Before talking about parking multiple trains per platform, it is critical to understand how to set up secondary platforms for use at stations.


Alternative platform(s) a train can select at a station or in a depot if the main platform is occupied.

• Divert train to alternative platform at a station (e.g. terminus) if the main platform is occupied
  
• Allocate trains across unoccupied tracks in a depot
  
• Allow a late train to overtake an on-time train ahead of it
  
• Allow multiple trains of one line in the same station at the same time

Routing a non-stopping train through a station or between stations via alternative tracks is not currently possible.

For placing multiple trains in the same platform, refer to multi-vehicle stops and stacked trains sections below.

1. Select one platform as main.
   
   
2. Select one or more platforms as secondary. All platforms must belong to the same station.
   
   
3. Define one or more stop selection signals for the station. Any arriving train must pass through one of these signals.
   
   • The reservation path from each signal to each platform should be uninterrupted: no balises, same-direction path signals, or bound-always path signals from stop selection signal to the platform.

• Main platform is the first choice. If occupied, the train will use the next available platform (in order as picked and listed in the stop).
  
  • Exception. For technical service lines with black holes for stops (train de-spawns), the main platform will be assigned last. Trains will not despawn from secondary platforms.
  
  
• Having a place on the line where a late train can overtake a train in front helps operate on-time.
  
  
• If the next stop is at the same station (e.g. start of a new run), the train will stay in place for the next stop as long as its actual platform is the main or a secondary platform for this next stop.
  
  • Example. Train arrives at terminus with main platform 1 and secondary platforms 2 and 3. The next run starts at main platform 4 and secondary 1 and 2. If the train arrives at platform 1 or 2, it will stay in place for the next run's first stop. If the train arrives at platform 3, it will move to one of platforms 4, 1, or 2 using a glue run.
    
  • Note: in the above setup, the timetable will account for time for train to move from platform 3 to 4.

• Allow multiple (2, 3, etc.) same-direction vehicles to stop and load passengers in the same platform.
  
  • Trains are not expected to reverse in the stop (i.e. exit forward)
    
  • Frequent on busy lines e.g. in city center.

This method can be combined with secondary platforms described in the introduction. It is not compatible with depot stacked platforms method in the next section.



When a train arrives to a station/stop, if one or more trains are already in the platform but there is enough space behind them, the train will proceed and also stop. If there is not enough space, the train will wait in the signal until all trains depart. If the previous train is moving, the train will stop and wait for the previous one to stop (or exit) before proceeding.

1. Select station platform using Advanced oversized method. To make a stop oversized in Advanced mode click once, where the first train head should stop and then drag the curser along the platform. Then click a second time to mark the end of the stop section.
   
   
   • Platform length: the combined length of all intended trains, plus 3.2m between trains.
     
   • Platform start: where the 1st vehicle head stops, extend it to where the last vehicle may end.
     
   • All trains should arrive to the platform from the same side.
     
   • Multiple parallel platforms can be selected as secondary.
   
   
2. Define one or more stop selection signals for the station.
   
   • All trains should arrive passing one of these signals.
     
   • The reservation path from each signal to each platform should be uninterrupted: no balises, no same-direction path signals, and no bound-always path signals.
   
   
3. For each signal, uncheck "Check beyond stops" box. This allows multiple trains into the same "block".

• When using with multiple platforms, select one platform as main and additional ones as secondary. The game will randomly allocate vehicles between platforms.
  
  • This is different from the normal allocation with secondary platforms in the previous section,
  
  
• Legacy methods for multi-vehicle stops using secondary platforms still work. However, two changes are necessary.
  
  • Stop selection signals need to have "Check beyond stops" box unchecked.
    
  • Delete balises and same-direction path signals between the stop selection signal and the platform (or within the platform).

Placing two or more trains on the same platform within a terminus station or a depot.

• NIMBY stacking feature takes trains off-shift and assigns the next departure (and the related shift) to a train with an open path to exit.

• Park two or more trains or trams per track in a depot (through or dead-end tracks)
  
  • Not compatible with black hole depots.
• Allow two or more trains to use the same platform at a terminus station (through or dead-end tracks)

When a train arrives to a depot/station, if one or more trains are already in a platform but there is enough space behind them, the train will proceed and park on the track as well. Each train shift ends with an arrival order (the trains get unassigned). When its time for departure, another order for a shift that starts from this platform will pick the train closest to the exit in the direction of departure.

