitor Browsers' and uncheck the 'Replace the "Save as" window...' option. Then click the General / Starting & Stopping menu choice and uncheck 'Start GetRight when Windows starts'. Now you need to reboot. Simply unchecking these boxes is not enough to unload what has been loaded on startup!

 To get things back to normal, simply reverse this process, except that you won't need to reboot- start GetRight from your Startup menu, open Configuration, and go from there.

 NOTE: If you use the Firefox download manager or Download Accelerator Plus to download the TrainPlayer installer client, you may also experience problems.  Our new TrainPlayer 3.3 installer is designed to and will work flawlessly with recent versions Microsoft's Internet Explorer.  Our recommendation is to first Save the file to your hard drive and then launch the installer from there.

Q  This is a  problem that I have had with multi-section layouts before. Suddenly the rolling materiel gets stuck in cyberspace, somewhere between the two layouts. What’s happening and how do I resolve it? 

A.  Cars getting stuck in space is a consequence of the way “linked layouts” work.  When the rolling stock are jumping across layouts, there is a copy of the train on both layouts, sitting hidden at the jump-off or jump-on spot until the train is ready to become visible.  If something interrupts this process, those cars can still be sitting there, ready to cause problems in the future.

Also there is a more obvious problem.  After you jump a train from layout A to layout B, if you were to save either layout to a file, it would save the train where it then sits.  So let's say you start in A, jump to B, then save the file and quit the program.  Next time you bring up A and jump it to B, you'll find your saved copy of the train on B.