New Features in BAHN since 1998 (except vehicles)

BAHN 3.58 (12/1998)
BAHN 3.59 (12/1999)
BAHN 3.70 (12/2000)
BAHN 3.80 (4/2002)
BAHN 3.81 (8/2003)
BAHN 3.83 (2/2005) / 3.83r2 (5/2006)
BAHN 3.84 (7/2007) / 3.84r2 (12/2007)
BAHN 3.84r3 (5/2008)
BAHN 3.85 (11/2008)
BAHN 3.85r2 (6/2009)
BAHN 3.85r3 (2/2010)
BAHN 3.86 (5/2011)
BAHN 3.86r2 (2/2012)
BAHN 3.86r3 (8/2012)
BAHN 3.87 (3/2013)
BAHN 3.87r2 (11/2013)
BAHN 3.88 (5/2014)
BAHN 3.88r2 (12/2014)
BAHN 3.88r3 (12/2015)
BAHN 3.88r4 (10/2016)
BAHN 3.89r1 (4/2019)
BAHN 3.89r2 (11/2019)
BAHN 3.89r3 (4/2020)
BAHN 3.89r4 (12/2020) / 3.89r4a..d (01-03/2021)
BAHN 3.89r5 (05/2023)

Important news BAHN 3.58

• Use of "extended memory" (network dimensions 8192x8192 elements)
• Switches into 3 directions 45 degrees
• New cars, new color variants (see list)
• Zoom-feature to Zoom-In and Zoom-Out the screen
• Shunting possibilities (disconnection and coupling of trains)
• Depots of 2 types and using all 8 directions
• Changing more data at the route changing points (train type, stope time interval), so it becomes possible to run faster at night
• Some gadgets (e.g. smoking steam-engines)
• VESA-graphics modes 800x600 and 1024x768 (doesn't work on all computers, see FAQ)

Example for zoom factor 2, "outside turning" switch and Magdeburg LRT car:

Example new/changed cars and horizontal depot:
(at the top the type used as KSW in BAHN 3.40, now as "car of 1920ies to 50ies",
below 2 versions of the new designed KSW, at the bottom the type from Erfurt (Thuringia) built in 1938-1943, at last used on the Lockwitztal and Kirnitzschtal tramways near Dresden (Saxony))

A demonstration of shunting/switching:

"transparent" station hall:

Important news BAHN 3.59

• BAHN 3.59 uses 256-color-modes. The VESA support always is needed. These modes are available on more graphics cards than the 16-color-modes.
• Some new colors defined. Many cars got new colors
• new vehicles, new color versions (see list)
• For windows there are few colors only, but these light tonight (day-night-switching, see color menu).
• New turnout types "Random turnout", "Train type dependent", "Signal dependent"
• Timing points can handle late trains in a better way
• Grid lines: max. distance 512 elements (instead 99), colors can be selected (color menu)
• Train type divided into base and current train type (similar to base and current route).
• Texts can be located at any position (instead of empty symbols only). Text memory new organized, more text is possible (if enough DOS memory available)
• Pre-selection of car fleets contains a search function for texts in the car library (eg types, manufacturerers, owners, cities)
• More memory sections moved into "extended memory". So in each case 5000 stops and speed restrictions should be available.
• Speed-restrictions depend on the train's current type.
• "Lower quadrant" semaphore signals British/Australian design for left-handed traffic
• Shift and Copy of network parts (rectangular area)

Example day-night-switching and texts on tracks:

Important news BAHN 3.70

• MS Windows required (3.1 or higher)
• Some problems of the DOS versions solved
  (memory management, VESA graphics, mouse control)
• Exchanging text data via Window's clipboard
• Output of statistic data and via clipboard uses ANSI character code (Windows instead of DOS)
• No more special map mode (instead zoom scale 1:32 to 1:512 for each edit window)
• Mode menu replaced by Window menu, Screen saver mode omitted
• Some dialog boxes re-designed
• Less colors configurable
• File format of layout files did not change: "nt3" files of BAHN 3.59 can be loaded and saved
• Some cars redesigned resp. added, see list

