Getting Started with TRAINS & SIGNALS - Everything You Need To Know | Factorio Tutorial/Guide/How-to

[@Nilaus]

All Master Class Blueprints are available on FactorioBin Overview and direct links to all Blueprints: nilaus.atlassian.net/l/cp/HBEUm524 (Pastebin links no longer work)

[@kylemackinnon5696]

appreciate you coming back to drop updated comment/links this since im binging so long after release

[@Tvis21]

We need a master class on how to be less addicted, Nilaus. Send help, I can’t stop, the factory must GROW!

[@antigov03]

easy stop when your computer stops ^^

[@alingupta2809]

@@antigov03 *power goes out* Did I Forget to Automate the Power????

[@abramthiessen8749]

Universal Paperclips is just a more honest but less fun Factorio. You stop when the whole universe has become part of your factory.

[@richardcagle5475]

Bruh. My life is ruined now. I though LoL was bad. Shiiit

[@oz_jones]

Have you tried adding additional production?

[@The_Mr._Biscuit]

For those of us in the future (1.1), Rail Signals (and Logistics Bots/Nets) on the Map is now a properly implemented option, so it does not require the debug menu to show.

[@1Tranan]

I spent way too long looking for that setting in the Debug menu. Thanks for the tip, saved me even more time, appreciate it!

[@kylemackinnon5696]

thank you from the world of tomorrow

[@Sathirel2]

Where? Can't find any option about that nor I can see signals on the map

[@The_Mr._Biscuit]

@@Sathirel2 I just went and disabled all my mods to make sure, and yeah. With the Map open (Either by clicking it or pressing M), there's a set of little boxes under the Mini-map window that filters out different information. You can turn Pollution on and off, show your Turret coverage, your Electrical and Logistic networks and their Bots, and your Rail Signals and Train Stops.

[@daizdamien1409]

Thanks from the future

[@kio05]

asked about trains on stream and get a masterclass a few days later :)

[@metroidrhyme]

You know your audience so well! I was just waiting to point out that you should have two chains into one exit signal, but you're completely right! There's no difference except that your way uses one less signal. Kudos to you, sir.

[@spencerstanley4759]

I'm not a man who likes 40 minute long youtube videos. But I must say, you are truly trying to write a 100% comprehensive master class of everything. And I learned so much from your video! I have many more to learn, and I think your master classes will be a good help for that!

[@endlosmacht]

4+ years later you are still helping me yet again. Thank you. The Factorio tutorial just doesn’t comprehensively explain how trains work. Replaying for space age I couldn’t remember how trains work. I did the final signal tutorial and spent 15 minutes trying to make the 4 trains go past each other. When I did it I didn’t understand why it work only that I got lucky. Thank you for this. The factorio devs should just link to this exact video and I’m sure 99% of players would have an easier understanding of how to use trains.

[@bcboy76]

Thank you for explaining Train Signals to me. at first, I didn't really understand until you made your "rule-of-thumb". Then I totally got it. Thank you again!

[@jonathanrichards593]

Good point about the schedule belonging to the whole train, loco(s) and wagons. If you're less disciplined about train make-up (who, me??) and you add a wagon or a locomotive to an existing train, it won't wipe out the schedule, but it will put the train into manual mode, and you'll have to switch it back to automatic. Perhaps it's too deep for the first video, but you might have mentioned about filtering freight wagons. For the interested: Open a wagon and middle-click one of the cargo slots. An item GUI pops up that you can use to filter that slot so that only that item can be loaded into it. Shift-right click copies a slot filter, shift-left click pastes it into another slot. Oh, and shunting! While the engineer is within a loco or a wagon, he uses Ctrl-V to disconnect a coupling, and Ctrl-G to connect (within a certain range).

[@bulldogg4]

I say this on every video but I absolutely love this series they're always absolutely packed with new information and tips I just had no idea about. Thanks for creating them.

