just started playing again, never used mods, what are must haves?

[eqalidan]

mod is probably the wrong word to use, but I think it works well as a catch all.

[Wai]

My opinion - There are no "Essential" mods = "New GRF's".

There are a range of GRFs which you might enjoy, but, I would suggest you start with the base game and then add GRFs if you feel you need, or want, them. (I enjoy the vanilla game, but, intend to try a game using early BR engines.)

[eu]

I really depends on how you wanna play, if you like more industry and a extra challenge I would say FIRS 3 becouse it has a extreme set that add tons of stuffs. If you want something more ligh FIRS 3 on some basic set or the wanaroo industry set since you can change a lot of stuffs from basic industry

as for transportations I like the train set, I think the name is UKS2 or somethin like that, the trains does not have tons of capacity to carry, but I like it better, also north america roadset is awsome together with timberwolf roadset

but its more of a searching stuffs and finding out what you like

[eagle74]

The most tedious part of the game for me is replacing vehicles. The only vanilla ones I ever use are the planes which are fine. My go to GRFs for the others are:
RV-Mop Expanded RV is excellent & offers long service life.
Trains-Either 2CC trains in NML or Iron Horse. Both are great & offer higher capacity wagons than vanilla. Be warned the 2CC trains has a huge number of vehicles. I usually restrict it to a single region to cut down on menu overload. Western Europe or North America are my favorite regions for doing this.
Ships-Shark is very good but boats still do not compete well with rail due to the slower speed. I only use them for the oil rigs & in situations where it is hard to get rail where you need it.

[eqalidan]

anything good for air, namely helicopters, I find these very useful for making a central hub and then connecting them to every small down on screen.

[harken23]

There's a GRF called "BusyBee" (or something similar). Maybe "BusyBee Rewards". It gives you a list of things to do (like transport 15000 passengers to X town), and it gives you money when you accomplish the goals. You can do them or not, but it at least gives you some kind of direction. Plus a big infusion of cash when you finish one.

I don't know what the "game" part of this game is. I just build transportation networks.

[Wai]

The "game" part happens when you are up against other companies though it is true the A! ones are a "trifle" dim to put it politely. Otherwise it is simply networks and self imposed challenges. Which is the way I "play".

[andreasaspenberg575]

nuts unrealistic train sets is useful. eGRVTS is also usful if you want a lot of stuff. manual industries is useful if you play with the normal industries. the base costs mod is useful otherwise.