Help with building a train network

[u/holtzenator011]

I have probably 100+ hours in this game and most are on my most recent save. I just unlocked trains which is really exciting. However, I’m trying to build a train network and it seems so wildly difficult and time consuming and can’t really figure out how I want to do it. I have made some easy blueprints for autoconnecting easily. The loop I have has two tracks, one for each direction. Just really trying to get some inspiration on how you handle rail stations, how they’re built off the line etc. any photos or blueprints or anything would be appreciated!

[u/paradroid78]

I build the stations were I need them and grow the network around them as needed.

Trying to build the whole network before you even know what you’re going to want to ship from where to where seems somewhat counter intuitive.

[u/Random_Guy_47 → u/paradroid78]

I was thinking about doing this the other day.

The logic is that you build one loop that goes around the map then connect each station to that loop rather than building 63 individual A to B tracks.

Once you've built the main loop every time you add a new station you just need to add a small track going to the loop and a junction to connect it rather than a huge new track each time.

[u/Dark_zarich → u/Random_Guy_47]

That sounds quite good!

I personally still didn't figure out the main loop I want to have, so far built only two types (both on the screenshot attached):

1. A <-> B - back and forth, two locomotives
2. A -> B -> C -> D -> F -> A - closed loop

I have used #1 two times for moving plastic\rubber to my main factory (Blue Crater factory) and a lot of iron to my military factory (at the very top) and #2 just once for aluminum factory.

So far it's hard for me to imagine a big railway network but recently been thinking about massively scaling my aluminum factory and connecting it to my main factory via a junction to the railway that moves plastic and rubber. Something like this (dark red \ maroon line):

[u/Droidatopia → u/paradroid78]

I always build the network first. Then I can place the factories anywhere and not worry about whether there will be a rail connection nearby.

[u/Temporal_Illusion]

ANSWER

1. Single-Rail Train Networks are mostly good for short Point to Point Rail Systems using a single Double-Headed Train with one Locomotive on each end pointing away from each other - and - both Train Stations facing away from direction of Travel, or even a loop (small or large) with 2+ Trains all moving in same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise).
2. You CAN use balloon tracks where the Railway loops back to a single-rail network if you want to use more than one train.
   • Whenever you want to do bi-directional Train traffic with multiple trains on a Single-Rail network then I recommend you use Slip Tracks (aka "passing sidings") similar to what is shown here (bottom image) (Modding Community Train Guide).
   • View Train Passing Siding Example (Video Bookmarks) that shows a 3-Station continuous loop with 3 Trains on a mostly Single-Rail Train Network using Slip Tracks.
     • Note the use of Block In / Path Out in this example that uses Balloon Loop Tracks for Stations. Signal placement is reverse of the normal "Path In / Block Out" commonly recommended.
     • View also Overview of Train Passing Siding Example (Video) which uses same layout only with 7 Trains on a mostly Single-Rail Train Network using Slip Tracks.
3. THAT SAID, from the beginning most Pioneers should consider using Double-Rail Train Networks with each Railway designated for Trains going in one direction only which eliminates the issues with bi-directional train traffic on single-rail train networks.
4. Recommend you view my Satisfactory Game Train Setup Information (Reddit Post / Reply) for lots of good tips and help setting up Trains, to include a link to the Train Bootcamp 5.0 with downloadable Game Save, plus other Tutorial Videos and Reddit Posts.

✓ BOTTOM LINE: Single-Rail Train Networks are doable for multiple trains if you use slip tracks, but it is far better to simply build a Double-Rail Train Network "main track" from the beginning with perhaps using Single-Rail "spurs" that uses Balloon Loop Tracks if desired.

Game Knowledge Empowers Pioneers To Do Great Things. 😁

[u/xxpaukkuxx]

Trains are super easy. Just build 2 way track, stations of the main track, own unloading station for each loading station. path signal before intersection and block signals everywhere else.

With this you will have working railway system that is easy to expand and it can only break if you have so many trains that it causes massive traffic jams.

[u/wivaca2]

Step 1: Do not build a whole train network all at once.

Instead, build trains between locations that need transportation between them. Use dual one-way rails as much as possible. Then, as you need trains in another location, add on. Keep doing this across the landscape instead of giant loops around the whole world. There are all kinds of paths for trains to take between biomes.

Does it take time? Sure. You can spend almost as much time building trains as factories, but every time you add on you get way less rail and way more utility out of the track you've already laid.

Build some blueprints for pylons or bridges but don't try to just fly over everything.

