Double Track Cargo Station as Import-Export Hub (improved config)
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"This image depicts BloodyPenguin's Double Track Cargo Station ( https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/comments/703597323 ) used as both "sides" of a Cities:Skylines rail import/export hub, allowing a single depot to service both an internal and an external rail network, while still keeping the traffic of the two networks segregated.

The Double Track Cargo Station can both receive and send cargo on the inner tracks (as with a regular/vanilla cargo depot), but the outer tracks can only send cargo.

By connecting both internal and external networks to a single side of the inner tracks (and ignoring the other side) this configuration allows the depot to:
- receive cargo from any point on either network
- send cargo to any point on either network
- while still preventing the trains from *directly* passing through from one network to the other.

Incidentally, the above configuration should also work with a regular/vanilla cargo depot.

As a bonus, since the Double Track Cargo Station has a second set of tracks, by connecting to either side of the outer tracks with one-way tracks leaving the depot, extra trains can spawn to carry cargo outbound from the depot, while still preventing pass-thru.

This configuration fixes an problem with the previous configuration I had suggested ( https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1281627039 ), wherein trains would arrive at the depot and unload their cargoes (as expected). However, if they took on a replacement cargo, they would immediately despawn, as they are unable to exit the depot."
9 Comments
Ilion  [author] 11 Sep, 2021 @ 7:40am 
And the result looks more like a real rail yard.
vsvg.scattered 11 Sep, 2021 @ 5:32am 
Thank you Genius. I made a screenshot on the one-way lines added.
From Bottom
Line 1 added One Way from Internal on left to receiving track external cargo
Line 2 added one way out to left and right reminding this is the spawn track
Line 3 external passenger line on way to modular BadPeanut train station
Line 4 internal cargo network
Line 5 added one way track left and right reminding this is a spawn line
added connection to Line 6 the external cargo line
Line 6 didn't add one-way in from left, space constraints.

Thank you
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1693905832955855554/873EB014BF588CC9D3E51639B8640D2B0582EF6A/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false
vsvg.scattered 10 Sep, 2021 @ 7:59pm 
Eeeeew. "standard".
Hey, Louie, unload this train put it all on trucks, send them over to Stan. Stan will put them on a different train. Get busy.
Well, yes, it might be more efficient to try it your way, train-to-train, but my great-grand-boss designed this train-truck-train approach. I would rather waste your time, and Stan's too, than risk getting fired. So, Load Those Trucks. Now.
Eww www. Thank you BadPeanut.
Ilion  [author] 10 Sep, 2021 @ 2:29pm 
@vsvg,
LOL. Your humble genius at your service.
Ilion  [author] 10 Sep, 2021 @ 2:27pm 
@Tadoké Is N Aint
==In the image reference, is it necessary to have the track end (closet to station)?==

I'm sorry I missed your question.

No, the point of this particular configuration, as with the one I originally posted, is to use *one* depot as both the import and export sides of an import-export hub (*), while also trying to avoid the despawning of re-loaded trains, and thus loss of cargo, which happened with the original congifuration.

(*) The "standard" approach to building an import-export hub is to use two depots, with one attached only to the city's network and the other attached only to the regional network, with a road looped between the two, but unconnected to the rest of the city's roads.
vsvg.scattered 10 Sep, 2021 @ 1:35pm 
Genius!!! Suggesting I add one-way tracks leaving the spawn-only side so I remember which is which. Thank you. Thank you.

Also, we can also set up one dual track-station to receive intra-city and be able to spawn to inter-city (now that they are all marked with select one-way tracks to help remember which is which.

Thank you!
Ilion  [author] 6 Aug, 2021 @ 12:02am 
I have to play with the pre-Green Cities version of the game, since post-GC versions lock-up on my PC. So, I can't tell you anything about recent updates.

This configuration is an attempt to avoid an issue with my previous configuration ( https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1281627039 ), wherein if trains took on a replacement cargo, they'd despawn and destroy the cargo, as they couldn't reach their destination.

I have since written and uploaded a mod, "Despawn Manager" ( https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2306554537 ) which can force the trains to despawn before they take on a new cargo.
Tadoké Is N Aint 5 Aug, 2021 @ 6:40pm 
In the image reference, is it necessary to have the track end (closet to station)?

I've always had the inner track loop back onto the city network, and the outer (regional) rail simply connect. Lately having issues with the double track station with trains despawning. Dunno if latest patch update or what. Anyway, I'll try following some of the info you have provided to see if I can get the asset to function again.
983848172 1 Jun, 2021 @ 7:06pm 
nice