[patch] drive-through depots

[Psistorm]

Hmm after reading the way you're going about making these servicing stations, id like to offer my thoughts.

Wouldn't it be easier to have depots act like servicing stations, and handling them as a sort of hybrid solution?
On one hand, they can act exactly like the old depots, one-tile, one-way depots for the player that wants them this way.
On the other, they can be chained together, and used as two-way drive through depots. The code is still the same, meaning more than one train may be in a depot at any time. As an added gameplay effect, maybe drive-through depots could incur a penalty if the train that comes in for service is longer than the depot.

But this is my personal opinion, since Id rather have the option to build realistic depots where feasible, and to use classic ones where its not feasible or desired.

[NekoMaster]

Is it possible to get a update for this patch? I really would like to be able to play my games with functional rail yards

[Muzzly]

Hello,

I just want to say my opinion concerning depots.

I think there should be no difference between building a station and building a depot.
You just call build station windows place station buildings and then declare this building as a DEPOT or
as a PLATFORM.

DEPOT would be place where trains can stop and be maintained or recycled.
PLATFORM would be a place where trains can stop and load/unload cargo.

I in this way such DEPOT would have following advantages:
1. Trains could enter and leave from each sides.
2. Only one train could allocate depot ( like in a real world ) and depot like a station platform should be long enough for a train to fit.
3. It would be easier to change depot to a station (let say to a goods station) again. Just by changing its attribute from DEPOT to PLATFORM.
4. Visual appearance of depot would be left for player, because he could use station sprites for building depot

ciao,
Eduard

[JacobD88]

...
I think there should be no difference between building a station and building a depot.
You just call build station windows place station buildings and then declare this building as a DEPOT or
as a PLATFORM.

DEPOT would be place where trains can stop and be maintained or recycled.
PLATFORM would be a place where trains can stop and load/unload cargo.

I in this way such DEPOT would have following advantages:
1. Trains could enter and leave from each sides.
2. Only one train could allocate depot ( like in a real world ) and depot like a station platform should be long enough for a train to fit.
3. It would be easier to change depot to a station (let say to a goods station) again. Just by changing its attribute from DEPOT to PLATFORM.
4. Visual appearance of depot would be left for player, because he could use station sprites for building depot ...

Hi,

You have partially the intent of the servicing stations patch there, the ultimate plan is to have tiles that are specified as "depot" tiles when building up a station, the problem however is that i haven't worked out a way to make them function as a normal depot...

For example a train enters a platform designated as a "depot" if you want to do remove that train, or reconfigure its length or anything that would briefly "remove" it from the tracks, what if another train enters the platform due to it suddenly being designated "free" in the pathfinder? You cant place the train you are changing back on an occupied track can you? Whilst you could argue that, like with drive through depots, that train cannot be allowed to leave the depot until the track "below" it is clear once more, but then what would service stations be actually adding to OTTD that building a drive-through depot next to a station wouldn't do anyway?

For this reason, and others, i won't allow the servicing stations work to replace the existing depot, or any drive-through depot, removing that feature is counter-productive, depots already serve a purpose that servicing stations cannot without completely rewriting how OTTD deals with this part of the game. Which as well as being a massive amount of work, would also be something i imagine would stand less chance of making it into trunk (why change something if it works?). Servicing stations will simply allow you to service trains, and refit them (change the cargo carried, but not the actual rolling stock). Depots will carry on functioning and being built as normal. More info is on my servicing stations thread if you want to browse (in my sig)

The drive through depots patch discussed here is something different, it modifies the standard depot, not stations, and allows trains to enter from either side, or simply pass through without stopping, if another train is not moving into/out-of the depot, I.E. when a train is not actually placed on the tracks. This is a useful feature in it's own right, and i see no need to tread on the patches intended function with my own work. I hope it gets an official update to trunk soon, but i'm of the belief (as mentioned on the SS thread) it's sadly dead atm till it gets picked up once more

Kind Regards

Jacob