Elevation

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# 2.2.5 Elevation

The Elevation command changes the elevation of track endpoints. After opening this dialog, The Message Bar will show the computed elevation at the cursor. There will be an open blue circle if an endpoint will be selected with Left-Click. You click on the respective endpoint to set its elevation properties.

The endpoint which you are working on is indicated with a big red dot. Note that when an endpoint is selected, the Elevation Window will have focus. To select a different endpoint without closing this window, two clicks (or a double click) will be needed. The first click restores focus to the main window, the second selects the point.

If you add Shift as you move the cursor before clicking you will see a blue bar when it is over a track if a Shift+Left-Click will split the Track at that point (which will give you the opportunity to specify an elevation).

Adding Ctrl allows you to Ctrl+Left-Click to Select and Left-Drag to move existing Elevation Labels if the option is set for them to be displayed and the Zoom level is adequate, Only "Defined" and "Station" endpoint labels can be moved.

If you add Alt, while moving around the layout close to tracks will show you the elevation at the point indicated by a blue closed dot.

With Alt held, if you hover over a point close to where two unconnected tracks pass over one another, a blue square will be drawn and the Message Bar will show the two elevations and the Clearance between them.

Clicking with Shift at this point will split the track, allowing the elevation to be adjusted to provide adequate clearance.

An endpoint can have one of several elevation types:

- None - no elevation control defined. This is the default state and the elevation will be computed. It will be shown if the Display Option Section 2.10.3 EndPt Elevations setting is on.
- Defined - the defined elevation is set to a specified height. The elevation will be shown.
- Hidden - a defined elevation like Defined but not displayed on the layout.
- Computed - height is calculated and displayed even if the Display Option Section 2.10.3 EndPt Elevations is on.
- Grade - grade is based on height of closest neighbors and displayed.
- Ignored - endpoint is not considered in computations. This breaks the flow of the elevation influence from one side to the other, resulting in an elevation that is not dependent on the connected track but on the other connected tracks. A common use would be to ensure a mainline dictates the elevation of the start of a branch.
- Station - assigns a name to the endpoint.

Note: Only one of these attributes can be assigned to an endpoint at a time. For example, an endpoint can not be defined as a Grade and a Station at the same time.

When an endpoint is selected on the layout by Left-Click, it is highlighted by a large red dot and its elevation type and values are displayed in the dialog.

Additionally, Defined Elevation endpoints are indicated on the layout by gold colored dots. Ignored Elevation endpoints are indicated by blue colored dots.

The grade at the specified endpoint is displayed next to the Grade radio button. For Defined Elevation endpoints, the grade on each side of the endpoint is displayed.

Defined Elevation endpoints are used to specify fixed heights of track endpoints. Typically, this would be where a grade changes or where clearances must be maintained. Computed Elevations and Grade markers can place between Defined Elevation endpoints. These values are not entered directly but are computed dynamically based on Defined Elevations of connected tracks. This allows labeling of elevations at intermediate endpoints without having the enter specific values. Computed markers can also placed between a Defined Elevation point and the end of a track.

Stations are used to provide information for the Profile (Section 2.2.12) command.

All Elevation labels (including Grade and Station) are drawn on the layout in outlined boxes. These may be moved by the Move Description (Section 2.2.10) command. In addition, Grade labels have an arrow indicating the upwards direction.

- 2.2.5.1 Computing Dynamic Elevations