ATCSMap

I added a page to try and let you know where we are on the program here in it's early days. You can see it here: Change Log

ATCSMap is a Windows program designed as a companion for ATCSMon, which lets train enthusiasts monitor trains. ATCSMap shows much of the same information as ATCSMon does on it's dispatcher display, but it places it on a map. The two together helps form a full picture of what's going on out there. The two programs compliment each other nicely.

Scroll down this page for screenshots of the program in operation.

In order to make use of ATCSMap you will have to get a Google Static map API key (easy and free) and make a Google map of the territory you want to monitor. There's no getting around those requirements, so if you don't feel up to it, I'm sorry to take up your time. Instructions for doing both are included in the ZIP file download.

ATCSMap REQUIRES ATCSMon be installed and running on the same machine as ATCSMon. For more information on the program and it's operation, check out the readme file in the ZIP file.

At this time, the program is brand new (I've only been working on it three weeks!), and I'm sure there will be errors that need addressed. I would really appreciate any feedback you can provide, and I'll provide support the best I can. For support, email me at dougmsbbs@gmail.com.

Now, for the goodies, the screenshots.

You can display the map a variety of ways.

As a regular map or, as here, as a terrain map:

Open tracks can be displayed, if you wish.

Or place them on a satellite view:

Or even a hybrid:

The problem with trying to display something as small as train tracks over a wide area map is that the tracks are so small compared to the full map area you can't even see them. ATCSMap handles that in several ways.

In normal mode, all tracks that run beside each other are placed right on top of each other. The colors mix, so the colors get darker the more trains there are passing a certain control point. Add a track lined up (green) to a occupied track (red) and you get shades of brown. It doesn't take long before you can tell at a glance what's going on. This way you monitor the entire area you want to see, and the tracks are still reasonably placed where they should be. 

But if you prefer, you can turn on offset tracks, and with a little reduction in accuracy you can see each track by itself: