Astroneer - Rail Automation- The Basics - A Helpful Guide | OneLastMidnight

[@You-vj2zr]

Great video , btw you can also throw a storage sensor on the medium silos (around the 12min mark ) the storage sensors just send a signal when the silos are empty to turn the arms off and then they are operated based on storage of the silos rather than where the train is.

[@gideonstowell3070]

Came here to say this

[@OneLastMidnight]

Complete agree, but I was giving an example of how you 'could' use the reaction slots on the rail pole, and not how to use the storage sensor. Yes, it isn't a perfect example but it works if you understand what I was trying to accomplish.

[@You-vj2zr]

@@OneLastMidnight Yee hahah as I watched more I realised u probs knew that cuz u were using the storage sensors for the other example hahah. Oops. But yea great video. This game is getting there all we need now is an automation aspect for the spaceships so we can have imports from other shelters/planets.

[@OneLastMidnight]

@@You-vj2zr Now, that would be very nice!

[@heatsrink01]

@@OneLastMidnight can you make one using the junctions. I would like to know if you can automate trains to go into or come from different directions to one location?

[@biggiesmalljaws]

I’ve been complaining so long that this game needs a conveyor belt delivery system and your video just made me realize that trains can do exactly that. The possibilities are endless for easy resource crafting automation around my bases now! THANKS!!!!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Great to hear!

[@fonsworththethird]

you can also make an automated astronium delivery system for making fault finders and trading them, you just need rtgs or qt-rtgs because theres no sun and very little wind down there

[@skyanite1741]

@@fonsworththethird This is probably a bit late but you can use power extenders with surface electrical systems for the same results (Solar/Wind with battery banks for night or still air are likely a cheaper alternative) but that shouldn’t matter with late-game automated Nanocarbon Alloy

[@youwillseemeanywhere4348]

@@fonsworththethird Fun fact: I'm a mantle dweller, so that's not a really bad problem.

[@IanSebryk]

not being able to do simple station-to-station automation with the pins is a pretty major oversight on the developer's part!! thanks for troubleshooting that screwup for us. :)

[@rremnar]

I wonder why dev studios refuse to test out new content they make? Sure, there are creative ways people can find issues that engineers will miss; but dam every dev studio for not having a proper QA team.

[@looper34]

Great video you now what’s funny a few years ago in one of your videos I had said that I hoped that they would add trains and they did which makes me very happy

[@OneLastMidnight]

I know, right!

[@methamphetamememcmeth3422]

Wait, when was this? I haven't played since the exobiology update.

[@friendly_neighborhood_troll]

@@methamphetamememcmeth3422 updated on the 11th of july

[@GooserMan]

The devs doing amazing. I don’t have to make a line of auto arms anymore

[@tonymacaroni7774]

and to think that’s what I did a month before this update. made about 100 auto arms and platforms

[@OneLastMidnight]

Wow, that is a lot.

[@devinfaux6987]

I still kinda want conveyor belts though...

[@assassinxsteveo]

@@devinfaux6987 yo conveyor belts would be the chef’s kiss on this!!!! 😲👍🏽

[@Daeon108]

yeah, looking forward to automating astornium collection!

[@jdleung1669]

Looking forward to the auto space rocket transport, that’s what I need the most, had lots of mines in other planets, too lazy to collect them

[@OneLastMidnight]

That would be a nice feature.

[@DeleteKernel]

In the 2nd example you could actually skip all of the button repeaters and connect stuff directly. Their only purpose is to enable you to press them bu hand. In the 3rd example, stuff is usually made by setting the right stations to load/unload and applying the storage sensor set to full/empty with a proximity repeater attached. This way, when the car gets fully loaded/unloaded, it sends itself right back. No additional rail posts on the ends needed!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Never really felt rails were fully completed.

[@Game_Blox9999]

I actually had an idea over the weekend. How about you make a loop of track with rail cars on it. Then, put a bunch of large storage bins with auto-arms feeding a certain item into them. Each auto-arm will have a filter on them so they don't take anything but the item that its storage bin holds. Just have the rail cars go in an endless loop around the track.

[@jackal4061]

Thanks so much, shame my addled brain can't make better sense of the automation logic. Your videos at least help me get basic stuff set up. Looking forward to the junction automation as well! Great work!

[@OneLastMidnight]

You can do it!

[@raccoon93]

I could never get anything to work with the automation either, despite watching several step by step videos!

