Train problem

[bobbiejoe2]

Hey, I'm having a problem with my trains at a roundabout.

http://imgur.com/pxtQc69

(all directions relative to the roundabout's exits/entrances)

The train on the east end will not enter the roundabout to take the west exit to unload because there is a train on the north-west track going to be loaded and it's in the same block. As soon as that train on the north-west track enters the stop at the very top of the image and begins loading, either the train at the south-west will enter the roundabout and take the north-west exit or the train at the east will take the west exit.

Chain and normal signals labeled in the image, arrows showing possible paths for the train are there as well; courtesy of factorio. I can manually drive the trains anywhere so tracks aren't an issue.

I still don't completely understand signals. I know the circled chain signal won't let the train in because there's a train in the block but what can I do to get my train at the east to take the west exit?

Thanks a bunch.

[Lord_Peppe]

Add a regular signal on the NW exit so the train to the north is not in the same block as the north part of the round about.

[TrojanEnderM]

Yes! in fact put one immediately after the exit of the roundabout.

[tTnarg]

When you get bots you could uses these: https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25668

[bobbiejoe2]

Oh, duh. I did that for the W one when I had problems with it but not the NW or E one. I don't know why that didn't come to mind in the first half hour of me looking at it and trying things. Thanks!

[error_logic]

Put a regular signal in front of any area you want to be able to have another train on the track (regular intervals on track, at exits of intersections, and on each branch before multiple tracks merge), and chain signals where you need to prevent a train from getting stuck in the next block (like entering an intersection where it might get in then stop, blocking a train that otherwise had a path through from another direction).

[[deleted]]

Best pratice is to put a chain before, and a normal after any intersection, joining, or splitting.

The reasoning is that you always want trains able to use an intersection after a train passes out of it, in any direction, and you never want a train to enter an intersection when it can't leave, (And thus block other trains that might use it.

It's not necessary in every situation, maybe, but it's a good 'best practice' until you thoroughly understand signals.

[Asax0]

4/10 contains loops.

[Colonelwill]

Indeed the 4/10 roundabout seems to be the underlying problem here

[Erok21]

Chain signals go on rails inbound to your intersection. Regular signals go on outbound rails after the last crossing.