Can't connect railroads

[PeanutMocha]

I keep having problems when I loop around and try to connect to the main line like this:

Code: Select all

  ___________
/         /
|        /
\____/

or make a wye intersection like this:

Code: Select all

  ___________
/        \/
|        /
\____/

The track that loops back to the main track ends up not connecting, but rather just gets an end-of-track bumper that lies right over the main track. The ange I'm reconnecting at seems very reasonable. It doesn't seem to matter which direction I try to make the connection from. If I start from the mainline, it just hits the other side at a slightly-off angle and refuses to connect.

Is there a trick to getting this to work?

Thanks!

[Warll]

Keep working at it till your mouse cursor turns orange.

[snoopy55]

Be sure not to try making either connection on a bridge. Run your loop half-way around preferably stopping on level ground and then take your track from the main and bring it the rest of the way, leaving a short gap. You should then be able to connect the two ends. Take your time. You might try in pause state if you don't use it already.

[Lowell]

...hmm...you should be able to either just fine. The only trouble is...the trains in RailRoads! will always take the shortest route to their next destination. This means that the "loop" makes the train travel farther...it would be easier for it to just flip around and travel straight back (which just looks dumb, I agree)...but I made the loop and "Y" just fine.

The bottom picture is from a map I am building...I use a large Y for my wood - paper - deliver to the next town - then return track. The train will follow the Y because it is the only way for it to get back to the lumber yard after it drops off wood, picks up paper, drops off paper to the next town, then needs to return to repete the cycle.

You have to watch the light towers...connect the track in the middle of the towers...when the lay track arrows are green...then the tower will have two lights at the top. Like Snoopy says...lay your track up to the tower and stop...then start from the center of the tower and work back to where you stopped connecting the track. You can do loops on bridges...but it takes a bit of work and you have to raise the track up for them to connect. The game likes to CTD when messing around with bridges so it may take a couple trys and saves as you go. Simply save it in sections...then if it drops to the desktop just go right back in there and finish it.

EDIT//
Oh...and your comment about the extra end track bumper...
sometimes in railroads...(often )...it will stick an extra small section of track off of a light tower or at an intersection with a station platform. All you need do is keep clicking till you highlight the small bumper and delete it, the tower will drop off one light and you will then be able to connect your track. Remember to start from the towers middle -or- main track line and work outward.

[keotaman]

I keep having problems when I loop around and try to connect to the main line ...

This type of question from a newbie usually indicates a problem with the basic track laying; good idea is to replay the tutorial while paying close attention to the tips given about connecting track to previous segments. Your problem may be due to the "level" at which you are connecting to the Main.
Track & depot connections have been extensively discussed on the forums.
As for "your mouse cursor turns orange," forget it, no such thing in SMRR.

Also, see the Wiki:
Switches & Depots Blacked-out:
http://www.hookedgamers.com/wiki/Sid_Me ... k#Switches

Level track (very good tip here):
http://www.hookedgamers.com/wiki/Sid_Me ... ing_Screen

[Warll]

So wait what colour is it? Its been a while since I last played.

[Star Ranger4]

I dunno about other folks systems, but for me the cursor is green when I'm at the end of a track piece, and yellow if I'm in the middle.

[Warll]

Orange VS yellow, someone is nitpicky.

[Star Ranger4]

Gee... what would EVER give you that idea, Warll???