[@sir_charles_iii5154]

Same here. Automation is a trial and error process. Would be nice if you'd get automation missions to get a handle on their use throughout the game. I've gotten to my last planet (Atrox) before dabbling.

[@jackal4061]

@@sir_charles_iii5154 I feel like I get the concepts, but when I try to do some project it doesn't work.

[@TheMousheen]

Would love an updated rail automation video now you have more experience with them. I am trying to make a complex resource rail network.

[@OneLastMidnight]

What do you have in mind? I think I have 2 or 3 rail videos already. What do you want to see?

[@deliberatelybadadvice722]

Great workaround for the draw distance issues!

[@OneLastMidnight]

One word... Ron!

[@Peanut-Butter]

Peanut butter like Astroneer and your channel

[@numgun]

Best guide to figure out train automation for Astroneer - helped me massively and is practical enough for a casual like me to grasp and use ingame. 👍

[@KaiHenrych]

As a casual just starting to automate, I totally concur!

[@moritzh5133]

It's been over a year since the posting of this video. Did the developers fix the draw distance train stoppage thing?

[@mohammadnazriabdsamad8286]

Midnight's new helmet comes with one heck of an vape pen!

[@onealmatthews4729]

How did he get it?

[@OneLastMidnight]

It's almost too much!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Item in the Outfitters Store.

[@USBEN.]

Pretty cool stuff. This was needed for auto extractors.

[@Dave83138]

I agree, I was just driving a rover back and forth with a canister on the back.

[@USBEN.]

@@Dave83138 Same, it was a lengthy process.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Exactly!

[@matheushorstmann1816]

amazing content, ty. I personally would setup automation driven to specific task only, like the autoarms activation on the storage full/empty and not when the train arrives.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Cheers!

[@amazingronaldo9656]

Love this! Thanks for going through this for us!

[@OneLastMidnight]

My pleasure!!

[@ryanj1262]

I've just discovered this game and I'm loving your tutorial videos. Great content!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@stock1870]

Great video just came back for this update!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@DogmanSpVectron]

Remember Rail Posts carry power as well so you could use the output to power something at the other end or anywhere along the track if needed.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Yup, good stuff

[@RedstoneManiac3]

Noo wayyy! I've been out of aatroneer for a minute now but this is so cool and imma have to come back!

[@raphaelgollner3561]

Thanks a lot for the tips and tricks bro. Great vid!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Happy to help!

[@ThatFunkyMonk]

You can actually put a storage sensor on whatever storage you use that’s on the car itself with a prox on top and the car will send itself once it fills or empties

[@OneLastMidnight]

That is my first example of point to point, but no need to be on the storage because the car monitors all storage on a rail line. From release notes... "Storage Sensors and Railway Vehicles When placed on a railway vehicle, the Storage Sensor will monitor storage state across the entire train."

[@AidenCorvas]

Still confused at it all but great video. Thanks for the time you took to make it.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Sorry I couldn't clarify it for you. Cheers!

[@darth_bolt72]

Lestgooo

[@Yos3fTV]

wow this will save me so much time trying to figure out myself. thank you!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Happy to help!

[@Pacholik80]

Hi Midnight. Thanks for a great tutorial, This Works great for me, I have problem though, I Want to add more material, so first I had one junction with say rss 1 and 2, with you tutorial it works perfect, but I am adding more materials so I added another junction connecting a bit behind the other one, and now it’s all gone to shitsburg 🙈 as long as it’s only the first two everything is going fine…but as soon as I start with the third it’s all messed up…have you tried this?

[@OneLastMidnight]

No, but I could explore it and see what I come up with. Might take some time however.

[@michaelbauers8800]

That was helpful, I was trying to do it differently, and it was not working. Some notes: If you have a train engine, put the sensor on that. If you have a sensor that's not "initialized" it will only accept one state, this can be a problem, you could simply destroy it, and create a new one.

[@reviewguru5457]

wOW this rails update is very cool!

[@Zekesaxman]

Drinking some coffee outta my One Last Midnight cup, enjoying another astroneer video, what a great morning 🤓🚀

[@ekrangel2997]

This is gonna make stuff so much easier

[@OneLastMidnight]

Right!

[@brianrutherford3681]

Very cool.i now have a few ideas.i am working in my mind right now.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Excellent.

[@brianrutherford3681]

I am still in the planning stages but the idea is coming along nicely

[@XadeGrimm]

You only need the delay repeater not both for the stations.

[@mozsi4009]

now all we need is a cargo shuttle for full automation :)

[@OneLastMidnight]

Right! They need to add that next!

