Proposal for (new) rail-themed networks

[cogeo]

Hi,

I would like to propose some few "rail" networks. We could make new rail-based networks, eg narrow-gauge, rack-railway, fenced-off, prefab etc. They would be draggable networks, along with some connector (rather than starter) puzzle pieces. Esp the last three types could be made to fully interconnect to common rail. Basically I would propose making a pack like SAM for streets, only this one should be rail-based.

And something else, there has been a mod (All railway with catenary) that adds the catenary poles, but it has two basic disadvantages, first you can't have both electrified and unelectrified track. and second there is no... wire (catenaries). Some have said this is not possible to make, however I think it actaully is. What is needed is make a simple (1-Z/R) wire model and use it through a Resource Key Type 0 property, just like the monorail track is displayed. It is slope-conforming, as it is the game itself that modifies the model as needed (the poles could of course be normal props). And of course it doesn't need to be a perfect "catenary" shape; for most of its part it can be straight, and make it catenary-shaped just around the poles. I think it would be very acceptable, aesthetically. Of course, you will have to use a proper slope mod for a good look, but this is needed anyways, if you want to lay good-looking rails (in general).

I don't know how to make draggable networks, but I could help with the model part.

What do you think?

[[Delta ²k5]]

That's a great Idea especially the part with the catenaries is very interesting! I'd like to have them seperated. Also some railtracks with white, fresh concrete sleepers would be very nice, like you can see here:



Also I'd like to see some abandoned tracks on which you only hardly see the sleepers, like on this picture:



maybe different versions with grass and dirt

[jdenm8]

Very interesting idea. If a mod like this was created, I would certainly download and follow it. I think it might be considered more of a RAM team project however.

[RebaLynnTS]

That is exactly what the RAM was supposed to be when it was started.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Nice , we have needed a mod like this for years now.  Can we have different types of Catenary , here in the Northeast we have many different styles.  Ya i know , we have Railways , our Network will be = to a Euro Network in 10 years.   Its hard recreating your states or Region's Railway network when only 40% of it is Electrified for now , and i hate plopping Catenary , its very time consuming and doesn't cover the bridges.  How about creating a separate Rail , that would be Electric and one diesel?  Can you even do that?    How about a Few Realistic Train packs were really lacking on those.

New Haven Catenary


http://www.flickr.com/photos/48094458@N00/4698223472/sizes/l/

Pennsylvania Railroad Catenary (soon to be replaced)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/cslingerlanddrummer93/4304011865/sizes/l/in/faves-42178139@N06/


Morristown Catenary (painted red-orange & certain designs)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/30490050@N04/4610546418/sizes/l/

Amtrak New England Catenary


http://www.flickr.com/photos/amtrakfannec927/4366041406/sizes/l/


Realistic Interlocks , i don't even think we even have any atm


http://www.flickr.com/photos/45977245@N05/4224319816/sizes/l/in/faves-42178139@N06/

Realistic Trains and locos


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgradinger/3332602668/sizes/l/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/ottomatic77/4663394632/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Just a few ideas.....

[Fresh Prince of SC4D]

So what your proposing is a set of rail textures similar to SAM? I think this could be a great innavation to rail transport cogeo. Great idea!

[tulane633]

I too would like to see an improvement in rail networks such as more realistic subway system such as London Underground whereby the tracks are often  cut and cover or where stations are outside of tunnels but not elevated as in SC4 ( subway to  ground level subway would add perhaps a level of realism).

[daeley]

I too would like to see an improvement in rail networks such as more realistic subway system such as London Underground whereby the tracks are often  cut and cover or where stations are outside of tunnels but not elevated as in SC4 ( subway to  ground level subway would add perhaps a level of realism).

Ground Light Rail (GLR) = ground subway

[Nardo69]

Sounds good. Thought about it, too, even though I had the idea for GLR (standart texture, old texture, grass texture and heavy railway lookalike with concrete sleepers).

Narrow gauge: Love 'em IRL. However I am not sure if this can be realized in the game - would it be noticeable?
And how do you want to show the different type/shape of the rolling stock? For example even though the SAR rolling stock on narrow gauge (1067mm) can be compared with European standard (1435mm) gauge stock european narrow gauge rolling stock is significantly narrower and smaller!

Different sleeper colours (wood/steel and concrete): Great Idea!

catenaries: Well, even in Germany you find different types - in South Germany still the Pre WWII - types, the standard steel type and the concrete type. However: 2 sleeper colours * 2 (STR and DTR) * 3 different catenaries only for Germany = 12 different track IDs. If it works like the SAM there would be only 16 possible IDs AFAIK...

@Nexis: Nice pictures. And the electric engines are mady by Bombardier, aren't they. They look basically like the new ones in Germany...

[cogeo]

@tulane633: Saw daeley's reply? Indeed, the perception of "GLR" differs amongst players. To many, GLR equals trams or streetcars, to some others it's elevated rail lowered to ground level, while for others (incl me) it's the subway network emerging at ground levels (esp at the suburbs), as is the case in many real cities. In SC4, el-rail, GLR and subway networks have the same capacities and stations generate the same automata type. So you can recreate such an arrangement by using a GLR-to-Subway Transition lot (search on the LEX and STEX, I'm sure there is at least one released - I think there's a japanese release too). Therse's also a mod that replaces the ingame El/GLR/Subway trains (automata) with the LU ones, if you are interested. As for the "cut and cover" look, these BATs may be what you are after. It's still a work in progress (?) though, and unfortunately mcdrye hasn't been active in the forums since May 4th. Once they are done, it wouldn't be very much work to make a set of puzzle pieces for these, connecting to GLR and subway.

@Nardo69: The "gauge" ( ) in SC4 for all "rails" is... 2.0m. Only exception is the HSR/GHSR mod, with a gauge of around 1.4m. It doesn't look narrow enough though, so a more convincing "narrow gauge" track in SC4 should be some 1.2m I think, 1.0m would rather look VERY narrow. As for the automata, well you can't have all, I think using the standard automata (or even mods/skins) wouldn't be a very big compromise here. As for the catenaries, I think you are going too far. Most players would rather be happy with "only" one catenary type (provided that the wires are visible), and even happier if the prop/model is selectable (which is really easy to make). Having more than one prop/model at the same time is still possible, by using prop-families. Of course, a mechanism to select the prop is needed. I have made something similar, take a look at my Fenced GLR Puzzle Pieces (together with the additional Fence Props). It does allow selecting the fence type (and having different fences in the same city), and the fences set is extensible. However it's somewhat awkward to use (requires exiting the game and installing/uninstalling propfiles), and therefore I'm not sure if players would be happy using it. But if you want only one model in your city then it's not really harder to use.

[jdenm8]

and even happier if the prop/model is selectable

I totally agree. Nothing (Besides the odd CTD) irritates me more than those curved Ground Heavy Rail pylons.  Where (outside Europe) are they used? I would love to have the option to change them to the ones used on Rail Viaducts.

[travismking]

I personally love using rail in my cities, my regions generally have tons of rail as both commuter and freight. A little variety in the rail would be nice, i know its a lot of work, and work that I cannot do, but we have RHW and NAM so why not RAM (other than STR, which is wonderful btw)

[samerton]

I'd love this mod! Even if it was like the Rural Road mod, where you have to plop the pieces onto an existing line, it would be great! If I could make this myself, I'd be on it right away, but unfortunately I don't have a clue what I'm doing.