Railway 2: Guide

This is the complete user guide/feature list for Railway 2, which is soon to be released. A simpler version will be made later on, before the release.

Network collection is here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2610262418

1. Introduction

A short history of the development of Railway 2

Railway 2 is the sequel to Railway 1 (RWY) by Ronyx. In late 2019, I started to work with prototypes and proofs-of-concept which used RWY as a base, as remaking an entire network package seemed too much work. This meant that the features I tested and deemed useful ended up in RWY networks, rather than being a part of any larger expansion.

In late 2020, I re-examined these older prototypes and decided to investigate the possibilities of an overhaul. It was originally supposed to be an 'extension' to RWY by adding certain new components to existing RWY track infrastructure, but in the end it became far larger.

Around February 2021, I scrapped this idea and decided to develop a brand-new and complete network package, branded as 'Railway 2' (RWY2). It has been under constant development ever since.

I'm planning to publish a separate dev-diary later on to talk about what was made, how I went about it, and what didn’t make the cut for the final pack.

Required Mods

The following mods are required for all Railway 2 networks. These mods are necessary to run RWY2 networks as intended and optimised.

To enable easy access, they are included as part of the RWY2 collection.

• Loading Screen Mod: RWY2 deliberately re-uses textures across multiple networks. LSM allows the game to share the same textures for different assets without loading them multiple times. Therefore, despite a large volume of networks, the game only loads the required textures once. This significantly reduces the amount of RAM required.
  
  
• Railway Replacer: Used to customize track prop styles in-game.
  
  
• Network Anarchy: Network Anarchy mod superseded various network related mods on Steam Workshop, known as Fine Road Tool, Road Anarchy, Node Spacer and Network Tiling.
  1- Allows the adjustment of network heights with more precise increments, as well as forcing specific network prefab/elevations (on-ground, tunnel, elevated, bridge). RWY2 networks include multiple abutments that can be triggered on prefab/elevation change. You can use Network Anarchy to force networks to have custom abutments where needed. (previously part of Fine Road Tool)
  2- Disables the collision box for dragging networks, which might come in handy in certain situations. (previously part of Road Anarchy)
  2- In addition to fine-tuning, Network Anarchy also has the option to set a maximum segment length between nodes. This feature is best used on networks with arched constructions (like stone bridges), where stretching or squishing them too much breaks immersion. The default node distance is listed in each bridge asset's Workshop description. Node-to-node distance slider can be enabled in options panel of Network Anarchy in main menu. (previously part of Node Spacer)
  4- Used to optimise textures and ensure visual consistency across all networks. (previously part of Network Tiling)
  
  
• Prop Rotating Params: Requirement for level-crossing barrier assets, as they have rotating boom barriers.

Optional Mods

Recommended mods which improve basic game mechanics, simplify the user experience, and allow the use of additional RWY2 network features.

They are NOT necessary to use RWY2 networks, so only subscribe them if you want to.

• Network Skins 2: Used to replace catenaries on individual segments rather than map-wide catenary style changes via Railway Replacer. RWY2 now features custom cantilever styles which can only be accessed with Network Skins 2, enabling easier detailing of areas with complex track geometry.
  
• Theme Mixer: Used to customize the ballast texture of R2 networks in-game by using any other theme pack, or ballast texture packs.
  
• Adaptive Networks: Enables customisation of networks in-game. Certain RWY2-USA networks use Adaptive Roads to enable and/or switch elements on bridges.
  
• Traffic Manager: President Edition: RWY2 Quad networks feature individual lane nodes. These nodes can be disabled or enabled with TMPE, so you can customise quad track junctions based on your preference or needs.
  
• Single Track AI: Useful mod which overhauls single train track AI.
  
• Move It: Allows you to fine-tune segments or nodes to achieve greater realism.
  
• Node Controller: A powerful tool to customise junctions, segment positions, and nodes.

2. Railway 2 Content

1. Railway Replacer

RWY2 uses the Railway Replacer mod to customise track prop styles: such as barriers, buffers, signals, overhead equipment, and station tracks.

2. Base Prop Pack(s)

There are two sets of prop packs, one each based on the railways of North America and Europe. Each prop packs also contains rolling marks (i.e. “batch numbers” printed on rails), thermite joints, and tunnel darkeners specific to those continents.

3. Style Packs

Style packs are sets of props that can be used with Railway Replacer to customise train tracks in-game. They include:
1. Cantilever styles that can be used with Network Skins 2 and
2. Transmission towers for use on networks such as the Northeast Corridor.

