Im just wonder what design layouts of stations people here are using more frequently?

Lets see some designs

I'll kick start this off

i like to try an make the station layout realistic as possible but without the trains getting confused



i'm starting to think i may be using the wrong signals at stations and junctions

Next to the station you have to use a two way path signal with the lights facing the station.

Good topic! I've also been fiddeling with what is the best way to create realistic looking layouts for Roll-on roll-off stations, Drive-thru stations and End-stations, without losing efficiency. So I'll be looking forward to some tips.

This is my view so far:
It is very difficult to make realistic layouts, because the signals don't really work as in reallife and also there aren't switches in the rails. So there are two options in my opinion:
1. Use of normal signals to mimic realistic signalwork. Pro: looks like reallife, Con: Only one train at a time is allowed to pass over a switching path.
2. Use of pathsignals. Pro: more trains can pass over a switching path at the same time, Con: You have to be careful that trains coming from two directions don't choose the same stationplatform, so careful placing of the signals and maybe use of waypoints can be advised.

As I choose to have multiple trains running over a switchingpath, I go for option 2. With this you can make big switching layouts with only diagonal crossings and don't have to use the (in my opinion ugly and unrealistic) horizontal or vertical crossings.

thats for the advice. i thought them taller double signals (path signals) where the no entry ones, no wonder my train netwroks are always so slow.




this has helped alot im well chuffed got the trains running smoothly thanks!!!



you couldnt show me a screenshot of one of switches?

thanks

some layouts on a 64x64

and a small extra tip on how to use path signals (note how i only use them on junctions, and i stick to rules



edit: blegh i spotted 1 bad placed signal, its normal and just under the 2-junction

Sure, here is one of my end-of-line stations:


And here it is with trains, as long as the paths don't cross each other, multiple trains can use the same switching yard:


And besides that using only diagonal crossings looks more realistic, another pro is that trains will already start to gather speed and pass the yard quicker than with using horizontal or vertical crossings.

And to stress it more, see how SAC did not place any signal at the exit of a junction neither on the tiles that follow it.

So we place 2 way path signals at the entrance of a junction only or the junction will get blocked.
You have to count how long are your trains and do not place signals for that length after the exit of a junction.

Also do not use 2 way path signals when there is no junction. There use simple signals or you will 'eat' your CPU.

i know my new logo isnt a cop but im still myself and not SAC

ill post a terminus station soon as well, i got an even more weird layout that works brilliantly

i see what you mean

so path signals at the enterance of junction but leave a train length after jounction to allow train to stop if after that the line is blocked or queued?

sounds simple enough i think ill try it and take a screenie see if its right

so you mean like this and leaving enough room after for trains to be parked but not to cover the junction

yes you got it correctly, but in most cases you will want 1-way path signals over the 2-way version (the 1-way versions have a red block under it)

in advanced options there should be an option to show track reservations, its not beautifull, but it helps the understanding of the reserved paths and why a train is stopping on a path-signal, and why others can go over the junction simultaniously

ive enabled that now does help alot.

thanks everyone this as really helped my rail networks. years of misunderstanding the signals in the game as now ended lol

cheers!

i shall have to get some screenshots of my freight stations up.

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would love to see them!

ok got bored so made kings cross with real world track layout apart for 4-5 extra track tiles to get the trains to run correctly.

extra track highlighted in red





ignore buses they are just transfering passengers to test it works

If you are not to bothered with adding 4 extra tracktiles, you could make the station more efficient (if you use PBS-signals), see pic below. This way at least two trains can leave the station at the same time.

nice one ill try it which are the PBS signals? the double ones with the white box on it or the plain double
one ?

works much better thanks placed Entry Pre-signals at the end of the tunnel before the station and the trains are running amazingly

Both are, the one with the white box is one-way and doesn't allow trains to pass in the "wrong" direction, which the signal without the white box does.

Nice station btw, I would like to see what you can accomplish when you're not bored

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