controlling train loading

[goertzenator]

Is there a way to control train loading? For example, I want to load only 2 stacks of iron plates onto a train car, and no more.

I want to experiment with using very short haul trains to move materials around my factory, and I will need good loading control to make that work.

[ssilk]

Currently not, or let it say so: there is no effective way. But it is planned, but not sure, if that includes also the car, but this is an important point.

[haunted_1]

You can fill the slots, you dont wanna use, with junk (wood or stone) and then use smart insterters for unloading your stuff but it doesnt make sense to do so and i agree that there should be something like the inventory filters for the trains.

[goertzenator]

I guess for the time being I would have to use only 1 item type per car. For example, at the gear making train stop iron plate gets unloaded from car 1 and gears get loaded into car 2. Cars being rather large, this isn't amenable to compact factories.

Idea: perhaps there should be mini-versions of the cargo cars? Say 1/4 length. Maybe mini locomotives too with a focus on acceleration at the expense of top speed.

[jeroon]

Maybe you can use requester chests from which you load the train, have them only request 2 stacks, and have your storage/provider chests far far away, so the train gets loaded with the 2 stacks that were in the requester chests, and when the bots come to refill the chests, the train has already left.

[goertzenator]

Maybe you can use requester chests from which you load the train, have them only request 2 stacks, and have your storage/provider chests far far away, so the train gets loaded with the 2 stacks that were in the requester chests, and when the bots come to refill the chests, the train has already left.

Good idea, but the trouble with that is if your train shows up to the station with 2 stacks on board already. You would need a separate station to unload everything first, and then you could advance to the loader station.

[Choumiko]

I came up with a solution here: https://forums.factorio.com/forum/vie ... f=8&t=2906

But as ssilk said: it's neither efficient nor compact
I think it can be adjusted to add a delay before the loading starts to allow unloading, so the wagon doesn't get filled with one item type.

[ssilk]

Yes, but don't forget, that you need to guarantee the unloading at the other station!

I think the best suggestion is that by haunted_1: put junk into the stacks.

[slay_mithos]

I tend to use 1 train per item, or at least 1 wagon per item.

It makes trains longer, and after the third/fourth wagon, you might want a second locomotive too, but it makes loading and unloading both easier and cleaner, because you always know what goes where.

One way to "limit" loading depending on the unloading station's storage is through using red or green wires and smart chest/inserter combos.

Sure, it won't check inside the train, but it will limit the number of times your stuff is loaded/unloaded.
If done correctly, it should be quite close to what you were trying to do.