Parameterized blueprint or selector combinator for train station color

[burninghey]

While setting up my train network, I love how trains change color depending on target station.

Now, with parameterized blueprints, I thought that's an easy way to change station color. No, color is not in there.

Reading the item type, selecting a color and sending this to the station would be another way. No, not possible either.

This leads to 1 blueprint for every single type of cargo, which is exactly what parameterized blueprints aim to change.

[SystemParadox]

I discovered that if the parameterised station name matches an existing station then it will use that colour. So I made a reference area with just stations to set all the colours and then have parameterised blueprints that include the station and whatever else I want.

[SystemParadox]

...although this no longer seems to work?

[SystemParadox]

Ok it does still work, as long as the station in the blueprint doesn't have a colour set. When you initially place a station, its color property is unset and it uses the default colour. You can see this if you copy the blueprint string and paste it into a blueprint-to-JSON tool like https://burnysc2.github.io/Factorio/Too ... Blueprint/.

Once you change the colour then the color property gets set and the only way to unset it is to delete the station and place a new fresh one, or use shift right-click to copy from an unset station.

Renaming an unset station to a name that matches an existing station will set the color property to match the colour from the existing station. The same thing happens if you paste a blueprint with an unset station and the name matches an existing station.