4. Networks

Networks are explained in more detail in the next section.

3. Railway Replacer - Props

Railway Replacer is a mod developed by Simon Ryr, egi and Ronyx. It is used to customise network props and Station Track placement.

Prop Customisation

Use ALT+SHIFT+P to open the Replacer UI. From this UI, you can customise the props on your RWY2 tracks.

1. The Catenary Style option replaces catenaries on base, mainline, and station networks.
   
2. RWY2 prop collections feature two sets of single catenaries (left- and right-sided), allowing you to flip the orientation of individual catenaries. As the specific orientation depends on your choice of left- or right-handed traffic, and how the masts were originally created, there is no reliable “right” or “left” type. Therefore, these have (A) and (B) appended to each. Use trial and error to establish which you need.
   
3. Catenaries on mainline networks with transmission wires are exempted as they have additional wires. They can, however, be customised via Network Skins.
   
4. Nodeless networks do not have end catenaries nor buffers.
   
5. Signals at junctions can be enabled using the in-game traffic manager menu (the UI panel on the left). Select the junction you want to customise, then assign “yield” flags on the tracks you want. This will trigger signal props if you have subscribed to any.
   
6. The gantry option is used to customise drawbridge networks and their respective signal bridges.

4.1 Networks: Core Features

Visuals

Railway 2 features track superstructures customised on a per-country basis. This is a fundamental design change from Railway 1, which had a rather generic, Eurocentric track superstructure, shared across all networks.

Rail Profile

Railway 2 has two different rail profiles (size and shape), and is based on official documentation provided from a private steel company.

• American networks feature AREMA standard RE136 rails. These proved to be a reasonable choice when game limitations were balanced against realism as much as possible. RE136 is considered as 'heavy rail' in US standards.
  
  
• European networks feature UIC60 rails. While the concept of 'heavy rail' doesn't exist in Europe, they too are the most common rail profile across the continent.
  
  
• Rolling marks are also added on rails indicating the different rail profile, along with date of manufacturing, fictional branding, and type of steel.
  
  
• American and European rails have continuously-welded thermite joints.

American 136lbs vs. European 60kg rail.

Wires

There are two different wire standards and four total wire styles in Railway 2.

In the USA, wire height is changed from the vanilla game’s default to a 1:1 scaled Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) standard, specifically from the Northeast Corridor branch. This will allow the creation of 1:1 scaled bilevels or 1:1 scaled double stack container trains, which was not possible before as game wires were too low for these types of rolling stock.



In Europe, the current contact wire height has been maintained for maximum compatibility with existing assets. Catenary wire height is however changed; Railway 2 EUR networks are based on 1:1 German RE200 wire standard.



Both wire standards come with additional sub-styles:

• Flat with no hangers:Standard wire look, used on standard networks.
  
• Curved with hangers: Custom wires with curved catenary wire and hangers that support contact wire. These wires are used on station tracks, bridge elevations, transition nodes, custom bridges, and mainline networks.

Track Gauge

The same gauge used in the vanilla game and Railway 1 has been maintained to allow maximum compatibility between existing rolling stock, railyard props and Railway 1 bridges.

Sleepers

Sleepers are custom made for each country style with certain variations. On release, there are 8 track styles, 6 of which are complete packages:

• North America:

  • American Wooden: Wooden tracks with old style rail clips.
    
  • American NEC: Concrete sleepers from the Northeast Corridor.
    
  • American NEC-M: Mainline version of NEC sleepers, with different rail clips and weathered sleepers.
  
  
  Overview of superstructure variants.
  
  

• Europe

  • DE-W: Concrete sleepers with heavy weathering. Sleeper density (i.e. the distance between sleepers) is based on German standards. The sleepers are class B54.
    
  • DE-C: Concrete sleepers with fresh look. Sleeper density is based on Germany. Sleepers are class B54.
    
  • IBCH-W: Concrete sleepers with heavy weathering. Sleeper density is based on Switzerland and Spain, thus the name of 'Iberia-Swiss'. Sleepers are class B54.
    
  • DE-C Mainline: B60 class sleepers, used on DE-C Mainline set. Sleeper density is based on Germany.
    
  • Wooden: Wooden sleepers with custom sleeper density and rail clips, based on the ones from Lotschberg Ramp, Switzerland.
  
  A detailed look at European variants.

