Arcades
How to use them and a few suggestions as to where to use them

Arcades are a common sight in many European cities. They are used where ordinary open cuts are not possible because of limited space. Tracks run both "above" and "below", sometimes even both so an arcade spline is a most versatile object.
Because I wanted as convincing a result as possible I decided to use the bendy option in the config file. This however brings some interesting little inconveniences into play. Subsequently I found it appropriate to post this little tutorial.

Step one:
Spot the area where you want the arcade to be displayed and lay down the tracks if any.

In this case we lower the ground under the tracks, so set the ground height to -8 meters.

This can be obtained by setting the trackheight and straightening the ground afterwards too

Step two:
Choose the scenery tab and select splines and region Germany

In order to obtain this result the spline was placed left to right or bottom to top depending on view. If done opposite the spline will hide the tracks.

Note that the cobblestones part is very wide (25m). This has to do with the bendy option and the spline being usable in curves too.
Due to the charcter of the grid it is not possible to have a smooth embankment in a curve, Subsequently the paved part has to be able to reach level 0 (or 8) in order to be nice and smooth to look at.

Step 3:
Using the arcade end spline we plug the hole at the starting end of the arcade

First we manouver the spline into place and the using the set track height option under the track tab we adjust the spline to -8 meters

The result should look somewhat like this

Repeat the process at the opposite end

Step 4:
Adding a little scenery gives a hint of the possiblities of the arcade

Add some fencing, blehmann's concrete wall track and a few consists and hey presto...