The trams in game are implemented in a "dirty" way. While they bring a capacity boost, compared to buses, they use the same part of AI like any other rail networks (trains). They even use the same rail concept, meaning, you can use tram rails as train rails and vice versa. While this is not really reality like, traffic networks exist also in the real world (hybrid tram/train rails used in some big cities in the reality). The first mechanic trams in the real world were two-way vehicles, which had to cabines. Those required only one rail for both directions. Later came the unidirectional, which needed two rails, but the safety increased immensly. In Simutrans there is only this old one-rail implementation per street. Fully two way tracks are impossible, and will probably never be... There are tram system in reality that use only one rail, so called ring lines.

Now, when the underground mode is possible in Simutrans, it is advisable to use an underground network in heavy crowded urban areas, and also in heavy congested areas. In the underground, everything can be used like on the surface, except that track building is performed using the tunnel tool instead of the rail tool. Rails for real rail vehicles and trams are the same type, so a mixed traffic, using suburb trains, special underground trains and trams underground lines is possible. Electrification is also possible in the same way as on surface. The only thing not possible yet is the crossing from one underground level to another, although they may be stacked one over the other without problems.

The trams in Simutrans require signals, which controls traffic (if the old block based system is used), if you want more than one tram on the same rail at the same time. You have to use two quazi-parallel streets, if you want reality like two-way tram rails on your streets. In the reality, there are systems, where it is driven only by sight and normal road signals, without specialized, or only a few specialized signals. Path based signaling changes this is that way, that also stations are regarded as signaling point, this making it possible, to work without signals. In this cases, however, to avoid the stucking issue, only one-way tracks must be used, or every station must mandatory have two way pass. This pass must accommodate the longest possible sequence of following tram vehicles.

Also, in reality, there are systems, where the tram tracks run parallel to the street, but not on the streets, rather on their own concrete path, or even just on the bare earth biside the streets. If you create such layouts, you have to bare in mind, that you lose 3 tiles minimum in the coordinates grid.

The trams can also use the same tracks like the railway. In the reality, in Europe usually trams use a other rail format, then trains, but in Simutrams, you may run tracks on the railway rails. This is also done in the reality, some big cities have a partial common tram/suburban track, whereas some tracks are used only by trams, and other only by suburban trains. This belongs to the transport strategy of light rail and suburban rail. The case, when trams and trains run on the same track in reality happens only, when the tram system also has the same overhead voltage system as the railway network, or the tram vehicle itself is equipped with a dual-voltage system.

The trams should not be used in small transportation areas, since they are vehicles with greater capacities, and will generate losses, if used on a small amount of passengers. In some other tutorial, it is suggested to use trams to transport passengers to sight seeings. This is also a way sometimes trams are used in reality.

One of the real world cases is also railway track running inbetween two streets (usually used for lanes). The two streets on the left and right of the tram line usually are one-way streets, leading in opposite directions.

It is also possible, that there are places, where tram lines cross :

The tram lines in the reality can change their shape, according to the free space in the city.

In the past, they were used also to transport between remote suburbs and the city centre, but nowadays is this task done by buses, subways and also other transport means.

One more layout is also used in the reality. This is used on less frequent lines/tram systems. The concept is one rail with station overpasses.

Since now underground network is possible, there is no barrier in Simutrans, which would forbid the real-world scenario of light rail. This concept involves the integration of suburban, underground, tram network, and in fact any rail network already existing in the city. This is mainly really used in congested areas, big urban congregations. This mainly means using the classic rail for direct , not monorail transportation. Monorail may be used, as an indirect connection point, where passengers can switch the transportation mean.

In the reality, also a combination of tram and underground rail system is possible. Also in multilevel combinations. Pure underground trains have normally quick acceleration and thinner station network than trams. The capacity of underground trains is greater, so stations are longer.

This scenario might be used in this way: