{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/automation-programming--t110","type":"mechanic","id":"automation-programming--t110","lang":"en","title":"Railways and dispatching","summary":"Railways share track between trains; schedules and signals coordinate access to limited sections.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/automation-programming--t110/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/automation-programming--t110.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/automation-programming--t110.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Automation and programming","Mechanics and variants"],"sourceIds":["source-96be186d8ada50a0","source-182bd0164e3ed354"],"sources":[{"id":"source-96be186d8ada50a0","title":"Factorio: Content","url":"https://www.factorio.com/game/content","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-182bd0164e3ed354","title":"Factorio","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/427520/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Railways share track between trains; schedules and signals coordinate access to limited sections."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Mechanic variants\n\n<a id=\"t110-variants\"></a>\n\n- Block control prevents shared section occupancy. <a id=\"t110-v1\"></a>\n- Passing loops allow opposing trains to pass. <a id=\"t110-v2\"></a>\n- Conditional orders change stations with cargo levels. <a id=\"t110-v3\"></a>\n- Platform length limits the serviceable train size. <a id=\"t110-v4\"></a>"},{"id":"example","title":"Design example","body":"An empty train waits in a loop while a loaded train reaches the single unloading platform.\n\nPrototype check: Test circular deadlocks and explanations for the occupied section preventing movement."},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Automation moves repeated work into a system; the player builds connections and identifies the limiting stage. Each overview separates player actions, state changes and alternative rules. Examples are hypothetical design scenarios, not claims about a named game. A prototype check states an observable question for the next iteration. Existing detailed references remain separately linked from the direction map."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"automation-programming","id":"t110","title":"Automation and programming","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/automation-programming/#t110","categoryIds":["mechanics"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Railways and dispatching","description":"Railways share track between trains; schedules and signals coordinate access to limited sections.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/broad-factorio-extra-11.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"Factorio","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/427520/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/427520/ss_0e6d3c0d1af06fcde28ef1f1703e142f416ace44.1920x1080.jpg?t=1787348817","credit":"Wube Software LTD. / Wube Software LTD.","rights":"© Wube Software LTD. / Wube Software LTD.. All rights reserved.","caption":"A railway network connects factory areas","alt":"A railway network connects factory areas","markers":[{"x":52,"y":76,"label":"Railway lines connect distant production sites"}]},"tips":["Show occupied track, waiting trains and the reason for a wait."],"examples":[{"title":"Factorio","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/427520/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/automation-programming"}}