Important news BAHN 3.80

• MS Windows 32Bit required (Win95 or higher)
• Crossing switches (slip points) single+double
• Redesign of tracks: horizontal tracks centered, tracks on gravel, grassy lines
• Lines on roads (bus) and water (ships)
• New versions of stops and timing points (red+blue)
• Departures from timing points and signal switch times in seconds
• User-defined graphics: 10 files scenic, 8 files vehicles per layout
• New and revised buildings, new vehicles (see list)
• Platforms in curves
• Extent of layout 16384x16384 elements
• Copy of layout parts via clipboard (Copy/Cut/Paste/Delete), also between different layouts
• Moving of trains in 1/4 smaller steps
• Acceleration/Braking (braking at speed limits only, no braking to 0 when stopping)
• Some memory sections enlarged (depots, routes, turnouts)
• Longer trains (up to 100 cars resp. track symbols), train numbers 1..999 per route
• Protocolling (Logging/traffic counting) with log points and dispatcher messages
• Foreign language configuration (variable fonts / text resources in text files "*.lng" instead of binary "*.rtx")
  (if you want to translate some into a foreign language; please ask me before, to prevent that some people do the same job)
• Import of layouts as text files (".bna" files)
• Bumpers/track endings with reversal time
• Braking factor for sim speeds 2..19 (for fast computers)
• Stops with settings: train types (individually), list of routes, double stop, waiting time list, trains going off-/on duty, new speed limit
• Exchanging driving way sysmbols in whole layout / in marked area
• State of train follwing (watching) shown in window title
• Up to 1000 backup files .nt2 per layout, password protection for layout files
• Extension of route change points into data changing points
• Timing points: new speed limit, up to 3 reset times
• Alternating turnouts: up to 3 reset times
• Grade crossings ("St.Andrews cross" signals) also for left-handed traffic and with barriers

Important news BAHN 3.81

• Marked area in the layout can be changed by mouse
• Right mouse button in the layout opens local menu
• Scrolling by right mouse button braked (variable regulation)
• More precise calculation of train speed, acceleration 0.05 to 3.00m/s²
• Vehicle list shows all trains using the selected car
• Train table with buttons "Look for" and "Follow"
• Up to 40 user-defined vehicle sets per layout
• Up to 40 ".uzg" files per layout, 1440 user-defined scenic symbols
• Hot-key "U" leads to last recently used block of user-defined symbols
• Route managing extended: name up to 8 characters, copying when creating a new route, at max. 2000 routes
• Copy/Paste via clipboard extended by routes and depot data
• Signals and contacts with route and depot list, signal systems without signals allowed now
• Signal elements with turning off effect ("-") in reverse driving direction and with turning-back time
• Off-contacts for 2 directions omitted, option "OFF in reverse direction" also available for contacts instead
• Switch contacts and signals with platform
• Grade crossing signals also on own trackbed
• New signal constructions (4 point tram signal, higher light signals, for right- and left-handed traffic)
• Data change points: name up to 16 chars, change of max speed and shunting length
• Dispatcher messages: at max 200, display of day (relative) and current route
• More exact report about late departures
• Logging extended (eg display of day, scheduled time at timing points and in case of lateness)
• Log-points with direction[s] of effect
• Warnings when deleting objects and use of mysterious filenames can be turned off
• Auto stop time can count days
• Maximum number of speed restrictions, stopping pts, shunting pts 40,000 each
• Maximum number turnouts 60,000, timing pts 20,000, data change pts 10,000, depots 4,000
• Depot names up to 8 chars, timing pt names up to 16 chars
• Clock window, "top-most", for simulation time
• Display of train data (in normal view) extended
• Shunting pts with variable direction of effect
• Storing of up to 32 cursor positions with comment (remarks) and calling time
• Versions of some graphic symbols re-organized and extended (stops, timing points)
• Speed restrictions with more versions and valid value = 0 for terminating, extra terminate signs omitted
• Data change pts, shunting pts and some turnouts with additional versions (with platform)
• Hot-key >F12< / >Ctrl+F12< for exchange driving way / mirroring scenic symbol at cursor position
• Bumpers with platform[s], all bumpers / line ends are registered
• Handling of platforms on simple driving way extended
• Double platform and station halls (vertical) also on road

