Trains, just like cars and trucks, follow the shortest route. If your 'local line' is shorter than the 'express line' than trains will choose to use that one.

Try putting your train station(s) further away from the express line.

there no consistency. I've changed the tracks different combinations they randomly go where they want. I've even put tracks with no switches and they still switch. i'll just stick with double tracks. thanks
they need to somehow add this to 'TM:PE' as of now you can only restrict passenger/cargo. local/express restriction need to be added. i wouldn't even know how they would implement that.

Show us a screenshot of the problem spot, and we may get a better idea of what you are trying to do.

If the local line stops at the station, and it has many platforms, you can drag the stop so the train uses another platform.

As per Max, vehicles follow the shortest path.

Originally posted by ᠌ ⁧⁧Tsubame ⭐:

Show us a screenshot of the problem spot, and we may get a better idea of what you are trying to do.

If the local line stops at the station, and it has many platforms, you can drag the stop so the train uses another platform.

As per Max, vehicles follow the shortest path.

both lines were doing whatever they wanted. i deleted the express line. it got to where one direction was: express and local was using proper track between stations but both were using local platform, on a double platform, to let passengers on/off. other direction: they would use proper platform to let passengers on/off but switch tracks between stations(local on express, express on local). and it can't be true, to an extent, 'shortest route'. then to lines traveling same destination should do exactly the same path. if anything, the express track would be shorter than local because local stations have an extended track to enter and exit stations...

Originally posted by ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

.. they need to somehow add this to 'TM:PE'

As Max stated, trains (as do all vehicles) will opt for the shortest route. it is worth bearing in mind that speed also has an effect on route choices so shortest isn't always correct, perhaps described better as the quickest, which is usually the shortest if speed limits are equal.

If I have parallel train tracks I always set one just a little faster than the other so the express train will prefer that faster route and the local will take the slower because they have stations to stop at. That also adds a little more to realism as trains will gain and pass each other as opposed to travel precisely side by side until one turns off or stops at a station.

Speed can be set using TMPE in the normal way on both rail tracks and roads, as can give way/right of way etc. . Also, if needed, lane connectors can also be used on rail tracks but that's rarely something I do.

then whats the reasoning behind them switching opposite tracks between stations? they stop on the correct platforms but switch in travel. also, as i said before, local track is a little longer due to its curving into and out of a station. and a local train is an obstacle for the express. it has to wait behind the local.

Trains are a bit like cats. I know of no way to force them to do anything.

Have you tried putting your terminals on a bypass or a double bypass? That way trains only stop at places they are scheduled to and through traffic stays on the line.

Otherwise as Clunk has suggested about the only thing you can do is up the speed on your express line.

Originally posted by Clunk:

Originally posted by ♥♥♥♥♥♥:

.. they need to somehow add this to 'TM:PE'

As Max stated, trains (as do all vehicles) will opt for the shortest route. it is worth bearing in mind that speed also has an effect on route choices so shortest isn't always correct, perhaps described better as the quickest, which is usually the shortest if speed limits are equal.

If I have parallel train tracks I always set one just a little faster than the other so the express train will prefer that faster route and the local will take the slower because they have stations to stop at. That also adds a little more to realism as trains will gain and pass each other as opposed to travel precisely side by side until one turns off or stops at a station.

Speed can be set using TMPE in the normal way on both rail tracks and roads, as can give way/right of way etc. . Also, if needed, lane connectors can also be used on rail tracks but that's rarely something I do.

THANK YOU! I was losing my mind trying to get a small station (2 platforms, 2 bypass lanes) to work with a local and express; the express was just deciding without reason every other week to switch its route to run by the platforms instead of the middle tracks. Slowed the platform tracks down with TMPE and fixed.

Originally posted by DD:

Trains are a bit like cats. I know of no way to force them to do anything.

Very true.... Train also do not just roll around willy-nilly, looking for someplace to go. They are dispatched by the owning (originating) terminal to a particular destination. They also follow a fairly straight forward set of rules for navigating the various type of track to be navigated between terminals.

Trains do NOT create issues. Bad track design creates issues. Your game. Your trains. Your way. Personally I find that a one (1) way main line track(s) circling the city, gets everything moving in the same direction and very effectively illuminates most train traffic issues.

don't blame bad track design to cover up bad code design. that's just another way of patting yourself on the back. gloating that you are better than the rest.

You still miss the point. It has nothing to do with code or one player being better than any other. It's only a matter of observing and familiarizing oneself with the way trains are directed and navigate their way around the map. It's not complicated. Mostly just common sense. Doesn't require any great skill or special training. More like learning to ride a bike. Believe me, if I can do it any one can.

Originally posted by Richie:

don't blame bad track design to cover up bad code design. that's just another way of patting yourself on the back. gloating that you are better than the rest.

The game's line manager and train AI do leave a lot to be desired, but unfortunately no updates are forthcoming - CS2 does a little better in this regards - so unfortunately you will have to work around that, either using bypass tracks, and/or fully segregating tracks.

There's nothing wrong with the trains, lines, or track. I have both local and express lines that circle the city and are connected to twelve local terminals and eight outside connections. Full length trains running bumper to pumper. Absolutely no conflicts no issues. No tricks, No special assets, No mods. Very simple design.

there is everything wrong with the game.
if you are suggesting that we have to be perfect designers to appease the game then there is something wrong with the trains. explain why the trains switch from local to express and visa versa, yet the other side works fine... i'm glad you found the magical solution to the game but that doesn't mean that everybody else is incompetent.

I don't suggest that anyone is incompetent. Nor would I begin to attempt to explain why you seem to have issues that I have yet to personally observe. It's your game, your trains, and your post. If you truly want help that's fine. If you only want to complain, that's fine. It's your nickel. Spend it any way you like. :)