Rail Signals? Still don't get em

[neuroaktivo]

Been playing for like 50-60 hours now, wanna make use of them so that:

i have a common section of railway for both the trains(iron/coal).
loops: no.
two-way railway: yes.

SOME PICTURES:

Here's where the trains paths join(coal comes from the left, iron comes from the bottom and theyre destination to the right:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kk8dqktu3po2i ... .59.15.png

Heres the section they share, also a general view:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0l455jz45xkll ... .58.58.png

Arrival station for both, my main base(right), there u have two stations next to each other(right down the radar both paths join again to go to the refilling stations of coal and iron):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ttifs0vpoahg0 ... .58.17.png


I'm really not asking for a solution for this specific problem, I want someone (please)to try and explain Rail Signals a bit better(please) than the wiki does right now(please):

Signals are used to enable the usage of multiple trains on a single track/track network. They divide the network into blocks. Only one train can operate(automatically) on a block(You can place multiple but they wont move when put on schedule). Rail signals can be built only next to the END of the rail. This means there are at most 4 signals per rail (2 at each end).
The direction of building the Rail signal matters. Use R to scan through the building directions. You will get an visualisation in form of arrows on the specific track. There is only one rail signal entity however you can use it in two distinct ways - similar to one way signals and two way signals from Open TTD. If there is only one signal on the track (the other direction has no signal) then the signal is a one way signal. Trains in automatic mode (not driven by character) can ride through the one way signal only in the direction given by the signal (the train sees the signal on the right side). If there are two signals on the same track (but opposite directions) then they are connected and work like two way signals.
When a train is about to enter the block it flips the incoming blocks rail signals so no other train can enter. When the train leaves the block it flips the incoming blocks rail signals back on so other trains can get in. Railroad crossing of unrelated rails (overlappings) are taken into account as well. This allows signals to protect unrelated crossing railpaths.
The path finding doesn't look at the closed rail signals ahead. This way two trains can come to the opposite sides of the two way rail signal even if there would be way around that. In order to enforce the train movement in the network one way signals must be used now.

I've really tried guys, now i need help(got really frustrated not getting it).

EDIT:

ok i got it, thx to all, wasnt hard, the arrows appearing while building them led me to think that was the area covered by the signal(wrong).

-Signals divide railways into blocks, 2way or one way depending on if ur using one or two signals to divide the blocks.

-Blocks guarantee that just one train will be able to travel that block at a time(no crashes under automatic piloting).

[rk84]

I'm not sure what part (or word) you are finding confusing in wiki text. I remember I had some problem understanding what "block" means at first in OTTD (Open Transport Tycoon Deluxe). I confused it in single "tile".

A segment is a single path of track without intersections or switches.

A block is set of segments.

You can see the current segment and block numbers of a rail piece in the info section.

I think, you could also say block is set of railway paths between signals. Every exit in block is guarded by signal and every signal leads to another block.

so I'm trying to guide you by using your current railway. (Someone will hopefully correct me, if I'm wrong)
In current form, no signals, your railway network is one big block. And 2 trains in 1 block will prevent them moving automatically. As you have pointed out you have two-way railway network so you need to uses two-way signals. Trains follow right side signals, but do not pass left side signal if it is one-way signal.

Now, how you divide your network into blocks. I think, good way is to make the common railway section into one block. It has 4 exit/entry points that you want to guard with two-way signals. If you put signal in middle of common section, its possible that trains will meet in middle and get stuck there.

General signal placement. Ideal signal placement would be so that train has room to wait without crossing switch or intersection and fits inside the block were it is waiting.

Aditional tips: -If contruction of coal unloading station is still underway. Place signal between coal train and common railway section first. By isolating coal train in to block of it's own, iron train can keep running.
-You might find ottd designs in internet, that can be used in factorio. If they use block signals (ignore path- and pre-signals) and no tunnels or no bridges.

Nice railway.

[ssilk]

Generally spoken:
- a block is from signal to signal and if there is a train or parts inside, the block is busy. A signals looks, if the block, in which it looks is busy, if yes it is red.
- logical: place signals in both directions. Otherwise you make some one-way-track.
- Make many blocks to avoid blocking yourself. Block should be longer than longest train.
- use alt-key to see more
- Loco on each side if you want it to go it in both directions

I also had often the problem, that I programmed it and it doesn't start, because I forgot something. The problem was, that the programming must be switched off, before you can use it in another way.

[kovarex]

I have plans to make special section in the wiki (in the railway network page) about typical railway signal setups.

[neuroaktivo]

ok i got it, thx to all, wasnt hard, the arrows apearing while building tehm led me to think that was the area covered by the signal(wrong).

Signals divide railways into blocks, 2way or one way depending on if ur using one or two signals to divide the blocks.

Blocks guarantee that just one train will be able to travel that block at a time(no crashes under automatic piloting).

BTW i read somewhere that one way is enforced by the game, but i think i made it work 2way.

[kovarex]

BTW i read somewhere that one way is enforced by the game, but i think i made it work 2way.

Both is possible.

[Darthlawsuit]

I think more needs to be written down for when you intersect tracks and have loops in your tracks. I had a really hard time figuring out the basics due to my tracks being quite complex. A simple loop throws the whole system off.