Need help - how do I get a train to switch tracks?

[Devil Dog]

If you built 2 or more tracks side by side to run seperate trains from the same #1 (pickup) and #2 (delivery) stations, how do you get one or more trains to the other tracks right out of the same train depot?

Or do you build a separate train depot for each track?

[BMW-POWER]

You can do it with one depot.
What you must do is make a cross in the tracks and click on the cross and choose 'slip switch'
Other trains on the same lines/rails can use it.

[Vimpster]

If you want different lines to go to the same stations but on different tracks you will need to use waypoints to direct them on which track you want them to take.

Unless of course you mean multiple trains on the same line and simply going one way up one track and the other way on the other track, in which case you simply need to make all the signals on one track face the opposite direction of the signals on the other track and they will automatically use the appropriate track.

[ChunkHunter]

I made a couple of screenshots some time ago to illustrate this:

This first one shows how you can set up a line to use "up" and "down" tracks to go between two stations by means of a single signal at each end of the (double) track.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=901819684

The second shows how to enable a "double slip switch".
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=901819386

I use the signals on the legs to the depot to force a newly created train to go in a particular direction by setting the other to be a one way only signal (The signal on the left is set in the direction going TOWARDS the depot).

Hope this helps.

Edit:
Here's another screenshot I made to illustrate double-slip switches:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=891724522

[larry_roberts]

If I'm understanding you correctly you simply need to create routes for each line (even if they are using the same tracks -and start and finish stations- for most of the route) they will, automatically, choose different platforms -if there is a route to each platform- on reaching the end stations, and you can create more platforms at intermediary stations if you wish so each line (up and back) can have it's own platforms (or terminals as they seem to be calling them in this game) at each station!. Click on each station to control terminal use!.

[killakanz]

When you set up the line, you pick the platform (or terminal) that the line uses. Trains follow the route shown on the line, they do not deviate, they will go to the platform stated on the route. They will not pick an empty platform for convenience.
Keep this in mind when planning your routes.
100% of traffic jams reported on these forums are caused by poor planning by the player.

[canophone]

Originally posted by killakanz:

When you set up the line, you pick the platform (or terminal) that the line uses. Trains follow the route shown on the line, they do not deviate, they will go to the platform stated on the route. They will not pick an empty platform for convenience.
Keep this in mind when planning your routes.
100% of traffic jams reported on these forums are caused by poor planning by the player.

The good news. It is easier to redirect a vehicle on a lineup to another terminal on the beta for the next patch.

[Devil Dog]

@BMW-POWER @Vimpster thx for the input.

@ChuckHunter thx for the pics! That middle one really helped because that is exactly how my trians leave a depot.

Just at the right edge of that same pic tho is where I get in trouble - one of my trains always wants to hop over to the other track, effectively blocking that line. I'll try rebuilding the tracks again, thx!

UPDATE

This helped big time - THANKS! One thing to be aware of for anyone new to this, you gotta drag the track that will be joining the main line, just out a bit more to get the slip switch pop up. Took me 3 trys to get it to appear.

This game really needs some kind of planner, track testing tool or at least CTRL-Z. Kinda silly, in the really real world no one will lay down thousands of dollars of track, look at it, then realize it needs to go another way.

[Velten]

It would also be nice if you could place track in pause.

[Thork]

No idea how that fits into this topic, but you can lay track in pause.
The only exception is the first America campaign mission, no idea what the reason is/was.

[canophone]

Originally posted by Thork:

No idea how that fits into this topic, but you can lay track in pause.
The only exception is the first America campaign mission, no idea what the reason is/was.

I might assume the reason as being to demonstrate that it can be done for those that want to make such scripts.

[SelRoN]

Originally posted by killakanz:

When you set up the line, you pick the platform (or terminal) that the line uses. Trains follow the route shown on the line, they do not deviate, they will go to the platform stated on the route. They will not pick an empty platform for convenience.
Keep this in mind when planning your routes.
100% of traffic jams reported on these forums are caused by poor planning by the player.

100% GAME FAULT! not player, the game dont explain ALOT of things, for example it dont explain in tutorials that you have to add the waypoints to the line path, all it say is to put waypoints on the blue and green mark with no explanation why, it treats the player like a 3 years old, but then expect it to use same mecanics that didnt explain how should work, is the game showing all the time where is the blue or green mark like it shows in tutorial? no? then it should explain what is the meaning behind it if it expects people to use those mechanics that they didnt explain at all to play the game, it didnt specify that you must add waypoints to the line path so the train can use it and change tracks, witch is the main thing you must do, all it say is to place it on the specific place blue and green on the tracks, but if you dont add it to the line path it does not work, train dont go to those waypoints where you place them. Tutorials in this game SUX! manny times they dont explain acurate and fully wtf is the game mechanic and how it should work. Thank God for forums.