Reasons to build EL-Rail

[SongwindGlobal 0]

I've been pondering this, and I'm having a little trouble coming up with a reason to build EL Rail instead of regular rail.  The only advantage I can see is that the stations are slightly smaller.

What am I missing?

[_MostlyHarmless 17]

in my opinion, the el rail just looks cooler because im from chicago. however, there is no real reason why one is better than the other (capacity maybe?) since Maxis forgot that the whole reason for el rails is to SAVE space, not just elevate the rail. i use regular rail for my industry and commuting my sims to industry jobs, while i use el rail to commute my sims to the comemrcial areas.

so in my opinion the el rail is just eye candy they decided to throw in at the last minute to vary the transpotation options, because they got it all wrong. Download NAM and you can place puzzle pieces of el rail over the road, the way it was meant to be!

[SongwindGlobal 0]

Good point!  I always forget the puzzle pieces.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

One...


Two...


Three...


Need I say more?

And the best thing is: Wherever you need that space, just make it dive below your city and connect with flexibly adjustable subway tunnels.

[pansarkatt 2]

Wow, T Wrecks, that looks great!

[seeleven 0]

Date: 9/13/2005 1:38:48 PM Author:SongwindGlobal I've been pondering this, and I'm having a little trouble coming up with a reason to build EL Rail instead of regular rail.  The only advantage I can see is that the stations are slightly smaller. What am I missing?

I don't understand the fascination with the El rail.  I don't find it especially aestheically pleasing.

 

In the basic game tutorials they suggest it is cheaper to build El rail than subways, since the two are one of a kind, if you can't afford subways how do you afford El rail.

 

It is a personal preference, I know I am going to hear that, but the El conflicts with the other elevated transits.  I build ground rail, and monorail above and use the el rail/subway option below ground where it doesn't interfere with anything.

 

There seems to be a prejudice against monorail on ST, which I don't understand, as it is the fastest transit means.  Agreed it may not qualify as eye candy, but I want the function to benefit my city.

[_MostlyHarmless 17]

For me, the el rail just defines Urban city, therefore i find more aethetically pleasing. I find that ground rail looks better in an idustrius part of town, or near a farm or somthing. many the big cities have some form of elevated rail, be it a monorail or el rail...look at NYC, Philidelphia, even LA has intergrated an elevated mass transit somthing or. besides, with the el-gorund rail and el-sub connections you can switch off if you need it to fit your city.

T Wrecks, awesome pictures, thats why i love the el.

[theyeti2001 0]

One of the key benefits to El Rail, besides the smaller station footprint and asthetics, is that you have a passenger rail system that doesn't hamper your road network as there are no crossings as with ground rail.

[vester_DK 477]

Date: 9/13/2005 7:12:40 PM
Author: theyeti2001
One of the key benefits to El Rail, besides the smaller station footprint and asthetics, is that you have a passenger rail system that doesn't hamper your road network as there are no crossings as with ground rail.

quote>
theyeti2001 you beat me to it.

[deadwoods 542]

You can use the space under ElRail for jobs-contributing lots. TWrecks has shown simrolle's SBahn lots that have jobs. I've also posted some lots on the STEX that put shops under ElRail and have jobs, so it's not wasted downtown realeastate.

[blake 0]

The main question is, why use ElRail over Monorail?

I actually prefer sunken rail, a LONG rail tunnel is cheaper than a single segment of subway track. The stations end up a bit bigger than subway (well 9 tiles rather than 1) but they also function as car parking so it's a fair tradeoff.

I sometimes sink my monorail too.

So basically for low cost MT fixed track MT I use sunken rail, for the expensive I use monorail or sunken monorail. I generally don't need subway but I may use short subway tracks to link transit hubs seperated by heavily built up city or water, especially when the link must be diagonal.

[GDDan 4]

doesn't el rail go faster than regular rail? and monorail faster than el rail? that would be an advantage....

[tungston 19]

Date: 9/14/2005 1:53:10 AM Author: GDDan doesn't el rail go faster than regular rail? and monorail faster than el rail? that would be an advantage....

What I see is, that few are looking at the function of the transit modes.

 

Elevated rail and subways are one in the same, they attract the same section of sims, they have the same monthly budget.

