Various types of junctions, not present on "The Junctionairy"
X-Junctions
Personally, I think that cloverleaves work just fine. It seems my trains never get lost because of that type of junction. Plus, it's quite compact, only 10x10 tiles. However, it's quite slow, and boring to build.
Here are my alternatives.
1) 14x14 "complete" X-junction:
Pros
- Trains don't turn left to turn right (and viceversa)
- Faster connections (no tight 270° turns)
- Can handle a good load of traffic
Cons
- Quite large and expensive
- Can't make a tunnel version (or, it has to be larger), and those bridges become slow with maglevs
2) 10x10 incomplete X-junction:
Pros
- Quite small
- Trains don't turn left to turn right (and viceversa)
- Faster connections (no tight 270° turns)
Cons
- Incomplete: trains from NW (SE) can't go SW (NE)
- Can't make a tunnel version (or, it has to be larger), and those bridges become slow with maglevs. At least, you can change those two consecutives bridges with a longer one when tubular bridges become available
T-Junctions
T-junctions are the most common things you have to face when you build a new station and you have to connect it with the rest of your network. However, sometimes space is very limited, or the junctions are actually Y-shaped, or F-shaped or whatever.
1) Compact half-interfering T-junction:
I use this junction a lot. You can use a bridge version of that, making it more compact and saving some work too, but you may want to place more signals on the tracks.
Pros
- Quite compact. Useful when you have no space on the other side (as in the screenshot)
- Can handle a medium amount of traffic
Cons
- Half-interfering: don't put it too near to terminus stations or other junctions, it may easily cause traffic jams
- This tunnel version takes some additional work on the other track
2) Y-junction
This is common when you have a straight line, but then you want to connect it to another part of your network, and want this connection to be your "main" line.
Pros
- Fast enough. Ideal when a smaller amount of traffic comes from SW (i.e., from a single station)
- The main line is optimal
Cons
- Quite large
3) Two versions of a Y-junction
Want to connect your brand new line to a couple of diagonal tracks? These are the schemes I use. The above one is better for longer trains, since they would stay longer on that annoying 90° turn of the second version.
Pros
- Quite compact, since it's complete
Cons
- Quite large anyway. You may want to use a basic "raw" connection if it's not too near to stations and the traffic isn't too heavy
I was just practicing to get used to railroad structures again.
So sorry if I rush! And nice screenes!