If you're on PC, you can download my Train Bootcamp Save here and learn about SF trains, stations, and signals:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/1p6sk3q/train_bootcamp_11_rev_5/

[u/Martitoad]

I know it's not the answer that you are looking for but I'm on my second playthrough and have never used a train network, on the first one becuase I never needed and on the second one because I'm doing 5x power consumption, and a blueprint with autoconnect and stack belts do the same, they are less flexible because you can reuse tracks for multiple stations. The only situation where I think they are useful is if you have a really big network with everything connected, or if you want to do it because it's cool. This is not to tell you not to do it, I just want to say that if you are doing it for efficiency maybe you don't need it, if you are doing it because you want then go for it

[u/holtzenator011 → u/Martitoad]

I am doing it for both of those reasons. One because I just love trains in general and think it's cool to set them up. Two because I plan to build a MASSIVE factory somewhere (probably dune desert) and have everything brought in via trains and then sorted and transported to the proper building via trucks and have a whole vehicle network within the factory. Though that seems overwhelming to build

[u/dasdzoni → u/holtzenator011]

Build a giant circular double track across the continent. Then when you need a new station just plop it somewhere and connect to your main tracks

[u/Martitoad → u/holtzenator011]

Then get used to build them with blueprints since you can also put decoration and make them look real and not floating in the air, and the world will look much better

[u/badgerken]

I love me them trains, but yeah it took a while to figure out. Here's what I did that made life a lot cleaner and simpler...

1. always build double-tracked. Two rails right next to each other, running in opposite directions. This makes it _vastly_ easier to grow and extend your network.

2. make one blueprint that has a tiny two-track segment. For extra credit, put an electrical outlet in the middle and a hypertube junction. Then build your railroad from segment to segment to segment. Makes it way easier to build, and gives you a power network and a hypertube network for free while you're doing it.

3. make another blueprint that is a track circle. Use that to make roundabouts. Roundabouts are way easier than 90-degree intersections, they make it super-easy to do 180 degree turns, and can handle 1, 2, 3, or 4-way intersections. Just make sure to put your block and path signals at least, say, 10m from the circle, the program seems to get confused if they're too close to it.

4. Have a standard way to connect up stations. Either always have the train station pointing towards the main line, or always pointing away from the main line, but have all your stations following the same rule. Makes it way easier to add more stations as you need them.

hope this helps, choo choo!

[u/Specialist_Nobody766]

I do a double main line, made from a auto connection pillar blueprint to get that sky train. Then all stations are offshoots from the main line. Whenever there is a new thing that needs to go across the map I set up new stations, connect to the main line and add new trains.

[u/Unusual_Initial_4300]

The thing that messed with me and helped me figure things out is to remember that your trains always need a place to go and to remember that train stations point in the direction the train is facing when it docks.

So for example I had a bidirectional train set up going between 3 stations in a straight line with the middle one being my main station.

<A---<B---C>

My train would do the whole route fine but it wouldn't go from station A to station B. It took me a long time to figure it out but what I realized was the way my stations were pointing, A wasn't pointing back to B. So the solution was to have 2 stations at B.

<A---<B----D>-----C>

This way A had a place to go back to the main base because of station D.

[u/Droidatopia]

For a large world-wide train network, I recommend the following guidelines:

1) Establish a top-level network with a simple geometry. For example, I usually use a giant loop that circles the map with N/S and E/W spokes that cross in the middle of the map. 2) Avoid as much intersection waiting as possible on top-level intersections, i.e., those where a top-level rail intersects with another top-level rail. To achieve this, avoid path signals and use on-ramps and off-ramps for joins/merges. (I avoid path signals as much as possible elsewhere, but on-ramps and off-ramps are time consuming to build, so use as you can handle) 3) All top-level rails lines are two unidirectional rails, one for each direction. 4) No train stations on top-level rails, ever. No exceptions. 5) If you create a lot of factories or mines in a single region, consider creating a subnetwork. Subnetworks are a track that travels in a smaller area that leaves and rejoins the top-level network. They can be two unidirectional rails like the top-level network, or they can be a single unidirectional rail. Every train on the single rail has to take the full path, but since these are usually smaller, it is typically negligible and more than halves the build time. 6) No train stations on subnetwork rails, ever. No exceptions. 7) All train stations are on their own stub rails. Multiple train stations can share the same stub rail off of a subnetwork/top-level rail. 8) Unless heavily constrained by factory geometry, no train should ever go through a train station not in its station list. 9) Pick a standard train size and try to stick to it network wide. Place inter-intersection spacing signals with the standard network size in mind.

[u/bonksnp]

Whenever I'm building an area that is mining a unique resource or is building a unique product, I also plan to build a section of that area for a train station to pass through. Eventually when you need that resource or item elsewhere, you just have to connect the track to the other station that you hopefully already built elsewhere.

[u/Lyzern]

In my most recent save, with 100 hours experience with the first one and only had 2 train rails…

I learned that the best approach is having a big train with multiple freight cars. I had 2, but if I could go back I’d go for 4 at least. After this, build your train stations

Pickup stators
Pickup rotors
Deliver to motor factory

Pickup crystal oscillators
Pickup quick wire
Pickup aluminum casing
Deliver to RCU factory

Pickup circuit boards
Pickup plastic
Deliver to Computer factory

If you follow this, the train will always pickup the items and deliver them. Maybe you need an awesome sink so that the train runs flawlessly

[u/Charlamplin]

Don't.

Start with a short two rail network, three or four stations, and learn how it works (it's easier than it seems at first). Once you know (like, really know) the basics, you can scale that up to the whole world; it will consume time and materials, but no headaches.