Locomotives (Railroad Tycoon II)

In the game Railroad Tycoon II, locomotives (often referred to as engines) are a mobile entity that form the power that is required to move different types of cargo around the map towards their destination. In the Platinum edition, there are 66 locomotives available in the game, using three different fuel types: Steam, Diesel and Electric. Each locomotive possesses different attributes relating to speed, acceleration, reliability, as well as cost among others. As the game progresses, more and more locomotives will periodically unlock, and will serve a different purpose as the player expands their railroad.

Train Management

A train is formed by a locomotive and it's cargo (often known as a consist). Choosing the type of train, where to run it, and maintaining its efficiency are vital elements to master. The Train Detail screen allows the player to customize a train's route and consist.

Adding cargo to a train, increases its weight, reducing the top speed and performance of the locomotive. It's important not overload trains with too much cargo, as the increased gross payment may not make up for the longer time taken to deliver.

In the Train Screen, the player may also adjust the extent to which a train will wait for full cargo at a station using the traffic light. The Second Century expansion introduced delivery flags which can allow cargo to remain onboard for delivery to future stops or stored within the station for future pickup.

Every locomotive has servicing requirements to remain viable, requiring Sand, Water and Oil. The levels are shown by the instrument gauges, and can be refilled by passing through or stopping in stations with specific station buildings.

• Sand is used for an engine to retain traction on steep grades. A train that runs out of sand will slow to a crawl when encountering any grade. It is refilled by a Sand Tower.
• Water is required by steam engines, and decreases based on distance traveled. When a train runs out of water, it travels at a significantly reduced speed. It can be refilled by a Water Tower.
• Oil represents the level of maintenance of a train, and decreases based on distance traveled. As Oil reduces, a train's breakdown risks increases. If an engine runs out of oil, breakdown risk increases dramatically and engine maintenance also jumps. It can be refilled by a Roundhouse.

Fuel Type

There are three fuel types: Steam, Diesel and Electric. In the early 1800s, only steam locomotives are available. They are initially very slow, but cheap to use. In the 20th century, steam locomotives become very powerful, but costs also increase dramatically. Steam engines need both sand, water and oil facilities to be viable.

Diesel locomotives become available from the mid-1900s onwards, offering a cheap and versatile alternative to Steam. As the century progresses, they also become expensive to use. Diesel engines only require sand and oil facilities, not requiring water.

The first electric locomotive becomes available in 1895, with many more becoming available throughout the 1900s. Electric locomotives have a steep initial investment, requiring electric track to be built across its entire route. However, they are cheaper to operate compared to other fuel types, which can make up for it. Some of the fastest and most powerful locomotives in the game are electric. Electric engines only require sand and oil facilities, not requiring water.

Locomotive Specifications

Each locomotive type has a unique set of specifications which govern it's ability to haul trains over a length of track. Choosing the correct locomotive suitable for the conditions, while balancing for cost, is a key part of the game. There are four main specifications: Top Speed, Hauling Ability, Acceleration and Reliability. Over time, new locomotives become available that offer improvement (generally) in these specifications, superseding existing locomotive types.

From an expenses point of view, any engine has an initial purchasing cost, a fixed engine maintenance cost, and a variable fuel cost based on distance traveled. Early locomotives in the 1800's have fairly low costs, and are easy to turn a profit on. Meanwhile, most of the locomotives in the late-game are very expensive, and require a great deal of management in order generate a large profit.

The following are important factors to consider when purchasing a locomotive:

• Purchasing Cost: The initial cost paid on purchase of the train. Expensive trains can be very difficult to buy early in scenarios when money is tight.
• Engine Maintenance: A fixed expense that is independent of distance traveled. Maintenance increases as an engine ages, and also by low oil level.
• Fuel Cost: A variable expense based on distance traveled. Value in purchase screen represents an annual estimate.
• Top Speed: Maximum speed that can be achieved by a locomotive hauling a train. Declines as cargo weight increases, as well as on higher track gradients. Top Speed matrix provides a good illustration of this.
• Hauling Ability (Traction): The extent to which top speed reduces as consist weight and gradients increase.
• Acceleration: How fast a train can reach its top speed. Important on busy networks, and around stations.
• Reliability: Base for breakdown and crashes frequency.