train signals

[faltor]

i have been struggling with the rail signals and chain signals.getting to work correctly so my train can automatically go between stations..i always get NO PATH..i have followed the in game tips on signals and have copied the examples they show to my track..does not work..i have seen different utube vids and they all are showing different methods for same track layout..i love the game but signals are very hard to learn..wish it was easier..

[Fel]

For starters don't try to learn train signals on 2-ways tracks, it's one of the most complex thing to properly use signals on, making it very bad for learning.
You'll want rails to come in pairs, each handling one direction.

Once that is done, signals are in fact pretty simple to learn as long as you follow a few rules.

1/ Train signals work on the right hand side of the train's direction, like train stop.
If there is no signal on the opposite side it makes the rail 1-way (most likely cause of your no path).

2/ Right before an intersection (and throughout that intersection if you want to put signals there), use chain signals.

3/ If the space between the end of the intersection and the next intersection is too small to fit a full train, the whole thing counts as a single intersection.

4/ Right after an intersection, use standard train signals to "end" the chain.

5/ On long portions between intersections, use standard train signals at regular intervals to allow several trains to follow each other.


That's really all there is to learning train signals.
2-ways rails are more complex because any 2-ways portion counts as an intersection.

Of course, when you want your intersections to allow a higher throughput you'll need to study how blocks, path reservation and chain signals work together but that's a relatively advanced stuff that you can do without for quite a while.

[knighttemplar1960]

Trains look for signals on the right hand side of the track in the direction they are travelling (train stations too).

Along straight stretches of track place signals every train length (the game defaults to a train length of 1 engine and 4 wagons).

When you arrive at an intersection use a chain signal entering the intersection and a rail signal when you exit the intersection (unless the next intersection is closer than 1 train length, in that case use another chain signal when entering the next intersection.

When your track ends you'll need some type of loop around to go back the other way.

Use paired one way rails. It takes quite a bit of experience to get 2 way rails to work and the through put is very low for 2 way rails since only one train can use the track at a time.

When you get a no path message you can click on the train and hold control and trace the path the train should take. The path trace on your screen will break where the no path error is located.

Edit: ninjaed by Fel

[Doom Sayer]

Yeah just set it up kinda like a road. Two rails side by side with space between for signals and underground belts, power lines etc.

The the train signal just needs to be placed everywhere train collision can happen. So if there is a merge from two rails into one you need a signal before they merge. Then you want one signal after they merge. (idk why its needed to stop blockages from happening.) For intersections you could make a traffic circle or use some other intersection traffic circle is simplest to understand and layout. If you have a train stop that multiple trains are gonna use you have to space out multiple train signals distanced the length of the trains. I use one locomotive and two storage containers and have had no issues as a factorio noob.

My strategy has been basically make rail so i never need chain signals. I cant be confused about how to use something if i never need to use it.

This isnt me telling you how to do it or how best to do it but this is pretty low iq setup and I never have crashes. Before this i was never gonna touch trains but I have a real rail system now.

Also signals ALL have to be on right side of direction the rail will go. If one is on wrong side you will get no path.

Another thing is you have a hard limit on number of trains that can go over track with this setup. If you lack a big enough 'buffer' for trains to wait at a signal then you will have a catastrophic crash and traffic jam when too many trains are waiting and one approaches with out enough signal. (I think) Im guessing this is what chain signal are for idk.

[faltor]

thank you for the tips...i am currently using 3 seperate closed loop tracks crossing each other and signals are working ok with the rail and chain signals at the intersections...i dont know if i will ever be able to launch the rocket because you need 100 items to fill for the requirement to do so..but i am still having fun with this game..wish they would lower the requirements to launch rocket

[Booker T-Witt]

I watched the tutorial, read these tips, and still really have no idea how it works properly. I managed to get it working and I don't know how

[Kura]

Follow one train line at a time in the direction the train will travel. If there is a segment of track that you do not want your train to potentially stop in (such as an intersection), use a chain signal at the point where it can enter that segment. Otherwise use the normal ones. Those are the fundamental concepts. The other stuff is just a more involved use of them.

If you follow your train down the track...

For normal signals:
Only 1 train can occupy any portion of the track between 2 normal signals at a time.

-------->
Normal - >Train> - Normal - >Train> - Normal

For chain signals:
Only 1 train can occupy any portion of the track between the chain signal and the segment after the next normal signal at a time. The space after needs to be clear and have enough room so the train passing through has someplace it can go.

-------->
Normal - >Train> - {Chain - Normal} - >Train> - Normal (train will not pass through)
Normal - >Train> - {Chain - Normal} - empty - Normal (train will pass through if room)

For intersections, remember to just follow one path at a time through the intersection and signal accordingly. Do that for each path through the intersection that a train could take and you should be fine. You can do more robust things with intersections using more chain signals but these are the basics.

I can help you in-game if you would like. Just let me know. Might be easier than deciphering my explanation here. I use trains a lot so I would be happy to help. :D