Creating a Superstructure

In this section of the Railtool documentation, we explain the fundamentals required to create railway tracks in SubwaySim 2.

A central and essential part of track construction is the so-called Superstructure. The Superstructure is a data asset that contains all important information required to build tracks, such as geometry, materials, rail profiles, and additional infrastructure data.

Without a Superstructure, the Railtool cannot create usable track segments.

To make it as easy as possible for users to get started, we recommend using an existing Superstructure that is already included in the Modding SDK.

For advanced users who want to understand how a Superstructure is created from scratch, the following steps explain the manual process.

First, create the required folder structure inside your plugin.

In your plugin content directory:

• Create a folder named Infrastructure
• Inside it, create another folder named Superstructures

Once you are inside the Superstructures folder:

• Right-click in the Content Drawer
• Select Data Asset

In the class selection window:

• Search for Super Structure Data Asset
• Select it and confirm

After creating the asset, name the Superstructure freely. We recommend choosing a name that reflects the type of track construction it represents.

Several preconfigured and ready-to-use Superstructures are already included in the SDK.

They can be found under:

`SubwaySim2_Modding / RailwaySystem / Superstructures`

Please note:

• These Superstructures do not include power rails
• They are mainly intended as examples or templates

For most use cases, we recommend migrating an existing Superstructure from the sample content.

The default sample Superstructure is located at:

`Simuverse_SampleModMap / Infrastructure / RailwaySystem / DataAssets`

The asset is named:

`DL_SampleMapDefault`

The migration process works exactly as described in: Migrating Assets into a User Plugin

When migrating the Superstructure:

• Only migrate assets from `Simuverse_SampleModMap`
• Do NOT migrate assets from `SubwaySim2_Modding`

Migrating from the wrong plugin can cause dependency issues and errors in your mod.

After a successful migration, the Superstructure and all required dependencies will be located under:

`SubwaySim_SDK_Testplugin / Infrastructure / RailwaySystem / DataAssets`

At this point, the Superstructure is available inside your plugin and ready to be used with the Railtool.

If you want to use custom meshes for your Superstructure (for example rails, clamps, sleepers, or ballast), it is highly recommended to base them on existing assets from the SDK.

To do this, you can export the original meshes from Unreal Engine back into FBX format and use them as reference in your 3D software (e.g. Blender).

This helps ensure:

• Correct origin placement
• Proper scale and orientation
• Compatibility with the Railtool and Superstructure system

A detailed guide on how to export Unreal assets can be found here:

• Export Assets back to .fbx

Using reference meshes greatly reduces alignment issues and avoids unexpected behavior when assigning custom assets to a Superstructure Data Asset.

In this section, we explain how a Superstructure Data Asset is structured and which information it contains.

The Superstructure defines all fundamental properties required by the Railtool to generate tracks correctly. It controls the visual appearance, physical layout, and functional behavior of the railway infrastructure.

The Data Asset is divided into three main sections:

• Base Settings
• Switches
• Third Rail

The Base Settings section contains all fundamental information required to create standard track segments.

Defines the material applied to the rail geometry.

Specifies the Static Mesh used for standard rail clamps.

Guide Rails are additional rail elements used in:

• Switches
• Tight curves
• Special track sections

They are also known as:

• Guard Rails
• Guide Rails
• Zwangsschienen / Führungsschienen

Guide Rails are defined using a Data Layer Asset.

The profile defines the procedural geometry of the guide rail.

• All distances are defined in Unreal Units (cm)
• Incorrect profiles may cause visual or collision issues

Defines the track gauge.

Standard gauge:

• 1435 mm
• 143.5 cm (Unreal Units)

Defines the distance between sleepers along the track.

Defines the Static Mesh used for sleepers.

Defines the XYZ offset of the ballast mesh.

Defines the Static Mesh used for the ballast bed.

The Switches section defines meshes and parameters for automatically generated turnouts.

The Third Rail section defines the power rail system for electric vehicles.

If no Third Rail Data Layer is present, vehicles will display:

“No Power”

With the Superstructure configured, all fundamental data required for track generation is now available.

In the next chapter, you will learn how to use the Railtool to actually place tracks, create curves, switches, and define railway layouts on your map.

→ Laying Tracks