Subway Construction Set

4.     Construction

Due to the way that Trainz is designed, only tunnel (and platform, which are actually tunnels) pieces with similar track offsets can be connected to each other. This means that 2 track pieces can only connect to 2 track pieces, 4 track pieces (including 4 track local platform pieces) can only connect to 4 track pieces, and the 4 track platform pieces (the one with side platforms and a center express island) will connect to nothing except each other (ie., 4 track platform start, 4 track platform, and 4 track platform end). Additional pieces which will be introduced in Phase II will be mentioned in a later chapter. In order to transition between different types of tunnel section, “Tunnel Track” must be used.

 These are normal track sections which include 3rd rail and are surrounded by “Tunnel” walls. While they look like Tunnels, Trainz sees them as tracks. This allows them to connect to anything. Take care to not confuse these with the Subway tracks which only include the track (as these will not have walls when placed underground). The single “Tunnel Tracks” come in 2 main varieties, one with a side walkway, and one without. 2 variations of each are included, both with “no clearance” signage and without. Track which allows a transition between the two is also included. In addition, a variety which has periodic gaps in the wall on one side is included as well. This is designed to be laid alongside other track (usually of the same type, but laid in the other direction) to simulate sections of the subway where such construction can be found. Because of the way the piece is designed, it is not necessary to align the gaps between adjacent pieces, as any gap will show an opening onto the adjacent track. Most SCS pieces are designed so that the track is visible from above, which allows the easy placing of switches, signals and rolling stock. “Tunnel Track” pieces are only visible from the inside, which facilitates placing them in close proximity without worrying if the wall of one extends into the adjacent piece (as any overlap will be viewed from the “outside” and hence be invisible).

 You can build your subway either on ground level, and then sink it to the proper depth when finished, not sink it at all if it’s all on ground level (however if you do this, any piece which dips below ground level will show the ground through the tunnel, and the ground will show at the edges of each tunnel), or build it below ground by turning off the terrain via the button on the toolbar. I find it easier to design on ground level and then submerge rather than working below ground, but YMMV.

By using the “Tunnel Track” pieces, diverging routes can be created which run up, down, over and under other tracks. Generally one track (or set of tracks) will dip down a bit while the other tracks rise above, which keeps the track grade as minimal as possible. Prototypically, grades up to 4% can be common, anything more should probably be avoided as potentially unrealistic, though the NYCMTA subway rolling stock are designed as multiple units (each car is an engine) which offer superior performance on grades, as well as fast acceleration and braking. In addition, by using the “Subway track 1 line 1 side” track, routes may be diverged from inside the tunnel. The way to do this is get your tunnel which you plan to diverge down to a “Subway track 1 line wall” track. Add a section of the “1 side” track to create an opening for the divergence. Continue on with the standard wall track (you can adjust the spline points as necessary later). Add a piece of the “1 side” track at the beginning of the first one to make a switch. Add the “wall” track onto that, and adjust the spline points to create your divergence. An example of this can be found on the “A Subway” demo layout.

 Stations are usually long enough to allow running 8 car trains (10 car trains on IRT routes). 2 Trainz grid squares (10m each) is approximately 1 carlength for BMT/IND rolling stock which is 60’ long (newer stock is 75’ long, but hasn’t been constructed yet for Trainz). Each platform section is 20m long. By mixing platform, platform 2 and platform exit sections, many different appearing stations can be constructed. In Phase I, express stations only have exits at the ends of the platforms. Additional options will be available in Phase II. Station name signs may be placed along the station walls (1 set for each wall) and can be named via the “?” button in Surveyor. There are also “hanging” signage available for express and island platforms in both old and new styles, which can also be named in the same manner as the wall signs.