Multiple Trains Into Stations and Truck Stops

[MrSledge]

Hi,

I'm fairly new at this game. I have a high production line from an oil well. I currently have a waiting output of 900.

My trains are set to run between 2 stations and configured to move large amounts of oil. I have signals on the track, which work well, but the frequency of my runs ends up causing a huge backlog.

Ideally I'd like to allocate 1 platform per incoming train so 4 trains as part of the one cargo haul into their own specific platforms, but it seems I can only configure the line terminal and not the trains. It makes the allocation of track numbers when building a new station a waste of time.

I don't want a solution of lowering output to fix a problem that shouldn't be there.

This is similar for truck stops.

I have trucks bottle necking waiting behind other because they only load/unload on a specific place on the loading bays.

So I'm well aware of configuring lines, but in some instances I need to allocate certain vehicles within the same group of vehicles.

I do not want to duplicate an existing line just because that's the only way possible.

So if someone could point me in the direction of how to fix my problem, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Rod

[BobthenotsoGreat]

Your problem is a logistics one. All vehicles and stations have a turn around time. This creates a lower limit that cannot be overcome through the same terminal.

With trucks you can take a second off if they drop off and pick up by having them drop at one terminal and pick up at another. With trains you are limited to the train length as it has to clear the track points and signal.

With trains, you can have them go through the station and create a loop to rejoin the track so they clear the station quicker. The station end acts as a clearing signal then and the next train is cleared earlier. The other option is to add additional journeys to the same line that rotate the terminals on each journey. Combine that with a turnaround loop and you can easily reduce the bottleneck, but length of trains becomes the limiting factor as slow acceleration hurts times. If its rate you are after and not profit, smaller trains with more grunt so faster acceleration can be quicker in the turnaround though. If you really want to cheese it, elevate the station and have the out come straight down hill to accelerate even faster.

Trucks stops can be configured the same way though so they flow through the station with different entrance and exits.

[Vimpster]

Unfortunately the only options are what Bob mentioned. I too would like the ability to assign multiple platforms to the same line for the same stop as it would definitely improve throughput. This worked well in games like Transport Tycoon and Locomotion. But of course those games had other limitations of their own.

[meomara]

I do not want to duplicate an existing line just because that's the only way possible.

Why? It's not the only way possible but it can be most efficient and flexible. My typical oil set up is one line for the triangle and one for the second well. Also, what era are you in and how long are your trains. 4 on one line seems like a lot.

The way to add multiple platforms for the same stop is to double the line. Instead of an A-B loop used A-B-C-B loop where C is the second terminal. This is handy for steel where Iron and Coal are near each other.

You can also split the line in two if it is a long line. So instead of A-B make a line A-C and another C-B. This provides flexibility for that C station. I have a long tool line that is split like that and a small town near C taps into the route with trucks.

I also split long truck lines so the distance trucks don't enter the city. I put a truck stop just outside the city and set a second line to do the city deliveries. This minimizes the trucks entering the city and reduces traffic jams.

[Vimpster]

Originally posted by meomara:

The way to add multiple platforms for the same stop is to double the line. Instead of an A-B loop used A-B-C-B loop where C is the second terminal. This is handy for steel where Iron and Coal are near each other.

You can also split the line in two if it is a long line. So instead of A-B make a line A-C and another C-B. This provides flexibility for that C station. I have a long tool line that is split like that and a small town near C taps into the route with trucks.

The problem with both of those suggestions is that the cargo does not get evenly split between the platforms or lines. Which is very inefficient.

[canophone]

Originally posted by Vimpster:

Originally posted by meomara:

The way to add multiple platforms for the same stop is to double the line. Instead of an A-B loop used A-B-C-B loop where C is the second terminal. This is handy for steel where Iron and Coal are near each other.

You can also split the line in two if it is a long line. So instead of A-B make a line A-C and another C-B. This provides flexibility for that C station. I have a long tool line that is split like that and a small town near C taps into the route with trucks.

