How to create trains in Satisfactory 1.0: Materials, switches and signals, automation, and more

If you’re at the point where trains are now a viable option in Satisfactory, you’re well on your way to complete industrial terraformed domination. However, trains are significantly more complex than simple conveyors, and you’ll be forgiven for requiring a guide for at least one of their many elements in Satisfactory.

Complete train guide in Satisfactory

I had many, many jobs before finally settling in to become a writer, and one of those was working on the train lines as a conductor for a few years. It took six months of training and constant updates throughout my career to comprehend the various complex mechanisms that keep trains running. Learning how trains work in Satisfactory takes about the same amount of time.

Satisfactory has nailed almost all of the elements at play in a modern train line, from switches to automation and signals. This creates a wonderfully detailed system to play with that functions almost as a real train system would, but it can get very complex. For the perfect build, you’ll want to get this skill down.

The Basics

There are a few basic starting points that need to be adhered to in order for even a basic train line to function. Stick to these rules, and you should be okay. It is also good to refer to these key points when something goes wrong; simple solutions are often the answer. Trains are unlocked at milestone 6.

• Weight—The basic calculation is one locomotive to four freight cars. Any more than this, and the train will slow down on hills and cause delays across a network.
• Signals – Simply place pass signals at all the entrances to intersections and block signals at all the exits. More on signals later.
• Construction – One pipe and one steel beam for each segment of rail. These can clip through things and can be built on almost everything. It is best to build on foundations to keep it simple.
• Power – Rails carry power, so you only need to send power to one station for the whole network to be electrified. Stations on a network can also be used to connect factories to power in Satisfactory.
• Requirements – Platforms need 50MW continually; Freight Platforms need 50MW only when unloading and loading. The locomotive will draw 25MW when stopped and up to 110MW when moving.

How to build a train line in Satisfactory

Before you try to build a network that would make Isambard Kingdom Brunel sweat, get the basics down first. Create a simple, two-station loop line that functions to pick up and drop off goods. This can be done quickly and easily. If you’re struggling, check out some console commands to enter Godmode and build from above.

A simple train line in Satisfactory

For this, build a loop starting where you want to load goods, be it liquid or solid, and ending where you want to drop them off. Once you have the loop built, build a station at either end. You will notice that the stations have a direction to adhere to. Make sure they are in the correct direction, or the trains will not be automated correctly. These are where your locomotive will stop.

Now, behind each station, build either Freight Platforms or Fluid Freight Platforms. Ensure that their inputs and outputs face your factory. Unlike stations, their direction doesn’t matter. These will line up with your Freight Cars and load and unload their goods. You will need one freight platform for each freight car on a train.

Freight Cars can carry 32 stacks of solid goods and 2,400 m3 of liquid, but only one type of each. Enter into the platforms menu, and set them to load or unload.

Connect one of the stations to power. Adhere to the rule of 110MW for each Locomotive and 50MW for each station and Freight Platform. You are now ready to automate your line.

How many locos to one train

Trains need to be able to drag their cargo around the lines. One Locomotive can only pull so much, especially when moving up slopes. Bear this in mind when constructing your trains.

The basic rule of thumb is one engine to four freight cars. When building these longer, ensure you have the Locomotives to pull and push them. It is possible to place two Locomotives at the beginning or another at the back, whichever you prefer. Just ensure they face the same direction on a single-directional line or push and pull when on a bi-directional line. If they’re both facing inward, you’ll end up with a train that can’t move.

Longer trains are not recommended. They will often move slower. I think it is better to have multiple short trains with a single locomotive. These struggle a lot less up hills and can move much faster around a network. It is essential to ensure your blocks and signals are properly coordinated to prevent train crashes in Satisfactory.

How to automate trains in Satisfactory

Once you have a train route set up with at least one train and two stations, it is time to automate in Satisfactory. If you have more than one station and train, they must be connected to the same train line to be added to the timetable.

Bring up the automaton menu in Satisfactory by selecting one of your train stations with E and heading to the Timetable option at the top. Here, there is a display of all the trains on your network. Select a train, and this will show the available stations on the network.

Click the edit timetable option. Here, select the order of stations this train should visit. Choose the most efficient route. Once you have selected the stations it should visit in order, go back and select self-driving. This will run automatically on a simple one-train, two-station loop.

Now that you have a basic load and unload train line in Satisfactory, it’s time to add more lines, signals, and stations to your network. Keep it simple until you understand.

How to add more lines and stations in Satisfactory

To combine two networks, the rails of each must be connected. They can simply cross over or run close to each other, and they will become connected. However, for the sake of this Satisfactory train guide, let’s connect them.

Junctions

Junctions are simple enough to set up. However, it isn’t possible to join one rail to another anywhere; it has to be done where two segments meet. Build the route you would like, remembering that the line is single-directional.

Switches

Switches are created when joining segments together. However, when a train is automated in Satisfactory, it will choose the correct path depending on its given route. Switches are only really important when manually driving a train.

Signals

For junctions and intersections, there is a simple rule to follow to ensure that your trains don’t crash. Build block signals at the exits of the junction and pass signals at the entrance. These will prevent trains from all entering the junction at once.

Blocks

Trains are prevented from crashing in Satisfactory with a very simple block system. This essentially dedicated a stretch of a railway line to only one train at a time. If a section is occupied by one train, another cannot enter it until it is empty.

Create these sections on your lines with Block Signals. The first ones you should place are at the beginning and end of your stations. This will prevent another train from trying to enter while another is loading or unloading. The more trains you add to a circuit, the more blocks you will need to create.

These stop trains crashing when one is busy or moving slower due to power. Block signals can only be placed at the end of rail segments.

Stations

More stations can be added anywhere along the line. They will take power from whatever single hook-up you have, so there is no need to trail ugly power lines across the map. Just ensure they are facing the right way and have sufficient block markers.

When building your train lines, it is always best to see if there is an alternate recipe that can streamline your builds for more efficiency.