The 2x2 Rail grid is no longer necessary

[3-Valdion]

The 2x2 grid is no longer needed, and a mew half-length track should be added for diagonals and straights.

I think the 2x2 grid was first put in place for the triangle diagonals, as I don't think it would have been possible to connect those were they offset by an uneven number of tiles. Well, at least not without many custom track segments to make it work. Now, with the 2.0 tracks, you can easily cut the straights and diagonals which would allow for a 1x1 placement grid.


Now, I also took the time to actually draw the existing track segment and the new ones that could be added, including the control points.


Now, I know what I said earlier about adding lots of specialized track segments, but the diagonal S-bends are not essential at all - just a nice to have. Plus they would add the issue of needing more than two directional keys that was talked about in FFF-377. Even without those, it would still be possible to make even and odd grid mesh together with the existing curves and the hald length tracks.

Now, as for the uses.

Exemple #1: Cursed unloader designs using wagons on tracks as compact balancers.
Exemple #2: Direct train to train unloading and loading.
Exemple #3: Squeaking train tracks between large and compact builds/making use of ALL the space. Also related, naturally generated land bridges that are two wide, but not on the train track grid.

If a Factorio dev sees this, I'd also like to see train stations on curves if possible. Either that or being able to set a train stop to have the cargo "dock" at the station instead of the head locomotive.`

Hopefully I did the images right.

[eugenekay]

If they change the Train Rails layout again I will riot. Do you know how much of a pain it is to redesign EVERY train station?

[Muche]

I would say the 2x2 grid is more necessary now due to elevated rails.

There are four distinct 2x2 grids; ground rails use one, elevated rails use another.

RailsGrid.jpg (110.26 KiB) Viewed 125 times

[Factoruser]

I'm fine with the grid. The only thing is really to make a train-to-train transfer. A long-handed inserter should work, but it's of course slower.

What I'd suggest would be elevated double tracks, if you put two ramps together. This is a graphical issue. You need to remove the railing and add a coalesced version of the rail supports.

[boskid]

Thanks for the suggestion but we are happy with current state of rail shapes and will not be changing them. Your suggestion would also require cutting curved rails in half in order to allow S-bends by half rail and that would cause signals to have 32 directions, which is not going to happen.