Construction
Build your subway network by placing blueprint tracks and then building those tracks. Construction costs are calculated dynamically based on multiple interacting factors like elevation, track type, train type, and placement.
Construction Elements
Tracks
Tracks form the basic infrastructure of the transit network. Players can construct:
- Standard tracks - Basic directional line segments connecting stations
- Parallel tracks - Bidirectional pairs typically spaced 3.81 meters apart
- Scissors crossovers - Special track junctions allowing trains to switch between parallel tracks
Crossovers have a fixed cost while standard and parallel track costs can vary based on elevation.
Track Elevations
Elevation is the most significant factor in construction costs, with multipliers ranging from 0.3× to 4.5× the baseline cut-and-cover cost.
| Elevation Type | Relative Cost | Elevation Range (meters) | Can Intersect Roads | Requires Building Destruction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Bore Tunnel | 4.5× | Below −24 m | ✓ | Depends on building foundation depth |
| Standard Tunnel | 2.0× | −24 m to −11 m | ✓ | Depends on building foundation depth |
| Cut-and-Cover | 1.0× | −10 m to −5 m | ✓ | ✓ |
| At-Grade | 0.3× | −4 m to 4 m | ✗ | ✓ |
| Elevated | 0.8× | Above 5 m | ✓ | ✓ |
Intersections
Tracks can intersect at-grade if they are at the same elevation (within 0.1 meters). If the tracks are crossing at different elevations, there needs to be at least 4 meters of clearance between them.
Strategy
At-grade construction (0.3×) offers the lowest cost but cannot intersect roads, making it viable only in dedicated rights-of-way or areas without road crossings. Building your tracks around existing right-of-ways to reduce the need for elevated/underground rail and building demolition is the cheapest way to expand.
Cost Calculation
Base Formula
Construction costs are calculated using this formula:
Final Cost = Base Cost × Elevation Multiplier × Configuration Multiplier
Track Configuration Multipliers
The number of parallel tracks affects tunnel and construction width:
| Configuration | Multiplier | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Single Track | 0.75× | Terminus tracks, yards, emergency crossovers |
| Double Track | 1.0× (baseline) | Standard bidirectional operation |
| Quad Track | 1.5× | Express/local service, high-capacity corridors |
Station Cost Calculation
Stations use the same elevation and configuration multipliers as tracks but start from higher base costs ($75M for heavy metro, $50M for light metro).