Gravel and Ballast

All RWY2 networks use a mix of theme-dependent gravel ballast textures and custom gravel. This allows two levels of customisation to players as they can pick a custom gravel theme they prefer and then add color to the ballast on tracks if weathering effects are desired.



Details on how to perform these customisations will be covered separately in the next section.

Railroad crossings

Railroad crossings are triggered when tracks intersect with an ordinary road network. Like other components of RWY2, they are also customised:

• American wooden: Comes with asphalt, non theme-dependent junction mesh.
  
  
• American NEC: Comes with concrete slabs, found on NEC crossings.
  

• European: All European railway crossings feature rubber and/or concrete junctions. They are based on examples in Germany and Switzerland and feature the ‘Strail’ brand on top.
  
  
• All quad networks share same railroad crossing based on Strail.
  

Guardrails

All RWY2 noded networks feature custom (per-network style) guardrails, triggered when:

1. The bridge elevation is connecting a network on ground,
   
2. Both networks have same number of lanes.

Quad networks don’t feature any guardrails as I haven’t found any examples that have them (certainly not in Switzerland).

Abutments

All noded RWY2 networks feature automatic abutments and there are more than one per network, which can be triggered on different conditions. This allows players to use either an automatic abutment or customise the abutment themselves in-game.

Abutments, like other features of the networks are custom per track. It’s best to try these out for yourself to find the style you prefer.

• Custom abutments spawn automatically when bridge tracks are connected to networks on the ground and they have same or less number of lanes.
  
• A generic abutment can be spawned if ground network is a mainline.
  
• Station tracks also have abutments that can spawn on the same conditions.
  
• Mainline abutments are spawned under the same conditions, and they overwrite custom abutments generated by the bridge prefab.

Abutment on American standard networks, based on Nesquehoning Bridge.


Abutment on Euro standard networks, with a generic look.

Procedural Pillar Bases

Certain bridge pillars have a larger base. If present, these bases are always spawned on ground and snap to terrain. They are not terrain conforming as terrain conforming concrete pile caps are quite rare IRL.

4.2 Networks: Customisation

All RWY2 networks offer five types of customisations:

1. Ballast
   Ballast is theme dependent and uses the ‘gravel’ texture of your chosen map theme. If you wish to customise this further, use Theme Mixer 2 and pick any gravel theme that suits your needs.
   
   
   
2. Gravel
   In addition to base gravel texture, RWY2 networks have a second layer of ballast texture. This layer is not theme dependent, and it can be coloured via Network Skins 2. By using this feature, you can change the weathering, or indeed pick any colour you want.
   
   
   
3. Sleepers
   Sleepers can also be adjusted by using NS2 enabling a slight change in their colour. This effect is less noticeable on concrete networks, as they already ship in clean and weathered variants, but it is definitely more apparent on euro-wooden networks.
   
   
4. Overhead Equipment – using Railway Replacer
   As previously mentioned, RWY2 is part of Railway Replacer mod ecosystem. This means that overhead equipment can be customised with ease but note that the changes made via Railway Replacer map-wide, affecting all RWY2 networks used in a city.
   n.b. Mainline networks with transmission lines are excluded from this change.
   
   
   
5. Overhead Equipment – using Network Skins 2
   While Railway Replacer is map-wide, Network Skins 2 offers per-segment customisation.
   By using the catenary customisation feature in NS2, you can disable catenaries and overhead wires when you do not need them, e.g., for a short section of un-electrified track.
   
   
   Additionally, certain style packs feature variants within the same catenary family. With these, you can customise the look of certain segments by using Network Skins 2, without altering map-wide catenary styles:
   
   
   
6. Cantilevers (for detailing)
   RWY2 styles support cantilever and mast customisations via Network Skins 2. With NS2, you can either change catenaries on different segments, or create custom catenary support structures without having to physically place cantilever props. This enables you, for example, to run four tracks under a single custom gantry or attach cantilevers to side structures such as retaining walls.
   
   
   Network Skins 2 is also used on Mainline networks with transmission wires. The Northeast Corridor pack can be customised with NS2, allowing you to switch between PRR masts and modern Amtrak ones.

4.3 Networks: Types and Variants

In addition to the networks you are familiar with from RWY, Railway 2 features two new track types: quad and mainline networks. Due to the sheer volume of networks and variants in RWY2, it was necessary to overhaul the original thumbnail layout. The new layout looks like this:



All networks are shipped with keywords that are indicated in their description on Workshop page. Additionally, all networks can be found by typing 'REV0, Railway 2, R2'.

