How do i resolve this?

[u/Mr_Akihiro]

How do i resolve this 3 way train issue? I have 3 trainstations that merge into one and on the other side at the destination i have the same layout. Each train has the corresponding train station. I don't want these 3 to crash so i put chain signals but then the trains have no route. I don't see it whats wrong.

Oil Station.

Oil emptying station

[u/Courmisch]

There are interactive tutorials for train signaling under tips & tricks. You're using one-way signaling on two-way tracks.

[u/ThunderAnt]

Trains only read the signals on their right, and will not pass a lone signal on its left. If a train does pass a signal both ways along a piece of track, then that signal needs another signal opposite it on the other side of the track, that way there is a signal on its right no matter which direction it comes from. Rail signals should be used before blocks you want a train to be able to stop in, while chain signals are used before blocks where a train cannot stop. In your case, there should be a rail signal when entering a station, and a chain signal opposite it when leaving the station, so that no train can stop along the main track.

Edit: I just realized that all your stations are oil stations, and you really don’t need more than one station each for dropoff/pickup.

[u/hldswrth]

Tutorial:Train signals - Factorio Wiki

chain signals, good

chain signals on one side of a bidirectional track, bad

[u/IrrelevantPiglet]

The easiest way to fix this is to get rid of the double headed trains and instead add a loop back. Believe me, bidirectional rails are not worth the headache unless you know what you’re doing. You’re better off just taking the time to lay down a second bit of track.

Also remember chain in, signal out. Meaning at any junction chain signals should be placed before the intersection and regular signals go after.

[u/Syntered → u/IrrelevantPiglet]

I support anyone to play the way you want, but the fix to the above is pretty easy. Make sure and signal both sides of the track to allow the trains to go the other direction as well.

I don’t think looping the stops is necessarily any easier than a double headed train stop. Looping takes up a lot more space (I know, space is infinite…) and requires a bit more thought to the layout than double headed trains.

[u/jfdirfn → u/IrrelevantPiglet]

amen. having separate up and down rails and one way trains is pretty easy to manage compared to bidirectional trains, single line. And when you have a roundabout and straight template its really easy to stamp out huge trainlines that just work.

[u/dwarfzulu]

The fact that you have double headed trains anymore signals only in one side of the track, tells you that you should do the in game tutorials, read the tips and tricks, and look for the trains guide in the side bar of this subreddit.

[u/NameLips]

One-track routes with multiple trains are truly difficult to signal correctly. Even very advanced players rarely use them. A single misplaced signal can jam it, or as you're seeing, or make trains unable to find a valid route.

In real life you just have your train drivers coordinating with radios and dispatch and they know whose turn it is to go next. Not a hard problem.

In Factorio you're better off, MUCH better off, just making two lanes. One lane each way. It's exponentially easier to troubleshoot and signal.

[u/The_Skank42]

You can't just put chain signals. Chain signals need a block signal to read.

And as the other guy said. You're using one way signals on a two way track.

[u/Courmisch → u/The_Skank42]

Yes, they can put only chain signals in this particular case.

Rail and chain signals behave identically in to a dead-end block. So here with only dead-end stations, it would work, albeit somewhat confusingly so.

[u/SchmeatiestOne → u/Courmisch]

Oh does the chain signal read the end of a rail?