Proper signal use for this merged network

[Cellidor]

Afternoon all. I rather enjoy using railways for my factory lines, though I'm having a bit of difficulty figuring out how to set this particular one up properly. Here are two images to detail the current setup I have as it is.

Black arrows indicate the path of the first train, Red arrows the second.
Black picks up at Kotasienka, refuels at Tobias, then drops off at Wrtlprnft. Repeat.
Red picks up at Huw (seen in second picture), drops at Pierre, then passes by Nick to refuel at tobias. Repeat.

The green circles indicate where I'm worried there's going to be a crash since they have different times to make a complete path.

So my question is, being a novice at understanding how the code for the rail signals functions, how best can I use signals to prevent crashes, while slowing down my train lines as little as possible?


http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww11 ... f02173.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww11 ... f701a6.jpg

Edit - Now using Photobucket, much better.

[Nirahiel]

Dropbox derps with images, use these URLs for the actual IMG tags :

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https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/0/AABR64UopenE54fqASBPPCHjwHX81zblBa08OsejpXrAgw/12/228619934/jpeg/2048x1536/3/1389438000/0/2/Rails%201.jpg/IFCgd8HrgUC0eo5YMw3v7r_JkBQWNTDRJJ3bbI-ZhDc

Code: Select all

https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/0/AACa9xKn4I7wosSaXJcu0WecwD2SeAlMQnfFr4k_sIt0kw/12/228619934/jpeg/2048x1536/3/1389438000/0/2/Rails%20Overview.jpg/T1P_M3VFpp-hc90ZI8kkRwBG8mCwrYjH4g_MU9WL0hY

Also to answer you :

If you place signals, these forms "blocks" of rails, now when a train enters the block, the signal behind it turns red to tell other trains stop there and wait

[ssilk]

Did I understood you correctly, that you currently don't use signals?

If yes, well then place one-way-signals inside the circle, where both trains ride and around the switches.

Might not help, but have you read that: https://forums.factorio.com/wiki/inde ... ork#Expert

[Cellidor]

Actually, I'd rather extensively looked at the wiki's guide for rails, as well as a few other forum topics regarding it, but I still found myself confused. Probably should have mentioned that!

I tried using the new image links, but with, ahh...no luck, it'd seem. maybe photobucket would function better?

When attempting to use signals as it is, things tended to get a little...odd. primarily regarding that little T-section crossway. Depending on where I'd place them, the black train would get stopped up at it's load-up station, while waiting for the red one to come aaaall the way back and unload it's own cargo! Perhaps I'm just not using enough signals? Here's a close-up of the section:


http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww11 ... 664394.jpg

[Dakkanor]

i don't really use trains but it sounds like the red train is claiming the path to prevent collisions....

so maybe try having another stop right by the T-section where the red train goes to before going to unload....?

if my vague guess is right then this should speed your track up a bit with no other side affects

[ssilk]

http://wiki.openttd.org/Signals#Block_signals%7C
Every signal in factorio is a block signal. Every single rail segment belongs to a block, even if there is really no way for the train to get there. Think in electric terms: if there can flow electricity from one track-segment to another, the segments are connected and build a block and if there is a train on it, the signal before this connected block it shows red!!

Edit: maybe this explanation is better: you can see the signals as insulators which send a small voltage into the next two lines of railway tracks. A train anywhere in the next block will connect the the two railway tracks, signal goes red.

I search for the right description in the wiki, so feedback is welcome.



To make it run I describe for the above pic where you can place signals safely. All signals are one way signals, means, they are on the right side of train direction, like the stations.

- before the switch of the upper train station
- for each rail directly after the switch
- after the stations, before the switch
- after the switch
- 1-2 signals on the way down to the next switch
- before the switch into the triangle
- directly after the switch on the way down. I assume, that you then don't need any more signals, because you have only one train into the down direction. If not set just some signals.
- from the way up track: directly before the switch into the triangle
- directly after the switch on the way to the right
- some more signals as you like

You see that the triangle is completely encapsulated with switches. You can experiment with setting a signal into the triangle to see, how this influences the blocks.

[Cellidor]

Well, as of so far, those positions seem to be working well! Mind you there's a lot of re-arranging to do what with the new update and all, but still.

Thanks for the help!