1. Standard Networks

Package Content

Standard networks include all elevations and are intended to replace older RWY network packs released by Ronyx. Each pack comes with following set:

• 1 lane 1 way
  
• 1 lane 1 way, nodeless
  
• 1 lane 2 way
  
• 1 lane 2 way, nodeless
  
• 2 lane 1 way
  
• 2 lane 1 way, nodeless
  
• 2 lane 2 way
  
• 2 lane 2 way, nodeless
  
• 4 lane 2 way,
  
• 4 lane 2 way, nodeless

Elevations

All networks have five elevations. These elevations are normally triggered when you drag networks over different heights. If you're using Fine Road Tool, you can force any elevation at any height.

1. Basic (Ground): Self-explanatory
   
2. Elevated: Floating, borderless tracks. Elevated is intended for advanced players who would like to make complex junctions while retaining full control over the surrounding terrain.
   
3. Bridge: Includes custom guardrails, abutments and wiring. Use these for elevated sections you build (e.g. viaducts, overpasses, basic bridges).
   
4. Slope (Tunnel Portal): Used on segments that transition from Ground to Tunnel.
   
5. Tunnel: Underground segment. Tunnels are rendered in RWY2 as they were in RWY.

• Basic and elevated networks have flat catenary wires, so users can create junctions without worrying any deformation if the wire was curved. Bridge networks have curved catenary wires.
  
• Bridge networks override junction parameters on ground and elevated networks, so custom abutments and guardrail ends can be spawned on junctions.
  
• Similarly, tunnel portals override junction parameters on other elevations.
  
• Quad network junctions can be customised with Traffic Manager. Users can disable unconnected lanes. Quad networks override junction parameters of other networks, except station and mainlines.

Nodeless Networks

Nodeless networks were the community favourite feature of original Railway networks. They are also included in RWY2, and they behave in the same way. Unlike the original pack, nodeless networks now also have slope and tunnel elevations.

Quad Networks

Quad networks are one of the two new network classes of Railway 2.

• Quad networks are made for standard, mainline and mainline-t packs.
  
• They behave just like a regular R2 track and can have junctions with all networks types.
  
• Since I was unable to find a 4 track wide gallery/tunnel portal as reference, quad network tunnel portals switch to 2 lane width instead.
  
• Quad network bridges have custom connect group for technical reasons, thus quad bridge prefab cannot have a junction with train stations.
  
• Quad train station tracks do not feature a junction between inner tracks, as quad station tracks are bypass tracks.

2. Mainline Networks

Package Content

Mainline networks are new standard networks for Railway 2. They are intended to take over the function of standard networks on trunk/mainline networks you have in your map.

• They are visually more accurate as the track superstructure is now elevated above the ground. Each mainline network comes with three different height levels, a custom tunnel portal, and modelled tunnel segments. Just like the base packs, they are packaged with one-, two-, and four-lane variants.
  
• Mainline networks feature custom wiring, the same as on bridge networks.
  
• They also feature standard abutments in order to cover the terrain deformation between mainlines and standard networks.
  
• They can be used just like a normal track: they can have junctions, transitions, and go underground.
  
• Euro mainlines have a new tunnel portal based on the Somport tunnel on border between Spain and France. During the beta testing phase, testers requested custom tunnel portals on American mainlines, so a similar variant was made.
  
• Overhead equipment of mainline networks can be customised via Railway Replacer mod.
  
• Mainlines override junction parameters of other networks, except stations.
  
• Due to how they function, it was not possible to create nodeless variants for Mainline networks.

Elevations

Mainline height variations are distributed over prefabs. Use Fine Road Tool to switch between elevations.

• Basic: 30cm (EU) or 15” (US) above ground
  
• Elevated: 160cm (EU) or 5’3” (US) above ground
  
• Bridge: 350cm (EU) or 11’3” above ground.

3. Mainline Transmission Networks

Package Content

In addition to regular mainline networks, a subset of mainline networks with transmission wires were also made. These Mainline-T networks can be used standalone, or together with regular mainlines.

• Overhead equipment of Mainline-T cannot be customised with Railway Replacer mod since they have additional wiring. Instead, you should use Network Skins 2 to customise the masts.
  
• Mainline-T have custom transmission wire junctions between each other.
  
