Don't mess with semaphores until you're completely comfortable with the game. One railroad line with one train and 2 stations. Simple and effective.

Coal is very simple to start with. Pays well and just get it from a mine to a power plant. No extra logistics to set up.

Of course you can do whatever you want.

Terrain modifications and tunnels get real expensive real fast. Avoid it or keep it small in the early game.

Also, while goods pay better the longer distance you transport them, they pay less the longer time it takes. Some goods depreciate faster than others, there's a graph for each. So don't sit around on the station too long waiting for a full load of passengers.

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