Standardized Railtype Scheme
This railtype label scheme aims to bring order to the uncontrollable growth of railtype labels. It groups the rail types into what matters from a technical perspective. The scheme provides a standardized way of defining railtype labels, based on track gauge and type, speed class, allowable axle weight and electrification type. Train sets that follow the scheme will be compatible with a large selection of track sets that also follow the scheme. That way the player can select a track set of choice to go with a train set. In some cases it will be even possible to combine for instance a standard gauge track set with a narrow gauge and a metro track set.
The Label Scheme
A railtype label consists of four characters. In this scheme, each position has a different purpose:
- Track gauge and type (e.g. standard gauge rail, narrow gauge rail, monorail)
- Speed limit
- Axle weight (maximum allowed axle weight for this track)
- Energy source
In the next sections, each of the four positions will be explained.
Track gauge and type [X***]
The first position in the railtype label defines track gauge and/or track type. The following characters are currently defined for this position:
| Track type/gauge | |
|---|---|
| S | Standard gauge rail |
| B | Broad gauge rail |
| N | Narrow gauge rail |
Speed limit class [*X**]
The second position in the railtype label defines the speed limit class. These classes do not map to a fixed numeric value, but are used to define an internal speed limit order for the track set. This means that if your track set has two different speed limits for track types that are otherwise identical, you'll use letters A and B here. In case of three different speed limits, use A, B and C. In case your track set does not employ speed limits, always use A. Train sets do not care about the speed limit, and will always set the lowest speed class, i.e. A.
This gives for instance the following options:
| Speed limit class | |
|---|---|
| A | no speed limits |
OR
| Speed limit class | |
|---|---|
| A | low speed |
| B | high speed |
OR
| Speed limit class | |
|---|---|
| A | low speed |
| B | medium speed |
| C | high speed |
etc.