Important news BAHN 3.83

• Grade crossings (level crossings) blinking, also reverse
• New grade crossing signals (2 alternating lights, yellow-red-light), more new signals
• In schematic view, signal colors are configurable (by default red/green)
• New driving way "Path" for road vehicles
• Rough statistics about train's times of service and summary
• Local info texts max. length 10kB
• Train texts in the layout (route / number) also on transparent background
• Use of 24bpp color depth, color palette no more supported
• Variable background color also in schematic and map modes, no more color palette limitations
• Slip turnouts (English points) also with platform
• Timing points + stops new version: platform + "T"/"H" only
• Searching driving way symbols: can be restricted to current graphics version
• Status "Going off-duty" can be deleted manually when editing the train
• Data change points can erase data for going on-/off duty (by D=X resp. E=X)
• New zoom factor (enlarged scale) 6:1
• Up to 50 ".uzg" files per layout, 1800 user-defined scenic symbols
• New data format for vehicles (existing user-defined cars can still be used)
• More variable vehicle length and width, more colors, 16 cars per vehicle fleet, no more maximum length summary
• Vertical car graphics overlapping, separation roof/front/rear parts
• Changing lights added for more than 1400 vehicles
• Light changing separated from pantograph change, i.e. also "backwards" running shows correct light (eg el.locos)
• Some cars redesigned resp. added, see list
• Up to 100 user-defined vehicle files per layout (=16,000 vehicles)
• Optional extra graphics in display scale 2:1 and higher ("Zoom2")
• Actually available as Zoom2 gfx: driving ways, some buildings + signals, about 1600 vehicles (BAHN 3.83r2: more than 2500)
• Zoom2 graphics with more colors, integrated Zoom2 vehicle editor
• Integrated Zoom2 editor (vehicles only)

Important news BAHN 3.84

• Text data coded as Unicode (16bit/character), however compatible with Windows98 upwards
• Names of objects can contain lowercase letters and special characters, e.g. umlauts or accented like ä or á
• Layout size 32768x32768 elements
• Layout data extended by sub-surface levels -1 to -4, new technique for tunnel lines
• Stretching (enlarging) of layout (parts)
• Hierarchical depot structure "Name:Track", track numbers 1..99 per depot
• Depots have long and short name (16 characters / 4 chars)
• Maximum speed v_max=600km/h
• 3 train categories (passenger, freight, special) and more train types
• Train length at max. 200 elements/vehicles
• Stopping points for 3 trains same time, also at timing points served as stops
• Double stop is served by 2nd train also, when 1st didn't leave completely but is blocked
• Texts in the layout may get individual colors if not directly neighbouring side-to-side
• Combined turnouts, crossings of 2 curve tracks
• More versions for bumpers / end of line, signals, switch contacts, shunting points, stops, timing points
• Shunting points, speed restrictions, signals and stops may be set invisible individually each
• Time data can contain days of week (timing points, trains, signal systems, junction turnouts etc.)
• Go on- and off-duty as non-revenue trip can be defined separately
• Signal elements and signal systems divided: Each element and each system have a unique name. Elements can switch multiple installations and can depend on multiple installations
• Distant-signals for all available stop-signal types
• Combined stop and distant signals for all signal types except tram signals
• Permissive passing
• Speed restrictions may work dependent on route code / train number
• Infotext of 10,000 characters for each route code
• Layout can get a background picture (bitmap)
• Display of train data (route/train number) also in schematic view 1:2 and 1:4 and similar display of object data (number/name) from 1:4 upwards
• Help system changed to ".chm" (for W*ndows V*sta)
• Up to 100 files with user-defined scenic symbols per layout (3600 symbols)
• Some cars redesigned resp. added, see list