The problem with both of those suggestions is that the cargo does not get evenly split between the platforms or lines. Which is very inefficient.

In the end, it's likely better to load to the next train coming... And that should split better. But yes, I can't even do branch lines that join on common sections because of this though I want to.

[meomara]

Originally posted by Vimpster:

Originally posted by meomara:

The way to add multiple platforms for the same stop is to double the line. Instead of an A-B loop used A-B-C-B loop where C is the second terminal. This is handy for steel where Iron and Coal are near each other.

You can also split the line in two if it is a long line. So instead of A-B make a line A-C and another C-B. This provides flexibility for that C station. I have a long tool line that is split like that and a small town near C taps into the route with trucks.

The problem with both of those suggestions is that the cargo does not get evenly split between the platforms or lines. Which is very inefficient.

I set the A-B-C-B route to load Iron at A and Coal at C so the cargo's don't overlap. The split lines will stay reasonably balanced if their size and frequency are about the same. If my split lines are not the same frequency I make the short part the inefficient one. The long distance routes are the money lines.

[Vimpster]

Originally posted by meomara:

I set the A-B-C-B route to load Iron at A and Coal at C so the cargo's don't overlap. The split lines will stay reasonably balanced if their size and frequency are about the same. If my split lines are not the same frequency I make the short part the inefficient one. The long distance routes are the money lines.

Well, yes, in the scenario of loading a different cargo at each point it should work fine. That isn't what we're talking about though. It is when it is the same cargo, or passengers, that is being loaded that it will not balance it efficiently between the platforms/lines that are being doubled.

[TheGreenFellow]

In case it helps, I find creating sidings about the length of a full train for both inbound and outbound trains can help considerably when attempting to make use of multiple platforms at the same station on the same line.

There's always going to be a logistical limit at some point, where it becomes more efficient to use higher capacity trains/vehicles (and extend stations to accomodate them). Trucks can only handle so much until you get to the semi-trailers in years after 1950.

The fewer vehicles you can make use of and keep matching the rate demanded, the less traffic you'll have. Particularly handy to keep in mind if having multiple routes use the same stretch of road and/or rail!

[canophone]

Originally posted by TheGreenFellow:

In case it helps, I find creating sidings about the length of a full train for both inbound and outbound trains can help considerably when attempting to make use of multiple platforms at the same station on the same line.

In TpF2, that's only really possible when you have trains at end points without any ability to loop around, and a train that goes past the centre break marker of the station will suddenly fail if you change its platform stop at a terminal station.

[TheGreenFellow]

Originally posted by canophone:

In TpF2, that's only really possible when you have trains at end points without any ability to loop around, and a train that goes past the centre break marker of the station will suddenly fail if you change its platform stop at a terminal station.

I mean, a loop is just a fancy exit siding, really...not sure in what situation it's *not* possible though? And it oughtn't have anything to do with centre break markers, I'm not suggesting using multiple platforms on the same singular set of station track...?

[MrSledge]

Originally posted by Vimpster:

Originally posted by meomara:

The way to add multiple platforms for the same stop is to double the line. Instead of an A-B loop used A-B-C-B loop where C is the second terminal. This is handy for steel where Iron and Coal are near each other.

You can also split the line in two if it is a long line. So instead of A-B make a line A-C and another C-B. This provides flexibility for that C station. I have a long tool line that is split like that and a small town near C taps into the route with trucks.

The problem with both of those suggestions is that the cargo does not get evenly split between the platforms or lines. Which is very inefficient.

Hey guys,

thank you all for the replies.

I find that it's really pointless to run dual or quad track and then squeeze it all into one platform., because I can branch off at different track switches so there is no overload.

I don't know what you guys have around your real-life transport, but I give an example of a busy city station in Melbourne with over a dozen platforms. Sometimes during peak hour trains are running slower, so they just redirect some of those trains to alternative platforms.

It seems a stupid thing not to have platform options for stations and or platforms.

Thanks again

Rod