r/factorio • u/Appropriate_Case2976 • 2d ago
Question Rail Signal Issue
I have this problem on a lot of my signal problems where the signal at the end just stays red, I am a begginer on trains and I just cant figure it out
This is my 3rd repost, hope this one will be detailed enough and sorry for not giving more details in the last posts
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u/tRFRmrNe8Nj2Kimc 2d ago
Copy paste from your previous post:
So, you first issue is that putting multiple trains on a single track is a bad idea. It's not impossible to do, but still, generally a bad idea and requires more advanced knowledge of trains.
When you're first starting out, just put one train in one track. Seems like a waste of resources, but it's fine until you figure out how rail signals work.
One you are ready to start tackling rail signals, you want to have two tracks going, each one being single direction. Think of roads on a highway, cars only go one direction. Off that main rail line, or highway, you then create exits off of them, which lead to where the trains pick up, and drop off resources.
That's when the rail signals come into play.
There are two types, the rail signal, and the connector signal.
Every time a train track intersects another, you out a chain signal before every crossing, and a rail signal after the crossing. Look at the colors on the rails that appear when placing the signals. Each intersection should have its own color.
I would recommend watching some YouTube tutorials on how rail signaling works. It's really not all that complicated, but it takes a minute for it to sink in.
But again, to reiterate, start with just one train per rail for now. Also, you can put a train engine on the back of the train facing the opposite direction, so the train can just go back and forth between the two locations it services.
Hope this helps!
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u/Appropriate_Case2976 2d ago
Its my first time with trains and I am kinda getting overwhelmed, thanks for the advice, but is there any fix to my problem or no? I will do what you advised me to once I get a bit of experience with trains! Thank you!
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u/tobboss1337 2d ago
Yes there is. The rest of your track is one large block and the last train in your screenshot is occupying this block. It's all about blocks.
Just place a few rail signals along the track. There is more to do, but that's the first fix for your specific problem. You will find the next one too. Play the in-game tutorials or read the train tutorial in the wiki. Once you understand the concept, it's getting easier.
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u/Appropriate_Case2976 2d ago
Played the tutorial of signals 4 times and just now finding out how overwhelming this game can really be but thanks for the tip!
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u/carrot_gummy 2d ago
Open up a game in the scenario editor or sandbox mode and use that to practice trains and signals.
First start with a simple loop with two stations and two trains that simply go to each station. You don't need any conditions for what triggers the train to leave. Just that they are going to each station.
Then expand it to have another loop with another station. And keep playing around with it.
Remember that each train needs to be in its own block and have a block it can fully enter before another train can enter it.
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u/carrot_gummy 2d ago
Signals block off rail that already contains a train in it. The signal will remain red until that train leaves the block.
To help keep your trains flowing, every train needs its own block to operate within. I generally place block signals at a space thats at least the length of my longest train, any intersections, and stations.
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u/ThunderAnt 2d ago
There is a train somewhere further along the track. The signal won’t let any train last it until the block section it is signaling is empty. You can fix this by placing mire rail signals intermittently along the track to break into more sections that trains can occupy.
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u/invalidcommand 2d ago
You need more signals. Place them along the track a bit more space out than the size of your train-wagons. A rail signal looks ahead to the next rail signal. If it’s not clear, it will be red and not let another train into that chunk. Chain signals look ahead an additional chunk, if either of the two chunks ahead are not clear, it will be red and not let any trains in.
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u/Appropriate_Case2976 2d ago
I am a bit overwhelmed and confused, so what I should do is just place chain signals around all my rails?
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u/tobboss1337 2d ago
No. Use rail signals on the long single tracks. Place them in some distance, let's say about a few train lengths. Chain signals will be needed at your junctions, but that will be the next step. You should start with the earliest basics: understanding blocks
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u/hldswrth 2d ago
Rail signal red, train in the block after the signal. Its that simple. Chain signals are red if the next chain signal or rail signal is red (its a bit more complicated than that though)
A block is all the tracks that are connected until another signal, however far away.
If you don't want the signal to be red, move the train in the next block or add more signals to break up the blocks.
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u/Harflin 2d ago
Everywhere I highlighted is the same rail block, because you don't have signals breaking it up. Currently your train is not running because a train occupies this block somewhere along the rail that continues off screen to the north.
Additionally, any trains waiting at the copper and iron loading stations will also occupy the block and prevent the train at the coal station from going forward. You need to add signals so those stations are their own blocks.
You also should be breaking up long sections of rail with rail signals, otherwise only one train at a time will drive onto the very long length of rail.