How to get double track working between stations

[ositodefelpa]

I have two connected train stations (i.e. two tracks per station) with each line of track extending from one station to another. I want to trains running between the stations one on each track. Can't see any way to do this. Whenever I create a new route between the stations the new route is applied to only one of the tracks, and the trains block each other.

Is there a way of doing this? I know I could use signals and stuff, but I want to know whether I can assign each line between the stations to a separate route.

[Northern_Gryphon]

You can limit tracks to one direction by holding shift while placing signals.

[flipmode]

You want train A to stick to rail A and train B to stick to rail B?
With a train`s route selected you can set which line to use for each station.
Playing with controller there is an extra "options" menu for each station where you can set this up, not sure how it works with m+k.

[magedogtag]

you may have already figured this out, but i put an "X" just outside the station and then on the other side of the X I put the directional signals for a single direction on each track. for low volume that works great. haven't got to large volume yet.

[kingobirds]

Guys when you hit set up route and select a station there's an edit button up there at the top left that lets you select the track you want the train to run on and prioritize goods.

[Dray Prescot]

Here is how to set it up in words: Start with 2 Stations, one at each City, each at least with 2 tracks, use the construct track option and click and hold the left mouse button while moving the mouse cursor from one station track at A to a similiar track at B. Next repeat this from the second track at A to B forming a double track next to the first track. Now all you have to do is add a switch at each end (Station) so that when a train comes in on it's right side of the double track to track 1 at Station A, it then turns around and the SWITCH between the two tracks sends it to other double track going in the opposite direction. Add a similiar SWITCH at the other end, then build ONE WAY Signals along BOTH sides of the double track such that the one way signals are always to the right side of the double track in the direction that One Way Signals allow Trains to move. Build additional Signals along the length of the double track, so that you can have more than one train traveling at the same time along one track. Make the spacing between the signals such that one train can fit between two successive signals.


The following may be your part of your problem:

You change a Signal Tower to a ONE WAY Signal Tower by holding down the shift key and left clicking your mouse cursor on the Signal Tower. If you left click on the Signal Tower WITHOUT holding down the shift key, then you change which direction it works in, i.e. you change which side of the track it is on; and Signal Towers only work on the right side of the track for a train headed in that direction. If the Signal Tower is on the other side of the track, then it only works for a train going in the opposite direction. So if you have a single track with ONE train going in both directions, you must place signals on both sides of the track. A ONE WAY Signal Tower has a little orange circle attached to the short end of the yellow cone which shows which way it is sending traffic and stopping traffic from the opposite direction.



Now just setup a Train Route by buying an engine and setting it's Route manifest going from A to B. If everything was done correctly, the Train can only travel in one direction using the right side of the double track in the direction it is going, and returns in the other direction on the other side of the double track (only really close to the Stations will a train be able to travel in both diretions on a track segment, i.e. just long enough to get to the switch near the Station).

You can now Clone the Train(Route) as many times as you want and have the money to buy, and that will fit onto the double track. It is quite possible to have 5 to 10 or more trains traveling in each direction along the double track (if it is long enough) between the Two Cities, if the track is broken up into many segments by the One Way Signals. You only want enough Trains on the Route to carry the available traffic (cargoes) between the two cities. You are also limited by the time it takes to unload the old cargo, turn around the engine, and load the new cargo at a Station, and then get to the other side of the double track.

As an example, in the East Campaign Game Map (1830), between Baltimore and New York City you can run up to about 5 to 7 trains in each direction of a double trak for a total of 10 to 14 Trains (in the beginning). 10 trains total is a more realistic number, allowing for other limiting factors, mostly total cargo traffic and how long it takes per train per stop at a station. I found that the average round trip time was over 70 days (with starting engines) and the average time per stop at a Large Station was 7 days with switches close to the Stations, so 10 trains total is about right. When engine speeds go up, the route will support/allow fewer trains total, but lower turnaround times in the Station (because of faster engines) will increase the number of trains the route can support. So you might be able to support 4 or 5 faster engines in each direction on a double track between Baltimore and New York City.

The key limiting factor is the average time between trains at a Station on ONE track at the Station, and having to turn around the engine and trains is a major time consumer. If the train can keep going in the same direction, it will spend less time in the station. Another limiting factor is how close to the Station you can build the switch between the double tracks. Sometimes, like on the north side of Baltimore there is a river in the way of buidling the switch close to the station. (You can NOT build a switch between tracks on a bridge)

added: If you have a double track Going from Station A to Station B with ONE switch at each Station there are 4 possible ways to set the two switches so that multiple trains can run smoothly between them: you can have Station A track 1 to Station B track 1, A 1 to B 2, A 2 to B 1, and A 2 to B 2. Any combination should work equally well, it is just a matter of how you set/draw the switches when you make them. Any choice between them should be made by external factors.

With 2 switches at each end of the double track you arrange for trains at Both of A's tracks (1 and 2) to be able to go to both of B's tracks (1 and 2). Which choice is made on the Route Manifest for that Train. You can even arrange things so that one train uses track 1 at a Station and then next train uses track 2 at that Station by setting their Route Manifests that way. However, particularly with random breakdowns, the relative order of those 2 trains when they are on the double track could change as time passes.

You can NOT set a particular train to use whichever track at Station is currently open when the train arrives at that Station.

The main to remember is that for MOST of the length of the double track, ONE WAY Signals only allow the trains to move on the right side of the double track in the direction they are going, and in the opposite direction on the other track of the double track.

If you do not use ONE Way Signals, then you could only have one train using one track of the double track between the 2 Stations, and a second train using the other track. This only works on low traffic short routes. Some routes to Rural Stations may only use one track but then they can not use One Way Signals on that track.

You could even reverse the directions of the trains on the double track by changing the Signals if you wanted, but it is a good idea to stick to one choice to avoid confusing yourself when you expand your track/Station network in the future.

By using a Loop (closed circle) arrangement of the tracks, a train may never have to change it's direction on that track.

[rff1]

Dray Prescot has explained the usual one-track-each way system in great detail. But the OP wanted one train going back and forth on each of two parallel tracks. To do that is simple, though inefficient: all you have to do is lay the two tracks without any connection between them. Then create a train on one track, by selecting the platform it is to use at its starting station during setup with the "edit station" button, then the second train similarly on the other track.

[ositodefelpa]

Thanks guys, I'll bear this in mind, if I start playing again :-)