Express train between Boston and Philadelphia.

[Smackmouth50]

I have the fastest locomotive. Set it to express. Passengers only. 6 tracks. Set the train to low usage rails. What am I missing?

[Zieria]

The terrain may be an issue. Select the train and hover mouse over the speed shown. There is a tool tip telling you the maximum speed of your train and the speed you need to reach to get express status.
If the speed is close to express speed, just use one carriage on the train.

[Smackmouth50]

Thanks I will try that.

[Lateralus]

Put the express train on a separate line to avoid any delays. You don't want it waiting for freight trains at any point.
It pays to specify the platforms or use way points so that the express line doesn't jump across to the freight lines if one line is shorter than the other, or vice versa.

If your still having trouble, re think how you've laid the track. It needs to be direct and fast for an express line. Conversely, freight lines can be indirect and slow in comparison.

[romanamor]

Make sure its a direct route, no stopping in New York. I've never had issues fulfilling express train tasks, not sure what magic I'm using but usually it seems pretty simple. Perhaps you want to share some screenshots of your route?

[IndianaJones]

Tracks need to be build in possible straight line connection and flat. Hills, turning, bridges, tunnels under tracks, break downs slow down the trains.
As others mentioned, have separate pair of tracks, cargo trains will block express for long time and it will lose its express status in most cases.

The whole travel needs to take half of time passengers would take by regular transport.

Here is my old video from RE 1, it's not the best but you can figure out the steps.
Same rules apply to RE 2, buildings and tracks placement are a bit different tough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5APNPxEqQu4

[Smackmouth50]

Hey all. Comments are great. I had no problem once I removed some water towers. They slow the trains a lot even if they don't fill up. Re-laying tracks really helps. Starting a scenario with two tracks and adding more later can muck things up. Assigning platform numbers with way-points helps and reducing the max number of cars. Nice to re-pay this game after so many years.

[IndianaJones]

Originally posted by Smackmouth50:

I had no problem once I removed some water towers.

Yes, there is confirmed bug for this, that express trains slow down for a second before each resupply tower. I hope to see some small patch fixing those minor issues soon. Before completing campaign. I'm currently on 3rd map.