1. For arrival set an order that does NOT "Continue into next order" (i.e. end of shift). The order should end with a platform set up using Advanced oversized method. To make a stop oversized in Advanced mode click once, where the first train head should stop and then drag the curser along the platform. Then click a second time to mark the end of the stop section.
   
   
   • Platform length: the combined length of all intended trains, plus 3.2m between trains.
     
   • Platform start: where the 1st vehicle head stops, extend it to where the last vehicle may end.
     
   • All trains should arrive to the platform from the same side.
     
   • Multiple parallel platforms can be selected as secondary.
   
   
2. For departures set a different order (same or different line). The first stop needs to be on the same platform oriented towards exit.
   
   • If trains continue in the same direction, can use the same line and the same stop to start the next order.
     
   • If trains reverse and go back, set up a different stop (same or different line), oriented opposite from the arrival platform.
     
   • Compatible to use with secondary platforms as well
   
   
   
   
3. Define one or more stop selection signals for the station.
   
   • All trains should arrive passing one of these signals.
     
   • The reservation path from signal to each platform should be uninterrupted: no balises, same-direction path signals, or bound-always path signals.
   
   
4. For each signal, uncheck "Check beyond stops" box. This allows multiple trains into the same "block".
   
   
5. All trains involved should be approved for each shift that can start during stacking.

• This method implies a longer stop time, because trains go off-shift and then pick a new shift.
  
  • If there are on-shift vehicles in the same platform, it won't work. Thus, not compatible with brief stops mid-run (e.g. multiple vehicle stops) on the same platform.
  
  
• A shift can only be picked during the scheduled stop time at the stacking platform.
  
  
• If the front train picks a shift, no trains behind will pick shifts until it pulls away.
  
  
• If two shifts can be picked, the train will pick at random. This may be a later departing shift. Then the earlier shift may never be picked.
  
  • Example. First stop is 5 minutes long. Pick times start at 5:22, 5:24 and 5:26. The front train picks shift at 5:22 and departs at 5:27. The 2nd train picks a shift at 5:27, and it may be the 5:26 shift. The 2nd train will leave at 5:31. At this time the 5:24 shift has expired and will not be picked.
  
  
• If a train is waiting to spawn (after reset in any location), it may pick a shift starting from the stacking platform. In this case, one train may remain in the stacking platform, and one shift may not operate.
  
  • Avoid resetting trains when they cannot re-spawn right away.
  
  
• Legacy methods to stack trains still work. The two primary legacy methods are:
  
  • Specific train assignment to a specific place within the platform. Likely no changes required in 1.16.
    
  • Assignment based on sequential secondary platforms. Signaling changes required:
    
    • Uncheck "Check beyond stops" box for all stop selection signals.
      
    • Delete any balises and same-direction path signals between the stop selection signal and the platform (or within the platform).
  Legacy methods do not require taking trains off-shift but the departing train may not have an open path to exit.

The below shows some best practices in signaling depots.

• Place path signals at each exit of each storage track (including washing lines, maintenance tracks, etc.)
  
• Pass-through tracks should only have signals if long enough to contain an entire train
  
• Place signals away from diamonds and ensure trains can fit between signals

• Separate depot entrance and exit tracks if possible to reduce risk of deadlocks

• If depot is accessed directly from multiple station platforms, designate each platform's exit signal as stop selection signal for the depot. Conversely, designate each depot track's exit signal as stop selection signal for the station
  
• No path signals or balises between depot and station in this case - unless track is so long it can fit an entire train without blocking any switches or crossings

• To stack trains, clear "Check beyond stops" flag for each entrance signal

• Ensure each platform can be accessed from the signal without passing through other platforms (i.e. make sure the signal is placed before tracks start splitting

• Identify key elements of infrastructure (storage, maintenance, repair tracks, street crossings, etc.) and set up signals to support it

• Think of or design operational plan for the depot. Then arrange signals (including one-way and no-way) to support this plan
  
• Maximize use of one-way tracks - they help both with signaling and throughput