User blog:Jetdragon69/A beginners guide (from a beginner) to TrainStation.

Hi,

This is some of the things I have learned over the past 6 months of playing Trainstation.

First of all, I want to point out, I am not one of the gem buying players. It is easy to get gems without buying them or using some of the cheat programs. How can a player get all those wonderful gems? It is simple: be a daily player. By playing everyday (after the first week) a player can aquire 2 to 4 gems every day; one for just logging in (from the daily bonus) and 1 to 3 from the daily gem train. Also note that gems are a fequent reward for compleating contracts. Save these gems and watch the special offers. I suggest saving up and spending your gems on free tax engines.

Speaking of engines, We all start with steam. As soon as possible, research diesel. Diesel engines give a 40% bonus to all freight loads. (Electric gives a 100% bonus to passenger trains)

Other improvements to get include:

International Trains (contracts) have 3 basics types of requirements: Transport, Build, or specific car/engines/sets.
 * Buildings: Embassy, Architect, Stock Exchange, and Royal Tower. (cost and other information on these special buildings is here.)
 * Technology: In addition to improving trains, you can get your "One Click" bonus. (cost and descriptions are here.)

Transport requirements are strait forward, e.g. Send 10,000 Wood. The count starts when the contract opens. Any materiels sent prior to the start of the contract do not count. If the requirement is for then you send passenger/mail cars.

Build requirements can be more difficult. Often you will need to send additional materials to complete the build. If you can, pre-send the materials you will need. This can be easily done when you have a specific engine requirement.

Specific Car / Engine / Set requirements are sometimes the most troublesome. Keep in mind, you NEVER have to spend gems to complete contracts. When you are asked to send cars (e.g. Johann #4 Send 6 Brick Henge or 2 Brick Legend) there is always a coin purchased car option. When you are asked to send a set, you must send the correct engine with a full load of cars from the set, but you do not have to send every possible car in the set. (e.g. Johann #5 Send 3 Adler set. This can be done with the Adler engine and 4 Adler 2nd Class.) Finally the specific engine requirements. This is where you can plan ahead. Look at the wiki page for the contract, see what you will need for building in the future, and send your train with those materials.

I hope this helps some of the newer players.

As always, feedback is welcome.