Cannot get express line between SanFran and Salt Lake

[annersch]

I know all the requirements for express train, still I cannot get it approved in the later North West scenario. I'm now at 1900, been waiting for it to happen for more than 5 years. I've built a direct line (no curves) between the cities. Lots of tunnels and bridges, as smooth as possible. The line itself cost a few millions. I have two trains going on separate lines, with their very own track in large stations. So no traffic jams, no waiting for anybody else. The only time the train stops is for refilling and service. Got the fastest train possible, got only express goods, got the personel with highest speed boosts and a caboose. Still the "Expressometer" varies between 0 and about 40... What more can I do? This really screws my game up, all the other tasks are done at least five years ago...

[gm_feirefiz]

Hi,

could you please send a savegame to [e-mail] and we will have a look. This seems like a bug

[introaether]

I've mentioned before. The deeper into game you are, the harder these are to achieve.

Maybe caused by possible tech upgrades etc

[introaether]

Set it to manual.

Allow only one passenger carriage.

This is fastest exploit.

[zinfinion]

Repeatedly entering (or just staying in) the "manage train" screen has in my experience prevented trains under observation from become express, or has removed express status from trains that already had it.

Just setting up the train and line and then completely ignoring it has seemed to work out best for me.

[gardlt]

zinfinion, good catch. That explains what I have been seeing. I couldn't put my finger on this abnormality.

Everytime we go to look at the train the dial is reset. I would say this is a bug?

Here's the proof from the public beta, but quite sure normal release is the same:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1325358522

Exit without changes, then re-enter:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1325359890

Now the small indicator has moved toward "0", the far left again. I didn't make any changes, just do "check-up."

[chaney]

Originally posted by gardlt:

Everytime we go to look at the train the dial is reset. I would say this is a bug?

I'd agree. Thanks zinfinion for nailing down that behavior.

[gm_feirefiz]

Originally posted by gm_feirefiz:

could you please send a savegame to [e-mail] and we will have a look. This seems like a bug

It is important for us to get our hands on a savegame, to be able to fix this bug.

[gardlt]

I just sent a bunch of savegames for this and other things.

[mjbn77]

I have the same problem. But with teh express line between San Fran and Los Angeles in the Gold Rush scenario. I have the fastest engines, set to express. only express trains on a direct route along the coast, dinning cars, no inclines with a lot of tunnels (was expensive like hell) . Didn't touch it for almost 2 years but no EXPRESS status yet? what I am doing wrong. I played the scenaro once before with a similar setup and had no problem to get the EXPRESS status within a couple of weeks or so.
Should I maybe delete the trains on that rout and set up new train route with only one train, and one passanger car?

[introaether]

@ Mjbn.

Ye, I have had the same exact issue. Which is why I suggest express lines are harder to achieve the further into the game you are.

Not sure if that's true, but it's my hypothesis.

I suspect it could be to do with tech bonusus, ones you don't have, but the AI might?

[mjbn77]

there is no AI in Gold Rush

[introaether]

Originally posted by mjbn77:

there is no AI in Gold Rush

You Sir, are correct.

Do you have another train combo that's faster elsewhere?

[rovaira2]

On the Beta patch the Express route bonusses don't seem to work at all on the US map; not sure if it's just me.

[gardlt]

They work for me on the beta patch. I read your other post. As dev said, send them a saved game. Then there is a chance the issue can be understood in depth and fixed.

mjbn, before the last patch to full game, the Gold Rush requirement didn't test for San Francisco, one could get it with an express train running San Diego - LA which was obviously very easy. Patch notes mention the fix.

I tend to run 3 express cars, priority passengers, full complement of green personnel especially +speed, Dining Car, and I tend to forbid passengers leaving both cities on all other trains on trains that were heading in the same general direction. Maybe that matters maybe not. I also stuck with Philadelphias for all other engines.

I'm suspicious that the directness of the route factors in with some relationship to speed. Long runs can only be so direct even at massive expense due to tunnel length limits. Simple point-to-point runs can be very direct if stations are aligned on the right angle. Acceleration occurs so quickly that there is little real penalty for a train on a short route. This reasoning led me to use old engines on other routes. I have no real "proof", so don't quote me.

[annersch]

Sorry for the delay, sending savegame now.