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Piiska -> Trains in the Pacific (9/9/2002 3:09:36 PM)
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Are railways going to be modelled in the WITP?
Inspiration to look into the matter of trains came to me from researching the history of railroads in Australia. The railroad from Brisbane to Townsville was completed back in 1924, yet it is not present in the Uncommon Valour.
I read somewhere that this train line is going to be modelled in WITP; how about the other lines such as the Burma railway? (It's very difficult to tell from the screenshots if the lines are roads or railroads).
I was also thinking about the modelling of trains. If the game specifies single infantry units and even engineering vehicles, would individual trains be beyond the scope of the game? In my opinion they don’t have to be. Perhaps utilising the model of air transport units, the trains could be included as well.
Lets say that a “squadron” of trains located in Brisbane, is ordered to carry fuel, supplies or troops to Townsville. First we determine the number of trains (capacity) and then the distance of destination vs. the speed. This way it could be calculated how much stuff moves from one location to another in a turn. Of course this could be abstracted to avoid complication of things, but I feel the trains should be counted for three good reasons.
First is interdiction. Japanese or Allied airplanes should have the possibility to attack trains at the same way they can attack air transports. This could be counteracted by assigning the trains to night operations only, effectively reducing the capacity of their transport. This would simulate the effects of reduced time of operation, slower speed due to driving without lights etc.
Second reason to model trains individually is their capture. If a rail line has active trains and their base is captured, the trains should change ownership –unless the retreating troops destroy them.
Third reason is close to second, but little different. If a player captures a railway that has no trains, the player should be able to transport trains to that line. Sure enough a big ship and a railway station in the port city would be needed, but it should be possible.
I know that everything cannot be modelled, but as the logistics play such an important role in the game, the inclusion of trains in by belief is warranted, as they can have significant impact on troop and supply movement.
If the railways are included it poses another significant question. Should the player have control over the building of railways?
Ports and airfields can be built, should the railways be any different? Japanese certainly built railways during the war using the POW. This is historical and rather significant and it should at least be considered.
Considered, I say, as limits of programming should always be kept in mind and I know that by introducing new features new bugs are also introduced. Also AI would need tweaking to properly use a new feature etc.
However, I believe that with use of the already existing code, the benefit of including the trains could be more significant than the problems this new feature could pose.
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