What's the point of trains?

[Zottel]

Since the 0.4 Update I ask myself, what is the point of the trains? Well, its fun to build train-networks like in transport-tycoon, sure, but I can everything transport, easier and more effective, with the belts. Do I overlook something?

[kovarex]

The point is, that the flow on the transport belt is limited. One fast belt can barely cover one bigger mine.

[ssilk]

If it is right, what you said about the future of factorio, the needed amount of resources for the spaceships must be exorbitant. Miners, which clean up a whole resources-field within minutes. A train is needed then.