• If they are connected to a regular mainline, one mast prop will be missing on the mainline network. This is a game limitation and cannot be changed. Place a mast of your choice manually to fix the game-limitation.
  
• Besides the visual addition of transmission wires, Mainline-Ts function identically to regular Mainlines.

5. Bridge Networks

Bridge behaviour in RWY2 is streamlined, however certain bridges require additional steps due to their shape or real-life complexity.

• The majority of the custom bridges in RWY2 feature automatic abutments, these help make for a more visually pleasing transition from on-ground to elevated networks.
  
• Abutments are part of the configuration of the bridge network, and are automatically generated based on the position of the transition, assuming that the number of lanes between the bridge and ground elevations match. These abutments have the same visual style as the bridge.
  
• If you desire to connect a different number of lanes, the abutments may not automatically spawn. This is due to a limitation of the game. To circumvent this, there are additional abutment networks bundled with bridges so that you can create the abutments by dragging an additional ground segment before switching to the bridge.
  
• Specific details regarding these networks will be mentioned in descriptions of assets, as well as their visible description in-game for ease of use. Please read the Workshop description carefully.
  
• For certain bridges (especially stone arches), the Node Spacer mod is strongly recommended. This mod allows users to drag segments with a fixed length, minimising the amount of visual distortion on arches. The fixed length in metres is always mentioned on asset descriptions.
  
• Complicated bridges like Hell Gate, or 14th Street, are made up of multiple individual networks. A better way to think of these bridges are as 'Bridge Complexes'; meaning they are series of bridges and viaducts with different pillars and elevations. To give you the maximum freedom, these different elevations and styles are shipped as separate networks but are bundled together in the pack.

Generic truss pack. Includes automatic abutment placement.


Archi della Marina viaduct, made by Zarrix. Includes with abutment segment on ground elevations.


14th Street Bridge. Includes two networks: one for the main span and one for the elevated section. Note the different pillar heights on each elevation.

6. Stations: Tracks variants, Replacer and Platforms

Core Features

• Each standard network pack has its own station tracks which share the same visual style.
  
• Station track packs are released separately from standard networks, for reasons of convenience and ease of management. USA station packs are batched together based on platform height.
  
• Station track packs contain ground and elevated versions.
  
• Network Skins cannot be used on stations to disable wires, so station tracks include wireless variants.
  
• Wired station tracks feature custom catenary wire and junction meshes.
  
• Station tracks override all other network junction parameters.
  
• Custom cargo stations can also be created by using station tracks.

Platform Height

In addition to vanilla-standard platform height, RWY2 now supports low-entry platforms for rural and railyard builds (ground-entry is additionally available for USA). Low platform heights differ in USA and EUR station networks due to differing standards.

Style	Height above rail	Height above surface	Designation
EURO - Low Entry	380mm over rails	620mm over surface	"Lo"
EURO - Standard Entry	760mm over rails	1000mm over surface	"Sp"
USA - Ground Entry	0mm / 0in over rails	0mm / 0in over surface	"Gr"
USA - Low Entry	200mm / 8in over rails	440mm over surface	"Lo"
USA - Standard Entry	760mm / 29.9in over rails	620mm over surface	"Sp"

Nomenclature and Thumbnail Design

Due to the wide variety of station tracks, all networks follow the same nomenclature across RWY2 for ease of use. Tracks are named based on platform height, elevation of the network, wired/wireless state, and track superstructure.

• Each station track has the base name 'R2', followed by continent: 'EUR', 'USA'.
  
• Suffix 'W' indicates that tracks have wires.
  
• Suffix 'GrWo': Gravel surface, wooden tracks
  Suffix 'GrCo': Gravel surface, concrete tracks
  Suffix 'GrWoCo': Gravel surface, concrete tracks for bypass, wooden tracks for station.
  Additional suffixes are used: 'BYP' for quad bypass, 'ISL' or 'Island' for Island tracks.
  
• Platform heights are indicated by additional suffixes.
  
• And finally, 'G' indicates that station track is a ground network and 'E' indicates it is elevated.

Variants - Standard networks

Each base station pack contains the following variants:

• 1 lane, both side entry
  
• 1 lane, left side entry
  
• 1 lane, right side entry
  
• 2 lane, standard behaviour
  
• 1 lane, both side entry, elevated
  
• 1 lane, left side entry, elevated
  
• 1 lane, right side entry, elevated
  
• 2 lane, standard behaviour, elevated

these variants all come as wired and wireless networks.