 

Comparing El rail to ground rail is like comparing apples and oranges.  Sims ride the ground rail just because it is a train.  I have large cities with passenger train stations with usage in the tens of thousands, mostly comuting to neigboring cities.  Those tracks cross several roads and not one of those roads are congested because of the crossing.  So there goes the reasoning for el rail because ground rail slows road traffic. 

 

We would like to relate SC to real life logic, but the game doesn't.  Logic does not always apply to the game.  So if we want our cities to function smoothly, we must play by the rules of the game, and not interject our real life logic.

 

All of the transit systems serve different sections of the population, and the different needs of same.  If you rely on one form of transportation you are missing out on further development of your city.  Development of the city depends on all of the assets coded into the game, the programers planned it that way. 

 

Use what systems you like, but be aware if you neglect any of the transits, or other assets available, you are missing the boat.  (no pun intended)

[bltsandwich 8]

I've never used el-rail for any of my cities. I tried to integrate it to allow transport to cities that don't have an airport (as an airport-exclusive rail) so my sims could go straight to the airport, but then I download the airport pack that's on here which has an airport tram, so I didn't need it.

I always use ground rail instead of el-rail, and sometimes instead of monorail. And to get over the problem of the crossings on the road network - I just use the NAM to build the ground rail over the road.

[_MostlyHarmless 17]

tungston: what do you mean that different systems attract different sims in the game? do you mean that the el-subway system attracts $ sims, and perhaps the monorail attracts $$-$$$ sims?

[tungston 19]

Date: 9/14/2005 10:54:20 AM Author: northsider1983 tungston: what do you mean that different systems attract different sims in the game?  do you mean that the el-subway system attracts $ sims, and perhaps the monorail attracts $$-$$$ sims?

Not exactly, other than the game tutorials say low wealth ride the bus, and high wealth won't ride the bus, although I disagree with that.  My cities have few low wealth, they tend toward high wealth, and the bus stations get usage in the ten thousands.

 

What I tried to express was, that the area of residence, where the sims work, the congestion on other transits, all determin what transits get used.  Other things probably get factored in also.

 

In my big cities the income from the fares collected is always the major income of the city.  It can be double and triple the taxes collected, and always more than all the transportation expenses combined.  (I am talking about cities with well developed neigborhood connections)

 

My main point is if you want your cities to be functional, use all of the assets the game provides.  If you just want to make a pretty city for a CJ, then use whatever you think looks good and don't worry about the results.

[hairmetal4ever 0]

I just got the NAM update and like the el rail over road puzzle pieces a lot!

Question 1-will those roads actaully develop along them or would I get no-road zots along any zone zoned along these roads with el rail over them?

Question 2-is there an el-over-avenue or oneway coming out? Since very few roads in congested urban areas (where one would put an elevated rail) are two lane roads!!

[sendarrow 3]

I just love the El Train because I think it looks like NYC. I try to do the same: use El Train in the residentials areas and when it comes to Downtown I switch to Subway. I haven't do it yet, but I will use the Monorail to connect cities. I hope that we can make missions using the El Rail in SC5!!

TUNGSTON: Congratulations! I didn't know you could make a lot of $$ with the fares. I will like to see pics of your connections

[tungston 19]

Date: 9/14/2005 11:54:42 AM Author: sendarrow I just love the El Train because I think it looks like NYC.  I try to do the same: use El Train in the residentials areas and when it comes to Downtown I switch to Subway.  I haven't do it yet, but I will use the Monorail to connect cities.  I hope that we can make missions using the El Rail in SC5!! TUNGSTON: Congratulations! I didn't know you could make a lot of $$ with the fares.  I will like to see pics of your connections 

 

I don't know what you mean by connections, they are just normal looking transits with yellow arrows.

 

But here is a screen of the transportation income/expense of one city.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Fares%2001.jpg align=baseline>

[tungston 19]

Date: 9/14/2005 11:40:32 AM Author: hairmetal4ever I just got the NAM update and like the el rail over road puzzle pieces a lot! Question 1-will those roads actaully develop along them or would I get no-road zots along any zone zoned along these roads with el rail over them? Question 2-is there an el-over-avenue or oneway coming out?  Since very few roads in congested urban areas (where one would put an elevated rail) are two lane roads!!

 

You must not have the latest NAM addon, it has the puzzle pieces you mention.