[@tangoto1209]

This channel is by far the best source of knowledge I've found when it comes to Factorio

[@danielschweizer8644]

Very good master class as usual! :) You are one of the rare number of Factorians (at least on YT) who really understands signalling and the block concept! I have read an interesting article about railway signalling in Factorio and RL that helped me a lot and you are the first one who also mentioned this specific rule: A block starting with a chain signal cannot "store" a train. It can only go through. So keeping that in mind, signalling is actually pretty simple - excluding a 4-rail-4-way intersection and figuring out where to put the signals to separate the paths. xD

[@pauljs75]

Also one sometimes has to keep in mind the role of the train when designing these systems. For example if using an artillery train you may want to keep it off the main rail network because if it makes an unscheduled stop, then you will have biters attacking the spot it last fired from. (You only want those to shoot from defended locations, or you'll be dealing with broken tracks.) So you don't want it stopping at some intersection for your ore lines if you can help it any.

[@dmikalova]

I've been the train master for my weekly group and I learned a bunch of good tips here, especially with your signal rules. Thanks!

[@rarrmonkey]

For faster station entry you can put extra signals between the cargo wagons and the next train will enter the station before the other one has full left, just make sure the train only moves when it can fully exit or the next train might block other stations. (situational)

[@Nilaus]

I actually remove those from my stations for this tutorial as I felt that was too abstract for a Basic Train Tutorial

[@pixxlated_]

You're such a legend, man. The 3 rules you gave seriously helped me understand how to work the trains, thank you so much.

[@NickHey]

As a first time player i cam in after reading "Everything You Need To Know", and find out you didn't include laying rails at all.

[@somborn]

Oh my, I've seen many train tutorials, but yours is spot on! Thanks a lot!

[@murrayboyton8779]

First time dealing with trains in Factorio, was trying to make a Junction, realised i was in over my head. Came back to this Master class for advice. Thank you for these Nilaus, they are very much appreciated.

[@fashnek]

I don’t want trains ever stopped inside the intersection, so I will always use chain signals at the start (before each fork) and throughout. I will only use a regular signal where a train is completely clear (no more branching). I’m OK with a little more space required outside of the intersection in order to keep them empty of any stopped trains.

[@KG_Grandpa]

if tyou place a regular signal before the chain signal (the side where the train is coming from) you can even tell wich train goes first

[@Kiaulen]

The video I didn't even think to ask for! Thanks so much, Nilaus, I've been fighting trains in my latest base.

[@dj9136]

I watched half a dozen videos and yours is the first that it clicked with me! Thanks for taking the time to explain it and explain it well! Can't wait to watch more of your videos!

[@Jerimiaz]

Thank you! I've been searching through your videos lately, looking for a place where you build a train network and explain its inner workings. The timing of this Master Class video is perfect!

[@Orblets]

Over 600 hours in the game.. Never knew you could increase the train visualization amount... Thank you so much for that!!

[@bossmandudeman]

Love your master class series! I am a returning player and am using you as a refresher course so to speak which is amazing! This class on trains definitely helped, keep it up!

[@AlojzyZyrokompas]

This is hands down a single best tutorial on signal trains I've ever encountered.

[@soundwaveandfriends]

I use your cityblock blueprint, but put railways between cityblocks. Each city block has separate drone suply area, so drones don't fly everywhere in my base. Also, i plan space for double wall difence in each cityblock in order to begin with cityblock. If i want to make it space-efficient it's reasonable to make rails closely to each other. So right - hand trafic make it possible

[@Nortonius_]

From one teacher (me) to another (you) the “can you figure out how to signal” challenge , then taking us through the method, then having us do the problem and explaining the solution, was just great pedagogy. As close to making a youtube video an interactive learning experience as it can get. When is the exam? Thank you!

[@phillip3330]

I'm so glad you explained who the teachers were, otherwise I would've never guessed that was what you meant. Excellent pedagogy!

[@dens790130]

The exam is your factory :)

[@fissionphoenix4995]

The exam is making your own train network for your factory in your world.

[@bayleylovett698]

This guy is amazing, I never comment on peoples videos but these Master Class videos are insanely helpful. Cheers dude, much love.

