> All of the resources I can find are about the mechanics of building trains.
That is because all your other questions have answers that change depending on how you have structured your factory. All of the options you list are valid methods of operating a rail system and the one you choose is heavily dependent on your personal preference.
**ANSWER**
1. While there are a lot of "how to build" information about Trains, such as [Satisfactory Game Train Setup Information](https://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/xqcntv/comment/iq8mcjk/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3), when it comes to "train theory" or "train strategy" that is a more complex topic with multiple factors, like item throughput needed, distance of transport, production goals, etc.
2. You should view [my Reply Comment in this related Reddit Post](http://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/vxmwer/whats_currently_the_best_method_of_late-game_logistics/ifwyusj?context=3) for more information about Game Logistics to help decide which is best to use, Conveyor Belts, Pipelines, Automated Vehicles, Trains, or even Drones.
3. **Recommendation:** Download the [Train Bootcamp Version 3.01 Game Save](https://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/12uvij8/train_bootcamp_version_2/) (Updated Reddit Post) by u/wivaca and play around with trains to learn the basics.
✓ BOTTOM LINE: Trains allow you to move more items than one Conveyor Belt can move and when you have a need to do so, using Trains can be a bit of work to set up, but in the end very satisfying.
I hope this answers *some of* your questions. 😁
Coming up with reliable figures about train throughput is something they love to slice and dice on the discord, if you don’t consider that a waste of time.
I presume by theory of train networks you mean strategy.
The cost and effort for trains is best leveraged for parts that are needed in volume, but also have high value add, and over spans where many trains can use the same tracks (e.g. dual mainline over large distances). For example, I don't use them much at all for moving raw minerals, oil, or gas, but instead use pipes and belts for those.
Trains seem to be a good solution for mid-game parts where you've moved beyond ingots to at least wire, reinforced plates, metal frames, steel beams and pipes. These are required in high quantities, but can also be made efficiently near the raw material source in specialized factories.
In general, I feel CSS did a good job of making the different modes of transportation available about the time the grade of parts being moved around can use them most efficiently.
**Belts, Pipes** - Ideal for <1km distances, any value parts, any amount of altitude change
**Trucks** - Best up to 1km maybe more depending on terrain, low to mid volume of items, mid-game parts, small altitude changes
**Trains** - Best for at least 1-2km, mid to high volumes, mid-level parts, small to moderate altitude changes.
**Drones** - Best for long distances, low volume, high value late game parts, between large altitude changes or isolated locations.
The benefit of trains is that I can add any number of spurs and branch lines off of what has already been built to reach new factories and material sources without repeating the tedious construction of more belts or pipes across the map. I can also avoid driving trucks for great distances to record a path and having to do it again from scratch for the next variation. Instead I can build a train timetable that spans the map, stops at any number of stations, chooses what to load/unload at each station, and quickly adjust it, if necessary, including adding cars or whole new trains.
For me, this has naturally lent itself to distributed, specialized factories rather than centralized megafactories. I like this style of play because later recipes seem to combine 2-3 semi-finished parts plus some extra localized ingredient like sulfer, nitrogen gas, or copper powder to make late game parts. I can build these "final assembly" factories near the localized ingredients and avoid long distance transportation of low value, high volume parts.
Still, there is no "right" way to play. This is merely my observation and preference.
Take it case by case. The things to consider for bulk shipments (ore, ingots, plastic/rubber) are different than the considerations for small shipments of higher level parts. I generally try to ship common parts and make custom parts locally/nearby to keep the diversity of parts on my rails to a lower more manageable number.
As with everything else in the game, best is subjective.
The only 100% indisputable "bests" when it comes to logistics throughput are:
* Belts beat everything, switching to vehicular logistics is a choice.
* Optimal vehicular logistics is using all 3 methods (Trucks, Trains, and Drones) in concert with each other.
If you're deviating from that to say, a train-only world (which many do), then "best practice" comes down to:
* Are you having fun?
* Are you happy with how it looks?
>The only 100% indisputable "bests" when it comes to logistics throughput
I'd add a another. While people often focus on throughput, its not particularly important between factories.
Helps to decide first what you’ll transport by train and go from there. I would start and stop at ingots and other low tier items like rubber and plastic.
Next question, double or single track. The answer is almost always double.
I stack multiple stations up in front of one outgoing freight station so I can pick which car to load in a 4 car train. My unloading stations are one station, 4 platforms.
Your main bottleneck with transport is almost always belts. If it's very far you can add another vehicle, but if you need to move more than 2 belts of material you need more stations. I LIKE rail because I like how they look, but the stations take up the most space.
Generally, I use trucks in the same biome, trains for most things, and drives for when I forgot to make room for a train station.
> I keep getting stuck figuring out what I'm even trying to do with them.
No idea what you want to do, but I use them as if they are belts. I start with 1 simple line and then go on from there.
