Have a few questions that I would like answering!

[Captainmk 0]

Hey All

I just got this game today and I have to say it's awesome. I haven't been addicted to something before in a long time. Anyway I have a few questions and problems about the game that I would like to clarify:

1. Is it possible to see actual trains on the railway tracks moving? because I don't see any right now. If it is possible, how I do make the game display them? Do I have to do something or build something? I have already built some stations by the way

2. How do I increase my population and build offices and houses for people to work in? Does it have to be all automatic by the game itself or can I build the offices myself?

I will edit this post and post more later on if I have any other queries.

[jacqulina 162]

it is indeed my friend but i think theres other factors involved to get the trains to run ie,train stations,population,and so on,im sure some else will post with a few more details

[Cowboy-Texas- 0]

I'm new also.. and Ive only built a few small cities (that I ended up destroying) so far but I've got my trains running eventually... and I never had more than 5,000 people in my cities.  I also read somewhere that you can build industrial areas around the railroad tracks without having roads and those industrial areas will use the train to ship goods. Although I would still suggest roads leading to the industrial areas.

These threads might help you with your general questions about building cities.....

READ THIS >> https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=146&threadid=78505&enterthread=y

READ THIS >> https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=22&threadid=79659&enterthread=y

*** Can anyone point me to a thread or help me understand "ploppable" properties and "zoned" properties that I download from the SimCity exchange area ? I downloaded some last night but I can't find any of them in my game... so maybe its because Im not really familiar with the differences or how to use them. Any help would be appreciated.

[Fred_Ginger 1]

Hello Captainmk, welcome to ST!  Yes trains do show up on the tracks, both freight and passenger trains.   The thing is that the Sims wont use the trains if there is a road for them to use to get to where they want to go.  If you put the track in the middle of,  say a farm area some of the farms (that touch the track) may use the train.  

As to the offices, it depends on what stage your city is in for the offices to grow.  Also having plazas and parks doesn't hurt.  Check the omnibus for articles on how to get your city to grow - that will help you.  

Edit:  Hi Cowboy[Texas}, welcome to you also!  Plopables are usually commercial and commercial versions of landmarks (res will not work as a plop), and parks, services (hospitals, fire and police), and schools.  Zones are areas you set aside for things to grow.  Hope that helps!

Vicki

[Captainmk 0]

Thank you very much Jacqulina, Cowboy and Fred for your wonderful yet quick replies, I really appreciate it

[Cowboy-Texas- 0]

Originally posted by: Fred_Ginger 

Plopables are usually commercial and commercial versions of landmarks (res will not work as a plop), and parks, services (hospitals, fire and police), and schools.  Zones are areas you set aside for things to grow.  Hope that helps!

Vickiquote>

 

Well, I downloaded some properties from SimCity exchange. My question is how in world do I use them ? Where do "plopables" show up in your menu ? And where do the downloaded / customized "zoned" properties show up ? Do the zone properties just randomly appear along with the standard maxis properties or do you have any control over them. I also downloaded some customized power plants but I dont see them anywhere in my menus (landmarks, utilities, etc).

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Somehow, I think you fellows need to spend a little time with the manual, and the Omnibus.  This is not a game you can jump into, and you shouldn't put it in 3rd gear right away.

If you've been running in Cheetah mode, drop back to Rhino.  Cheetah will overwhelm the new player, and you'll quickly go broke.

Now, to specific questions:

Ploppables are things like Landmarks, Civic Buildings, and Rewards.  They are found in the appropriate menus.  Growables are lots that are often designated Residential, Commercial or Industrial.  They show up when the game simulation selects them at random and the level for that lot is right.  There are eight levels, governed by population.  Don't expect commercial skyscrapers until your population is well over 40,000 and the necessary conditions are met.  The usual conditions are clean areas, lots of parks and plazas, high education levels, good policing, fire coverage, and Jobs!  Jobs!!  Jobs!!!

Welcome to the world of simulations, and have fun.

[Captainmk 0]

Hey guys I have some more questios:

1. How do I get my train stations to look like this? With all the external platforms etc? http://simcity.ea.com/images/about/inside_scoop/udrive03.jpg

Would really appreciate the help!

BTW thanks for the helpful post N_O_Body

[Cowboy-Texas- 0]

Originally posted by: Captainmk 1. Is it possible to see actual trains on the railway tracks moving? because I don't see any right now. If it is possible, how I do make the game display them? Do I have to do something or build something? I have already built some stations by the way

quote>

 

Captainmk.... I figured out your problem with the trains in case you didnt already solve it. Last night I created two new cities, both with passenger and cargo stations. I assumed that they would go from town to town but it did not. I had no train usage after several sim months. As soon as I added a second passenger station to one of my towns... the train began showing usage. 

