Users Updates to ProTrak for Windows

ProTrak^[TM]
Users Updates

Update Release Date : Thursday, August 26^th, 2010 8:45 PM
Self-extracting update: Build 276
See below for explanation for contents of Updates
Update file is available only to registered users of ProTrak Lifetime
Update file is used only to update any previously installed builds of ProTrak Lifetime
Update file is available for no-charge as a downloadable self-extracting compressed file, or on a CD by mail for $20.00.

Note: We reserve the right to make any changes in the software at any time as we deem necessary or desirable.

To install the Update:

Find the Update file: protrk##.exe on your computer. (## are the last two digits of the Update number.)
Open this folder.
Find and open the ProTrak folder. If you installed using the defaults, it is at \program files\protrak\protrak. You‘ll know you are at the correct folder if you see some pretty icons, and the file “protrak.exe” (or just "protrak" if you have the files setting at "registered file types --- the Windows default setting).
Select the protrk##.exe file and move them to your open protrak folder.
Double-click on the Update file protrk##.exe.
Watch LHA extract the new executable "protrak.exe" and "protraka.rs2"
The file "ProTrakA.RS2" must be in the same folder as "ProTrak.exe".
When you see "Finished", click "Close" on the DOS Window that extracted the Update.
Start ProTrak, and register the Update.
Go to Help, About. Check the Build No. and Release Date to verify that the copy/install worked.

Update file is only useful with the ProTrak installation CD. You need the ProTrak CD to install or register a new ProTrak update build.
Use your CD keynumber, but with the last 2 digits changed to the current Build number.
If you are updating from Build #130 or earlier then:
- Once only, download the new Steam Locomotive file, and install it in your "ProTrak\Ind_RDC\Cat" folder over the existing "steamloc.cat" file. The format has changed. Data courtesy Max Robin, with thanks.
- Once only, download a 'starter' Geared Steam Locomotive file, and install it in your "ProTrak\Ind_RDC\Cat" folder. Data courtesy Max Robin, with thanks.

If you prefer, you may purchase an Update CD with only the latest ProTrak Lifetime program on it. There are no other files on this CD, and the CD can not be used to install ProTrak. Price is $20.00, shipping by "small packet air" mail included.

Each update includes:

Update 276 (August 14th, 2010)
- added train status display and printout
  - for use during sessions that extend over several days
- correction to active staging
- correction to waybills for BX, BE, BR passenger cars
  - waybill for these cars now a freight waybill (Aug 26th)
Update 276 (July 3^rd, 8^th, 2010)
- correction for dropping permanently assigned passenger cars
- correction for assigning car-orders to free-running passenger cars
- corrections for "extra" cars when train is over-length (in feet)
Update 276 (May 8^th, 2010) from 7th Annual Lansing ProTrak Weekend
- Data
  - List of cars
    - added note for "permanently assigned cars" (Jim Brewer)
    - active staging cars sorted separately from de-activated cars (Howard Garner)
  - Freight house function
    - specific car length can be specified for each track (Andy Keeney)
  - Re-block trains, window stays open if train closed (Andy et al)
  - Continuous Operations:
    - Train, call-time and day can be changed if train not moving
    - Line-up can be updated
- Daily Summary, loading cars in staging
  - Waybill STCC can have blanks (anywhere)
- Operations
  - Joe Brann corrections:
    - "PackTrain" routine not updating car location when car made 'extra'
    - on-screen switchlist display for local setoffs
    - FP changing car "Next Destination" to next train yard
    - interference with "storage yard" routing
  - Report trains
    - added "Open" button (Steve Brooks suggestion)
  - Yards - Workorder list of trains, correct yard appears if windows was previously open
  - Setting time
    - if no Grapevine installed, "clock" message does not appear
    - check if clock time data somehow gets over 24 hours
  - check on data for secondary-switching-train, if this does not match primary switching train
Update 276 (January 6^th -> April 15^th, 2010)
- Operations
  - "Yard Operations" - can now click on "Yard" then "function"
  - date and timestamp added to "Preview yards"
    - how setoffs and pickups are printed
  - "timed cars" for icing, cooling, feed&rest, etc... updated
    - "private" (non-railroad) pre-cooling tracks
      - general "pre-loading" routing
      - "pre-loading" waybill can 'call' any other waybill of same carkind
    - car hours re-saved on exit from Operations
    - icing time at railroad-owned icing track depends on number of cars
  - "Switchlist" print -
    - "Work list" printing facing point customers
    - added "*FP" warning to "Handling" column, to warn that listed car is for a facing-point customer
      - i.e. "switch this customer on return trip" (still conductor's option, though)
    - correction for cars going to other staging tracks in same region
  - "Switchlist Preview"
    - option to re-block trains in staging
    - allow deletion of cars when train at any location (not just a yard)
  - manual weighing of cars now routes cars to next location
  - "Buffalo Beef function" - empty assigned cars: if no storage track, cars still assigned to service train to be placed at leasee siding
  - "Query" car: in Session Mode, only active cars listed in dropdowns
    - changing waybill manually re-routes car
  - train length (limitations) for trains going to staging corrected when cars assigned by classification
  - Cutlist option for alpha order printing, correction
  - train dynamics for FBC cars corrected (empty and loaded)
  - correction compensating for error in VB (button on line-up list)
  - correction for storage-yard trains (from base yard to its storage yard) (issue of "setoff", empty cars being assigned to trains)
  - widened "Report train" window to show "extra cars" with scroll bar showing
- Fastclock:
  - correction when actual time crosses midnight
- Continuous Operations (specifically)
  - manual "Reset" time sets train call-time to scheduled call-time
- "Daily Summary"
  - loading overhead (OV) traffic
    - changed detection for what is an empty car
    - added reset of carkind in waybill search loop