[@Alexander-iq7sr]

Best train tutorial I've ever seen. Thank you, Nilaus, great job as always.

[@LambChop00S]

Thank you for this video. The signalling explanation made a lot of sense and I think it will help unclog my trains finally.

[@arnoeagleeyes]

Thank you very much. Finally I understand how rail signals work.

[@elilewis8212]

I've actually started using the temporary stops as a way to help troubleshoot, since you can't set a temp stop if it can't pathfind to it. So it would help by letting you know which segments actually work and where the problem is

[@ChristianBrugger]

I am a total beginner. Where I am stuck now is at the train network layout. Is there any tutorial? Specific questions: + Distance in tiles between tracks (1, 2, 4) + How many tracks in parallel (2, 4, 8) + Signals on straight tracks + Benefits / drawbacks of buffers / depots + Discussion of different layouts that work and pro's / con's that people use + Where to refill the trains + Train routes (many to many vs. single routes) + Which intersection sizes to use (3 exits, 4 exits) + What intersection types to use

[@tootall1488]

Great video! Looking forward to the one that shows how to use circuit networks to monitor station needs and requesting deliveries.

[@akhdanarif9416]

been years trying to understand the concept of rail signal, even in the tutorial, I still can't get the big picture. found this video and legit 38 mins of enlightment. you're fenomenal. thanks a lot!

[@retiredtravazapper2827]

i am a fluent english speaker from brazil BUT when dealing with new and complex things ( usualy ) i have to watch the video 2 to 3 times, but with your calm and good explanations i understood everything that i had not understood for months thank you so mutch

[@jeffreyblack666]

For the T intersection, I believe part of it will come down to preference. Do you want trains to be able to repath at an intersection if they get stopped? If yes, then you want the signal before the intersection so they can choose to go left or right while stopped (and thus for elegance may want it at the end as well). If you don't want them repathing, then it is better to have the signal after they have already turned, as then they are committed and can't change their mind. Then there is also that some people like the aesthetics of having the signal before and after a Y.

[@storymode9085]

"its ass is hanging into this signal", lol that damned train! subbed, also good explainations

[@inund8]

Regarding single vs double headed trains, if you have enough room, you can do a loop back. For the example you gave this is much more economical.

[@davidvankasteren361]

I'm really really interested in the next video about trains! Especially dealing with multiple stations with the same name has been a difficult topic for me.

[@user-BlackBear90]

Trains are amazing! Thank you very much! Signals were a hell before i watched your guide 3 times.. :D

[@virtual5754]

One good reason to choose left hand direction over right hand is signals position. For left hand all the signals are inside and for right hand they are outside. If everything is kept inside, it takes less space and keeps railroad clean and neat. And you can build anything immediately next to rails.

[@luissemedo3597]

This. Even living in Portugal where we drive on the right, trains still roll on the left, is this normal?

[@NecroWolfExPaladin]

I knew absolutely nothing about signals going in. My original guess was 6, but part way through the cross intersection, before the T junction i revised my guess to 9. I didn't, until you demonstrated, anticipate normal vs chain signals. Thanks to you I now have a pretty firm grasp of both. I actually found this video while trying to figure out how to make stations as well as how to fill liquid wagons. This got me halfway there, and a bit further, technically, so I'm grateful for this video.

[@thijmen6333]

Thanks for making my next 40 min this evening great!

[@kelsanswer]

Love your videos and keep up the great work! If you're taking suggestions, I'd love to see a video about modules. Where and when to use each of the three types, as well as ideas on when to upgrade from level 1 modules to a higher tier.

[@anToha_UA]

OMG now my three-trains-tutorial-railroad works like a charm! Looking at my trains working like expected made me experience a geek-gasm :) Thanks!!

[@fang_xianfu]

One thing you didn't mention about signals that is a very common misconception is that you don't need to follow the one-train-length rule when you're just signalling along a straight piece of track with no intersections. On straight track your signals can be as close as you like and it just determines the following distance of trains. Putting them as close as physically possible does work.

