[0.17.38] Trains do not drive to stations of same name if another station is in between

[joeydj]

Given a train track which branches 3 times and all 3 branches looping back into each other by a single track.
All 3 branches have a train station with the name A.
On the single track, create a station B.
After the first branch off, create a station C, so that trains going to A2 and A3 have to pass C.
Before every station A add block signals. Before those signals, add a chain signal.

Add 5 trains with the following schedule:
- A 5 sec inactivity
- B 5 sec inactivity

Expected behaviour:

The trains route from B back to A. When they reach the chain signal it should route the train to the next green signal to A.

Actual behaviour:

The chain signal does not route through station C. All trains only stop at A1. If you remove station C, the chain signal routes correctly again.

I attached a small scenario showing this behavior.
Unzip it to X:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Factorio\scenarios and then start the scenario.

This is on Windows 7 Home Premium

[nuhll]

maybe post a screenshot?

[Theikkru]

Working as intended. Train stops that are not the destination are more expensive to path to/through than train stops that are, but are occupied.

[joeydj]

Added a screenshot from my current game. There are two stations free in the "depot", but are not utilized. The chain signal is not sending them through. If this is intended i guess i have to find a better place to unload the crude oil...

[joeydj]

When the path includes a train stop that is not the destination -> Add a penalty of 2000.

So basically.. waiting at the signal for another train to leave is cheaper than routing through a train stop that's not on the schedule. Maybe this penalty can be applied only after a certain distance?

[BattleFluffy]

Hi, I have an idea for a a way around this problem.

You could create 3 rail signals just to the left of the 3 train stops that are working (so, 9 signals total). They could be somewhere along the straight where the trains naturally park anyway.
These signals need to be changed to Red via circuit network when the station they are next to has a train stopped (even though they'll be red anyway). You can do this by connecting the Train Stop to the Rail Signals using a red wire, then tick the box on the train stop for "Read Stopped Train". This will send a signal on the wire when a train is there, so you can then tell the Rail Signal to Close if the train stop channel is not equal to 0.
This should not stop the train from parking at the station or interfere with it in any way.

So what will this do?
The red lights via circuit network increase the path cost by 1000 each. Since a train stop that is not the destination increases the path cost by 2000, the three red lights _should_ mean those routes cost 3000, ie are more expensive... Causing the waiting train to prefer the empty stations.

[Theikkru]

Trains making an effort to not plug up other trains' stations is a good thing at any distance. The solution is to not put stops in weird places on rail lines that other trains will be trying to path through (and cannot avoid).

[joeydj]

Hi, I have an idea for a a way around this problem.

You could create 3 rail signals just to the left of the 3 train stops that are working (so, 9 signals total). They could be somewhere along the straight where the trains naturally park anyway.
These signals need to be changed to Red via circuit network when the station they are next to has a train stopped (even though they'll be red anyway). You can do this by connecting the Train Stop to the Rail Signals using a red wire, then tick the box on the train stop for "Read Stopped Train". This will send a signal on the wire when a train is there, so you can then tell the Rail Signal to Close if the train stop channel is not equal to 0.
This should not stop the train from parking at the station or interfere with it in any way.

So what will this do?
The red lights via circuit network increase the path cost by 1000 each. Since a train stop that is not the destination increases the path cost by 2000, the three red lights _should_ mean those routes cost 3000, ie are more expensive... Causing the waiting train to prefer the empty stations.

Nice idea to artificially inflate the cost of the cheaper routes, but it does seem easier to just move the culprit to its own station somewhere else

[mrvn]

You should put the oil unloading in parallel with the waiting bays. Looks like there is enough space there.