[@RustyNova]

NGL The automation capacities feel underwelming. In all examples having a branch on the network would break everything. And If I want to filter ressources I need a specific railway for it.

[@ShadyAssassinXV]

You can use rail sensors to activate junctions. You can make a train go from A to Z, branching off to different locations B-Y and once it reaches Z, make the train go backwards and use the sensors to turn the junctions to go directly back to A.

[@isaac_aren]

@@ShadyAssassinXV Is there a way to activate a junction to turn a specific direction or can you only activate it to change direction? The idea I have is that my goods train would travel automatically down the line and activate the junction to turn, but if the junction was already turned the right way, could I keep it that way?

[@nathanielmarc]

What hat is that train smokestack hat?! It's so fun 😂

[@OneLastMidnight]

You get it after you finish all the train missions. Smoke Stack I think it is called.

[@darknos99]

wait...why are you activating and deactivating the autoarms with the sensors? all things take power when they are active only...I noticed this on a small setup whenever anything was being used, something like a smelter burning stuff will take quite some energy and you could see it on the platform indicator as it goes down and up once it is not burning anything but it is turned on

[@youbetterdoit971]

I want to say thank you now I can make a mega automation project

[@OneLastMidnight]

Cheers!

[@PeterParkerJr]

Awesome video...thanks Midnight!!

[@OneLastMidnight]

My pleasure!!

[@naterosenthal1019]

Great video, also love the new intro

[@OneLastMidnight]

I'm glad you like it

[@sammy5576]

use a storage sensor on the storage set on full/empty

[@OneLastMidnight]

Thanks.

[@stefannegoita5660]

Great.. but can you do a new video where u have more storage?

[@gerbil7771]

Great video, thanks for the massive help!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Glad it helped!

[@ekrangel2997]

i would love to see some backpack upgrades thoe if possible maybe some animals with some farming implemented bc well what type of space game different planets not have farming

[@OneLastMidnight]

I'd pay more for more slots.

[@lyianx]

I hope they fix the stations so the pins work as we all know they should :)

[@tyrsius]

I feel like the button repeaters are redundant. Can't you just connect the station/post directly to a delay repeater?

[@rottd10s]

Can you put the buttom and repeter sensor in the 2 slot on front the train to self segnial train stations?

[@steso8979]

Cheers for this !

[@OneLastMidnight]

Thanks for watching!

[@eatass8472]

How do I do this on a major scale (2400 recourses per stop)? I can’t figure it out

[@jowi9564]

So helpful! Thank you

[@OneLastMidnight]

So glad!

[@spalleto4902]

that is sooooo nice, thank you :)

[@OneLastMidnight]

You're welcome 😊

[@gfodale]

Brilliant.

[@CalebMcGrath]

Not yet watched the entire video, but I have a question about the point-to-point system you make at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="766">12:46</a>. If the rail line was longer (say, a couple of layers deep into the planet) would the train make it back to the unload station B before the loading station A recalled it? Does the rail system make the recall immediate or queue it up as the next action?

[@bradardei6079]

No the automation there is that the train waits for to get to point B then it unloads and after is empty A recalls it to load the stuff.

[@vinigame7490]

why exactly do you need a button repeater and cant place the delay repeater directly on top of the train station?

[@OneLastMidnight]

You don't at all. I typically setup and example that is on the ground so people can see it better, but I forgot to change the example when I recorded.

[@tinedleader4479]

I'm having an issue with the setup you described at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="299">4:59</a> where, even after workaround, the delay repeater doesn't seem to be activating the station to send the car onto the next station

[@tinedleader4479]

Found a workaround, just put a proximity repeater where it would only hit the car instead of directly from the delay to the station

[@RustyDagger1]

can you place like proximity activators and auto arms on the train? have it go past like plants in a field, harvesting and replanting?

[@RustyDagger1]

oh god no this is such a bad idea didnt even think about the activators messing with the start / stop on the train / post recall not to mention any arms or storage also on the train.

[@tpeavey4293]

Would there be a way to set this so you're down in a mine n you send it away and once it has emptied it comes back to the mine?

[@tpeavey4293]

I actually figured it out. Storage sensor watches train canisters and it triggers the train when full and again when empty. Then empty canisters at the station by triggering canister output changes after a delay.

[@AlphaOfCrimson]

Could someone please tell me why he is using both a button repeater and a delay repeater on the stations? Would having only a delay repeater not work there? I am just starting to learn how to use automation and want to set this up for my base.

