Track Basics

Whether it’s model railroading or virtual, most people seem to have difficulty with the track work at first. Getting from ‘A’ to ‘B’ is not as simple as you originally thought. Fear not, after a while this becomes easy. I won’t get into the specifics of track crafting recipes, only how to help you use them.

I highly suggest starting a new flat singleplayer map in creative mode. Spend some time playing around with the track pieces and try to get a feel for their different sizes.

Getting Somewhere
I’ve been asked about this subject many times already. “How do I get the train to ‘X’?” This is… both simple and complicated at the same time.

You want to build the track as flat and as straight as possible, so that your train can travel faster. Unlike the real railroads we don’t really have to worry about transit time but we do have to think about fuel usage and mobs. This image shows the track connecting my mining camp to my primary ‘base’. The track between both points doesn’t move more than two blocks up or down in elevation at a time and uses large curves to allow faster travel.
Boring may best describe the tracks shown. The track curving away into the tunnel is the only line to Trainserb’s far north oil wells and trains can reach up to 120kph while traveling the long route.

Basically, the easiest place to put the track should be your way to go. But of course, not everyone will be out in the plains or deserts…

If you end up in very hilly or mountainous biomes, do your best to cling to the sides. Go around where possible, but don’t hesitate to tunnel or bridge. Lit tunnels or ‘snowsheds’ like seen on the right will help keep you safe from mobs. The track shown here actually climbs up one large mountain, starting at an elevation of 84.62 and climbing all the way up to 147.62 to reach an oil well.

Slopes like these introduce whole new challenges. The picture below shows my solution to a 9-block drop while conserving flat space for a factory.

Bridges

Bridges do not need to be complicated to do the job (unless you have an earthquake or gravity mod, I guess). TrainCraft’s Bridge Pillar blocks are relatively cheap on wood and are more durable than normal wood blocks. As you progress Cobblestone bridges may be required if you’re trying to get through areas prone to fire.

Bridges shown here are made with nothing but wood. The decks are 3-wide Spruce planks with Oak logs for supports.

While more elaborate than really necessary, the big white arch bridge serves both trains along the top, and foot traffic along a walkway through the middle.

Tunnels

I really hope you’re using Tinkers, because a Hammer that takes down 3x3x1 stone blocks at once is very helpful here. If not, a diamond pick will go a long way. Ideally, TrainCraft works best with tunnel clearance of four blocks tall and three blocks wide. Rails of War trains need a tunnel clearance 5×5 or more. These measurements should also be kept in mind when putting buildings near your tracks, otherwise your vision goes crazy when rolling by.

Turning
Your house will probably need one. A ‘Return Loop’ or ‘Balloon Track’ will turn your train around for you.

Sidings

These are nothing complicated, and serve as either parking or as a glorified work station for your train. Make sure you leave room to expand them to handle longer trains.

This particular setup can be used as a ‘run-around’ to get your locomotive from one end of the train to the other.

Laying Rail
Your starting house, whatever it may be, is established and providing what you need. first you need a spot for your train to rest, load and unload.

Here I have return loop setup at my desert mining camp. Your house track doesn’t need to be even this elaborate, but later on you may consider a setup like this if/when you are using your train more frequently.

Keep it simple. Add more switches and track as your needs dictate. Wood will be your best friend when it comes to bridges and covers, so make sure you have a steady supply.

As you progress, keep the future in mind. As your base, your machineries/magics grow and expand, so to must your railroad if you’re using it to supply them. One day your little house with its one track may turn into something like this.

The How-To
I can hear it already. “Well guy, let’s see your philosophy in action then.”, So I’ll do a quick walkthrough on building a short line to connect this house and another property to my ‘Survival Challenge’ railroad.

First do a little prospecting. Try and travel the distance on foot and scout the terrain. In this case there’s no need to punch a tunnel into the hills to the south since we can reach the destination via flat lands, but some bridging may be required.
I don’t know why, but animals and mobs love screwing around on the TC track.

So here’s the starting point. I’ve connected both properties via track and I am ready to reach out for the mainline.

My  scouting determined the sand was the best way to go. I’ll need to use a bunch of slopes, but I am not concerned with overall speed on this track since bringing trains here won’t be an everyday thing.

While I could go up another slope, I chose to stop here at the same level as the track I’m trying to get to…

I really should have brought a shovel for this, but I’ve got a nice flat path for the track now. I’ll need to clear out space for a Large Switch track and then finish the rail.

By evening, I was able to get a short train into the Millienaire village to offload wood and stone to peddle on the Normans there., along with a stock car to take that annoying sheep away.