Can someone explain what tram-railroad connection is used for?

[Snowick_]

Can someone explain what tram-railroad connection is used for?

[Sirius Czech]

For connection tram tracks to railroad tracks :)

Trams can drive on both and it is, in fact, quite a good option to have tram tracks connected to rail depot via electrified rails and this building. Train depots allow coupling of tram vehicles (unlike tram depots), so 2-3 car long trains like in usual city is viable only with using this piece.

Don´t forget, though, that both parts need to be connected to electric substation and that in realistic mode there need to be a way for RCO to construct rail parts :)

[Silent_Shadow]

On realistic mode, some larger trams can also only be delivered to tram networks via rail, as they are too big for trucks to carry, so a tram-track connection is needed.

[Sirius Czech]

You can still make them in your factories as well, but yes, you are correct. Designing such thing is not a super-easy task to do (especially if you do not have rails close), but yes, doable :)

[karel2501]

I'm pretty sure that the train-tram connection is a holdover from earlier builds of the game, when tram tracks were not implemented yet, and trams just used regular trainlines and infrastructure instead.

When the update that added proper street trams into the game was released, the possibility to convert train to tram line was provided so that your pre-existing setups didn't entirely collapse in older save files, and remained in ever since. It does not really make much sense, but it sure as hell isn't harmful either.

[GreatNortherner]

Besides the factors that jan.mitiska Silent_Shadow already mentioned, it's also pretty useful if you want to use your trams as a light rail system (like before the introduction of proper in-road tram tracks) and keep them connected to the inner-city tram system. Trams are cheap to buy and run and they can be a viable alternative to EMUs or loco-hauled tains in commuter traffic on your electrified rail network (as long as their slower speed isn't an issue).

[Kondylis]

The tram-railroad connection is also very useful if you want to build a "silent" tram in your city that uses railroads (instead of tram roads).

You need a tram depot to copy your timetable on a new tram for your lines - but then you can send them back to a train depot (thanks to the tram-railroad connection). On their way to the train depot the trams sound like a tram. But when you start it from the train depot it will be quiet again (maybe not all models! My test was with Vityaz_M) - but serves as a tram in your city. Without this usual tram noise. Happy citizens - but more happy player

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