    - correction for "Quick Traffic" waybills (where Season is set to ***OV***)
    - for commodity-restricted cars, STCC is compared at 3-digits (instead of 5 or 7 digits). This allows a commodity-restricted car to carry related commodities (e.g. all "frozen food" instead of just "frozen potatoes")
    - allow RPL carkind to substitute for RBL carkind
  - routing RS to icing - all cars now routed regardless of number
  - correction for display of "number of empty cars available" on Car Distributor
  - correction to list of "undeliverable" cars (cars that could not be classified)
  - summary window button shows "Print & Close" only if "Print" option is selected
  - correction on changing STCC for a commodity-restricted car
  - correction on printing "cars unloaded" (with use of RSM -see below)
- Data
  - Car-orders for online customers: entering 0 on waybill datafield deletes car-order
  - initializing Freight Car List for a new railroad (checking for valid siding-numbers)
    - list shows cars for weigh-scaling "weighers"
  - correction to New Passenger car (initializing inventory)
  - "Edit Car" - can assign any waybill to any car
  - Offline customers - "when active" dates displayed
  - Online customers - unloading time (for 1 and 2 hour durations)
  - "Edit train" - "Traffic" - manually entering carkinds
  - "Edit train" - "steam engine weight" - widened datafield
  - turning off ferry option sets number of mainline ferrys to "none" for operations (data is preserved)
  - Waybill -
    - $ charges format changes (affects $9999 income values)
    - RSM reefers
    - correction to display of 16th to 20th characters of waybill/car lading (contents)
  - "List of operating crew" - when entering new car and adding new crew name at same time
  - "Set Limits" - corrected numbers of active equipment
  - on program start-up, any previous action requesting FP manually is reset (5th)
  - printing of program data: "&" in car reporting-marks (5th)
- Display/window/pane changes
  - Report Train window made wider
  - Preview Switchlist window made wider
  - "Exceptions/Car at Zones", added time and made larger
  - "Create String diagram" - size of window and button position
    - option to show All Stations (if railroad is more than 4000-inches long)
    - Printing - to one piece of paper, for wide-screen displays
  - (minor - display of & on various windows)
Update 275 (December 12^th, 2009) adds/changes:
- "Time table"
  - changed labels on "save data" buttons (from "OK" to more explicit label - per Doug Seymour)
  - changed checking of arrival time relative to previous departure time
- Train data
  - saving initial Cutlist print order (alpha or standing order)
  - blanking "Doubling Hill" data, when no doubling will occur
- Locomotive data
  - related to decoder addresses
  - Inventory - how default "Hobby Shop" data works
- "Engine Service Tracks" - Customers: correction to default track number related to using 4-character zone code
- Passenger traffic:
  - assigning cars permanently to passenger trains, updating car destination (prevents inadvertent setoffs)
  - entering passenger car data, blanking STCC inherited from "Copying" a car
- "Continuing in Transit" waybills, updating display for new siding-number (passenger & freight traffic)
- "Continuous Operations" - updating line-up automatically on changing train data
- "Operations"
  - selecting arrival staging track, to properly show sidingnumbers with "&" (D&H14s)
  - adjustments to Power-Modeling
  - assigning Helpers to trains - reduced maximum power-rating of train to be helped
  - "On-screen Preview Switchlist"
    - when changing consist, for dropdown of possible units
      - add display locomotive "Class"
      - list only active units/locomotives
    - when consist is changed, train length and weigh change to reflect new consist
    - also, update train weight and length, locomotive power and weights (Power-modeling)
    - display "&" properly in caboose datafield