[@Nilaus]

...but it serves very little purpose to do that. I don't want to make things more complicated by explaining things that really don't serve a purpose.

[@StephanTrube]

It can increase the frequency at which trains can use that rail (and clear another rail), and thus throughput. It makes no difference on a mostly empty network, but if there is a lot of traffic (without causing jams, but occasional waiting), placing chains of rail signals can increase throughput for high traffic sections. There is no effect if there is no waiting , and the block directly after an intersection should of course be big enough for a full train.

[@integratedleo493]

when u came back to the challenge I already forgot about it, too many informative informations, I'm Saying that with over 300hr of gameplay! can't wait to scratch my head over the advanced version of this hahah

[@brianofwar]

Hey, great video very relevant to me right now! One thing I was hoping to see though was actually early game, mid game and end game loading and unloading setups! Like fastest unloading and loading methods.

[@Nilaus]

that would be way too complicated for this video and it would also add a lot to an already long runtime

[@sonik3406]

Thanks for the tutorial. I am just playing hte story mode and was overwhelmed. THanks to you it is way clearer.

[@kosder-hm2xr]

one of the best trains tutorial on youtube

[@herbert.hutterer]

You explain a relatively complex subject (for me as noob) in a total comprehendable way. Thank you! :)

[@MCLooyverse]

I recently decided to use trains a lot, and began a save with that intention. Because of this, I very quickly set up a chest that always has many stacks of rails in it just waiting for me. Rails have not been a problem, and I didn't even really think about having a single two-way rail to my first resource outposts. Once I got the tech to mess with trains, I very quickly had a unified train network, and, knowing that was coming, having special-case two-way trains doesn't seem like a good way even just to start. I've been enjoying messing with the logic of stops and trains and circuits in general trying to get them to behave how I want, especially when I have a disconnected outpost which I cannot (self-imposed limitation) connect to with a circuit network. I'm watching this to see what I've done wrong or have over-complicated, what chain signals are for, and see what I haven't even considered that trains can do. (Edit at 7:40) Interesting. I'm not super far along in my save (Red, Green, Blue, and Military sciences), so neither are my outposts very far away, nor is my production very large. The *only* 1-2 train I have is one that carries solid fuel and water to two of my resource outposts that are powered by their own steam engines. All the rest, including the ones that fetch remote ore, are 1-1 trains. It used to be that my stone train (the first mining outpost I had, as I ran out of local stone first) was a 1-2 train carrying mixed stone and solid fuel, and water, but that sucks, and I figured out the logic to have an outpost supplying train that would take that job from it (and all other ore-fetching trains in the future, including an iron one I have now).

[@dbrown129]

Thanks!

[@VadimSuharnikov]

Hi @Nialus and thanks for your work! You helped me to make my base better.

[@DrCaesarsPalace_MD]

I have always built the chain-before-regular-after for junctions...never twigged that it's essentially unnecessary. Nice optimisation 👍

[@thebaronvoncarson]

Beautiful. Thank you. Can you do a drone masterclass next? I'm struggling with how to get those logistic networks going and where to get them to draw the items from and everything! So overwhelming!

[@pogoslogos]

Sammmme. It's so daunting that I'm too scared to get started! But I know it will be a game-changer once implemented.

[@deanlawson6880]

Thanks for this very good and concise and well organized and illustrated video on this (initially) VERY confusing topic Nilaus!! Great Train tutorial!! I love the walk-through on the T-Intersection signaling, and the *Rules for Signals*!! Excellent!! Thanks again Nilaus!!

[@semadt]

Thanks for your Masterclass series, and I am especially looking forward to the advanced train topics masterclass - that's an area I always struggle with.

[@guycohen4403]

Great guide I have been waiting for a good guide like this for a long time but I didn't fully understand signals and how it all works so if you can explain more about it ,it would be great

[@FerrybigGaming]

For the signal challenge, I would also add 3 chain signals more, that way the trains wait in front of the crossing, and if 1 path is blocked, they eventually can choose a differend route. Great for the deadlock in your network by a mistake. In your case, you actually have to go to the trains, and manually drive them backwards, while in the other case, solving a deadlock is just as simple as CTRL clicking on the map in the train GUI

[@olekseleznov6]

Thank you for "temporary station" hint! It will make a lot of things much easier in my spaghetti base - I was sure it's some kind of modding when saw it in videos.

