Well frankly I love both these mods and both have strengths and weaknesses but together if the two mod makers would join forces and figure out a "Standard" then this could be perhaps one of the best sets of mod packs packs ever developed for Minecraft. I mean Railcraft can give you the loco power you are looking for (and developing the recipies for each loco would be unique.. and I mean you could have everything form designs to electric to all variants of motive power out there..
As for the issue with loading and unloading, standardization would be the key to keep both sides happy..
I mean this is about compromise.. Rraincraft would be the better choice and players could offer new and interesting motive power and cars to develop using the known resources out there..
As for realistic Signaling? Rrailcraft gets this one right as a lot of today's signaling is done electronically and with Redstone signals in the game, the feel for the signaling is more real with Railcraft.. I think with Traincraft they should give up with signaling and focus on building the cars to work on the line and to fix some minor issues with the coupling..
Again Railcraft and Traincraft could compromise and come together to build the uptimate mod that could actually be fully functional. and very life like.
and speaking of which me and about 5 other friends are on Feed the Beast Ultimate, and already we have developed a short line )(of about 2 km) where we are using Traincraft motive power and railcraft rails, and already we got some great plans in the works for our rail line.. includng getting to NPC Villages and setting up loading and unloading at refineries and mines.. as wel as lumber camps. and mountain rail lines would be the ultimate challenge to build.. Then linking it all together to buld the ultimate railroad experience.. including the attacks on the trains. by the mobs, and even the building of yeards passenger stations, section houses and even grade crossings.. (in short, the sky is the limit with these two..
(Haven't tried Steve's carts but if Steve got into the mix as well and all three parties worked togetyher more than likely you'd have the best experience ever as players would control trains, and drive them to fellow players camps and bases, as well as NPC villages to do trades and village upgrades..
In short if both parties wer to compromise and set a set standard and keep the quality in the recipise of the Traincraft md, while keeping the rail and signal crafting for the rail side for railcraft, then the two would make the best mod possible... and people who want the challenge of building a real line could get the best enjoyment for all..
So a word of advice to the three mod pack makers.. come together, compare notes, and standardize the whole thing..
End of story and I would be the happiest player on the palet.. After all .. I love challenges and building a lng railraod with just the resources I have is the best challenge to date..
Just my opinion..
Tucsoncoyote (first time Poster)