Extensions BAHN 3.84r3

• Display of train data (route/train number) and object texts in the layout accelerated, also in view scale 1:8 and 1:16 and including log point names
• Background picture supports color-reduced bitmaps, resulting in less memory needed
• Complex Edit functions (Copy/Paste/Clear/Shift...) also over multiple neighbouring levels together
• Automated saving of the current layout file
• Optimizations speeding up the simulation, at constructing/deleting of signal system elements, in complex edit operations (Copy/Shift)

Important news BAHN 3.85

• Simulation runs in 50% smaller steps
• New versions of signals: traffic lights with yellow immediate phase, CH System L
• User-defined signals: each 20 of stop, distant and combined signals for on-shore ways
• Connection of depot and signal system extended
• New, more flexible data format for scenery incl. user-defined elements (more colors, larger width, higher), more objects/buildings with Zoom2 graphics
• More user-defined scenic elements per layout (110 sets of up to at max. 90 elements each)
• Extra graphics for quadruple details (Zoom4)
• Simple integrated editor for scenery and user-defined elements (Zoom1, 2 and 4)
• Configurable animations, also for user-defined elements
• Additional files can be attached to a layout file
• El.locos and EMU can change the pantograph depending on direction of travel, even if they have different side views
• Sound more flexible and configurable, for trains and animations

Extensions BAHN 3.85r2

• Use of Zoom4 graphics also in view scale 6:1
• Files of user-defined vehicles can be exchanged by others, even when their vehicles are currently in use in the layout.
• In depot lists, track numbers can be combined, e.g. "Depot_A:1-3" instead of "Depot_A:1, Depot_A:2, Depot_A:3"

Extensions BAHN 3.85r3

• Replacing of elements (Search and Replace)
• Open vehicle doors when serving stops and timing points
• Graphics elements with clock

Important news BAHN 3.86

• Route lists at data change points, turnouts, signals etc. extended by conditions train type and some train properties
• Switching function and switching list at signal system elements extended
• Connection of stations/stops and timing points with a signal
• Timing points with possibility to reverse and more flexible handling of lateness
• Logging extended e.g. by train type and current speed
• Graphics of driving ways are editable by integr. editor
• Zoom4 also for ways possible and partially implemented
• Redesign of water way elements and marking points Zoom2 water/road, more Zoom2 graphics
• User-defined driving way elements
• Optimization while loading large layouts with many objects, in the memory management and handling of the clipboard
• Trains can be deleted also outside of depots and on all routes the same time
• Copy/Paste of layout sections also for trains (in depots)
• Max. train number 99999 instead 999, max. length of route names 12 instead 8 characters
• More flexible assignment of train numbers at data change point and when dividing
• Unified names for graphics single files (user-defined elements)
• More than 10,000 standard vehicles, for more than 3000 vehicles opening doors added

Extensions BAHN 3.86r2

• Hot-Keys (abbreviation keys / shortcuts):
  • Some more are configurable (selection of graphics elements)
  • For each configurable action there can be assigned 2 different hot-keys
  • Combinations with Shift key are supported better, e.g. "#"=Shift+3 (English keyboard layout)
• When separating a train that owns an information text: this text is copied to both new trains
• When inserting/deleting a tunnel entry: automated adding/erasing of suitable ramps works also for user-defined driving ways, as far as possible
• In schematic display: the foreground colors (lines) for user-defined way are configurable
• For more than 1500 vehicles for passenger service: opening doors added (in result more than 4500)
• Display of opening vehicle doors can be turned off
• Internal graphics editor: Paste from clipboard optionally without transparent pixels (Merge function)