[@asailijhijr]

It was only recently added to the game.

[@Nuttycomputer]

I liked this, one thing that I think is important to realize though is whether or not to use two-headed trains isn't as much about the driving direction as much as it is whether you will have a turnaround point. I have some sections of rail, especially when starting out that was only going out to a small mine and back. While I did only have the one rail out there I used a single-headed train with a turnaround and just setup the signaling such that a train couldn't enter that section unless it could go all the way through.

[@detectivepup1167]

Not finished watching yet (and actually I'll finish it tomorrow, just noticed the time, it's late here!), but I loved the signal challenge! Was confident at first, paused it and worked out one of the lines before continuing (was too much to hold in my head). Learned something, but was still confident when you explained your method, and then ended up still being wrong even after I adjusted XD Great video so far, and I've learned a lot from your videos just in general, so thank you!

[@smorcrux426]

oh my god I need this so much thank you I love you nilaus

[@randallanderson4999]

After you added the second train and station you could also have the teaching moment where you have both trains going, and show the blocking, chain signals and path routing for these trains.

[@nein3405]

the "space for one train (of the maximum train lenght you run) after rail signal" is only valid after junctions. on straights it doesnt really matter. if you have different sized trains it can even be beneficial to have the rail signals spaced out according to the shortest train, since you can fit more trains per track.

[@Nilaus]

So you are suggesting adding more redundant signals... i dont think that would be my recommendation in a tutorial...

[@nein3405]

@@Nilaus and rightfully so, it would be confusing

[@arcticviper252]

Decent tutorial. Literally subscribed for the flawless danish accent.

[@davethedestroyer9727]

Awesome video! I might have missed something, but I'm wondering if there's a way to prevent a train from stopping at the refueling point each pass. Like, can i have it to where the train only stops when it has, say, 5-10 pieces of coal left so it isn't causing bottlenecks?

[@EagleEye789]

Nilaus we love you!

[@Robbbbb1011]

The best factorio content on youtube, thanks a lot man.

[@SnowboundAxis]

The rules are so helpful for understanding the mechanics. Thank you so much!

[@raingaming8]

Finally an explanation of chain signals that I can understand!

[@Mike...p]

I have watched this video 5+ times and every time it makes my eyes glaze over and I usually fall asleep at the screen. I don't think I ever get trains.

[@maurycszmuc570]

Watch doshdoshingtons video on trains, he explains it in a more concisive way. Don't worry, trains are not as complicated as you think.

[@katium9176]

Watching this video again makes me miss playing Factorio so much. I wish the S key on my laptop still works

[@Evolyzer]

Thank you so much! Now I finally understand how signals work

[@koolkid4996]

Thank you this will help my schoolwork.

[@PerTrygveMyhrer]

I think inactivty and empty is great on unloading station since you often have that at base and can use it for refulling

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

Left or right handed drive actually makes a bigger difference then just merely changing the side on which your signals are. I've messed around with both. There are some designs that I have made where left hand drive just isn't possible because I would need to have 2 signals placed in a space that only allows for one. This can obviously work the other way around with other intersection designs.

[@Xisdown]

Yet another helpful video. I'd love to see a part 2. I love trains, and your video already helped. Especially stations with the same name sound very interesting

[@dustind5176]

18:49 The eastbound engine is in the intersection blocking the southbound lane. The southbound lane is red only because there is another engine parked off screen. Remove that off screen engine and the southbound lane turns green in the intersection, right? So it's possible for an eastbound and southbound train to meet at the intersection at the same time and smash, right?

[@amorongaming3947]

Any chance you have blueprints of stations that line up with the city block and existing 4 lane blueprints? I'm a complete noob when it comes to trains and i learn better by taking an existing layout that works and then breaking it down into it constituent parts rather than trial and error..

