Tips for using railway builders on active lines?

[Aqizzar]

Railway builder machines are finicky to use by nature, because they usually have to return to the shop by the same rail they're building on. Most of my railways are double tracks, so one-way signals are a constant problem for the machines.

When building additions to a railway line that's already in use, I have to add in diamond crossings and constantly babysit the operation, so that the builder machine can get back onto a one-way track without blocking all the other trains. Often there's no way to get a bit of connecting track built in an existing interchange without buying it, since the machine can't get itself there in the first place.

For all the same reasons, it's nigh impossible to have more than one machine working at a time, because they constantly run into each other on two-way tracks.

Those of you experienced with complicated rail networks, any tips for managing the builders?

[Dave]

It’s certainly not easy. I try to be very rigid about what what areas are under construction and what areas are fully 100% complete. And always build a switch where one type meets the other. This way the track builders will obey the semaphores until they get to the “under construction” area, and only then do they go crazy.

For building back-facing pieces of an interchange, you can put turn arounds at a couple of dead-ends of the rail network, and the track builder will take a long detour, but will be able to build these pieces. These turn arounds also help for your regular trains to find fuel stations.

I don’t have a solution for multiple track builders interfering with eachother. I just buy the biggest track builder and only one or at most 2 of them per RCO. I think if you keep tracks isolated (as in don’t put in any switches or forks or anything at first) the track builders won’t interfere with eachother because the number of accessible tasks never changes. I haven’t done this myself yet, but I think you could have a fleet of track builders build the majority of the track, and then move them to a depot or a different RCO while one track builder does the switches alone.

[Elessar_warrior]

I recently discovered that you can minimize the crane windows and drag then to the left corner so it only shows the eye icon, you can keep track of them more easily.
I have 8 cranes active for years now, building a lot of tracks lately.
You can't really have more than one block for double tracks, the cranes will just step into each other. When i start a new double rail segment i put an X in the start, chain in, normal signal out, mixed signals in the double tracks, with the chain side towards the junction.
Other thing that helps me is that when i build an X just for cranes i do it without wires so they have the power icon and i dont forget to delete then after, as my republic now is full eletric tracks.
X sections and inacessible tracks i always auto-buy.
Going all for diesel helps a LOT in building faster.
Ah, and ctrol+H is your friend.

[MrKrabs]

Well, rail building is the cream of this game imo.
When U have an existing line there will be one spot where a building train has to go back to his yard to restock etc. When a switch is under construction and or any train need to use a one way track for his way back, any other normal traffic can not be guaranteed, as simple as that. For example, if I plan to build a long tunnel or bridge, and I don´t seperate the site from the grid, than any train which should pass has to wait.
When I build double track bridges I use to build an X-switch in front of the bridge so two trains can build simultaneously, and find their way home without hindering each other.
I place here and there some turning points where a building train can reach an opposite piece of track. The semaphores can be adjusted accordingly.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2307320815

I kept the purple block one block for I have a few longer trains which I don´t want to have in that block waiting at any time.

Here a building train on his way back. It is on the right site for I first build the switch before I started the project. If I wouldn´t have done that, than the train have to use the left track all the way back, blocking my existing traffic.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2325968046

Here is the one yard I´m using. ( Used.... it´s an old shot )

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2330739836

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2323465031

It´s going out two tracks. It has enough space to accommodate two trains if one is coming back while another one is departing.
They have their entrance and exit exclusive.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2325968652

[JimBarracus]

A properly signalled diamond intersection is the best solution for this.
I usually use roundabouts and when I build a new track I usually branch it of a roundabout.

It needs enough space to let a builder train leave the roundabout.

[MrKrabs]

Bbaljo is doing a good job here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWi-44vYG3A&t=2s

Many times when building trains kiss each other, I could solve it by changing a lot of signals, and sending back a lot of trains. Mostly I´m simply to lazy for that and just click ctrl H.

[bballjo]

Rail construction requires a lot of planning and foresight, but things change a lot in this game over time, so generally all planning goes out the window...

So instead of having a plan, plan to fail...build in switches often and early so when you have to add new switches you don't have to change too much signaling for your trains to get back.

Another thing that's very helpful...keep your construction zone AND RCO in the same block, without any signals...it's a little cheaty but this way no babysitting is required and you can use all 4 trains...when they do run into each other 1 just always teleports home, but everything gets done faster this way.

[Onbird]

If you're using double track as standard, you could make both tracks two-way during construction. Once you have a single track done, use it for traffic while building the second. No other train than the track builder should have reason to get to the unfinished second track.

For the single track serving traffic, usual semaphore systems for single track apply. If nothing else, maybe build a short two-way bypass by the first finished track.

[TTV_That_Gamer_Taz]

Used the mixed signals right after the diverging. This helps to allow the railway construction vehicle to move along the unfinished tracks and key the main clear.