Start by building a siding (also called a passing lane). Choose a straight stretch of track, branch off from the main line, run a parallel track long enough to hold your longest train with a little extra room, then merge back in. After the rails are in place, open the Set direction tool and make each rail on the siding one-way, pointing in opposite directions. This turns the siding into a safe two-lane bypass, so neither train ever meets head-on.

With the siding ready, open the depot and build a second train on the same line. For very long routes or higher demand, repeat the process and add more sidings. Each extra passing lane lets you add another train while keeping traffic fluid and construction costs low.

Tip: Hold <b>{0}</b> while using the <b>{1}</b> tool to toggle no-stopping zone of an entire track segment at once.

Another example is a split into two diverging tracks where a stopped train won’t trap anything coming the other way.

While it is possible to design a train network where most intersections don't need no-stopping zones, there are cases where using them is vital to avoid trains getting stuck or waiting needlessly. For example, when overlapping tracks have different directions, like passing sidings on bi-directional tracks, no-stopping zones are needed for proper function.

There are also cases where adding an extra no-stopping zone can benefit traffic flow. For example, when you build a round-about, a small train may be able to stop and wait in the middle of it (1) while blocking traffic that could otherwise pass through (2).

When two train lines share a common track section and one branch backs-up (1), a no-stopping zone can help to keep the other one keep going (2).

Exclusive zones

Extend the track past each station by at least twice the station’s length. The extra space lets the locomotive clear the module to align wagons to the module.

Train tracks in Captain of Industry are directional. Select the <b>{0}</b> tool, ensure that all tracks are bi-directional, except the ones coming into the depot, which should match the depot's direction.