Train types

There are two Train Types. Each train type has unique specifications affecting passenger capacity, construction costs, and operational expenses.

Heavy Metro

Heavy Metro trains are designed for routes with high passenger demand and longer station spacing.

Specifications

Attribute	Value
Performance
Maximum Speed	24.72 m/s (55.3 mph / 89 km/h)
Maximum Acceleration	1.1 m/s²
Maximum Deceleration	1.3 m/s²
Local Station Speed	13 m/s (29 mph / 47 km/h)
Capacity
Passengers per Car	240
Minimum Train Length	5 cars
Maximum Train Length	10 cars
Cars per Set	5
Physical Dimensions
Car Length	15 m (49.2 ft)
Train Width	3.05 m (10 ft)
Minimum Station Length	160 m (525 ft)
Maximum Station Length	227 m (745 ft)
Construction Costs
Base Track Cost (per meter)	$50,000
Base Station Cost	$75,000,000
Scissors Crossover	$15,000,000
Cost per Car	$2,500,000
Operational Costs
Base Train Cost (per hour)	$500
Per Car Cost (per hour)	$50

Design Basis

Heavy Metro trains are based on the R211, which serves the New York City Subway system. The R211 represents modern heavy rail rapid transit technology optimized for high-volume urban corridors.

Real World Examples

Many real-life North American cities use traditional heavy metro, including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles (A and D lines), San Francisco (BART), Atlanta, Miami (Metrorail orange/green lines), Toronto (lines 1, 2 and 4), Montreal, and Mexico City.

Light Metro

Light Metro trains offer more flexibility for moderate-demand routes and tighter urban environments.

Specifications

Attribute	Value
Performance
Maximum Speed	25 m/s (56 mph / 90 km/h)
Maximum Acceleration	1.1 m/s²
Maximum Deceleration	1.3 m/s²
Local Station Speed	13 m/s (29 mph / 47 km/h)
Capacity
Passengers per Car	200
Minimum Train Length	2 cars
Maximum Train Length	4 cars
Cars per Set	2
Physical Dimensions
Car Length	19.05 m (62.5 ft)
Train Width	2.94 m (9.6 ft)
Minimum Station Length	80 m (262 ft)
Maximum Station Length	160 m (525 ft)
Construction Costs
Base Track Cost (per meter)	$30,000
Base Station Cost	$50,000,000
Scissors Crossover	$12,000,000
Cost per Car	$2,500,000
Operational Costs
Base Train Cost (per hour)	$400
Per Car Cost (per hour)	$40

Design Basis

The Light Metro trains are modeled after the Alstom Metropolis trains used on Montreal's REM.

Real World Examples

While less common in North America, light/medium capacity metro is becoming the preferred mode of modern-day transit infrastructure when built from scratch due to its cheaper cost and operational flexibility. Some modern-day light metro systems include Vancouver's Skytrain, Montreal's REM, Toronto's Ontario Line, the Detroit People Mover, the Honolulu Skyline, the Miami Metromover, and other systems around the world such as the Copenhagen Metro, London DLR, and some lines of the Singapore MRT.

It's important to note that light metro differs from light rail, such as systems used in San Diego, Salt Lake City, Denver, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles (all except A/D lines), Seattle, Buffalo and Charlotte. Despite having similar names, low-floor and high-floor light rail often behaves more like a tram (street running sections, at-grade crossings, etc), which is not possible with Subway Builder's Light Metro, and uses off-the-shelf tech found in many other cities around the world. The definition can, however, include things like people movers and monorails. Also, many systems in use elsewhere in the world that may be called "light rail" including Manila, Kuala Lumpur, London (DLR) and Jakarta are actually closer to light metro than the North American definition of LRT.

Traditional North American light rail/LRT is likely to be added to Subway Builder at some point in late 2025/early 2026.

Comparison

Feature	Heavy Metro	Light Metro	Advantage
Maximum Capacity	2,400 passengers (10 cars)	800 passengers (4 cars)	Heavy Metro
Minimum Capacity	1,200 passengers (5 cars)	400 passengers (2 cars)	Light Metro (flexibility)
Base Track Cost	$50,000/m	$30,000/m	Light Metro (40% cheaper)
Base Station Cost	$75M	$50M	Light Metro (33% cheaper)
Station Footprint	160–227 m	80–160 m	Light Metro (smaller)
Maximum Speed	24.72 m/s	25 m/s	Light Metro (marginally)
Operational Cost (5-car train)	$750/hr	$600/hr (3-car equivalent)	Light Metro

Strategy

When to Use Heavy Metro

• High-demand corridors connecting major employment centers
• Routes with long station spacing allowing higher speeds
• Trunk lines carrying passengers from multiple feeder routes
• Cities with concentrated downtown cores
• When future capacity expansion is anticipated

When to Use Light Metro

• Medium-demand routes serving residential neighborhoods
• Branch lines feeding into heavy metro trunk routes
• Routes with frequent stations and shorter distances
• Constrained budgets requiring lower construction costs
• Areas where smaller station footprints are advantageous
• Orbital routes connecting suburban centers
• Cities whose layout, population etc. may not necessitate the higher cost and capacity of heavy metro

Compatibility

Train types are not compatible with each other's infrastructure. A route designated for heavy metro cannot run light metro trains, and vice versa. Players must commit to a train type when constructing track infrastructure, as the tracks are designed specifically for one type of train.