Simple connections and stations | Building and management Mashinky Guide

Last update: 17 October 2017

Creating connections between stations is one of the basic activities you will be performing during the whole game. When connecting two stations, you don't need to assign orders (navigation points). Once you add proper carriages, the train will automatically determine to which station it should ride.

Below solutions should be considered as advice and suggestions. Don't be afraid to experiment and combine these solutions into unique ones, adapted to your needs.

• Simple connection for a single train
• Three stations, two trains and semaphores, one depot
• Connecting a few stations to another station
• A connection with a passing loop for two-three trains

Simple connection for a single train

Early in the game it is the simplest and most frequently used connection. Sometimes you will also create such connection to fill a gap in resource delivering. Very simple: two stations are combined with a single railroad and a depot. You don't need to assign orders for the train - it will automatically ride from one station to another.

Three stations, two trains and semaphores, one depot

You want the trains to use a station with a single platform (not much space for constructions, you want the trains to use a single station or you simply lack tokens)? Simply connect all three stations with a single railroad. You create connection from station A to B and C. Place two-directional semaphores before and after the middle one. Place a depot, for example between station A and B. Create two trains, but first release the train to station BC. Then to station AB. You can of course add a depot for each connection, but early in the game it would be expensive.

Thanks to this solution the trains are using the same tracks and can freely use the middle station. When one train is on the station, the second will wait for it to free the place. It is useful for small tracks, for example passenger lines where one city has many citizens or for transporting wood to sawmill and planks to factory.

Connecting a few stations to another station

You want to combine a few plants to a factory or a few small cities to one large city? You can of course create a station with a few platforms and create separate lines for each connection. However, it is better to create destination station A with stations B, C, D. Each track is connected before station A. You place a two-direction semaphore on each line (1) before the main railroad. Thanks to that, similarly as in the previous solution, the trains will wait until the station is empty (2). Remember to assign orders to trains if they are transporting the same cargo.

The disadvantage of this solution is a long waiting time when all trains are trying to enter the destination station. Despite that, in most cases this option will work fine. In the chapter focused on advanced connections and stations you will find a solution to the waiting time.

A connection with a passing loop for two-three trains

It is quite expensive to create a second line for a long route. You can create passing loops where the trains can wait to be passed by. You add a parallel line to the main track - it should have the length of the trains that use the track (1). Now you add one-direction semaphores (2) - two at the beginning and two at the end of each section (but not on the main track). Thanks to that one of the trains will wait (3) for the second to leave the main track and enter the second road (4), other passing loop or the depot.

The two-directional semaphore at station (1) in the passing loop is a bad idea. Without the semaphores, the trains will wait at the passing loop (2) until the station is free. You can also add another platform to the station and then add a semaphore (3).

You can place two-directional semaphores, but the trains will block if there is one station (1). The problem can be solved with additional stations with two-direction semaphores. Such line can serve up to three trains. With four trains at some point the whole track will be blocked. You can make the passing loop longer or add additional semaphores or passing loops, but this isn't the best solution. In that case it is better to change the line into a more advanced one.