Introduction

Welcome to Railgrade! This exciting new strategy and logistics game has just launched on the Epic Store, and we’re diving into one of its early levels, First Job. If you’ve completed the tutorial, this is where things start to open up, and you begin learning advanced mechanics. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the gameplay, track building, train management, and optimization techniques to maximize your efficiency.

Understanding Your Mission Objectives

Each level in Railgrade assigns a specific goal, such as delivering a set amount of resources. For example, in this level, we need to transport water from a pump station to a Zeppelin dock. The process typically follows these steps:

1. Identify resource sources (e.g., water pumps, mines, or factories).
2. Construct train stations at resource sites.
3. Lay down train tracks connecting production points to export locations.
4. Deploy and configure trains to transport goods.
5. Ensure an efficient and continuous delivery cycle.

Optimizing Track Layouts and Train Flow

One of the first major tasks in this level is repairing a collapsed loop of track to reconnect the water pumps to the Zeppelin dock. Proper track layout is crucial in Railgrade, and here’s why:

• Looping Tracks: Ensuring trains can continuously move without stopping minimizes slowdowns and maximizes resource delivery.
• Avoiding Train Collisions: If two trains are on a collision path, the game uses a “ghosting” mechanic where one train briefly slows down to let the other pass. While this prevents full stoppages, it still reduces overall efficiency.
• Track Elevation: You can adjust track height using F and V, allowing you to build over terrain obstacles and create more direct routes.

Building and Configuring Trains

Once your track is set, it’s time to configure trains for optimal performance:

• Creating a Train: Select a locomotive and attach cars that match the resource type. In this level, you need water cars.
• Upgrading Trains: Adding extra cars or engines increases transport capacity and speed, reducing the number of trips required.
• Adjusting Train Routes: If a train’s path isn’t working well, you can reconfigure it to take a more efficient route or adjust the number of cars it carries.

Example Configuration:

1. Select a train.
2. Press Q to reconfigure it.
3. Add three more water cars and an extra engine.
4. Choose a unique color to distinguish different trains.

Using the Train Camera for Immersion

One of Railgrade‘s standout features is the train camera. It allows you to:

• Switch to first-person mode, giving you a driver’s-eye view.
• Adjust the camera angle for a scenic look at your railway.
• Capture beautiful moments, potentially even using them as an animated wallpaper.

Meeting Export Rate Requirements

The game doesn’t just require you to deliver a set number of resources—it often sets a minimum export rate per minute. For example, in this mission:

• The required water export rate is 15 per minute.
• Current production might be 8-12 per minute.
• To boost the rate, you may need to:
  • Add more trains or increase train speed.
  • Reduce travel time by optimizing track layouts.
  • Upgrade production buildings to increase their output.

Advanced Track and Station Management

To further optimize delivery, consider:

• Creating secondary loops to avoid bottlenecks.
• Using multiple stations to distribute train traffic.
• Boosting production buildings to increase their supply rate.

Example Optimization:

• If your water production is too slow, upgrade the water pump.
• If train turnaround times are long, shorten tracks and loops.
• If capacity is an issue, add more water cars to existing trains instead of making new ones.

S-Rank Performance and Completion Time

Completing missions quickly and efficiently earns higher ranks. Despite taking a leisurely pace, it’s still possible to earn an S-rank by optimizing track flow, reducing idle time, and ensuring a high export rate.

Conclusion

Railgrade is an engaging mix of logistics and strategy, and mastering the early missions will set you up for success in later levels. By refining track design, optimizing train configurations, and strategically managing resources, you can create a highly efficient transport system.

Enjoy building your railway empire, and stay tuned for more advanced strategies as we progress beyond the tutorial stages!