Update 274 (September 26th, 2009) adds:
- add option to allow picking up cars form customers that would cause train to go over specified length
  - option at "Program Options"
  - new warning window pops up during Operations
  - revamped "Reasons" that car is not routed (and, added "Reasons")
- related to above, pickups and extras can be deleted at "Switchlist Preview"
- closing "Exceptions/Show cars in trains" window resets the "Report Trains" window listing of cars assigned to trains
- Time table window: changed "OK" buttons to more descriptive labels (Erase, Save, Save Stop)
- added "Grapevine data rate" monitor
  - warns when DCC rate approaches saturation (of maximum DCC bandwidth)
  - Grapevine itself has about 40-times the bandwidth and can overwhelm on-track DCC bandwidth
  - related changes to Power-Modeling

Update 273 (July 12^th 2009), from 1st C&NE ProTrak Weekend adds:

support for wireless ControlStand throttles
- decoder CV entry and adjustments window (2003) made visible for Grapevine DCC users (21st)
- faster loading on start (in power-modeling)
- display for all 16 (or more) wireless throttles showing received data, interpretation (calculations) and outbound data to DCC
- Grapevine 30-amp DCC booster board (for C&NE)
data entry:
- "Edit Waybill"
  - If a siding number is changed all other waybills are for same old waybill siding number and user can accept/reject change
  - "Test for cars"
    - Passenger traffic: test for cars checks only car-kind (Aug 24th, John Mitchell)
    - checks both shipper & consignee (Aug 24th)
- "Copy waybill" indexes list to include new waybill (Doug Seymour)
- "Customers" - 'Service train' - added "No service" to allow removing customer from service temporarily
  - Note that this leaves switching-block data intact
  - useful for editing 'old railroad' to 'new railroad'
- "List of customers" - added column showing 'number of car-orders' and 'number of ordered car loads'
- "Edit car" - changing leasee/pool siding (if any) changes destination if no waybill is assigned.
- "List of cars" - for active cars list stays indexed at present car
- "List of cars" - de-activated cars do not show sidingnumbers (21st)
- "List of cars" - de-activated cars sort to bottom of list (21st)
- "String diagram"
  - added allowance for dwell time at a station for switching trains
  - can adjust last (arrival) time (Aug 24th, Doug Seymour)
  - passenger trains minimum dwell time at station to print on conductor's report (Aug 24th, Doug Seymour)
  - turns that leave subdivision plot entire journey (Aug 24th)
  - in Continuous Mode, all trains, except those moving, can be re-scheduled (Aug 24th)
  - different line colors for freight, switching and passenger trains
    - switching passenger trains have separate color (Aug 24th)
  - other color and display changes
- Number of subdivisions increased from 10 to 50
  - window becomes longer if more than 10 subdivisions (5th)
- Stations on other subdivisions - junction station can be in middle of sub (5th)
- String diagram can be created by train class (7th)
Operations
- cutlists can be printed in "car-alpha" or '"train standing-order" (24th)
  - each train has its own setting
    - useful for returning switching trains which may be in any order (non-standing order)
  - (as before, trains can be held and cutlist re-printed in either order)
- "extra jobs" that have same origin and terminal staging track can be called extra (22nd)
- added check of customer occupancy at Operations start-up
  - added button for same function to "Operations Diagnostics" window (22nd)
- "Reporting Trains" window
  - departure time is updated
  - direction is shown (turns show change in direction) (5th)
- local service setoffs/pickups on reporting at interchange if Yd and interchange in same zone (5th)
- "Query" - added option to change waybill to any other waybill
  - suggested by Bill Ringrose
  - use with care, as there are no checks (as requested)
- storage trains are individual trains, rather than being created by TAG list (29th)
Continuous Operation (27th)
- clock starts automatically
- "tomorrow's" trains (trains that have run "today") show on train reporting window
- "yesterday's" trains (that have not run) show on train reporting window
- trains are reset at midnight ("tomorrow" becomes "today"), or as ProTrak-member decides
  - both connecting trains must be run before either can be reset for "tomorrow"
- cars are unloaded and loaded at user-specified time (1 am to 4 am)
  - option for "include effects of demurrage" or "load next day regardless"
- in Continuous Operations the line-up always starts at 12:01 am (29th)
- if no trains run "Today", Car Distributor stills runs at selected time (5th)
Corrections
- bug in train-blocking routine, related to having many extra cars ("Texas Western" - Mike Corley)
- bug in train-blocking routine, related to interaction with YIS (27th)
- display of "&" in train and staging track names (12^th)
- (non)-loading/use of inactive cars (12^th)
- deleting cars from train at "Exceptions/Show cars in train" (21st)
- deleted references to Railcommand (22nd)
- borrowed length at spots on same track (29th)
- "timed cars" (29th)
  - waybill timing over-rides customer-spot unloading time
  - customer spot timing in minutes
- Query, cars with waybill, with change in "Location" do not change destination.
- cars in "Job Extra" which is not completed have location corrected (5th)

Update 272 (March 29^th, 2009) adds:

train length by feet (as well as by usual "by number of cars")
all cars can be advanced ("Exceptions/Show cars in train" - click column header)
"Equated Tonnage", as called "Adjusted Tonnage", ratings - to account for empty and loaded cars in train
- empty cars have a higher rolling resistance per ton car weight;
- "Equated tonnage" allowance corrects for added train resistance as a 'weight-per-car' to be added to train weight;
- used for assigning power to train.
train tonnage ratings:
- maximum assigned tonnage rating
- minimum HP/Ton rating
- drag/merchandise/expedited/passenger speed rating
- comparison to assigned locomotive consist
move assigned car-orders in Overhead (Staging-to-staging) traffic listing
optimization on car volume when assigning car-orders/waybills
corrects
- loading of stock (SM) cars
- facing-point cars left at "y" turning point
- re-positioned "WorkNotes" on Switchlist Preview
- clock resetting (from interference with FreightHouse)
- "Hotbox" message
- Grapevine highway-crossing flashers for multiple tracks
all other changes discussed at 6^th Annual Lansing ProTrak Weekend

Update 271 (October 15^th, 2008) adds:

support for the Grapevine "ACK" board. The "ACK" board:
- reads DCC data-packets from the command (signal generator) station and reports those packets to a host computer, allowing the host computer to over-write selected packets for (manipulation of sound and speed data) --- "Power Modeling". It's Here!

(semi-) automatic re-calculation of station elevations

advancing traffic to trains to same destination

moving passenger cars between trains in staging manually

is the base version for The ProTrak Basics Manual

the windows in "The Manual" are from this version.

