#openttdcoop

I just checked the stats of May and all I can say is “wow”.
The openttdcoop newgrf package was downloaded 755 times producing 4,61 GB of traffic. Thats awesome.
We did a vote which package type you prefer some time ago and theoretically 7-zip was the most popular. Practically zip was downloaded 284 times, followed by the rar file with 271 downloads. 7-zip is way behind with only 145 downloads.

Ammler created a Tram Package a while ago, since we have trams in OpenTTD. Please download it if you want to play the next PublicServer game (#43), which starts in some minutes.
The tram package will be merged to the the newgrf package when we will release v5. But Ammler is on vacation right now, so we have to wait.

Since todays Nightly (r9939), OpenTTD supports Trams. *hands up*
Some facts:

• they act in the same way as busses, only difference you need to build special tramway tracks.
• tram depots look a bit different
• openttd doesn’t include tram grfs by default yet

As long as you don’t add your own tram grf’s the tramway menu stays in-activated.
There are only few tram packages around:

• Serbian Tram Set
• German Tram Set
• Japan Tram Set
• UK Tram Set (not coded yet)

I think we will update our grf package soon, but so far the trams are not announced by an official.

Have you ever had the problem of crossing tracks going parallel to each other. And there was not enough space (width) to build a proper cross which doesn’t slow down trains.
This construction makes it possible to cross 4 tracks (2X2), for example a typical mainline (LL__RR) near a station area or to split some tracks going at wrong points. Of course this works also with only two tracks (1X1), but its not worth to show it.

The keypoints:
+ very small (area is 6×19)
+ double bridges/tunnels don’t cause trains to jam

– it may cause problems with small trains (TL: 2/3, because bridges are quite long)
– its not in the stable releases, you need one of the newer OpenTTD nightlies
I’ll also add it to the Junctionary,
enjoy it and happy building

Today we started Public Server Game #41, which uses the Marsset GRFs. It is already included in the NewGRF-Package v4. You can easily join the server.
On the other hand we are continuing Public Server Game #40 on a temporary machine provided by Alanin. This might be the only time we do this, because its a server with a dynamic IP, but the only process running on it is OpenTTD and MySQL to store the passwords. 🙂
The last time I topped the server we had 611 trains and a cpu usage of 27%, I hope we can create a game with 1k – 1,5k trains and I bet the cpu has more capacity than our network.

To request the servers password you have to join our IRC channel and use the command %password.

Update:
From time to time dnydns is not working. The Server is advertised and you can connect to it by updating the masterserver list in your OpenTTD mulitplayer menu (find server button).

Finally! We reached 500 trains and Town D is done! Only a SLH in the south is missing. That is a very good news.
Maybe you recognised the discussions about this network plan. The concept became more and more LLX_XRR, what means we have a normal LL_RR network, for all the primary/raw cargo types like wood and food (we call them 1st tier). The X is an abbreviation for express and all secondary/produced cargo types like goods, steel, paper (we call them 2nd tier). The system was not often used yet and therefor we don’t know very much about it and its ideas. But after hours of discussion (especially Pharzox and me) I want to show you some results…
And oh… please check the vote, we are very interested in what kind of network you like?
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