Car Properties

Car Properties are shown in the Car tab of the Inspector.  If the boxes are empty, click a car to select it.

This dialog shows:

• The icon and name corresponding to the car type.  These are not editable.  If you want to change a car from one type to another, delete it and replace with a new car of the desired type.
   
• The top view of the car.
   
• Label: car identifier.  The label is automatically assigned by the program, but can be changed.
   
• Fill, Outline: colors which fill and outline the car top image, as long as you are not displaying car-top images.  Click the button to choose a different color.  These color choices have no effect if "Show car-top images" is checked in preferences.
   
• Length, Width: current measurements, in the selected units.  Enter new values here to resize the car.
   
• Units: choose the units to be used for the dimensions.  Choose a "Layout" value to see dimensions as measured on a model railroad, or "Prototype" to see dimensions of the real-world railroad, and choose metric or English measurements.

Changing the units changes the values in the Length and Width boxes, so this dialog can serve as a handy calculator.  For example, to find the size of an N-scale model of an 86-foot flatcar:

1. Choose N scale on the Layout tab
2. Choose Prototype:feet and enter 86 in the Length box
3. Change units to Layout: inches.  Length box shows the answer: 6.4".

Changing between English and metric units in this drop-down will cause the same system to be used throughout TrainPlayer.

• Reverse Engine: if the car is a locomotive, this checkbox appears.  Check it if you want the engine to be pointing toward the back of the train.  For example, the number two engine in this train is marked as reverse:

• Make Default: click to cause the current settings (size, color) to become the defaults for any cars of this type created in the future.
   
• Reset: reset size and color of this car type to factory defaults.