Double track or single track with passing lanes?

[Jacky Black]

Been searching quite extensively for this question: which should I build and why?

It always seems more efficient to build one track with passing lanes - less track and space used, less track maintenance? - but I see all maps and vids with double tracks for every line. Which is best and why?

[lost]

If you can afford it (build cost and maintenance cost) , double tracks will be less hassle in the long run. Early on when money is tight, passing places are a good way to be able to run multiple trains on a line.

Of course, if you prefer passing places, nothing stops you from doing so. It's your map after all.

[Autocoach]

If you have a route from A to B which you are only going to need 2 trains for, then sure a dynamic passing loop in the middle is fine as neither train will ever slow down , but more than this and you really want to try and ensure that the trains are never stopped as this costs $$$$ and unless you cannot afford the outlay for double track I would always double track .

[CashonWheels]

Double track is the way to go. Excluding the bridges that cost $100M+ found on the dry climate maps.

I use lots of single track for cosmetic reasons and operational challenges.

[john]

Track maintenance is cheap, while train maintenance is expensive, so double track is the way to go.

[Gregorovitch]

Originally posted by john:

Track maintenance is cheap, while train maintenance is expensive, so double track is the way to go.

^^ this ++

The same applies to anything to do with tracks, such as tunnels and bridges. The cost of them both to buy and maintain is chickenfeed compared to price of the trains. A soon as you can get the cash together to go straight through that mountain you had to swerve your track past originally, go straight through it. This also applies to adding platforms to stations, redesigning junctions and so on.

Train maintenance vs income varies wildly but 80% of income eaten by running costs is not uncommon. So if you can increase round trip time by 10% on an 80% maintenance ratio you are increasing your profits by a whopping 50%. That's why. Making track straighter and flatter, eliminating traffic jams, anything like that can often yield significantly better than 10% round trip improvement.

[desrtfox071]

Single lane is fine, just stick to one train (beef it up as necessary) and no need for the passing lanes either. All of the above cost breakdown is the same for either double track with multiple trains or single track with one train (the size of the multiple trains) except you have less track maintenance. Only go with multiple trains where you actually need a better frequency.