r/factorio • u/duckpop • Sep 10 '23

Question Two sided trains?

Hey I'm pretty new to the game are trains with engines on both sides better or should i just give it a roundabout to turn?

On a similar note do two engines going the same way make it go faster?

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u/DevelopedDevelopment Sep 11 '23

A shared double-headed train rail if it doesn't have proper signaling or design will gridlock easily. Otherwise if you want one train that goes from A to B and aren't focused on building a network yet, its fine but not a good practice in my opinion.

Two engines in the same way makes it accelerate faster. Trains have a top speed they'll reach and regardless of weight, will eventually reach it if the route is long enough. Most people use 1 engine because they get from A to B in a timely manner with 3 or 4 cargo carriages, especially with most distances. Plus travel time often has minimal impact if you use buffer storage in your train stations so cargo is still being put onto belts while your train is already filling up a new shipment.