Currently train lines offer the advantage of being able to force a train to reverse at a station in order to back into or out of another station. Train networks lack an option alike and necessitate the use of bulky turnaround loops for depots, storage yards and stations.
I would like to suggest the ability for train pathfinding to consider reversing on any valid bidirectional track. This allows trains to naturally back into or out of a destination which in turn allows for more compact station designs to be used in train networks.
Alternatively, since the above would alter existing behaviour, I suggest a list of stations that can be assigned to each network that trains in that network would consider as valid reversing points during pathfinding.
Either option would remove the constraint that trains in a network must be able to reach their final destination without reversing. I believe this change would give more options for track design, eliminate the need for bulky turnaround loops, approximate real track design better and slightly reduce the bulk of train infrastructure.
Example yard, current and potential, the second version would still allow access in any direction by reversing on a bidirectional section of mainline
A example station with an inline reversing track/buffer instead of a turning loop
And finally a plain example a of a wye turn a train would be able to navigate. A bit contrived looking on a sandbox map but a lifesaver in tight areas.
No other game alike implements shunting moves like this and I would love to see this in Captain of Industry.
Also up for voting at https://ideas.captain-of-industry.com/suggestions/707365/enhance-train-pathfinding-to-allow-reversing-on-any-bidirectional-track
