Two-way train system

[CondorDrake]

Hi there, just been playing around in my first round after purchase and while everything worked quite well up to some point, I ran into problems when I tried to use trains. The signals work correctly but sometimes, there's just not enough space to squeeze all the necessary signals in, for example in junctions.

So my question is, did anybody find a good way to set up a two-way system yet? Distance between tracks so all signals fit in in T-junctions and cloverleafs? Optimal train length to avoid deadlocks at junctions because the back of the train still reaches into the previous track segment, aso?

Would be nice if someone with more playing experience could give me a pointer into the right direction.

Thanks

[Danny]

Hi, I dont personally have much experience with junctions and such, but I can link you to a collection one of the mods put together with some pretty cool designs.
Credit to Refreshfr
https://imgur.com/a/Hcsc41w

I'd recommend asking for help on the Discord as it is easier to share screenshots, videos and etc..
https://discord.gg/voxeltycoon

[Mad Scientist]

Honestly my stuff is getting so big I use two main line tracks, in one direction each that eventually loop through one of the two:

-Last loading point for resources
-A sizable railyard with multiple in/out lines back to the main line

Else I make sidings, where the siding is one-way, and the other side of the track is also one-way, to ensure trains dont meet face-to-face requiring sending one back to the depot.

A user in the VoxelTycoon discord made this:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/594657634091663504/842240808187199498/20210512230633_1.jpg

Another made this:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/594657634091663504/841151963471020052/four_leaf.JPG

Originally posted by UGH Dany:

Hi, I dont personally have much experience with junctions and such, but I can link you to a collection one of the mods put together with some pretty cool designs.
Credit to Refreshfr
https://imgur.com/a/Hcsc41w

I'd recommend asking for help on the Discord as it is easier to share screenshots, videos and etc..
https://discord.gg/voxeltycoon

Ok that is the most impressive compact one I've seen so far

[Ric]

Originally posted by UGH Dany:

Credit to Refreshfr
https://imgur.com/a/Hcsc41w

Some very nice junctions in there!

Here's a few I use extensively. Not as pretty but do the job until I start playing around with using the terrain to make them a lot prettier. Will probably wait for blueprints before I go into any great depth/design. These can be expanded if longer blocks are needed.

Simple cloverleaf (just noticed these are missing a few signals on one side..lol)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2486330384

Simple T-junction (limits speed a little due to turn radius but not major problem)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2486330403

[PinStratsDan]

Apologies for taking the lazy option ;-). Here are my comments to someone on Reddit on how I approach the train network with a one-way double track system. I don't bother with designed intersections, but do follow a set of principles which serves me well and that results in a nicely flowing rail network.

https://www.reddit.com/r/voxeltycoon/comments/n2q25w/1st_time_using_trains_in_this_game_got_any_tips/gwnpsea?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

[CondorDrake]

My network is kind of working, so signals and stuff are not a problem (anymore) - my major problem is that I need so many trains to fulfill the different city needs that I get large jams at junctions. They don't deadlock but trains have to wait forever which makes the whole thing quite ineffective.

I was trying to go with trains no longer than 10 carts but that just seems not enough because I need 3-4 trains per resource to get the cities needs on average at least. If I make the trains longer, I need more space between junctions to stop trains from ranging into multiple segments and causing a deadlock, which makes it quite difficult to get everything connected properly.

I think I'll start over and see if I can get it done with a train length of 20.

[PinStratsDan]

Originally posted by Equinox:

My network is kind of working, so signals and stuff are not a problem (anymore) - my major problem is that I need so many trains to fulfill the different city needs that I get large jams at junctions. They don't deadlock but trains have to wait forever which makes the whole thing quite ineffective.

I was trying to go with trains no longer than 10 carts but that just seems not enough because I need 3-4 trains per resource to get the cities needs on average at least. If I make the trains longer, I need more space between junctions to stop trains from ranging into multiple segments and causing a deadlock, which makes it quite difficult to get everything connected properly.

I think I'll start over and see if I can get it done with a train length of 20.

Are all your trains the same length and speed and is your signalling adequate? Have you upgraded to advanced carriages and faster trains? Each upgraded carriage takes three times as much product as an original carriage and with fast trains (200 km/h vs 80 km/h) you also complete the trip twice as fast. I just upgraded my trains to electric 200 km/h trains and now I don't have any congestion issues again. The advantage of the electric trains is that they also don't lose their speed and they stop and accelerate instantly so you don't get this cascade effect that you get with the steam trains i.e. when one train stops, it causes a much bigger and longer slowdown with trains behind it. You can thus run many more trains closely together without congestion.

Anyway, my set of design principles work for me ;-) . In my first game (linked above via the Reddit post) I had 50 trains without congestion issues and in my latest game, which I will hopefully reach the final research goal tonight, I have about 30 trains running over the same track with little slowdowns or congestion.