Express and Limited Train Service

[bradybrklyn]

I've set up express lines on four different maps so far and none of them were used. I think I set them up correctly by connecting major towns/cities with the lines. I've also tried limited service stopping at a only a few towns on the line; but while the local service is heavily used these altenate routes are not. I've even gone so far as to click on individual agents to see where they are going and although they are going to cities on the express/limited service they continue to use the local service. I don't understand this.

Air service will be used for long distance travel for agents who prefer the fastest means available. Why are they not using express trains earlier in the game when air travel is not available? Are express trains more expensive to use? Am I doing something wrong? Has anyone set up a successful express rail line?

[Thork]

What kind of transportation is used depends on preference and available options. It's usually harder to make people switch to air-transport than it is to make them use express trains, but ofc. it will be used if there is no other option.
Keep in mind that having a faster train on a line does not make the route faster.
Besides some other aspects, frequency can have just as much if not greater impact than train speed.
There are lots of threads, but this recent one probably has all necessary information:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/446800/discussions/0/1621726179564079809/

*The amount of inhabitants with fast preference seems to be related most to how upgraded your buildings are. Cargo supply influences these upgrades.

[Jamlung]

Even though it’s more logical to take the express train,it tends to be a little bit more pricey than the other option. Citizens will probably want the cheaper option anyways. Also,I learned the hard way that routes are most profitable for you when they are A->B->C rather than A->C

[SBGaming]

In my European series I managed to get an Express train service operating, although it took a while running mulitple A3/5's with just a single wagon for the passenger numbers to increase to support a second wagon.

Frequency is key. I aimed to have both Local and Express services run at a similar frequency, adding trains as I extended the line to ensure I was maintaining the frequency.

The local services are running 60kph PLM 220's while the Express is running 100kph A 3/5's. To differentiate the two services, I'll probably keep atleast a 30-40kph speed difference between the two services. Might go up to Badens when the Flying Scotsman comes out, and wait until the Class A4 comes out before upgrading the Locals to A3/5's, etc.

There are two main Local services that service the same towns as the Express line.

Line 1: West Malling, Upton, Grays.
Line 2: Grays, Southgate, Askern, Dunwich, Chorleywood, Kirton, Northwich
Express: West Malling, Southgate, Chorleywood, Northwich.

I can't remember what the local lines are running capacity wise, but they are running atleast 4 or 5 carriages to the 2 carriages of the Express line. I expect the Local services to generate more interest simply because they stop in more places. Planes only just came out at the point where I've had to put things on hold.

[bradybrklyn]

It's good to hear it can be done. I used a similar strategy on two different maps to no avail. As in your example, the express was far faster than the local trains and covered two different local lines, but there was not a small number of passengers on the line; there were none at all. I'll try again sometime knowing that someone else was able to make it work.

I still don't understand why passengers will opt for air travel in the late game but not a faster express train in the early game.

[SBGaming]

On those maps that you attempted to run an Express service that didn't work out, how many trains did you have on each, compared to the local services, and what was the frequency of each.

Frequency makes a big difference, perhaps a bit too much, as passengers and cargo are more interested to choose a line where vehicles show up more often, rather than one that one that will get them to their destination sooner.

Take for example a cargo line. 1 train with 5 wagons versus 5 trains with 1 wagon each. Even with identical speed trains, you'll get better production out of a factory with the line with 5 trains, even though the yearly capacity/throughput is otherwise identical. The factory sees that your trains are showing up more frequently, and thus is more willing to supply goods

[bradybrklyn]

Interesting observation about freight. Doesn't make much sense but a game's a game.

On two of my failed attempts frequency was only slightly lower than the local. I really don't remember exactly how many trains I had but it was lower than the local service. On one map I did try to beef up the limited line which was already unused in an attempt to get passengers; it didn't work.