/vr/ - Retro Games

>>4852379

Other people will have different approaches, but these are the basics of what I do.

General
>Separate low and high speed traffic where possible.
>Try to avoid routing freight trains through busy passenger stations. Build avoiding lines around large cities if you need to. (pic related, right side)
>If your trains are larger you don't need as many. Just make sure your stations are long enough to accomodate them, otherwise they load and unload much slower.
>Grade separate busy junctions if you need to.
>Sharp curves slow traffic. Avoid building them unless forced to.
>Steep hills slow traffic down. Follow the contours of the land to allow shallower gradients If you are forced to build up steeper slopes compensate for it by using more powerful locomotives on that route.
>The vehicle grouping system is very useful for keeping track of your various services, as well as for replacing vehicles.
>Use the build while paused feature. Some people consider it cheating, others don't.
>Try to plan ahead and anticipate which areas will see the most growth in traffic. Build accordingly.

Passengers and Mail
>Large, fast, and long distance expresses calling only at cities. Stopping services travel between cities, calling at minor towns on the route. (pic related, map)
>Try to give each service a dedicated set of platforms at interchange stations to prevent them interfering with eachother.
>If a passenger station is completely overloaded but cannot be expanded, build a new station and connect them both with buses or trams.
>More trains doesn't always solve overcrowding problems. They can also be addressed by improving route speeds.