 

EDIT:  I did not read your post closely enough, to notice the el-over-*, I thought you meant a crossing.  The pieces are labeled el over * in the game.

[Bones1 96]

Date: 9/14/2005 4:14:33 AM Author: tungston

What I see is, that few are looking at the function of the transit modes.

Elevated rail and subways are one in the same, they attract the same section of sims, they have the same monthly budget.

quote>

 

Actually, elevated rail is cheaper than subway in monthly costs (as well as initial costs). I think it's 66% of the cost to maintain as compared to subway.

[Compromise 1]

Ultimatley I don't think there is a type of transit which is superior to thhe other. They all have there disadvantages and advantages, I just use the one is best for that situation.

[tungston 19]

Date: 9/24/2005 9:33:50 AM Author: Bones1

Date: 9/14/2005 4:14:33 AM Author: tungston

What I see is, that few are looking at the function of the transit modes.

Elevated rail and subways are one in the same, they attract the same section of sims, they have the same monthly budget.

Actually, elevated rail is cheaper than subway in monthly costs (as well as initial costs). I think it's 66% of the cost to maintain as compared to subway.

@Bones:  Since I don't know what game you are playing, I can't comment.

 

But for SC4 Deluxe the intial cost for El rail is less.  But the monthly cost, which is what determines whether you budget is in the red or not, are as follows:

 

Stations: Both $20 per month each

El rail:  $1.00 per month per section

Subway:  $0.30 per month per section

 

So your figures are almost inverted.

[Bones1 96]

Date: 9/24/2005 3:52:56 PM Author: tungston

Date: 9/24/2005 9:33:50 AM Author: Bones1

Date: 9/14/2005 4:14:33 AM Author: tungston

What I see is, that few are looking at the function of the transit modes.

Elevated rail and subways are one in the same, they attract the same section of sims, they have the same monthly budget.

Actually, elevated rail is cheaper than subway in monthly costs (as well as initial costs). I think it's 66% of the cost to maintain as compared to subway.

@Bones:  Since I don't know what game you are playing, I can't comment.

But for SC4 Deluxe the intial cost for El rail is less.  But the monthly cost, which is what determines whether you budget is in the red or not, are as follows:

Stations: Both $20 per month each

El rail:  $1.00 per month per section

Subway:  $0.30 per month per section

So your figures are almost inverted.

quote>

Okay, before you assume I don't know what I'm talking about, test it yourself. I have thoroughly tested the costs myself, and the values reported by the menu buttons are incorrect.

 

The real monthly costs for rail (per network tile) are as follows:

 

Heavy rail: $0.03

Elevated rail: $0.20

Subway: $0.30

Monorail: $0.30

 

Don't believe everything you see in the game. It's a documentation bug. The real values are contained in the traffic sim exemplar, and are verified as accurate by testing in the game. (Costs are shown in the budget detailed menu, after building.)

 

You can see from my above list, that heavy rail is an extreme bargain. It's cheaper than any other network in the game (even cheaper than streets). Only highways are more expensive than subways and monorail.

[MarkSK 0]

I very rarely use elev. rails, I use subways, though they are slightly more expensive.

[archetect 2k 1]

I like GLR - i make a main Heavy Rail station in the middle of my neighbourhood and then connect it all up with feeder GLR. I don't like Subway mostly for the reason I cant see it or the route paths, and I also get random green/yellow/red lines everywhere on the congestion map. Using traffic cop, i ajusted the costs to more reaslistic, Subway 0.7, Elevated Rail 0.3, Heavy Rail 0.03, Ground Highway 1.0, Elevated 1.1 (somebody needs to do a support check and that costs money)

[Gen 0]

Yeh, I support el-rail over passebger rail, cause of the same reasons as others

[Pixelrage 34]

I'm using el-rail too, it gives that gritty feel. Reminds me of Queens NY or something

just note that you can't build it over a highway...making it extremely annoying in many cases.

[Singletrack 0]

Date: 9/14/2005 1:53:10 AM
Author: GDDan
doesn't el rail go faster than regular rail? and monorail faster than el rail? that would be an advantage....

quote>

ElRail,subway and regular rail travel at the same speed - 150 km/h
Monorail travels at 200 km/h

[ILL Tonkso 1,239]

Im begining to experiment with Monorail again, its an often overlooked subject here on ST.