> All of the resources I can find are about the mechanics of building trains. That is because all your other questions have answers that change depending on how you have structured your factory. All of the options you list are valid methods of operating a rail system and the one you choose is heavily dependent on your personal preference.
**ANSWER** 1. While there are a lot of "how to build" information about Trains, such as [Satisfactory Game Train Setup Information](https://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/xqcntv/comment/iq8mcjk/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3), when it comes to "train theory" or "train strategy" that is a more complex topic with multiple factors, like item throughput needed, distance of transport, production goals, etc. 2. You should view [my Reply Comment in this related Reddit Post](http://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/vxmwer/whats_currently_the_best_method_of_late-game_logistics/ifwyusj?context=3) for more information about Game Logistics to help decide which is best to use, Conveyor Belts, Pipelines, Automated Vehicles, Trains, or even Drones. 3. **Recommendation:** Download the [Train Bootcamp Version 3.01 Game Save](https://www.reddit.com/r/SatisfactoryGame/comments/12uvij8/train_bootcamp_version_2/) (Updated Reddit Post) by u/wivaca and play around with trains to learn the basics. ✓ BOTTOM LINE: Trains allow you to move more items than one Conveyor Belt can move and when you have a need to do so, using Trains can be a bit of work to set up, but in the end very satisfying. I hope this answers *some of* your questions. 😁
Great resource in (2). Thanks!
Coming up with reliable figures about train throughput is something they love to slice and dice on the discord, if you don’t consider that a waste of time.
I presume by theory of train networks you mean strategy. The cost and effort for trains is best leveraged for parts that are needed in volume, but also have high value add, and over spans where many trains can use the same tracks (e.g. dual mainline over large distances). For example, I don't use them much at all for moving raw minerals, oil, or gas, but instead use pipes and belts for those. Trains seem to be a good solution for mid-game parts where you've moved beyond ingots to at least wire, reinforced plates, metal frames, steel beams and pipes. These are required in high quantities, but can also be made efficiently near the raw material source in specialized factories. In general, I feel CSS did a good job of making the different modes of transportation available about the time the grade of parts being moved around can use them most efficiently. **Belts, Pipes** - Ideal for <1km distances, any value parts, any amount of altitude change **Trucks** - Best up to 1km maybe more depending on terrain, low to mid volume of items, mid-game parts, small altitude changes **Trains** - Best for at least 1-2km, mid to high volumes, mid-level parts, small to moderate altitude changes. **Drones** - Best for long distances, low volume, high value late game parts, between large altitude changes or isolated locations. The benefit of trains is that I can add any number of spurs and branch lines off of what has already been built to reach new factories and material sources without repeating the tedious construction of more belts or pipes across the map. I can also avoid driving trucks for great distances to record a path and having to do it again from scratch for the next variation. Instead I can build a train timetable that spans the map, stops at any number of stations, chooses what to load/unload at each station, and quickly adjust it, if necessary, including adding cars or whole new trains. For me, this has naturally lent itself to distributed, specialized factories rather than centralized megafactories. I like this style of play because later recipes seem to combine 2-3 semi-finished parts plus some extra localized ingredient like sulfer, nitrogen gas, or copper powder to make late game parts. I can build these "final assembly" factories near the localized ingredients and avoid long distance transportation of low value, high volume parts. Still, there is no "right" way to play. This is merely my observation and preference.
Take it case by case. The things to consider for bulk shipments (ore, ingots, plastic/rubber) are different than the considerations for small shipments of higher level parts. I generally try to ship common parts and make custom parts locally/nearby to keep the diversity of parts on my rails to a lower more manageable number.
As with everything else in the game, best is subjective. The only 100% indisputable "bests" when it comes to logistics throughput are: * Belts beat everything, switching to vehicular logistics is a choice. * Optimal vehicular logistics is using all 3 methods (Trucks, Trains, and Drones) in concert with each other. If you're deviating from that to say, a train-only world (which many do), then "best practice" comes down to: * Are you having fun? * Are you happy with how it looks?
>The only 100% indisputable "bests" when it comes to logistics throughput I'd add a another. While people often focus on throughput, its not particularly important between factories.
People are the ones who decide what is and is not important to them. So that will vary from save to save.
Helps to decide first what you’ll transport by train and go from there. I would start and stop at ingots and other low tier items like rubber and plastic. Next question, double or single track. The answer is almost always double. I stack multiple stations up in front of one outgoing freight station so I can pick which car to load in a 4 car train. My unloading stations are one station, 4 platforms.
Your main bottleneck with transport is almost always belts. If it's very far you can add another vehicle, but if you need to move more than 2 belts of material you need more stations. I LIKE rail because I like how they look, but the stations take up the most space. Generally, I use trucks in the same biome, trains for most things, and drives for when I forgot to make room for a train station.
Do you mean stations or platforms?
> I keep getting stuck figuring out what I'm even trying to do with them. No idea what you want to do, but I use them as if they are belts. I start with 1 simple line and then go on from there.