Variants - Quad Bypass

The Content Creator Pack: Train Stations DLC introduced new stations and station tracks. RWY2 supports the DLC package (excluding the supersized 4x1 lane island track, support for these tracks will be added later).



Both USA and EUR packs receive 4 lane Quad Bypass station tracks.

In addition to the previously mentioned variants for Quad Bypass (wired, wireless, etc.), I have also created a mixed network – the inner tracks remain concrete for the bypass lines while the station tracks on the side remain wooden.

Variants - Island Tracks

Island stations and tracks are also supported on RWY2.

Station Track Replacement

Train station tracks can be customised with Railway Replacer. The process of placing a new station with a different track is straightforward.

Placing a new station

If a train station asset of choice has a station network that is recognised by Replacer, the Replacer UI will be activated when you select the station asset.

1. The UI will list station tracks you have subscribed.
   
2. Each train station track has additional suffixes based on platform height, wired/wireless state and track elevations.
   
3. From the list you can select the station track you want to use (note that the UI does not change to reflect your selection)
   
4. Then place the station.

Placing an existing station

If you want to replace a station track on an already placed station, there are multiple ways:

Move It:

Open Move It and hold down ALT, then select the nodes of the station track you want to delete. Delete the selected track with the bulldoze function of Move It.
Drag the new RWY2 station network, then use Move it to fine-tune the placement.

RON - Network Replacer

RON can also be used as an alternative to Railway Replacer in order to select custom station track on placement. In contrast to Railway Replacer, RON can replace station tracks for already placed station buildings.

7. Adaptive Networks & Railway 2: Dynamic Expansion

7.1 Adaptive Networks

Adaptive Networks is a mode that is being developed and maintained by kian.zarrin and Chameleon. It provides various visual and technical improvements that are used by recent Railway 2 networks in order to bring more features to the end user. The improvements include:

- Visual customization of networks, such as togglable abutments and bridge components.
- Ability to customize wire standard (USA vs. EUR or wireless) in-game, therefore removing the need of making multiple variants of same network.

7.2 Railway 2 - Dynamic

Dynamic expansion released early 2022 using new features of Adaptive Networks, added specifically for Railway 2. Dynamic networks feature super-elevation (otherwise known as cant value), which tilts train networks on curvature and per lane basis, first time ever in any city-builder game. A special catenary package was made for Dynamic expansion, thus catenaries can change position based on super elevation value. In addition to this, Dynamic networks use 'track' feature; which is a new network component addition to segment and nodes that base game.

Tracks are procedural components that are following lane configuration designated by the user in-game, and thus can be configured based on the needs.




A showcase video is made to demonstrate features:

8. Upgrade path from Railway 1 / Vanilla Networks

The easiest way to update from Railway 1 or vanilla networks is RON - Network Replacer mod.

a. RON - Network Replacer.

• Subscribe to RON and activate in content manager.
  
• In-game, open the RON UI. The left panel indicates the networks already placed in your city (i.e. Railway 1 or vanilla networks). The right panel lists potential replacements.
  
• You can select existing network in your city from the left panel, then select a replacement network on right panel.
  
• RON will then replace old network, automatically.

9. Conclusion: Notes, FAQs and Credits

Credits

• Armesto - my long-time partner in crime, who made Raritan and Hell Gate pillars after the project changed creators about four times.
  
• Zarrix - who made Italian rail viaducts for Italian pack.
  
• AquilaSol - who sent me procedural materials for wooden textures, which kickstarted this whole insanity.
  
• Schranzparty, Pizza&IceTee, and Fredudu - for being actual rail personnel on the ground, providing references and feedback about German and Swiss networks.
  
• leaderofthemonkeys, pyrargue, CityScapes, Strategy Nerd, kjmci, Pewex, and Danoir for testing networks.
  
• Discord community for putting up with my crunch and frustration with the game for months.
  
• and kjmci (again) for proof-reading this tutorial and buying me 2 pizzas.

Notes

Compatibility with Railway 1 Networks

As mentioned on previous sections, when 'electrified', Railway 1 networks are not compatible with RWY2 networks. As a consequence, any overhead prop set is no longer compatible with RWY2 and needs to be updated or re-released separately.
Buffers, signals, barriers, and Railway Replacer mod itself is fully compatible and functioning as intended.
On certain junctions -if you combine RWY with RWY2- some gaps might occur. This is due to the use of different connect groups and is a limitation of the game.

