Commuter route planning

[Subway7695]

Hello all,I am a decent Trainz route creator and I make subway routes involving NYCTA equipment and objects.In the past I made a few routes which can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDOPOurGtTY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COwmoTMkuzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1sb-edIVOY
back then I was a rookie those were routes I made back in 2009.Now I want to take it up a notch and make a fictional commuter route.I downloaded a **** load of stuff I may need or use such as streets,railcars,scenery objects,tracks a lot.I really have no plan but its completely fictional.

I would like to know where should I start from a terminal or in the middle of the route or the freight part or anything.I plan to make about at least a 1hr 15 min local train operation from end to end I'm not sure how many miles/baseboards that will involve and there will be an express and some freight activity.I plan to use between 2 and 4 tracks on the mainlaine and possibly a 5th and 6th track for when freight operation and the commuter merge and then they will split up again but I am totally completely lost on where to start.

May I get some tips and help where to start please this will be a city/suburb route I am open to criticism but I am more focused on passenger route.I have no plans for a session for freight but I'll add yards and stuff.Thanks

 

[schweitzerdude]

Here is what I did

I looked at one of your u-tube videos and liked what you have done. So one question is could you take an existing route with NYC transit and then expand it to include suburban rail and freight operations. After all, any city that is big enough to have extensive suburban rail is big enough to have either heavy metro or light rail transit - just a thought.

I am working on a route that has a big city with light rail transit and suburban rail, as well as freight operations. I have the light rail transit lines terminate at a suburban rail station, so passengers from further out in the sticks can transfer from suburban rail to light rail transit without having to go downtown. Since you are from New York, you know more of this than I do - just think about how folks on the LIRR transfer to the subway (Jamaica I think).

If you are starting from scratch, in my opinion, start with your city center and work your way out. This does not mean you have to develop in every direction simultaneously, you could go from the city center north, but be sure to build your central station with enough capacity to meet future needs. Look at real maps: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/ is an excellent website. Since transit systems vary so much, think about the city that you believe your route should emulate - this will give you an idea of station spacing, etc.

Another consideration is what trains you will be using for your commuter rail. Since you live in New York, you might decide to use Metro North equipment but they tend to require high platform stations (plenty built-in and on the DLS), whereas I am using Bombadier Bi-Level equipment which needs lower platforms so I build all my stations from scratch using invisible stations and platforms, platform roofs, etc etc, adjusted as needed.

 

[Subway7695]

Thanks man and I am planning to use the Bombardier Bi-Levels and this is completely fictional most likely will take place in the New York,NJ,CT area.I am planning for the use of Bi-Levels and possibly another train type.

Can you help me find low platforms similar to the objects you will kitbash?

 

[schweitzerdude]

Re platforms

There are plenty of platform splines built into Trainz and all are height adjustable. Just type platform in the splines search. Here is what I do for scratch built stations.

1. Put the invisible station in place.
2. Attach short sections of track to the invisible station.
3. Place a passenger car that you plan on using on the track in the station.
4. Place a platform spline and adjust the platform spline height so that it is the same or slightly lower than the door on the passenger car.
5. Using the "?" on the invisible station, adjust the passenger height so that the passengers are not floating but so that their shoes are the same height as the platform you installed.
6. Then delete the passenger car, install platform roofs, station buildings, etc etc.

 

[Subway7695]

Yup got that thanks!