Long Distance Train Management + More Schedule Options

[OuchThatStings]

I know it's better to keep it one idea per thread but these two kind of go hand in hand.

Long story short:

-Name trains.
-Manage trains from anywhere on map via some type of "remote" device. Window shows list of available trains. (Blue research required)
-Clicking on train name displays usual management window.
-Add "Wait for go" type of stop to scheduling. (Train stops at defined station and waits for the player to start the schedule again.)

More details:

I already know about the station naming discussion going on so i'll just lump being able to name train engines in there too.

As far as the remote device, something similar to having the discharge defense remote. You only need to make one and use it like you would a capsule to bring up the management screen. This screen would simply list available trains by name and once clicked would simply display the engine management screen that's already there. With this you could modify the trains schedule, tell it to wait at it's next stop, or to get it moving from waiting.

This goes into the scheduling idea. I recently started using trains to transport oil barrels (I know oil tanks will be added at some point, but the method still applies). If I let the train run its course it ends up bringing very little back at a time with plenty of crude in the home tanks. To save fuel I would just stop the train every now and then to let the barrels build up at the drilling site and put it back in motion when the reserves got low.

A simple "Wait" command could be used at the end to have the train stop once it's completed its schedule. Here's and example:

Loading Station B (20 seconds)
Unloading Station A (Wait)

Train already waiting at A would travel to B and load for 20 seconds. It would return to station A to unload and wait until the player tells it to go again.

This used in conjunction with the remote schedule tool would allow for better train handling and fuel management for those trains that don't need to run all the time.

[ssilk]

Well, many references to older threads, but no clear thread, where I can point to.
In general: https://forums.factorio.com/forum/sea ... =titleonly
About 25% of the found threads have to do with this. There are just too many threads about trains.

I hope you believe me, when I say: Definitely in the roadmap are thoughts about having some control over the items in the wagons of a train. Or controlling the signals/train stops, which also would enable to have a train be stopped somewhere. Train names/colors also have been suggested anywhere (I think it was me ). What is missing is this "train control window".

And that the trains should be manageable from anywhere can be seen, if you click on a train and wait, until train moves and is out of reach. The window keeps open and you can keep operation the route etc. of that train.