Timetabling

[bwong]

Hey guys,
I'm not asking the basic, how do you timetable, but rather, how you set timetables for a double track with multiple trains, some express and some local. Usually, I have my trains running on hourly intervals, but now I have trains that run express and local.

Currently, I organized my timetable on a spreadsheet times and what not haha.
Thanks,

[TinyMusic]

I use HardGamePack so I can just simply have trains that have the same orders automate their timetables, and it uses this to ensure equal vehicle separation (I just love patches, makes life so much easier)

[bwong]

oh, I'm using Chrills patch pack, but doesn't automatic separation only separate trains of the same group? (or does that mean I should put all my trains in the same group?)

[TinyMusic]

Nope, I think it's only vehicles with same/shared orders

[Chrill]

oh, I'm using Chrills patch pack

No you aren't.

Also, it separates trains who have Shared Orders only.

[bwong]

oh, I'm using Chrills patch pack

No you aren't.

Also, it separates trains who have Shared Orders only.

oups. Chills patch pack haha

But yeah, thats the problem, my express trains and local trains have very different orders.. oh well, i've been lugging around on excel trying to organize trains.... lol

[YNM]

But yeah, thats the problem, my express trains and local trains have very different orders.. oh well, i've been lugging around on excel trying to organize trains.... lol

Heh, I remember once that there's a savegame which imitate all the Dutch network, and the spreadsheet included was... so... massive...

I think it's still on the saved game forum. Maybe you want to see it, so you can stop worrying about your own game and just do it all

[Chrill]

But yeah, thats the problem, my express trains and local trains have very different orders.. oh well, i've been lugging around on excel trying to organize trains.... lol

Really, there is no good way of organizing your locals with your express. The best way is to operate with a separate network of highspeed tracks.

[bwong]

shucks. Literally spent a few hours on excel. I'm on a double track mainline, maybe I could expand to three tracks, but for now, timetabling... ahha
thanks tho

[siu238X]

But yeah, thats the problem, my express trains and local trains have very different orders.. oh well, i've been lugging around on excel trying to organize trains.... lol

Really, there is no good way of organizing your locals with your express. The best way is to operate with a separate network of highspeed tracks.

It's better to keep all trains on the same track having the same speed, so I agree that multi-tracking is necessary in case the exp trains are of faster speed.

Still, if "express" is just meant to be some trains skipping stations, I will think it's still better to use timetabling to reduce the need to quadruple (or even more) all the way.

[bwong]

Yeah. Currently I'm using a mix of double/quad track network and using heavy timetabling...

[Transportman]

I normally use 1 track per direction, 90% of the time all trains have the same speed on such a track (are some exceptions, mainly for short parts where there is enough space for a small speed difference), but timetabling becomes quite time-consuming once there are more groups of trains on the tracks.

[chuggles]

What can timetabling actually do? Are there any enjoyable or profitable effects you can use it for?

[kamnet]

It allows you to set your trains on a schedule, which means they can be spaced out more, the traffic flow is more regular and organized, and stations will receive trains on a more timely manner. This help trains not be behind schedule and improves your station ratings, which improves the amount of goods or passengers you can transport.

[TinyMusic]

Can't you just simply just use the automatic separation patch instead? What I mean is that for local trains just automate its orders, and then do the same thing for express trains. But this may be messed up if the express train is right behind the local train, so what I did is double the number of platforms/use sidings in all stations to let the express train go past. I think there was also the ATC-style patch, so when a faster train is behind a slower train, it will move at the speed of the slower train instead of stopping and then moving, and then stopping etc.

[bwong]

Can't you just simply just use the automatic separation patch instead? What I mean is that for local trains just automate its orders, and then do the same thing for express trains. But this may be messed up if the express train is right behind the local train, so what I did is double the number of platforms/use sidings in all stations to let the express train go past. I think there was also the ATC-style patch, so when a faster train is behind a slower train, it will move at the speed of the slower train instead of stopping and then moving, and then stopping etc.

But consider, one of my stations has over 6 different train lines operating through it. Using automatic separation patch will definitely separate the trains of each individual group, but what I'm aiming for is systematic organization of the trains. And about the ATC-style patch, that ruins the point of an express train ahha.

[TinyMusic]

Can't you just simply just use the automatic separation patch instead? What I mean is that for local trains just automate its orders, and then do the same thing for express trains. But this may be messed up if the express train is right behind the local train, so what I did is double the number of platforms/use sidings in all stations to let the express train go past. I think there was also the ATC-style patch, so when a faster train is behind a slower train, it will move at the speed of the slower train instead of stopping and then moving, and then stopping etc.

But consider, one of my stations has over 6 different train lines operating through it. Using automatic separation patch will definitely separate the trains of each individual group, but what I'm aiming for is systematic organization of the trains. And about the ATC-style patch, that ruins the point of an express train ahha.

Then add a few passing sidings.

[bwong]

Then add a few passing sidings.

Ad hoc? If I understand this correctly, in order to place sidings in effective locations, you need to know where the trains overtake one another. This can be done through timetabling.

[TinyMusic]

I'm a lazy guy so I don't do that. I just expand my stations so there trains can overtake. Besides, when I play a game, I rarely managed to cover the map, so I don't often add express trains

[ChillCore]

But consider, one of my stations has over 6 different train lines operating through it. Using automatic separation patch will definitely separate the trains of each individual group, but what I'm aiming for is systematic organization of the trains.

You can not use the autoseparation patch at all if you want to synchronize your six lines of operation with eachother.
Automated timetables will do you no good here neither as both patches affect the timetable constantly.

You can use the automated timetables for a little while to get roughly filled timetables but you need to turn it off at some point and adjust the invidual timetables, so they have a common factor, to make any kind of synchronisation possible between different lines.