Four tracks setups?

[madzai]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2995583956

I kinda new to the game (only finished the campaign) and i have issues with understanding multi-track setups.

I have setup with 4 one way tracks running between two major towns and i have industries and smaller towns connecting from the sides. Is the any way to move goods from right side (Grain Estate on screenshot) to the tracks going to the left without tunnels\bridges or going to stations? And how you are supposed to work with setups with more than 2 tracks?

[28rommel]

Does the line need four tracks? Will two be sufficient?

[madzai]

I probably can make different setup, i just want to know if something like this can be done. Or i have to come up with another setup.

I'm trying to find a way to deliver basic goods to max number of towns using minimal amount of tracks, while having my "main" town supplied to the maximum. It just feels weird not have an obvious way to switch between 4 tracks in a game about railways specifically.

[28rommel]

You can do it, though.

First, all four tracks must be literally side-by-side to each other, to then construct this "gridiron" to make what you want/desire.
I'm using this term, because Railway Empire 2 (released just recently), uses this term, to describe "this area" that you must construct. One website defines it as ... "Gridiron provides a designated area where trains can be sorted, organized, and rearranged. It consists of multiple tracks and sidings, allowing trains to be separated based on their destination, origin, or purpose."

I'm not sure what to call it exactly, but you need to construct some tiny cross-over tracks, from the first track, to the next one, then to the last one. Then you do the same, going in the opposite direction. When completed it forms like a crooked-looking, large "X." It takes an area that is equivalent to about 11 small squares of the white and black squares you see when placing a track (so make sure you have enough space for it). You also must be very, very careful to not place a signal where a train may get stopped somewhere in the middle of the gridiron, because this could hold up all four lines of track for other trains trying to move through this area. Also, be warned that if there is too much traffic of trains on these lines, the gridiron area could increase delays, if there are too many trains using the cross-over gridiron, to get on the other set of tracks.

I'm not sure how to give you better instructions, on how to make it. Taking an image of it, will not really capture what I need to convey to you. The only way to do it, is to create a quick, short YouTube video of it, but I don't know how to do that (I have had other players do this for me, but I don't have the know-hows). Sorry.

[Mudfog]

When doing these sorts of crossovers I find it best to imagine myself in the drivers seat of the train.
So as I enter the main line the first thing is get across to the next parallel track, with a short piece of crossover track and then to the next parallel and so on until you get far enough across to be on a track to exit the main line.

The 3 short pieces of crossover track are bi-directional you can used them to crossover on the way back.

Then you have to set the signals to make trains on the main line stop to allow you to cross.

It is a hard concept to get right but once you master it it will seem easy.

Good luck.

Managed to remember how to do it>
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2995656904

Signals>
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2995661549

Check this video out for some information on laying tracks etc>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHMpevAR5l0&t=♥♥♥♥s

[madzai]

Ah, thanks, 28rommel, Mudfog! I see my mistake now. I tried to make X sections, but i was doing it wrong and each time part of it was highlighted in red. Now i see how it should be done.

[chaney]

Can't you just connect track 1 to track 3, and track 2 to track 4 directly? (I honestly don't recall but suspect you can.) That would be a bit more compact and provide all the switching you would actually use.

I concur, 4 tracks are not usually needed in RE, unless you really want to separate Express.

[madzai]

Originally posted by chaney:

Can't you just connect track 1 to track 3, and track 2 to track 4 directly? (I honestly don't recall but suspect you can.) That would be a bit more compact and provide all the switching you would actually use.

I'll try it. I was too focused on trying to do X connection, that won't work due to one-way tracks.

I concur, 4 tracks are not usually needed in RE, unless you really want to separate Express.

Yeah, i strongly feel that you should avoid building 4 tracks like this, unless you know exactly why you trying to do it, and in later part of the game where you have money and trains are powerful enough to use tunnels\bridges over 4 tracks.

I'm just in Scenario where yot have a City in the corner you need to grow really fast and after you funnel all the goods needed for it you are left with a tracks setup that prevent effective distribution of basic goods to other nearby towns, because your tracks feeding the "main" city are right in the middle.