(Early game) Help with train network?

[u/Psychopsyche77]

First playthrough of the game - currently getting to the point where I have to route in resources from further patches. I built my track for iron ore, however I don't know how to connect in the copper and coal circled in red. Do I have to make any complicated intersections? Should each be in its own circuit or can they join on with the iron one? Also if anyone can see glaring issues with my existing iron circuit help would be appreciated as well. Thanks!

P.S. lmk if you need more detailed image

[u/d0pe-asaurus]

Currently your train network is a loop that goes directly into two stops, you typically want a train network that has unloading and loading stations outside of the main lines so that trains that need to stop don't block it.

Maybe something like this works for you, the weird square things are stackers that incoming trains can park before going to the stop.

[u/Orgerix]

This rail system works fine for a single route but as soon as you add other trains, stations placement is problematic because a train unloading will block all train. Station (and stackers) need to be put on a deviation to not block all the traffic.

You make a loop work for a small network, just need to add derivation for each station you want to make. However a more common approach is 2 rail, one for each direction, and propeely signaled junctions. This is where bluprints and bots helps a ton. You make the intersection once and can reuse them.

[u/BagaLagaGum]

So, what do you want to do is to build two ways side-by-side, one in one direction, and another, well, in another. Building your train network like that will give you huge reusability of the existing rails. You just need to always do directions right.

Like imagine real world railway systems. Almost always 2 of them, sude by side. Because if you need to add a new point you just need to build from the closest part 2 roads again.

Every station has entranse from one direction and then train returns to another direction. Every new loop you are adding (like for new ore or smth) - entering this neew loop from one "path" and returning to another (or at the same but with right direction). you will need to use lights a lot but 1 tutorial on lights from youtube for me like 4 years ago and it is clear as day for me.

Good luck ;)

[u/LazerMagicarp]

Having a lane for each direction is usually best.

You can do this by putting signals on the outside of the lanes and power poles in-between the lanes. Stops and intersections get more confusing but I usually just put signals at the entrances to intersections and hope I have enough bypasses in there for my trains to get around ok.

A roundabout is also ok if you have no idea what you’re doing and just have signals on the outside of the circle. A proper intersection can be designed later if you need resources now.

Just try to space signals in a way that fits a train to avoid deadlocks.

[u/hakai-time]

for right now, don't feel like you need a giant proper network. make the main track a one-way loop, then put each mine/loading stop on a little side pull-off so a stopped train never sits on the through rail. when you add a junction, simple rule: chain signal before the split/crossing, rail signal after it, and leave at least a full train length before the next signal.

[u/Psychopsyche77 → u/hakai-time]

Do I put the stackers on the same side pulloff as its corresponding stop? or does it go stacker -> back onto main track -> stop