Tactical Guide: OpenTTD
Mission Objective: Build a global shipping empire from 1950 to 2050.
Focus: Coal Routes, Signal Logic, and Local Authority Management.
Operational Overview: OpenTTD is the definitive open-source business simulation. It is not just about building trains; it is about efficiency. You start with a small loan in 1950. Your goal is to survive the early game crunch, pay off your debt, and unlock the futuristic Monorail and Maglev technologies.
Phase 1: The “Black Gold” Start
In 1950, passengers are unreliable. Do not start a bus company. Start with Coal.
- The Setup: Pause the game immediately. Scan the map for a Coal Mine and a Power Plant that are reasonably close (but not too close—distance equals profit).
- The Rail: Build a simple two-station rail line connecting them. Buy one steam engine and 4-5 coal trucks.
- The Command: This is critical. In the vehicle orders menu, select the pickup station and click “Full Load”. This forces the train to wait until every car is full before leaving. Running half-empty trains burns fuel and eats your profit margin.
Do not build complex junctions yet. Use Path Signals (the ones that face one way). Place them before every intersection. This tells the train: “If the path to my next destination is clear, go.” It is much simpler than Block Signals for beginners.
Phase 2: Local Authority Politics
Towns in OpenTTD have feelings. If you destroy too many trees or houses to build your station, your “Local Rating” will drop to “Appalling.”
- The Consequence: If your rating is Appalling, the town will refuse to let you build any new stations.
- The Fix: Open the Local Authority menu. Select “Plant Trees”. Spam this action around the town. It costs money, but it rapidly improves your rating back to “Good.”
- The Bribe: If you have millions in cash, you can attempt a “Bribe.” Be warned: if caught, you cannot interact with that town for years.
Phase 3: Vehicle Hierarchy
Knowing which vehicle to use for which cargo is the key to scaling.
| Vehicle Type | Best Use Case | Cost Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Trucks / Buses | Short distance feeder routes (e.g., Transferring passengers from a village to a main train station). | Low / Low Risk |
| Trains | High volume industrial cargo (Coal, Iron, Wood). The backbone of any empire. | High / High Reward |
| Aircraft | Long-distance passenger travel. Huge profits, but airports take up massive space. | Very High / Endgame |
🛑 Field Troubleshooting (FAQ)
Q: My trains are getting lost. Why?
A: You likely have a break in your track or a missing signal. Check your junctions. Ensure there is a way for the train to turn around or loop back.
Q: Why do my vehicles keep breaking down?
A: Check their age. Vehicles have a lifespan. Once they exceed their “Max Age,” reliability drops to 0%. Enable “Autoreplace” in the vehicle management tab to automatically upgrade old units.
Q: How do I make money with passengers?
A: Passengers require speed. Unlike coal, passengers pay less the longer they are in transit. Do not use slow steam engines for people. Wait until you unlock Diesel or Electric rails.