Newbie... can't make a profit!

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Newbie... can't make a profit!

April 05, 2010, 12:29:52 am

I'm using the 128 pak if that matters...

I've been trying for a few days but I can't see to make a profit! What am I missing?

I've tried doing something simple like coal to a power plant, nope, operational and maintenance way more than my profit...

I've tried starting with 50 million in cash and making a full network for an industry (like a steel mill) and still it doesn't produce enough money to make a profit.

Do I need to just use trucks until cities and industry require trains?

I can find all sorts of tutorials on how to play the game, but nothing on getting started. Frustrating!

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #1 – April 05, 2010, 01:12:00 am

I haven't played in a while (especially with latest versions) but generally speaking:

Make sure you only use the mininmal infrastructure to get the job done. That means only use the cheapest tracks, stations, vehicles. It also means to keep things small - especially stations. Try to use direct routes (as only the direct parts will earn money but all parts will cost maintenance).

Only some things to start with, but I'm sure all these hints are around here already - and many more.

And about getting started... have you checked the starter guide and reference manual (both can be found here)?

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #2 – April 05, 2010, 06:25:00 am

Other way how to make profit is using of any highly profitable add-on (then you will have problem how to spend all earnt money) or using cheap add-on vehicles.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #3 – April 05, 2010, 07:27:50 am

I'm a pak64 player, but I've also used pak128 so my advice is: think in long term benefits. pak128 economy is very hard. Stuff, specially vehicles, are expensive and you have to make a big effort to buy everything so as DirtyDirk said, try to use the cheapest vehicles and evaluate carefully every buy.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #4 – April 05, 2010, 06:27:34 pm

The problem of pak128 is the starting money. You should modify simuconf.tab in your pak128. Search "starting money of the player" and increase the value.
It will be definitly easier ot build a profitable network

The starting money is too low so you can't build an enough profitable network at the begining.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #5 – April 05, 2010, 06:39:18 pm

Standard Simutrans + pak128 has a lot of Special Freights and in general low transport-fees.
To make a profit you have to make a rail-network based on trains that run most of the time fully loaded.
Try a scenario with a LOT of industries to maximize the full-load possibility.
Combine with p****engers and mail to have a profit-basis.
AvG

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #6 – April 06, 2010, 07:43:36 am

I've found the easiest way to profit in pak128 to be p****engers. I usually start by building internal bus networks for some cities and then linking them with liner-style buses, or if distance is long, by train using the fastest possible train to get maximum speed bonus from it. Then I run that setup for some time and start building other things once I have enough money.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #7 – April 06, 2010, 12:22:03 pm

I think the best way to start is with factories and small slow trains. Those will provide consistent income throughout the game as long as you complete and entire factory chain. Then move on to p****engers and eventually mail.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #8 – April 06, 2010, 01:04:49 pm

Hello.

I'm not a "champion" but I usually do...

Usually I don't build roads (or I build less quality road).

Train track have only one track (no dobule track), and some "switching" point.

Train will wait to be full (100%) before start.

Low speed bonus freigth use cheap locomotive (0,6 - 0,9 c€/km) and 3/5 cars (enough to have 30/40 km/h speed).

Before 30s year (do you use timeline?) I'm unable to make profit with p****enger and mail, I usually build only freight lines.

Sorry for my english...
Giuseppe

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #9 – April 13, 2010, 05:05:30 pm

I agree with Milko. Use freight, and find a couples simple industries (power plants, gas stations) with out much distance between them, and go from there. The economics are much harder in 128, so try 64 if you're beginning. You'll have better luck.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #10 – April 14, 2010, 10:07:00 pm

Alternatively, you can edit the values in the simuconfig file to make p****enger and freight travel more profitable. Does any one have any suggested values to set or an altered config file that they're using?

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #11 – April 16, 2010, 07:12:29 pm

in pak128, p****engers network is highly profitable when developped. That's why just changing starting money is enough to create a profitable network.

The important thing is to avoid building useless ways.

Re: Newbie... can't make a profit!

Reply #12 – April 16, 2010, 08:24:34 pm

Developed ... I don't think this is right word ... I would offer word spread. Important is also system how it is built - and I have learnt one way how to build it in TG - to connect cities step by step - it means at first to connect two cities which are very close to each other - and then one of them connect with else city ... and repeat this with connecting another city ... until all cities are not connected.

You may also use this imperfect screenshot as hint

there is one big city between beginnings of two rivers (near that city is one another city; so I hope you will find it easily) - and that city is connected with some cities around (two of them are to the south; other ones are to the west and south-west) - and via this big city they are connected with other cities.