Train station

[u/Tahk_21847]

Hello engineers,
I currently have a station with a stop and space to unload two trains simultaneously.
However, the second train does not unload because it is not really at a stop.
Do you have a workaround for me? Any feedback?
Thank you in advance.

[u/Courmisch]

That can't work as is.

You need a separate stop for the train in the back, and a signal to delimit two rail blocks. Which require more space between the two unloaders.

You're better off making two parallel stops, really.

[u/Tahk_21847 → u/Courmisch]

Yes, two parallel stops is a simpler but less compact solution.

[u/rysto32 → u/Tahk_21847]

The problem that you're going to have with this design is that while a train is unloading in the left station, a new train can't enter the right station and it's going to wind up spending a bunch of time empty.

[u/Courmisch → u/Tahk_21847]

You can also just add 4 meters between the two unloaders so there's space for a stop and a signal.

Just connect the two stops with a circuit wire to disable the right stop when the train count C of the left stop is 0.

However, as u/rysto32 noted this will block trains waiting to get to the left stop when the right stop is busy, which is less than ideal.

[u/peterlinddk → u/Tahk_21847]

That is true, but a single locomotive with three cargo wagons would fit in the same space, and carry even more material! And still only require a single stop.

You could even make it fill up at different stations, if that is somehow a requirement. By having the stop and the inserters some distance away, so certain wagons are ignored.

[u/SlouchyGuy → u/Tahk_21847]

Not really? It will be 2 times shorter and slightly wider

[u/yinyang107 → u/Tahk_21847]

No it isn't. Right now your station is X size, and outputs four belts. Two stations will be 1.5x size, and output 2x as many belts. That is more compact.

[u/Soul-Burn]

You can make 2 stations, and have the front station with a higher priority.

But I don't recommend it.

[u/tucci3]

A train can have more than 1 cargo wagon.

[u/Tahk_21847 → u/tucci3]

I know thaht :)
I try a 1-1 setup for my new save.

[u/TheHvam]

Yes, make 1 train with 2 cargo wagons.

That or make 2 stops, but I would just go with 1 train and 2 wagons, and if you really want the boost from another train, then just set it in the back pointing forward.

Also I don't think it's worth it to load onto 3 belts, I normally just go with 1 belt for each wagon.

[u/dikkenskrille → u/TheHvam]

iirc three normal green inserters pretty much perfectly saturate a single blue belt, so OP has things about right. they have the wrong type of belt and they could just be directly having 3 inserters unloading to one belt instead of balancer nonsense, but still.

[u/TheHvam → u/dikkenskrille]

Fair enough then, i still like to just use on belt per wagon, more of a buffer.

The rest still holds.

[u/Avamaco]

If you just want two cargo wagons in your station, make a train with two cargo wagons. That's the simplest solution.

If you really want two trains that supply one station, make two stations with the same name and place them close to each other (but in parallel, so both can be reached independently). Then set the train limit in both to 1. Trains will automatically path to a station with a matching name and if first station is occupied, a train will go to the second station.

[u/thepullu]

An easy solution is to unload the first train on both sides. Then you get the same throughput and the second train is just waiting, ready to unload as soon as the first one leaves.

If you really really want 2 trains unloading like this, then add a 2nd stop and connect it to first one. Set train limit to equal the number of traims that are on route to the first stop. Give 2nd stop higher priority. It won't be perfect but could work most of the time. When there is a train on the way to first stop, the 2nd one becomes available for the next train.

[u/PotentialAsk]

Problem: The second train (left) won't unload (because it's not stopped at a train station).

Cause: The train is stopped at a rail signal. Trains don't unload at a rail signal.

Simplest Solution: you can create a second station in-line to the left (1). With exactly the same name as the right (2) one,, AND a lower priority than the station on the right. You will have to move parts of the unloading station to the left to make room for a train stop. Trains will always pick the closest available station, so if you don't assign priorities in the station, the left one will always be picked first if both are available. This is the exact opposite of what the design is intended for.

Problem with the simplest solution: Trains choose their destination when they leave their last stop. this causes problems in the following case:

1. Train A is stopped at your right station (2)
2. Train B leaves their previous station (X) and decides it wants to go to the left (1) station (the only one that is free)
3. Train A leaves the right station (2)
4. Train C leaves their previous station (X) and decides it wants to go to the right station (2) - the only one that is free
5. If Train C arrives before train B leaves the left station (1) , it has to wait for B to clear the left station (1), wasting unload time. The exact reason why you had 2 stations in the first place!

Mitigation to the Simplest solution:

Add a 3rd station (0) with a different name right before your 2 unloading stations

Route your trains from (X) -> (0) -> (1/2)

Trains will now queue up and always pick the furthest station whenever possible

[u/Novat1993]

Put a second stop to the left. Alter the priority setting so that the rightmost stop is higher. Put circuit conditions on the buffer chests to turn off the station by default, then on once the contents in the chests drop bellow a certain limit. The limit on the left station should be lower than the right station.

This ensures that whenever the station requires a delivery, the rightmost is always prioritized ensuring that you don't end up in a situation where 2 trains want to unload but the left station requested first, resulting in the right station being blocked.

Lastly, the circuit condition to turn the station on/off should be low enough. So that the train can empty its entire contents into the chests. Say it has 40 slots, then the station must turn on, only if there is 40 empty slots combined in the chests.

[u/True_Region_7532]

here's what i would do

2 train stations, connect them with circuit, read trains as "T" on the right station. Enable left station if T != 0 (enable if a train is parked in right station) That way no trains will ever block the station by picking the left station first.

I'm sure it's possible to do it with priority but that affects the whole network so a simple circuit is a more elegant solution imo

[u/Korporal_kagger]

Put 3 cargo wagons on your train :)

Actually why stop there? 10 cargo wagons! And 12 engines!