hmm.. another idea connected to rails:
what if we can dual-purpose them to serve as "electric landlines"?
imagine following scenario:
a couple of big solar power stations in low solar orbit connected to the rail network
(photovoltaics, or skimming solar winds for fusion fuel or whatever technobabble one desires to create)
they distribute their energy output along the network to supply stations in the system or maybe even planetary installations.
now the connected installations dont have to include big, expensive generators locally.
but instead can tap into the relatively cheap energy supplied by the network.
pro for connecting to the network:
stations can be build smaller and cheaper, as they dont have to accomodate (big) generators locally.
you have a greater possible energy supply, as you may can tap into unused energy when you need it.
pro for the infrastructure in itself:
rail nodes can be built smaller as they dont have to contain their own energy supply anymore
same for jumpgates.
warp rail maintainer can monetise them better /without per ship taxes
con:
the system gets dependent on the power stations,
when you disable them you disable possibly big areas of the systems infrastructure (rails, gates etc)
this speaks against warzone usage, but in secure areas it's likely a tolerable risk.
gameplay pro:
another way to distinguish developed and border systems, they have an electricity grid ^^
you can affect an area's infrastructure without having to destroy all of it
/destabilises the overall economy a bit due to that, and instability makes interesting gameplay
go ahead! poke holes in my idea!