[penguin007 27]

thats the grand rail station captainmk you need rush hour or deluxe and need to unlock it or use "you don't deserve it" cheat

Look after yourself

Will

[Fred_Ginger 1]

Originally posted by: Cowboy[Texas]

Well, I downloaded some properties from SimCity exchange. My question is how in world do I use them ? Where do "plopables" show up in your menu ? And where do the downloaded / customized "zoned" properties show up ? Do the zone properties just randomly appear along with the standard maxis properties or do you have any control over them. I also downloaded some customized power plants but I dont see them anywhere in my menus (landmarks, utilities, etc).quote>

 

If you've d/l plopables and they're not showing in the appropriate menus (parks in parks, schools in schools, etc.) then you need to check whether you unzipped, ran the installer correctly.  For items with installers you just let it run and agree when it asks if you want to create a new folder, if it is a zipped you need to unzip and place in (I hope I get this right - if not someone will come along and correct me!) My docs/SimCity/plugins/(folder name)

I usually create a folder for each creator and then a folder for the specific item.  It helps keep your plugins folder neat and also helps to find something if it gives you a problem.  Don't install too many things at once and go to a 'sandbox' (test) region after install so you can check.  

Growables just grow when it's appropriate as N_O_Body said. 

[Captainmk 0]

Originally posted by: Cowboy[Texas]

Originally posted by: Captainmk 1. Is it possible to see actual trains on the railway tracks moving? because I don't see any right now. If it is possible, how I do make the game display them? Do I have to do something or build something? I have already built some stations by the way

quote>

 

Captainmk.... I figured out your problem with the trains in case you didnt already solve it. Last night I created two new cities, both with passenger and cargo stations. I assumed that they would go from town to town but it did not. I had no train usage after several sim months. As soon as I added a second passenger station to one of my towns... the train began showing usage. quote>

Thank you, I will try it out.

is there a special way to connect train stations to the tracks? Because currently I'm just building them next to the tracks, and it doesn't seem connected except for what it seems some tiles next to the tracks or something. Also it is possible to build a train station anywhere away from tracks also, so there must be a specific way to link a train station to the track?

@ Penguin, thanks, I do have rush hour fortunately, I will try it out

One more thing is, I built an airport kind of far away from the main congested areas to make it realistic. But even though I connect a road to the airport to the residential areas when I click on the route info, I see nothing?

And is there a special way I can link roads to some landmarks/buildings? Because however hard I try I don't seem to be getting rid of those "no road connection" signs on the buildings

[Cowboy-Texas- 0]

Originally posted by: Fred_Ginger

If you've d/l plopables and they're not showing in the appropriate menus (parks in parks, schools in schools, etc.) then you need to check whether you unzipped, ran the installer correctly.  For items with installers you just let it run and agree when it asks if you want to create a new folder, if it is a zipped you need to unzip and place in (I hope I get this right - if not someone will come along and correct me!) My docs/SimCity/plugins/(folder name)

I usually create a folder for each creator and then a folder for the specific item.  It helps keep your plugins folder neat and also helps to find something if it gives you a problem.  Don't install too many things at once and go to a 'sandbox' (test) region after install so you can check.  

Growables just grow when it's appropriate as N_O_Body said. quote>

 

Yeah, I found my plopables last night when I played. I guess I didnt find them the first time because I unzipped / installed them while the game was running. Maybe I needed to exit the game and re-enter it. One question about the growables.... lets say I plugin a certain custom lot like commercial (mcdonalds). How do you prevent getting 50 of the same kind of lot?  Apperaing next to one another.

Originally posted by: Captainmk

is there a special way to connect train stations to the tracks? Because currently I'm just building them next to the tracks, and it doesn't seem connected except for what it seems some tiles next to the tracks or something. Also it is possible to build a train station anywhere away from tracks also, so there must be a specific way to link a train station to the track?

quote>

 

No special way is needed. Anyway you added them next to the track should work. Besides, I have had no luck controling the direction they face... so I just add them however they appear. Also, I did read somewhere that the freight station is said to work even if not touching the tracks. Trucks will still move cargo to the station and the trains will still move the cargo.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: Cowboy[Texas]

Yeah, I found my plopables last night when I played. I guess I didnt find them the first time because I unzipped / installed them while the game was running. Maybe I needed to exit the game and re-enter it. One question about the growables.... lets say I plugin a certain custom lot like commercial (mcdonalds). How do you prevent getting 50 of the same kind of lot?  Apperaing next to one another.quote>

  Yup.  The game loads all lots at the start up.  If you add anything whle the game is running, it can't see it until the next load.

No special way is needed. Anyway you added them next to the track should work. Besides, I have had no luck controling the direction they face... so I just add them however they appear. Also, I did read somewhere that the freight station is said to work even if not touching the tracks. Trucks will still move cargo to the station and the trains will still move the cargo.quote>

You can control the direction of a ploppable by using the Home and End keys to rotate it.  I think that is not correct on Freight Stations.  They must touch the tracks, and face on a road.

[Captainmk 0]

Thanks for the great help Cowboy and N_O_Body

[Captainmk 0]

how do I go about increasing my population and making the residential buildings grow taller? Because I'm at 3000 and I still don't see much change in the vertical height of the buildings and I've taken up a lot of my horizontal space on the map