This game is meant to have a very steep uphill start - maybe taking 2-3 tries. You are meant to have a rough time the first few years until the Adriatic Sea Coast deal comes along -but that only gets you one foot out of the hole.Ray of Sunshine wrote: I just have not gotten to the knack of making much of an impression in its operation.
Think about using these strategies:
You will have to use ISR rail line at first, except for the spurs to the lumber mills. Think very carefully about whether you want to use the Milan station or create a new station(s) and where to place that station(s). Track is expensive, so keep it to a minimum at first, but look for ways to shorten the supply runs using your own rail. The more you can run your trains on your own line, the more profitable the trains will be. Steel will not really become available until later in the game.
Buy the cheapest engines for the supply runs, and only just enough engines to ensure you deliver 12 loads per year. Look for other lumber sources on the map. Buy fast engines to run to Venice. Buy fairly fast engines to run to Rome. Don't spend more on engines than needed. Name your trains which carry toys so you can find them easily. Consider stopping trains once the yearly quota is reached.
Watch the trains leaving Milan. Are they carrying off lumber and robbing the toy makers? If so, then take measures to reduce that from happening. Are you using your supply trains to service cities on their return to the mill? Is this loosing money? Is it slowing down your trains such that you have to buy more supply trains? If so, then change it.
If you start with care, you should not get any penalties until, maybe, the second half of the game.
And. don't forget your railroad in Sicily.
That's all the hints for now. If you follow these hints, you'll make Grandma Giulia proud.