After some consideration, I would like to suggest a new type of multiplayer server mode:
Basic concept
A server without any AI-controlled trains.
Players who choose to drive a train can select any available timetable service and perform either passenger or freight operations.
The departure time of the selected timetable should be automatically shifted according to the current server time when the player joins.
Since each player's timetable is shifted independently, multiple players can select the same timetable service. To avoid conflicts, the system could add a suffix to duplicated train numbers (for example, Train 123A, Train 123B, etc.).
Train and dispatcher management
When a player joins the server and selects a timetable:
The corresponding train schedule should be added to the dispatching system of all relevant stations.
The player's train should appear in the timetable of those stations.
When the player leaves the server:
The train schedule should be removed from all station dispatching systems.
The player's train should be removed from the railway network.
Before allowing a player to enter the server, the system should check whether the required track or platform is occupied.
If the track is unavailable, the player could be placed into a waiting queue until the required location becomes free.
Further improvements
Players could have more freedom when selecting their service:
Choose the locomotive type.
Choose the train formation (number and type of wagons/coaches).
Choose an electric multiple unit (EMU) or other self-powered trainset.
Additionally, players could choose to enter the server at a specific station within an existing timetable.
For example:
Select a timetable from Warsaw to Kraków.
Choose to join at a middle station instead of the starting station.
The system adjusts the departure time according to the player's server entry time.
The player then continues the selected service from that station.
Advantages of this system
This mode would provide:
A more realistic railway operation experience.
Greater flexibility compared with fixed multiplayer schedules.
The possibility for many players to operate trains simultaneously without requiring AI traffic.
A more dynamic and scalable multiplayer environment.
This could create a multiplayer experience closer to a real railway network, where each player acts as an independent train operator while the dispatching system dynamically adapts to player activity.
After some consideration, I would like to suggest a new type of multiplayer server mode: Basic concept A server without any AI-controlled trains. Players who choose to drive a train can select any available timetable service and perform either passenger or freight operations. The departure time of the selected timetable should be automatically shifted according to the current server time when the player joins. Since each player's timetable is shifted independently, multiple players can select the same timetable service. To avoid conflicts, the system could add a suffix to duplicated train numbers (for example, Train 123A, Train 123B, etc.). Train and dispatcher management When a player joins the server and selects a timetable: The corresponding train schedule should be added to the dispatching system of all relevant stations. The player's train should appear in the timetable of those stations. When the player leaves the server: The train schedule should be removed from all station dispatching systems. The player's train should be removed from the railway network. Before allowing a player to enter the server, the system should check whether the required track or platform is occupied. If the track is unavailable, the player could be placed into a waiting queue until the required location becomes free. Further improvements Players could have more freedom when selecting their service: Choose the locomotive type. Choose the train formation (number and type of wagons/coaches). Choose an electric multiple unit (EMU) or other self-powered trainset. Additionally, players could choose to enter the server at a specific station within an existing timetable. For example: Select a timetable from Warsaw to Kraków. Choose to join at a middle station instead of the starting station. The system adjusts the departure time according to the player's server entry time. The player then continues the selected service from that station. Advantages of this system This mode would provide: A more realistic railway operation experience. Greater flexibility compared with fixed multiplayer schedules. The possibility for many players to operate trains simultaneously without requiring AI traffic. A more dynamic and scalable multiplayer environment. This could create a multiplayer experience closer to a real railway network, where each player acts as an independent train operator while the dispatching system dynamically adapts to player activity.