Bridges...Bridges everywhere

[COMMANDO]

I see most players just build bridges to avoid dealing with the topology. It's not appealing to me, visually or gameplay.
Anyone else feel the same way or am I the only one that isn't apart of the bridge coalition?

[bendigo (1983-2023) RIP]

I feel the same. Bridges Have ther place but making a helix out of the smelter is not that place.

[Ramsey]

I agree.

[Polarlicht]

Same. I build as few bridges as possible!

[coenvijge]

Fully agree. I only use them if I realy need them. Maybe letting players pay for the infrastructure can help to give more realistic lines.

On the other hand: it's a game. For me it's okay that everybody plays a game they way he/she likes to play it. Mayby difficulty settings (like the one now introduces for the physics in the 'BETA') can keep everybody happy.

Those who want to build realastic have to realise that a lot of the lines that are represented in the game where meant to be (sometimes very) temporary. Building (always) expensive bridges is not a thing you want for a line that maybe has a very short life. Imo you have to stay (literal) 'with both feet on the ground'.
If I have to make a slope I prefer groundwork above a long relative low bridge.

[Solid Snack]

Yep 100% agree. I try to stick bridges onto the ridge so it looks like they are attached to cliff faces, and build bridges across obvious ravines that I have nowhere else to cross.

I do suspect this will change when proper finances are introduced into the game, where bridges are going to likely cost a lot more $ and therefore people would try to be more creative with following topography. They desperately need to add in an 'undo' function before that happens though....

[internalvoice]

I agree 100% Just started with the game and am having lots of fun. Part of the experience is wandering off and prospecting valleys and slopes to cut the rail line through as neatly as possible.

[LowDragMaxSag]

I too am also a stickler for trying my best to not make bridges everywhere.

[bendigo (1983-2023) RIP]

Originally posted by tenderloveheart:

to each their own, it is their game and their railroad. I prefer ground work over bridges all the time. Even tall ground work.

Before they implement cost for building, they need to figure out a way for us to actually survey the route before we commit to spending hard earned cash on the actual route.

At the present time, my survey tools is groundwork... I run it everywhere, to get my direction, grade, where I need to adjust... I may lay 4 or 5 different groundworks to find the route I want to build... then I build, and am still rebuilding.

Bridges are expensive to build, take longer to build, and require more maintenance than a mound of dirt.

It would also be nice if they can make it possible to delete groundwork that is under the ground. I currently have a strtch of stone groundwork at the iron mine because it is just below the ground, with the sides sticking out. It is frustrating to look at.

[Schorsche]

using bridges as a construction help is a useful and powerful instrument. It helps building parallel tracks and smooth curves. It also helps finding routes with constant slopes and to avoid curves above a certain bend-level. (on complicated routes I rebuilt tracks over 5 times) If there should be a price on that that, building routes will get much more complicated. Without a payback system there should be a tool-assist for planning like to the wooden bridge.
I agree with the point that it is less "real", but till we dont have shovels and dynamite we are that far away from realism that using bridges is a minor problem. And you can hide that with gravel beds :)

[bendigo (1983-2023) RIP]

Originally posted by schorsche.amanthul:

using bridges as a construction help is a useful and powerful instrument. It helps building parallel tracks and smooth curves. It also helps finding routes with constant slopes and to avoid curves above a certain bend-level. (on complicated routes I rebuilt tracks over 5 times) If there should be a price on that that, building routes will get much more complicated. Without a payback system there should be a tool-assist for planning like to the wooden bridge.
I agree with the point that it is less "real", but till we dont have shovels and dynamite we are that far away from realism that using bridges is a minor problem. And you can hide that with gravel beds :)

Yes they can be useful. I am pretty sure they were refering to the crazy sky bridges a lot of people use. Instead of finding a path down to or up from the smelter, Some players just make a crazy looking looping bridge that "looks cool" but makes no sense.

Also, just FYI bridge grades shown are not accurate. They can be off by a coulpe percent. So if you use them for grade reference you may have the wrong grade showing up.

[Schorsche]

i am quite satisfied, moving a single heisler with 6x6 lumber + 6x3 beams to the iron-ore mine shows me that i have a quite accurate measuring method with the wooden bridge.

[Weißbrot]

Originally posted by COMMANDO:

I see most players just build bridges to avoid dealing with the topology. It's not appealing to me, visually or gameplay.
Anyone else feel the same way or am I the only one that isn't apart of the bridge coalition?

Same, i like to build bridges also big bridges but i dont like it when the whole track is only a giant bridge, its not looking good and its also very impractical if you have a derailment.

[Schorsche]

https://www.google.com/search?q=bridges+american+railroads&sxsrf=APq-WBvWSzZarrd_jMTzgKA4rIOMf4SXjg:1643352673514&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEneHi7dP1AhUogP0HHRI-ApMQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=960&bih=493&dpr=4#imgrc=c3pZd8TUw_IsKM

[darkSol]

I see this attitude quite commonly, but since the game doesn't allow any terrain deformation, bridges are the only method we have to maintain reasonable gradients. You can have your realistic looking track and have fun taking 2 cars to the iron/coal mines. I'll build with the tools I'm given and make the trip with 12 thank you.

[saiwa]

the city i live in has a 2.5 km long steel bridge with a huge 360 ​​loop. That's why I have no problem with building larger bridges.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendsburg_High_Bridge