Update 270 (August 31^st, 2008) adds

saving sorted car list (for new railroad)
use cars with
- plates in excess of Plate H
- articulated autorack cars
corrects:
- switching of facing-point customers after the turning point on subdivisions
- local setoff routing of 'many' cars to 'small' spots
- locomotive servicing spot creation from station data
- car inventory input, and default hobby shop & city
- importing car data, selecting source drive/folder

Update 269 (July 15^th, 2008) adds

additional support for passenger traffic

Update 268 (June 19^th, 2008) adds

support for Grapevine "ControlStand" RadioThrottles
PowerModeling with Grapevine DCC
ups to 100 stations in core segment (600 stations total)

Update 266 (April 30^th, 2008, after 5^th Annual Lansing ProTrak Weekend adds:

car movement history for planning car movements
train "Dynamics" pane added to Switchlist Preview
yard check (List cars at Yard)
provision for "dummy" diesel units (lashup tractive effort calculation)
plus corrections on
- Query changes to car location and routings
- routing cars as close as possible to destination
- check on lineup starting time (if different from 12:01 am)

Update 265 (March 30^th, 2008) adds

"Flip train consist" and "Flip block within train"

Update 264 (March 19^th, 2008) adds

"networked printers"
incremental changes in controlling passenger traffic

Update 263 (February 12^th, 2008) adds:

staging track radius (limits lengths of cars directed to staging tracks depending on radius)

Update 261 (December 15^th, 2007)

adds options for controlling overhead traffic (staging-to-staging)
- load by: "Have waybill, which car" (in addition to classic: "Have car, which waybill")
- load only empty cars in their home region
if train is advanced (called early), and route is duplicated by an earlier train, cars stay with this train

Update 258

adds "idler cars" for over-length loads
option to re-activate all cars
corrections for "facing points" switching
corrections to defining signal aspects

Update 255

changes from 4th Annual Lansing ProTrak Weekend, 2007 (26 Apr to 29 Apr 2007)
select staging track that train actually enters. Print list.

Update 254 adds

fuel consumption display
- diesel units, coal and oil burning steam locomotives
- water consumption for steam locomotives
- re-fueling of locomotives
consisting of units
manual re-blocking of train-journal
manual control of OS switchmotors by dispatcher

Update 253 adds (through to February 17th, 2007)

signal drivers for CPL signals
signal drivers for signals wired common-anode and common-cathode ("reversed wired signals")
support for the Advanced Driver Board (with microprocessor)
"Pending" during yard classification with multiple switch crews

Update 251 adds (through to October 29th, 2006):

additions to narrow gage including total separation of default yards
"column sorting" for gateways/railroads list
"car available time" for stock cars
ease of use for defining and connecting signal-blocks, signals and switchmotors
functionality in "power-modeling" modules

Update 249 adds (May 27^th 2006);

"Narrow Gage"
- have a narrow gage subdivision on your railroad
- transfer freight to and from the narrow gage subdivision
External Dispatcher's Panel for Grapevine
- use any form of physical dispatcher's panel (Union, GRS)

Update 248 adds (follow-up from 3rd Annual Lansing ProTrak Weekend)

"pending lockout" while a Cut List is active
"Status" columns on train report list and yard list
"Push To" numbers by:
- yard track assignment for "Yard Operations"
- by train list number
"the "Buffalo Beef" issue (overloading home-routing to online customers)
variable labels on Trainsheet

Update 247 adds

foreign railroad operating on home road
sort and save the locomotive list ("Class" revised)
- numerous changes to entering "locomotive"data
"flip" the car consist order on a switchlist (print: locomotive to caboose order)
"exact car length" ordering to customer
print list of cars in each train in staging
print a "fascia" list of customer spots at each switching zone
printing train schedules: more options
new waybill for online traffic becomes a "Monday" car-order (makes "start-up" easier)

Update 246 adds

allows use of "y" track as train terminal
modifies "staging-to-staging" train display
"clickable" columns on train list

Update 245 adds (February 2006)

the main line ferry. For example, for modeling the Detroit River ferries.

