Factorio Forums

TL;DR

When placing rail signals and train stops, indicate the number of wagons between the previous and current signals using a number.

What ?

If I have a rail signal or train stop in my hand and hover over the side of a track, show via popup a number that is the number of wagons that can fit between the tentative signal location and the previous signal (or end of track). In this context, a wagon is a locomotive, cargo wagon, or fluid wagon since they are all the same size.

In the case where two tracks merge and there is a variable number of wagons based on the direction the train came from, provide a range, e.g. "10-12".

Why ?

The problem with the current system is it is difficult to determine signal spacing for long trains. While placing signals closer than a train length on mainlines is not a problem, it is critical to get the length correct in certain situations:

• The rail block immediately following an intersection's exit
• Stackers. This proposed change would make it easy to measure them to the proper length.
• Train stations themselves.

Another common request is to configure the number of wagon rectangles. However, this is less than ideal for two reasons. First, it requires a new configuration that is not absolutely necessary. Second, it does not work well for very long trains that might not fit on the screen. Using a number requires no configuration and does not require the player to be able to see the previous signal and manually count the rectangles. Since the number is the end goal anyway, why not just provide that?

If there are multiple previous signals, which would be picked for the calculation? What if multiple paths existed between the tentative and single previous signal?

Presumably, pick the shortest one?