[@Hucci007]

Is there a way to run more than three stops with a linear system

[@joelshields8938]

I just got astroneer for the switch do you know when or if trains will be implemented for the switch version?

[@OneLastMidnight]

The 21st, but don't quote me

[@starr1978]

I copied your automated train station, but my it doesn't work if I go far away out of stations view field. The train stop and stay on the station. If I see all the stations, then no problem. What could be the problem?

[@OneLastMidnight]

Defect in the game. I think I said that in the video.

[@RainmakerLTU]

Hm, by the time I crawl to extractor research, I usually have everything built and base full of resources, and then extractor is just not needed.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Yes, that is a problem with many items in the game - medium space shuttle for example.

[@alex2box235]

if I'm close to the train it's okay but if the train is out of range it won't start again and will stay stuck at the station

[@OneLastMidnight]

Yes, it is a defect I mentioned in the second rail video I created.

[@gamingwithbrightblade]

i'm guessing in the 2nd one you could have turned the autoarms on or off with a storge sensor on the storage

[@OneLastMidnight]

Complete agree, but I was giving an example of how you 'could' use the reaction slots on the rail pole, and not how to use the storage sensor. Yes, it isn't a perfect example but it works if you understand what I was trying to accomplish.

[@gamingwithbrightblade]

@@OneLastMidnight now that i know that it will work i can try to figure it out :)

[@chrisjones6002]

What about a setup to bring resources up from deep in the planet? I'm not sure if its feasible but that seems like a great use for the trains.

[@GooserMan]

Simple, D I G

[@OneLastMidnight]

You could setup example 1 or 3 will do it for you.

[@xandersfs2346]

I’m guessing that you can set up multiple cars with an and gate

[@user-kl4gw1dl9f]

Thanks

[@OneLastMidnight]

Thank you for watching!

[@Fred-eg9sx]

Can you just use terrain anchor to fix the draw issue?

[@BabyJeus]

Was this before the game had storage sensors?

[@TrueXiarno]

I hope they fix the draw distance problem thng.

[@OneLastMidnight]

So do I.

[@damonknight2494]

is it possible to have more than one trains on the same track and when the front trains to go past a sensor can it switch the tracks so that the one behind it can go to a new rail is there a way to automate that?

[@OneLastMidnight]

I will be covering junction automation after I get back from vacation.

[@exoterric]

Delay to delay to arms?

[@loveluclins]

Sadly these take titanium to make the railway stations. i'll be looking for ways to do this without stations for sure.

[@OneLastMidnight]

You don't need stations, and the first point to point example should work fine.

[@marcmartino8518]

Titanium is easy to get?

[@Ruby_Mochii]

can you put like a storage sensor, set to empty or not empty then connect it to the arms so they would shut off? the problem is then when the train come backs before it gets everything unloaded If only the automation in this game was much easier to understand 😭

[@OneLastMidnight]

Yes, for sure, but the point of the video was to show you could automate via the rail lines, and station.

[@Ruby_Mochii]

@@OneLastMidnight I always struggle with automation. Was just wondering if it would work as anything I try always ends up not working or complicated.

[@OneLastMidnight]

I hear that. Took me a little while to wrap my head around the stations. Now I need to figure out junction automation.

[@duelesel1566]

Очень хорошо. Спасибо.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Thank you for watching!

[@supersayianz]

For the last part on <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="773">12:53</a>, i tried the exact same thing, but the relay and storage sensor doesn't seem to call the output side back, what do I need do? I noticed your output side has no sensors as well.

[@OneLastMidnight]

The one storage sensor triggers both the station and the return slot on station.

[@supersayianz]

@@OneLastMidnight then if the “one” storage sensor on the input side is all that is needed, then I am not sure why is mine not working… I do notice that my rail station for output side is on the same side instead of the opposite setup like you did. Do I need to swop the side? Oo

[@OneLastMidnight]

Ahhhh... Yes, and thanks for telling me that. They do need to be facing opposite directions. Also, to need to make sure there it some track off both sides of the station.

[@supersayianz]

@@OneLastMidnight i had placed the rail stations on opposite directions, but the rail station on the loading side won't call the rail at the unloading side. any suggestions?

[@OneLastMidnight]

I won't be back till Saturday, but if you upload your save to the share folder, you can reach out to Ronlaflem on my Discord and he can take a look at it. Assuming you are playing on Steam.