Extensions BAHN 3.86r3

• Some more hot-Keys (abbreviation keys / shortcuts) are configurable (train following, setting points of marked area)
• For many vehicles for passenger service: opening doors added (in result more than 5000)
• Max. count of speed limit signs per layout 90,000 (instead of 40,000)
• Max. count of stopping points per layout 60,000 (instead of 40,000)
• Max. count of route codes per layout 5,000 (instead of 4,000)
• While editing a train its length and number of vehicles are displayed

Important news BAHN 3.87

• Extent of layout at max. 65536×65536 elements
• View scale 1:4096 and 1:8192
• At timing point and data change point the lights may turned off
• At timing point and stopping point the doors can stay closed
• In route lists there are more conditions available: random, train length, count of vehicles, motorized on train's head
• Signal elements switch optionally on train's tail
• Max. length of signal switching lists and switching functions enlarged
• Simplified mode to create signal systems
• Log points can get a route list
• Display of object texts extended, among them turnout type, stopping points, speed restriction signs, shunting points, sound points
• Scenery elements can get higher (also user-defined) ones
• Train table and function to go off-duty allow more flexible input of routes using placeholders
• Texts in the layout can get a rectangular frame in an individual color and allow sequences of empty characters if these have assigned an extra color for background or frame
• More than 12,000 standard vehicles, more than 6000 vehicles with opening doors

Extensions BAHN 3.87r2

• Depot table optionally with or without single tracks
• Export function to create a user-defined vehicle as copy of any other
• For many vehicles for passenger service: opening doors added (in result more than 6800)

Important news BAHN 3.88

• Itineraries as new kind of signal systems, similar to some railways:
  • Trains send requests, get a secured way section and release it after they have passed it (inclusive partial release at turnouts)
  • New turnout type "itinerary turnout"
  • More designs of signal switch contacts
  • Request of an itinerary before departure from a timing point
• Destinations:
  • Destinations can be defined as text with nearly no restrictions, also using empty spaces
  • Each train can get assigned a destination
  • Assignment can be done manually, at data change point and on going off-duty
  • Destination can be used as condition in route lists
  • Destinations can be displayed as train text in the layout
• Texts in the layout:
  • Properties (color, border) are managed via text formats
  • Text search can be restricted to a certain text format
• Data change points can link to another data change point
• At data change points, train numbers can be altered relatively (+/-value)
• In route lists more conditions added about train properties, numbers and destinations
• Depots have a standard track
• Speed limits and shunting points effect on train's tail optionally
• When dividing a train at a shunting point, the position to divide can be given as interval
• Length of names extended for some objects
• Up to 400 cursor positions can be stored
• Info texts (locally in the layout and for single objects) allow up to 20,000 characters
• More than 12,500 standard vehicles, more than 7000 vehicles with opening doors

Extensions BAHN 3.88r2

• Per layout up to 200,000 stopping points and 524,287 turnouts
• Re-sorting of routes and trains accelerated in layouts with many trains
• Itinerary crossings
• Display route codes and configurable colors for these
• Request contacts to request multiple different itineraries
• Train table with more filters, e.g. train numbers
• Route lists / data change points extended:
  • assignment of relative train numbers up to +-99,900
  • route change to same route allowed (useful in combination with other assignments)
  • signal switching function as condition (at branching turnout, shunting point, data change point)

Extensions BAHN 3.88r3

• At depots the trains can be displayed sorted by on-duty time optionally
• You can turn off to insert elements by mouse
• On inserting functional elements, the direction of effect can be set

Extensions BAHN 3.88r4

• The display of invisible signals can be suppressed in the list of signal elements and when to display object names in the layout
• Alle standard scenery objects have Zoom2 graphics now

