How can I get route data into a SHP or KMZ file for GIS software like QGis?

[Ewo]

Very technical question here:

Is there a way to get route data from Train Simulator into a tool like QGis? For example, by converting the track lines to a .SHP file which QGis can import.

I already know of RWInfo, which pulls the data from a route to draw a map on screen, with functional GPS coordinates. But RWInfo can only show this on my screen; it can't save it into a format I can import into QGis.

All the required data is already there; it's just a matter of getting it out of Train Sim and into QGis.

I know various time-consuming workarounds are possible. I could use an external tool that talks to raildriver.dll to log the GPS data as I drive down a route in TS. I could also manually trace the lines from satellite photos, or use geofabrik.de to get railway data into QGis.

[Ewo]

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[Ewo]

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[Cat]

Seems like no one can answer your question.

[Bekns]

Hi General Wo

This guide here has maps layed out using the GPS tracking method, if you click on the GPS map link for each map it will take you to a webpage where you can download the data in KML format. I know it is not KMZ which is what you were after but I thought it worth a mention just in case it is suitable still

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1261802858

Bekns

[Ewo]

Thanks! I have been in touch with the author of those maps to discuss his methods. It's achieved by automated screenshots with CTRL+S at regular intervals, the GPS coordinates appear in the file name.

The next step is finding out how to get speed limit data linked to GPS coordinates. Unfortunately, every screenshot hides the HUD. If I use F12 to take a screenshot, the GPS coordinates aren't recorded in the filename.

So that is my next challenge.

Anyone know how to make the hud show up in ctrl+s screenshots?

[BeenTrain]

Originally posted by General Wo:

So that is my next challenge.

Anyone know how to make the hud show up in ctrl+s screenshots?

When you track your ride with ThirdRails, every second the gps position is saved including the actual speed and time elapsed from start.

See for instance tracked routes on https://www.rentor.nl/Feed.aspx, where the route is shown on a map. There is no export yet, but export to KML should not be to hard, I think.

For speed limits you could place POI in the map during tracking, or maybe use OpenRailwayMap which has speed limits for certain routes.


What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

[Bekns]

Just in case you are unaware General Wo, Been Train is the author of the fine program ThirdRails and Im sure if any one can help with what you need it is him

[Ewo]

Thank you for your reply

What I'm trying to achieve is this, from my first post:

Is there a way to get route data from Train Simulator into a tool like QGis? For example, by converting the track lines to a .SHP file which QGis can import.

QGis is a map making program that supports all sorts of geographical data formats, including KML which google maps uses. OpenStreetmap data can also easily be imported into QGis. Many governments share heightmaps and other public data online, and that can all be input into QGis to make all sorts of maps.

I want to make maps of the railway lines I own in train simulator.

At this point, I have a bunch of methods that let me get the shape of the track into QGis. But I want to include more data than just that. Things like speed limits, signal locations and electrification type.

Manually adding a POI is possible, but something automated would be preferable.

ThirdRails is one of many tools that talk to raildriver.dll which does not provide speed limit data (as far as I know.)

I would prefer to use the data coming out of train simulator. There may be differences with real-world data. And for fictional routes, there is no real-world data. Everything I want to know is stored in-game already, it's just a matter of getting it out.

[BeenTrain]

Originally posted by General Wo:

Thank you for your reply

Manually adding a POI is possible, but something automated would be preferable.
....
I would prefer to use the data coming out of train simulator.

That;s true, it could be done manually, but it should all be somewhere in the route files.

[Ewo]

I've been messing around and for anyone else who is interested, this is the least tedious method I've found so far:

The route shape I get with ADB's method of automated screenshots. And I only have to do that if he hasn't already created a map that I can import.

To add details, I create a recording of a train driving the route with OBS. I can set a train to 30 or 40 km/h and just go afk during the recording. I leave the HUD on so I can see speed limits, signals, gradients etc.

I get the GPS coordinates from TS-MFD's "Streckenplan bearbeiten" window. I overlay this on top of the video while I record it.

(I would've used ThirdRails but I couldn't find a display of GPS coordinates with enough precision, there was one but it kept scrolling off screen)

I now have a video that I can seek through. At all important locations I find the GPS coordinates in QGis and can add data to the map.

This is faster than doing it while driving, as I can skip forwards when nothing is happening, and I can also rewind in case I've missed something.

As a bonus, I can use the same video to help create an EBULA with TS-MFD.

The update to TS2020 also broke TS-MFD and ThirdRails but I'm sure they'll be updated eventually.