How to make a faster train pass by a slower train?

[AutoDemolisher]

As my cities are growing, I decided to open several stations in multiple cities. In the beginning of the game, the lines I made were quick enough to get from city A to city B (via city C, D,...). But now that there are more stations, it takes a lot longer to get to the final destination. At first, I tried solving this by upping the frequency but that change had very little effect. So I was thinking about letting the current lines exist on their own as local lines and introducing a new system, intercity trains that skip the smaller stations. But I came across a problem, there was no real way for my intercity trains to catch up on the local trains as they had to wait for the local trains to depart. I tried to solve this by adding additional tracks to the smaller stations and that kind of works but it looks a bit clumsy so I'm looking for a better solution. Now, I was wondering if it were possible to let the local trains wait a minute or 2 in a specific station so that the intercity trains can pass by. Thanks in advance!

[Autocoach]

If it were me I'd put them on separate tracks all the way . However , I don't think that passing tracks in stations look clumsy . Careful signal placement in this example could see an 'express' train using the pass tracks owning the 'block' from quite some way back which would almost guarantee that the local service will be held at the signal . Note left hand running here .

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2159263479

[lemming3k]

There isn't any 'wait' function (other than wait for full load, which you won't want to use on these kind of lines) - what you really need are extra tracks, particularly dedicated for express trains.
I would say make 4 tracks and run them in pairs, such as inner and outer pairs so A+D tracks are the local trains that run next to platforms, and B+C are express trains that run to terminals. You can do this just in stations but that doesn't stop local trains pulling out in front of an express, so maybe most or all of the line is better. Or just have two tracks that bypass the whole lot.
You can use passing sidings with signals and waypoints for the slower trains to use them so they will then get blocked by the express as it overtakes, but it's hard to make that efficient and tracks are cheap enough anyway.

[genemead]

I would have one track w/siding for express, one track w/siding for freight.
One advantage tracks w/sidings have over double or quad tracks is, depending on spacing of the signals and space between towns, is that you can have several trains running. For instance, a double track can have only 2 trains whereas one track with a siding can have 4-6 trains.

[desrtfox071]

Originally posted by genemead:

I would have one track w/siding for express, one track w/siding for freight.
One advantage tracks w/sidings have over double or quad tracks is, depending on spacing of the signals and space between towns, is that you can have several trains running. For instance, a double track can have only 2 trains whereas one track with a siding can have 4-6 trains.

What? With a loop setup you can have basically as many trains as you want on double tracks. Also, it doesn't really matter in any case because instead of adding a new train to a line, you can simply add all of those same train assets (cars, engine, etc.) to an already existing train and carry just as much freight or passengers as multiple trains. The only downside of having one train per track is the frequency is kept low, but this has very little actual effect, and can be easily mitigated by putting a midway station in to break up the line if you have to. The advantage of doing trains this way is no signals, and no slowdowns.

[mircomars]

trains only reserve the free track between the next signal and the one after that, first come first serve. watch two lines closely to learn to exploit that.
I had that on my 3 station TGV route where the middle station was only serviced by one of 2 lines. to make the express pass, I had to build high-speed passing tracks (use waypoints) for each direction through the station plus deceleration and acceleration lanes for the locals on entry and exit. the locals were heavily signalled and the express lanes not, so the express could reserve the track ahead while the locals did their slow stuff.
btw because dynamic pathing isn't a thing in TF2, a single passing track used in both directions doesn't work (for me), I rather make one line pass the platform then.

[CunkFeatures]

This would be solved (and much more convenient and satisfying) with ever so slightly more advance signalling and a barely more complicated train priority system. Else, sadly....

*You will need independent lines all over the place like spaghetti
*Huge gaps in signals so it gives time for the fast train to pass at the cost of longer waits.
*A 3rd or 4th line just for the fast train at great cost.

Hideously basic, but its all we have.