Distribution centers

[Biff Gimble]

I posted this to another thread about the need for a better tutorial, but I thought I would give it it's own thread since it deals specifically about the proper use of distribution centers. This is what I know so far:

1. Distribution center catchment, roads, station and building placement:

a. Distribution centers have a catchment area.
b. Distribution centers can build roads but only within their catchment area.
c. Distribution centers connect to stations and industry buildings via roads.
d. Stations and industry buildings can be built outside but adjacent to the
catchment area of the distribution center and connected with a road.

2. A distribution center will service only one type of industry at a time, i.e. only coal mines OR only sawmills, etc.

3. A distribution center can service multiple buildings of the same industry type. I have tested it out to 6 sawmills connected to one distribution center. I don't know if there is an upper limit.

4. I'm not exactly sure on this but I think only one station will connect with one distribution center.

After you've completed your station, distribution center, industry building(s) build, clicking on the station will show that it is connected to the distribution center and clicking on the distribution center will show how many industry buildings it is connected to.

I locate and place my distribution center for maximum industry building coverage. Then I build the industry buildings and connect them via roads to the distribution center, keeping in mind the optimal station placement as well. Then I place the station. Haven't had any issues. Your mileage may vary.

[Seabee]

Rasalsul, thank you for this post. I have set up 3 sawmills and 2 potato farms using distribution centers without any issues. But, I couldn't set up 2 coal mines until I followed your post exactly. Again, thank you.

[jhughes]

Originally posted by Seabee:

Rasalsul, thank you for this post. I have set up 3 sawmills and 2 potato farms using distribution centers without any issues. But, I couldn't set up 2 coal mines until I followed your post exactly. Again, thank you.

It works fine with coal mines as well, if both mines are connected to the Distribution Centre.

Make sure you are connected to the actual Mine and not the Storage with the Distribution Centre road.

As far as limits .. I have had up to 10 items connected to a Distribution Centre, not sure if there is an upper limit either.

[Kryptika]

I have placed a station and a Sawmill (all connected at it has a blue shadow) - I have now grown and in need of another sawmill - so I make a roda from the station, plop down my distribution centre (about 4 tiles away, add another sawmill about 4 tiles away and NOW WHAT... The distribution centre says its connected, the second sawmill says it needs workers despite the fact that there are two dedicated 5 Wagon passenger trains, the distribution centre wants coal and has its own dedicated train for that... how do I know my production has gone up, how do I get more workers to the second sawmill which is not connected to a station.

[EMAPhil]

Extra industries will temporarily create a worker shortage. this will correct assuming you have enough workers coming by train next visit

[TooTall1]

Originally posted by Kryptika:

I have placed a station and a Sawmill (all connected at it has a blue shadow) - I have now grown and in need of another sawmill - so I make a roda from the station, plop down my distribution centre (about 4 tiles away, add another sawmill about 4 tiles away and NOW WHAT... The distribution centre says its connected, the second sawmill says it needs workers despite the fact that there are two dedicated 5 Wagon passenger trains,

So far so good, assuming that the road connects the sawmill to the Dist. center and the station (it can be the same road)...

Originally posted by Kryptika:

the distribution centre wants coal and has its own dedicated train for that...

The Dist. center when empty will default to showing the coal symbol. It does NOT need coal. When connected to a producing sawmill and then to a station the lumber symbol will be displayed and you will know you are in business, workers will get there when delivered, since the station>dist. center>sawmill are now connected.

[Kryptika]

There are no people... everything else is connected... https://www.udrop.com/77xC/Distribution.jpg

[Kalombi]

I have had 16 connected quarrys to one distribution center. I have multiple stations attached to one DC. Distribution centers are awesome!

[Kryptika]

Originally posted by Kalombi:

I have had 16 connected quarrys to one distribution center. I have multiple stations attached to one DC. Distribution centers are awesome!

Show me a screen shot... how do you get workers to it.

[TooTall1]

Originally posted by Kryptika:

There are no people... everything else is connected... https://www.udrop.com/77xC/Distribution.jpg

I had the same issue. When I did my setup exactly like you have, I also could not get workers out to the farther sawmill. What fixed it was contacting the side of the road, not the end of it, to the station. Do you see how the end of the road runs directly into the station? It should logically connect the station to the sawmill. Currently only the side of the road, not the end of it actually makes the connection. If you jog our road around the station and contact the platform, the side of the road will contact the station and the connection will be recognized.