Xbox That Can't Be Realistic, Can It?

I'm currently on ICE Service 1650 Dresden-Wiesbaden, and at the point where the line to Berlin branches off, I encountered a red Signal. I didn't think much of it until a Freight Train suddenly passed me on the opposite track.After this I had no chance of arriving in Riesa on Time.

I'm wondering, is Something Like this realistic? I always thought long-distance traffic (ICE, IC) had priority over Freight traffic, or did it just happen because I encountered an Zwangsbremsung (emergency stop) by Coswig. Is the game so clever that it gives priority to the freight train after something like that?

I play on Series X and have Dresden Riesa and BR 294 installed

 

If you get behind schedule, yes, you can lose your slot and another train might be routed ahead of you. The AI dispatcher is smarter than it used to be.

Before you panic, remember that DB considers anything within six minutes "on time."

 

It also depends on the kind of freight. A few years ago trains towards power plants had the HIGHEST priority out of all trains in Germany due to a shortage of said goods. That’s why some ICE were stopped to get passed by a coal train

 

In my case it was a Car Transport Train that overtook me, so almost as important

 

Nothing like stopping a train full of passengers so a train full of cars can go past, get to it's destination quicker, and get more people off trains and into cars more quickly

 

Sounds like VIA rail in Canada.

The tracks are owned by the freight companiea and VIA just leases rights therefore you get stuck once or twice on a short routes such as Toronto to Montreal or Ottawa as freight gets priority. And I'm sure even more if you are on the Canadian. ( the only line that runs west of Ontario serving western Canada. Also only 1 train each way per day for a 3-day trip Vancouver to Toronto.)

So yes in Canada it would be realistic.

Canadian rail really sucks for passengers.

I know this happens in the Western USA as well. At least on the Empire Builder

 

Isn't this part of the new feature where you could be delayed for a passing train?

 

TSW desperately needs a better dispatcher that can handle priority traffic. On my first run from Dresden to Leipzig, ICE 1654 from the journeys menu.
9 minutes late, because a freight train going at 90 km/h clearly has priority over the 200 km/h ICE service breathing down its neck.
There are multiple stations on the way where the ICE could overtake the freight train.

 

They really need to spend some time playing Zusi 3 to see how the AI signals trains there. Or “Otto” in Run 8 who actually does a magnificent job of prioritising services. He even lets Amtrak go first!

 

There's a constant battle between Amtrak and the Class 1 freight railroads ( who own most of the trackage other than the NEC ) for priority, especially out west. It sometimes leads to litigation if the STB can't settle it.