Getting Started

Perhaps the most difficult period for a business is getting started. You need to spend a lot of money before you will get any returns. How you start your business will affect the rest of the game. If you’re an extreme success as a company, you will be able to use your profits to grow by setting up new routes and getting the rewards. If you’re a failure as a company, if you make a loss, then its effectively game over because once your in the red, there isn't really a lot you can do about it if your only small with only a few operations. This is because your fixed costs are likely to be relatively high. If you break even, well that’s not fun, and what happens when your engines get old and need replacing?

Your first railway

Be very conservative. Only set up a short distance operation, eg for 20 squares. Although long distance operations tend to be more profitable, don't forget you have a limited amount of money. It is best to spend as much money as you can on tains, after all its trains that make profit, not track and stations. It is best to look to connect two towns that have industries in them which you can transport between. The nicest combination involves an industry which produces goods or food. On the left is an image of what an ideal start should be like. A short double track railway connecting two towns. There are three trains. Two transport passengers and mail. The third transports cattle from slough to London, and then subsequently transport food from London to Slough. This is good because that train generates revenue going both ways- one problem with frieght transport is that its often only possible to generate revenue going one way.

This set up is ideal because it only requires a small infrastructure, with three trains good use is made of the infrastructure. And also you will only have to build one station with water/sanding/roundhouse facilities. It goes without saying that you should try to connect towns which are seperated by gentle terrain. Only big companies should consider building in mountainous terrain, it requires powerful, expensive engines.