Efficiency, Performance

Railway 2 heavily relies on Loading Screen Manager to keep RAM pressure down. While not truly a dependency, I cannot recommend that you use any Railway 2 network without LSM. Nearly all of the elements are recycled across the multiple packs, and LSM allows sharing of these elements without having to load them into memory multiple times. The overall 'weight' of European networks with a single sleeper set (including station tracks) should be 30MB when used with LSM.
Subscribing to different sleeper styles naturally will add more load.
Mesh-wise, RWY2 networks are slightly heavier than R1 but the difference is not dramatic.

Compatibility with other mods

No incompatibility was found during testing.

Catenary Replacer

This mod still works as intended; however Network Skins 2 is more fully featured and can make changes on a per-segment basis.

Outside Connections

According to testing by Akruas, you can in theory use custom networks for outside connections, however this behaviour is untested with RWY2. Therefore, I can't recommend you to use RWY2 as an outbound connection network. My personal approach is to keep outside networks as vanilla for 1 or 2 segments then switch to custom network, as it's the safest option. If you're happy to accept the risk, feel free to customise them also.

Gray/Blue Wires outside 25 tiles

Wires might change colour outside 25 tiles area. This is a game limitation, as it's triggering 'border fog' towards the map edges. Disabling or toggling fog with Bloody Penguin's mod or any other mod that can disable it should fix this problem.

Blank Stylizer UI or buttons

Replacer mod checks the presence of identifier props that come with the mod as well as vanilla track props. These props includes buffers and catenaries.
If you have a blank styler UI, that might be related to two issues:
a- You have disabled vanilla props via LSM
b- Replacer identifier props are not activated or enabled.

Make sure vanilla track props are not disabled via 'disable vanilla props' option on LSM.
Make sure identifier props are enabled either in Content Manager, or Load Order Mod. Check 'rwp-' in search filter to verify they're active.

FAQ

Q: I subbed to everything but the UI doesn't appear when I press ALT+SHIFT+P
A: Make sure you have Railway Replacer enabled in Content Manager

Q: I subbed to everything but station UI does not show up.
A: The Station UI for track replacement is automatic. Meaning, the station must have a network that is recognised by Replacer. All tracks from ETST mod, clus, and Bad Peanut's Content Creator Pack: Train Stations are recognised by the mod. If the station you have is a metro station, OR has custom tracks that I'm not aware of, then the UI won’t appear.

If you still want to use that station, you can place it manually, then apply any of the suggestions I mentioned in Stations section.

Q: This pack is huge? Why you didn't optimise this, I can't sub to this content with my 8GB RAM.
A: Total file size indicated on packages is false when used with LSM. All packs re-use common textures several times over. European networks are recycling same track infrastructure texture across ALL networks. Total load on RAM per network PACK is about 30MB - this includes all station networks, standard networks, and mainline networks.

Q: How long did this take to make?
A: Disorganised development since 2019 with lots of breaks, continuous development since early this year - about 18 hours a day, no weekend breaks taken.

Q: Are you insane?
A: Yes.

[REV0]

If you mean outside connections, that's glitchy due to the game, sometimes they work, sometimes they dont, it's nothing I can do from my end. I recommend players to keep 1 segment of vanilla track on borders where trains can get spawned, then switch to R2.

[--Ranger--]

Do Intercity Trains not work with R2? Can't seem to get them to spawn.

[thawking]

amazing work. thank you.

[Nyoko]

nice

[REV0]

actually i looked at your screenshot again. it seems the interior of the tunnel is literally flipped outside the tunnel entrance. im not sure what happened there.

i would recommend to remake the nearby segments and tunnel from scratch (delete network and re-drag them) and make sure segments / nodes are long enough, and that not overlapperd, flipped, or stacked on top

[durkie]

both are not the case. I am in the game and have acces to the tille. I have the 82 tiles mode enabled so that could be the issue? It is only on the "start" of the tunnel at the "end" element there is no problem. And If i use singel track elements and I chanse the direction the issue is resolved. But that doesn't work with double track.

[REV0]

looks like a problem with the terrain itself.

that usually happens when the map tile where the train tunnel is either not-purchases/unlocked, or you are in map editor.

[durkie]

I don't get the entrance to the tunnels to render correctly. My ground keeps running through my tunnel: https://imgur.com/a/TpkE0xW

[martin]

nevermind figured it out :D

[martin]

for some reason most abutments on most bridges dont get generated at all