Mixed vs. Freight engines

[chadnesbit]

So in RRT2, each cargo type has a weight and you can analyse engine performance whiile changing the weight of each car. Is there a way other than trial and error to see if a mixed or freight would be better for certain types of freight?

[chaney]

I don't think so. My understanding is that each "freight" car carrying any type of goods weighs the same, and is heavy. Each "express" car carrying passengers or mail weighs the same, and is light. Lighter trains can accelerate and climb faster. I have not tested this deeply so can't be certain.

Once higher power/traction engines are available, they are better for freight trains, particularly if you have a steep grade to overcome.

Looking forward to learn from anyone who has studied this aspect of the game!

[IndianaJones]

Originally posted by chaney:

I don't think so. My understanding is that each "freight" car carrying any type of goods weighs the same, and is heavy. Each "express" car carrying passengers or mail weighs the same, and is light. Lighter trains can accelerate and climb faster. I have not tested this deeply so can't be certain.

Freight is about 5 times heavier than express goods (post & passengers).

For express trains you want the shortest and as flat as possible rail tracks.

'Light trains' have significantly slower climbing speed.

For good money you want express trains, but this is pay more gain more strategy. Laying a flat and shortest path track connection between cities is very expensive (you need bridges and tunnels).

Mixed trains are good all around trains for keeping steady connection between whatever you what, but for passengers and post they might be too slow to gain express status and therefore will not bring much income for those goods.

Freight trains should be used for critical goods supply chain, especially when you travel them on uneven terrain.

[genemead]

Originally posted by chadnesbit:

So in RRT2,

Why doesn't anyone say "So in RE you can __________, can you do that in RRT2?"

[rff1]

Locos are characterised as for freight, mixed, or express traffic. As I see it, "freight" means that faster locos are, or should be, available for passenger and mail; "mixed" locos are both the fastest and most powerful of their time and can be used for any train; and "express" locos are fast but feeble and most definitely not to be used for anything other than passengers and mail - and usually not more than four cars.
One annoying thing about expresses is that it is very likely that some of your trains are expresses and then along comes a faster engine, possibly researched by an opponent but not by you. All your expresses become "endangered" and if you gaily replace their locos by the new loco you probably find that those trains are slower, because the new loco lacks traction. For example, I had a train with express status hauled by a Dragon (32mph,70%) at 30mph: replaced that loco with a Rensselaer (40mph,35%) and it slowed to 20-21 mph. I can't, however, remember whether or not it retained its status as an express, nor what its consist was.

[chadnesbit]

The purpose of express is easy. For freight, the method I try to use is to watch the speedometer right after I change engines. If it goes up I *probably* made the right choice. But there has to be a better way. I know route times are given, but it might be nice to see "last 3 route times" or something. It's silly if all freight types weigh the same. But I can overlook that if we at least have a better gauge of performance.