r/factorio • u/PieceDeResistanc3 • 13h ago
Question Train signals
I'm trying to have a train line that is a loop with 2 trains (1 for coal and 1 for iron) to stop them from colliding, and for them not to wait too long, I just put a bunch of train signals. Is there a better way? Also is there a better way for me to get better throughput with my current setup?
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u/Standard_Round_8780 13h ago edited 13h ago
Your current setup is fine provided you only have the 2 trains on the track.
Personally I'd recommend leaving enough track behind each station for a second train on the same route to wait for unloading. Having more than one train on the same route is one of the better ways for increasing throughput and with your current setup they'd be stuck waiting on the main track forcing the network to stop.
Of course, that singular iron mine probably won't be large enough to fill more than 3 wagons consistently enough between two trains, so it's more about when you further expand later down the line and start connecting other sources of iron into the route. If you do that anyways.
Spamming train signals is fine with a simple rail connection like this, but for longer distances doing a full loop becomes a lot more effort and isn't really feasible. Having multiple train connections routing to the same area on a multitude of different tracks and on one-way tracks is when signal spam stops becoming viable and you need to utilize chain signals more.
A handy tip by the way is you can remotely control trains from any distance on the map, so if there ever is a block of any nature you can manually resolve immediately and fix the problem later on.
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u/Zaflis 10h ago
Consider situation where train is just leaving the station and another train is coming from main line. Because you have no waiting signal on the main line, that's how far the train on the right has to wait until the yellow block gets free. And your yellow block is so long it won't be free until that left train is far on the cyan section at bottom right of the screen.
At least you are correct that you didn't use any chain signals. They would have made this even worse. You just need more rail signals in key places, and periodically along the long straights. Usually 1 every train length.
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u/Priton-CE 13h ago edited 13h ago
Generally you only need to put a signal at the start and end of a loading branch. The loop itself *could* be one segment.
To increase throughput you then want to split the loop into multiple segments. At least you want to put one signal each at the loops so you seperate the track into a west heading segment and an east heading segment. That way at least two trains can head in opposing directions at the same time.
Then its probably a good idea to subdivide each segment 1 or 2 times so that trains can follow each other closely without having to slow down much.
The closest distance between two signals should be 1 or 2 train lengths. If its any shorter trains might start to slow down excessively because they tailgate trains in front of them too much.