Switches & Switching Improvements

[Barnard_Star]

So switching is a huge part of this and especially building yards, switch backs, and general operations of a rail road. So I figured I would start a discussion to get ideas in one area for working with switches. Post up your ideas below for switching and switches.

I would love to see Y switches in the game. Right now we only have left and right and I know in a few areas a Y switch would of been super helpful in laying things out.

I would also love to see a shorter yard switch. Currently when building a yard the switches you have make the yard grown in size even past the point that you need it just because of the switches. So a shorter switch could help in tight areas.

Also if we get additional buildings a "Yard House" where someone can remote control switching in the yard would be a nice thing. This would help with shunting and switching operations where one person can be in the yard house doing all the switching for the yard. The same action you use for the Reverser can be used to throw remote switch machines in the Yard House.

[Barnard_Star]

Another thing I would love to see is that when driving and you are in 5 track segments of a switch, a small popup in a corner of the magnified switch position would be nice. This way when driving alone I can see if I need to stop or not to change the switch. When running a 10 car log train it is really hard to see if the locomotive is at the end, what position the switches are in.

[captpkelly]

Think of the time period of the game; mid to late 1800s. Remote controlled switches didn't exist. Electricity barely existed for that matter. Caboose crews included brakemen, fault (safety) lookout, and switchmen. Switches were worked manually by the switchman.
A HUD indicator would definitely solve the sight distance problem, but again, think of the time frame of the game. Being able to see trackside indicators at a distance was one of the problems engineers faced. Just go through the switch - if it was turned the wrong way, you would have had to stop anyway.

[Barnard_Star]

Originally posted by captpkelly:

Think of the time period of the game; mid to late 1800s. Remote controlled switches didn't exist. Electricity barely existed for that matter. .

They do not have to be electronic. For YEARS railroads in yards had cable controlled switches that used underground cables and pullies for yards and short distances. Was never a main line thing, but cable driven remote switches was a thing in the mid to late 1800's.

And was not talking a HUD, but there has to be a slight balance between single player usability and game setting. If I go thru a switch backwards and its set wrong as a single player I am now spending how much time on rerailing cars? If I always had a train crew I can see your point. But again a balance between single player actually enjoying the game v keeping true to the 1800's.

[cabfa18]

how about a whistle tone activation for switches and a sand box mode

[cabfa18]

i only play single player