[@naikrovek]

I love your videos and I have a small critique; you don't need that 15-second title sequence in front. just open the video without it. I realize that it gives some people kind of an "I'm legit" feeling, and that's fine, it just isn't needed. Keep it if you like; it's your channel and they're your videos. Sometimes I think about the number of hours or days that I have spent over the last 10 years waiting through people's 10, 15, or 20-second title sequences.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Thanks for the advice, I like it, but it is a little long and I've been thinking of cutting it down. However, it is branding and I will still brand all my videos. It's like watching a Coke Cola commercial without ever seeing the Coke Cola logo - that would never happen. Not saying any of us content creators are Coke Cola but we still like to put our brand somewhere. Again, thanks for the feedback!

[@naikrovek]

@@OneLastMidnight I see someone is getting or has gotten an MBA. the college degree most distant from reality. you are not a can of coca-cola. i can't purchase you. you don't need branding. the mba has poisoned your mind and removed thought.

[@kaijuking5971]

Hello midnight

[@OneLastMidnight]

Morning!

[@kaijuking5971]

@@OneLastMidnight uh I am finding myself getting stuck on nothing again on novus I'm not kidding

[@OneLastMidnight]

@@kaijuking5971 That would be bad if sticky feet bug came back. I hated that!

[@jfarrington85]

When does the switch get the update?

[@OneLastMidnight]

Hmmmm... 21st I think, but don't quote me.

[@nat3isgr8]

Does the resources disappear after a while

[@OneLastMidnight]

Not sure, but I think only seed disappear.

[@brandonreames4121]

Genuine question here that I am struggling to figure out. If the goal of the game is to unlock all planet gateways/cores and certain railway items require end-game material, what is the point in getting all this automation setup other than the wow factor? It feels like you get access to a very cool thing at the end (railway station at least) without much use for it by that point in progression to provide value to you. i.e. Early on I see the need to have various mining camps and automation to run things to your storage center on a base, but you don't have access to the auto-miner thing yet or rail stations.

[@OneLastMidnight]

While I love Astroneer, there are a few issues with it as a 'game'. There really isn't a goal as you state it because there is nothing driving you to unlock the gateways or cores - it gain little from it unless you are going for achievements. System Era has long stated there game is a sandbox game, and you decide what you want to do. There is a progression with constructed items - either resources or buildings - but depending how you spend you bytes that progression my differ from replay to replay. A lot of things can be achieved using different strategies.

[@brandonreames4121]

@@OneLastMidnight Yeah agree. Game is solid and each update or few updates I keep coming back to play and have some fun. They're doing something right in that regard as I don't do that with all games. Just wish there was an option for a more focused goal past the core/gateway push. Hard to justify the time to setting all the cool things if it is just for wow factor alone. Comparing this to something like Satisfactory, the automation refinement is essential to get to the next tier of technology and progress within the game.

[@The_Malign]

Why would you want to build this when it's far more efficient to just mine things yourself?

[@OneLastMidnight]

This is a video about rail automation, not mining efficiency. Is direct mining efficient, depends what aspect you are measuring. Time - for sure. Quantity - not al all. Honestly min-maxing really doesn't matter in Astroneer - it really isn't that hard of a game to complete or have fun with.

[@kevinpotts1052]

The trains arent that useful, i'm sure some stockpilers will love them but they dont really make sense coming in after all the other vehicles we have now, even the quests for them would have been much easier with large rover and paver.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Yes, the underlying issues isn't solved... What do I do with all the resources?

[@YoutubeAccountMan]

Crazy how bad the automation is in this game compared to its competitors. Truly an awful experience for QOL. Feels like a game that started out wanting to be a chill builder for kids, but then ended up wanting to be like the far superior Satisfactory and it just doesn't work.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Uh... No comment.

[@StickOnHair]

You just know this guy will never tell us which buttons to press. Its just assumed knowledge.

[@OneLastMidnight]

Button press or key is specific to the platform you are playing the game on, AND... How you have assigned the buttons/keys in the settings. Most tooltips state which button or key is mapped to the current action. I don't state which button because of those reasons. Best suggestion for you is to go to settings and look at your mapping.

[@mightywolf4047]

I like the concept of the video but honestly it's boring 😕

[@OneLastMidnight]

Well tutorials are instructional and not flashy.

[@2oab]

If its too boring just increase playback speed or skip forward to what you want to get. I appreciate One Last Midnight being so thorough. When rails update came out I searched for Midnight's video specifically so I could get a complete rundown.

[@OneLastMidnight]

@@2oab Thank you for your kind words, and for watching!

[@rhyscat]

Great video thank you!

[@OneLastMidnight]

Glad you liked it!