Update 244 adds (January 2006)

a window for setting up initial "home route" for empty foreign cars. This will jumpstart car movement when first using the program.

Update 243 adds (October 2005)

user "Work Notes" messages to train journal/switchlist
user option on how "long lists" index

Update 242 adds "The Trainsheet" - September 21^st, 2005

This is the T&TO dispatcher's trainsheet used to enter train movements.
Entering (clicking) a time, updates car movements.
Change crew, locomotives, cabooses

Update 241 adds

double-track for manual dispatching track diagram
- crossovers
- lap sidings
"freighthouse" function, reloading cars during session
signal drivers for 3-lead led signal heads, 3-color signal heads, position-light signals

Update 240 adds

train-order signals on track display. Signals are "clickable" for setting signals.
refinement of track display, for very large railroads

Update 239 adds (August 2005)

support for Advanced Universal Driverboard (24-led Grapevine driverboard)
a display for which customers have car-orders, for each day of the week

Update 236 adds

"route ahead" - routes empty cars before they become empty so they stay out of yards
- greatly reduces yard congestion
diagnostic screen for routing empty foreign cars home
import "waybills" from other ProTrak railroads

Update 235 adds

re-print yard Cutlists, even when original was not printed
print yard Cutlist, either alphabetically by car reporting marks, or by usual in-train order
in Yardmaster, preview or change "switchlist" data
in Yardmaster, print "switchlists"
Operations Diagnostic window for home-routing foreign road cars

Update 234 adds "Quick Traffic"

"Quick Traffic", for quickly and easily creating waybills/car-orders when first starting with ProTrak

Update 233 adds

import industries, from a "txt" file (for example, the OpSig databases)

Update 232 adds

revised yard TAG list (inventory list)
printing "yard work preview" list (expected setoffs and pickups)
revised "storage yard" and "storage transfer train" functions
re-arranging of locomotive and staging track lists
data for A axle from 1879, and other axles from 1895 (courtesy of Howard Garner)
corrected train Lineup routine (use different Lineups on each day of the week)

Update 231 adds

Work List to train journal/switchlist - option
printing list of standing cars at customers

Update 229 adds

"Extra trains". Trains can be created during the Operations session.
APB (Absolute Permissive Block) signaling routines revisions completed. Complete APB with tumbledown and 'station' overlap.
support for the Grapevine Advanced Serial Detector (ASD) added (December 2004).

Update 228 adds Staging Traffic Options (November 2004).

Update 227 adds routines to

"Substitute for ordered car",
"Engine maintenance notification", and for
car data import from other programs, and car data export from ProTrak

Update 221 adds CTC dispatcher.

on-screen controls simulate "Harmon"-keypad style used on MP in the mid-70s.
"GRS" and 'Union"-style controls being added for future Update.

Update 219 includes

full ABS and with optional APB signaling. Drives The Grapevine.
add/delete cars from switchlist/train journal in real time

Update 212 included DCC driver software for Grapevine DCC system.

Update 209 included

drivers for new Grapevine Node, new Grapevine Driverboard, new Grapevine Serial Detectors.

additions to Inventory for: books, manuals, railfan photographs, railroadiana

Update 208 expanded the Inventory, adding dozens of fields and photographs! (March 2003)

Update 205 expanded "Import Cars, from an unknown format"

Update 188 added variable zone-width for ZTC siding numbers, (March 2002 )

Update 184 added Quick-Traffic for Home Region empties

Update 174 added user-selected fonts on switchlists

Update 156 added a method to match waybill weights/volumes to your car fleet.

Update 149 added a TWC/DTC on-screen dispatcher panel with track panel display.

This dispatcher system can be used with
- TWC - Track Warrant Control
- DTC - Direct Traffic Control
- VCS - Voice Control
- MBS - Manual Block System
- any other radio or telephone based dispatching systems.

Note: ProTrak Basic is no longer available.