Important news BAHN 3.89

• Depots:
  • Extra destination for trains going off-duty as non-revenue trip
  • At depot, the table of trains can be sorted also by times to go off-service
  • In the menu functions to go on/off service you can give a start resp. destination depot
  • The destination depot (track) can be used as condition in route lists
• Stopping Points / Timing Points:
  • Longer delay times up to 7200s (=120min=2h)
  • List of waiting times can contain also a reference to the train's stop time interval
  • Messages about fails and lateness can be suppressed on low lateness
  • All designs for ways on land also with 2 platforms, more signs
• Signal Systems / Itineraries:
  • Delay to turn on an itinerary at max. 5min instead 2min
  • Itineraries can be requested also at stopping points and shunting points
  • An itinerary can have a direction marker (1 character) that is shown at the start signal when object texts in the layout are displayed
  • Distant signals (also at combined signals) can have a switching function instead to refer to a single stop signal only
  • Request contacts with 3 additional data sets
  • Switching contacts can be set invisible individually (like signals)
  • Signals (except grade crossings) and switching contacts can have platforms on both sides
• Lateness:
  • Can be altered manually
  • Can be checked as condition in route lists
  • Can be changed/cleared at data change points, also relatively
  • Is shown as train text in the layout
  • Can be used to choice between recommended speed or v_max at speed limits
• Via Destinations:
  • Each train can get assigned up to 3 vias
  • Working similar to destinations, any destination can be used as via
  • Can be assigned/cleared manually and at data change points
  • Can be checked as condition in route lists
  • Are shown on display of trains texts in the layout like the train's destination
• Train Names:
  • Any train can get a name
  • This is non exclusive, i.e. multiple trains can share the same name
  • Can be assigned/cleared manually and at data change points
  • Can be checked as condition in route lists
  • Name is optionally shown on display of trains texts in the layout
• Compound Trains (Train Formations):
  • Multiple trains can be coupled in a way that they store their own data.
  • The resulting compound train can be separated later, so that the trains will continue to travel with their individual data after.
• Route Lists (at junction turnouts, data change points etc.):
  • The base route can be checked as condition
  • The train properties conditions became extended by 1st car is uni-/bidirectional, running forward/backward and combination of properties by either OR or AND operation
  • New conditions driving way and train count (for compound trains)
  • More new conditions and assignments, e.g. train name, via, lateness
• Texts / Text Formats:
  • Display of text formats can be turned off individually
  • Visibility of a text can be controled by a switching function
• Maximum text length enlarged e.g. for title, author, general info, itinerary turnouts
• Right click to an element in the layout (context menu) allows to select a block of elements that contains this element
• Selection of user-defined scenery and driving way with check about use in the layout and possibility to resort
• For some driving way elements, object texts in the layout can display the direction of effect as arrow
• Background bitmap supports more sub formats of BMP file format, further TGA and JPG
• New Graphics Elements:
  • Residential houses (single, corners)
  • Shelters, signal boxes, water towers, office buildings
  • Clocks analoguous and digital
  • Lamps, platform parts (corners), fountains, brook
  • More designs of speed limit signs, stopping points, timing points
  • Stopping points, timing points, many signal elements also with platforms on both sides
• Vehicle sets of standard vehicles can contain up to 32 cars.
• More than 14,000 standard vehicles, more than 8000 vehicles with opening doors

Extensions BAHN 3.89r2

• Signal switch contacts can be set to invisible alltogether again
• Table of trains displays lateness (in full minutes)
• Train name can be altered at shunting points
• Color of user-defined scenic elements can be assigned per file in schematic view and in map mode
• Window of internal graphics editor can be enlarged optionally

Extensions BAHN 3.89r3

• Considerably more Zoom4 graphics for way elements, buildings and vehicles
• The Status window has been enlarged in width and contains more functions
• Internal graphics editor has got new functions "Clear" and "Fill with color"

Extensions BAHN 3.89r4/r4a/r4b/r4d

• Considerably more Zoom4 graphics for way elements, scenery objects and vehicles
• In r4a..r4d we tried to solve certain problems on following of trains

Extensions BAHN 3.89r5

• Considerably more Zoom4 graphics for scenery objects, animals and vehicles
• More than 14,500 standard vehicles

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BAHN - New cars