Trams ...?

[jon157uk]

For someone who has already played around 600hrs you'll probably think this is a stupid question, you'd be correct, for someone who has already played 600hrs this is a stupid question ! BUT, so far I have never used a tram, does this tram use all the railway stuff or not ? Because I've just noticed there doesn't seem to be anything specific for a tram... Thanks

[Marcus Aurelius]

Trams are just like electric trains, with specific data like speed and capacity, except for the model of the vehicle.

[PanzerHue]

Can you use them on road-networks, like trolley cars?

[jon157uk]

Originally posted by Lignix:

Trams are just like electric trains, with specific data like speed and capacity, except for the model of the vehicle.

Thank you Lig..... that's what I thought.
So it maybe a good idea to set up tram routes separate from the railway ones and run them independently...cheers!

[Marcus Aurelius]

"Can you use them on road-networks, like trolley cars?"

No, they only use electric train tracks.

[barry.zandstra]

Trams seem useless, until you find out there is never enough power for all those trains pulling out of the station all at once. Yes, they use all the same rail stuff, but they use a fraction of the power.

They are really cheap too; they cost less than a passenger carriage. I guess you are supposed to use trams for passengers, and use trains only for cargo.

[Harald Töpfer]

Never used trams myself (yet), but I heard they are good for transporting passengers so that your factories are nearly always full. You can set them to match the 3 shift system of yur factories easier it seems

[cdog]

I almost exclusively use trams - they are super cheap and hold a good amount of ppl. I also play with all vehicles unlocked (until we get a route manager/ upgrader im not manually upgrading all my ♥♥♥♥) one of the later tram models holds 150(!) passengers per car, so you can have a 600 passenger train for less than 80,000. The only disadvantage is low speed, which only really matters on long lines.

[veyder]

I wouldn't agree it's the only disadvantage. I have been trying out trams in a couple of games and there were always two main issues with them:
1. Never EVER use trams to transfer your workers to the power plant. One tiny hickup with the transfer system and you'll be stuck forever (trams won't go further without power, there will be no power without the workers).
2. You need a lot of trams to maintain stable worker flow (1-hour waiting limit at train platforms) and that causes heavy traffic jams at pretty much every T-junction in the network.

So after a couple of tries I personally stick to the rule: "transfer workers via roads, transfer goods via rail".

[jon157uk]

Well, I've now set up my first attempted tram system, but I'm only using it to get people around the city. I've managed to fit in four or five small stations and people seem to be using the trams for getting around things like hospital, shops, sports playgrounds and stuff like that, and of course the people who work at those places also seem to now be using the tram.

[Harald Töpfer]

I tried trams once now and I have to disagree with you: they work like a charm for high capacatiy workplaces like the steel mill. Keeps it fully stuffed without a problem

BUT: DON`T EVER make a road crossing with them. You need a lot of them and they are passing the road like all the time

[cdog]

I usually use a bus stop for coal processing/ coal power because these are low capacity workplaces.

Like Harald Töpferrams said, trams work great for high capacity workplaces like steel mills, refineries, auto manufacturing etc.