left or right ?

[Dgidge]

I see something in the screenshots : your trains run on the right track. but in reality except some countries (austria in Europe), they run left.

[Metacritical]

you can make your trains run left if you want, you just need to place the signals differently. if you have dual tracked your line if you place the signals on the outside of the dual track this will make the trains use the right lane, if you place your signals in the middle of the two tracks this will make your trains use the left lane.

[Dgidge]

No, it was not a help-line... just to say that. I love to make my maps realistic, and I think, why programmers don't do, by default, left-going the trains ?

[Autocoach]

Not right I think . Many more countries run on the right inc USA , but yes I run all mine on the left.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-track_railway

[Metacritical]

Originally posted by Dgidge:

No, it was not a help-line... just to say that. I love to make my maps realistic, and I think, why programmers don't do, by default, left-going the trains ?

you missed my point. it is entirely up to you which side the trains run on. your trains run on the right because it is easier to place the signals so that trains run on the right. if you want trains to run on the left, then the programmers have allowed you to do so.

[Name Lips]

The programmers did nothing by default. The trains run where you tell them to.

[canophone]

Originally posted by Autocoach:

Not right I think . Many more countries run on the right inc USA , but yes I run all mine on the left.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-track_railway

US/Canada run both sides. Bi-directional.

Originally posted by Name Lips:

The programmers did nothing by default. The trains run where you tell them to.

There is one thing though: the signals in the game are always placed on the right side of the track, which generally indicates a preference for running trains forward on the right track.

[larry_roberts]

Found this (about Left/Right side trains):

https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/29i4hq/side_where_the_train_runs_by_country_1500_625/

[CashonWheels]

I looked long and hard for these, please compensate me.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=764176530&searchtext=left

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=799944020&searchtext=left

These bad boys cover the exit to a factory. Looks way better than two right side ones.

https://prnt.sc/keh0lr

I use the searchlight signals sometimes but they do not have a left side signal. Hopefully it should be easy to add when I get around to it. Another thing I would like to see is a signal that is spaced further away from the tracks. Should be east to do also. Longer wheelbased locos & railcars will clip the signal if the curve's radius is to tight.

[genemead]

Doesn't it depend on which side the engineer usually sits? If he sits on the left, he would need signals on the left side of the track.
Personally I don't care- I'm in the US so it's right-side for me.

[CashonWheels]

Originally posted by genemead:

Doesn't it depend on which side the engineer usually sits? If he sits on the left, he would need signals on the left side of the track.
Personally I don't care- I'm in the US so it's right-side for me.

I don't think it matters what side the engineer sits. Left is just by default. Because the signals should always be visable regardless of where they are. On single track are signals are fixed to one side anyways.
Engineers don't go drive-thrus, turn left or overtake trains, at speed, at their discretion.

[canophone]

Originally posted by larry_roberts:

Found this (about Left/Right side trains):

https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/29i4hq/side_where_the_train_runs_by_country_1500_625/

That map is wrong for Canada/USA! It can be either right or left. Urban metros may usually be on the right side though, but are not always.

[MarkyT]

In UK trains typically drive on the left hand track. Driver/engineer seat position is always towards the left side, but on many modern trains is more to the centre. Signals are placed by default on the left side of the track they apply to, even when suspended from a signal bridge above but are permitted to be on the right side too if expedient, as long as the meaning is unambiguous and visibililty is good. If there's any confusion, an arrow sign can be added to the number plate to point to the track a signal applies to. The normal stopping position at a signal is approx 14m on approach. For a right hand side signal this is increased to 20m to ensure good visibility for drivers in a left hand seat. I wish in TF that the trains stood a little further back from signals so the signal is visible in the forward view.

[Autocoach]

Please find a thread quoting a more detailed article for what it is worth .

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?273615-How-about-a-rail-running-list-for-various-countries!

To try to answer again the original question , I think given the fact that signalling can be a tricky point for a new player they were right to have the vanilla system to be generally right hand but fully capable of supporting left hand running . Given Russia , Germany and USA are important countries for this game it was not incorrect. Also as far as I know older similar games eg Railroad Tycoon were right hand running .

[MarkyT]

Originally posted by Autocoach:

I think given the fact that signalling can be a tricky point for a new player they were right to have the vanilla system to be generally right hand but fully capable of supporting left hand running

Ideally you just need a left side signal mod to suit left hand running. Generally whether right or left running, rail administration try to avoid putting signals between the tracks. Often, unlike in the game, there's not physical space for signals between tracks and maintenance is much safer with them on the outside, and doesn't require both tracks to be closed for access.

[kido]

Originally posted by genemead:

Doesn't it depend on which side the engineer usually sits? If he sits on the left, he would need signals on the left side of the track.
Personally I don't care- I'm in the US so it's right-side for me.

Here in Thailand the driver sits on the right, while the train runs on the left. However it's quite irrelevant due to our system being mostly single-track.