Question for route builders

Discussion about RailWorks route design.

Question for route builders

Unread postby spartantrain32 » Fri Jan 16, 2026 6:02 pm

For those who follow maps overlays etc
do you try to keep 100% accurate to the track or as close as possible?
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby buzz456 » Fri Jan 16, 2026 7:06 pm

I don't understand the question?
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby RAILSOHIO » Fri Jan 16, 2026 9:16 pm

I have relaid massive amounts of track due to the google updates in maps and years ago due to the differences in RW decal vs the map overlay when it became available. I agonize over accuracy,as perfectionists tend to due. I have learned NOT to bring up the satellite overlay on payware routes as I will ALWAYS be disappointed. It makes me want to spent hundreds of hours reworking them. Many of the railroads I "model",have been abandoned for 25+ years,so many times I am doing the best with the abandoned ROWs. This is just my way of thinking.
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby frankenthal » Sat Jan 17, 2026 1:31 am

Since starting my WIP in 2014, my OCD would allow me to go without updating in accordance with Google updates. I've seen a few posts insisting not to stress over accuratcy but when you look at the overlay and see how far off everything is, you can't help it.
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby mindenjohn » Sat Jan 17, 2026 11:03 am

You have to remember that this is a game based on being near but never (nor can it be) exact. In my HO and O gauge days the rule used was "If it looked right then it was as near as it could be". In this game unless you are capable of building all the assets (buildings, signs etc) you cannot hope to have it exact but you can aim for near.
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby cnwfan » Sat Jan 17, 2026 2:25 pm

I try to have my route origin at a straight piece of track. I'll do my best to get it straight and matching Google map overlays over a long section. But inevitably due to my initial track placement being ever so slightly off and/or Google maps being off, the track starts to deflect off and not match the map overlay. But the reality is... no one is going to know. As long as distances and the general track arrangement matches the map... close enough. It doesn't have to be exactly right, it just has to look right. When the map overlays become too far off for me, I'll switch to Google Earth Pro and use lines to measure distances between objects.
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby spartantrain32 » Sat Jan 24, 2026 9:29 pm

not exactly far fetched but i didnt want to make a new post just for this.

Does anyone know if it's possible to make this signal configuration? (CSX incase anyone is wondering)
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby frankenthal » Sun Jan 25, 2026 12:47 am

How accurate are you trying to make it? With all the various assets you can make it, but it will take a bit of trial and error.
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby spartantrain32 » Sun Jan 25, 2026 12:44 pm

frankenthal wrote:How accurate are you trying to make it? With all the various assets you can make it, but it will take a bit of trial and error.



It will never be 100% but I'd like to get as close as possible within the limitations the game has
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby frankenthal » Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:58 pm

Depending on which asset pack you use, it's possible to find the pole w/ladder, the 2-head set, and the single head. I've done it on my project, and it would take about 5 minutes.
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby spartantrain32 » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:40 pm

frankenthal wrote:Depending on which asset pack you use, it's possible to find the pole w/ladder, the 2-head set, and the single head. I've done it on my project, and it would take about 5 minutes.


Nice and thanks. Could you tell me what the ladder is from?
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Re: Question for route builders

Unread postby frankenthal » Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:14 pm

1. Ladder.jpg
2. Find your signal.jpg
3. Hold tab and move cursor over track.jpg
4. Move signal near post, click and place arrow over track.jpg
5. Align the arm to the pole.jpg
Ladder - RailNetwork~Signals~US Modern~Post~USmod_post1.xml
Signal - RailNetwork~Signals~US Modern~US_1Hd_3Asp_Block.xml
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