[@HomelessOnline]

Thank you, this video is helping me tremendously!

[@DanielvomDorf]

thanks for seperating your videobar into sections. this helps a lot with tutorials. as always, an other high class tutorial. thanks for the work you put into it =)

[@sirosis7858]

These are such fantastic videos. I can't stop watching them. Its dragging me away from playing the game, hahah

[@JesseWillcox]

Finally, 10 videos later. A tutorial that is good! Thank you sir!

[@tschichpich]

4th rule: if the train is not allowed to park in the next block use a chain signal. Yes it's kinda logical for the intersection but if you are not so sure this helps. By the other rules you can place normal signal before a big intersection because it can park there

[@midori_the_eldritch]

i use chain where you put standerd signals, at first because i didnt know better, but now its because i can and will put intersections right after eachother, especialy in my early build this can lead to long streaches of track where you cannot enter unless you have a clean exit as there are just 7 intersections in a row (i know this is a terrable design, i needed to give a station a dedicated bypass because i had a poorly designed station with too many trains on it right after) or otherwise too close to properly signal without needing to edit, and i dont want to need to do that

[@yerniaxzaphyrax9828]

Finally you made a Train Tutorial thank you

[@AbsoluteHuman]

30:08 The train actually won't slow down, it will get through at full speed. Very handy for tunning the path. To slow down and leave immediately you need to set "wait for 0 seconds".

[@robjones3347]

I tend to primary use 141 trains. 2 locomotives going 1 way front and back into a pull/push design

[@bmw123ck]

In double-headed trains, why doesn't the locomotive going backwards contribute to the moving the train accelerating backwards and such?

[@nisargb6496]

probably locomotive can't move backwards, if they could there would be no need of double headed trains as the first locomotive could just accelerate backwards

[@Nilaus]

they cannot move backwards in automatic mode

[@jakeread9668]

@@Nilaus Would the double-headed train have a greater breaking force or is the second locomotive just idle when it isn't pulling the wagons?

[@Nilaus]

@@jakeread9668, less. The extra loco is dead weight

[@briguy91]

Dear Nilaus: I love you.

[@AlexaAXAG]

OpenTTD players: whom'st has summoned the chosen ones!

[@benjaminruiza]

I automatically became the "train guy" on our server because I've played openttd

[@nein3405]

@@benjaminruiza same ^^

[@comradememezonal8649]

@@benjaminruiza same

[@fiddleriddlediddlediddle]

I chose right-hand drive because I put my rails two tiles apart and it won't let me put signals in the gap between them. That's a functional difference. If the rails are close together, you have to use the outside.

[@benlangfield367]

25:13 what if a train gets in to the main cross part right in the centre because the chain signal lets it in (it's signal ahead is green) but a train comes across at the same time and they smash into each other? E.g. train comes in from the bottom turning left, path ahead all clear so it can go in, but another train is coming straight across from the left to right at the exact same time. Won't they collide?

[@simonsmit4005]

i dont expect that you see this nilaus but do you probably know if it is possible to insert an API on factorio to get data from it or an other way to get data out of it?

[@snubbelbuff1471]

My thought about signals is- Normal Signals allow the train to wait after the signal. Chain Signals DOES NOT allow the train to wait after the signal.

[@okuno54]

There's one more place I use double-headed trains: a fuel supply train. Obviously it's not necessary if you have a central fuel depot, but any sort of central depot can become a traffic bottleneck easily. Relatedly, the reason you'd use empty/full cargo and inactivity would be if you are refueling at the same station as you are loading/unloading. When I signal an intersection, I actually always start with chain signals. Then, I examine each signal, and if it's okay for a train to park after a signal, I'll replace it with a regular signal. This approach means I get a deadlock-free but sub-optimal intersection immediately and can then start looking at blocks to optimize the throughput. Also, as intersections get big, there are many more chain signals than rail signals, so I don't need to do as much work and am less likely to make a mistake.

[@nostalgia1036]

I just use request chest for solid fuel