[SPZ2-4738] [0.1.0-pre8-rc1] Train unloader creates gaps when switching packages

[warped trail]

I noticed that when unloader dumps shapes/paint onto the space belt/pipe, it make a small pause between packages. It creates gaps in the space belt/pipe output, resulting in average throughput being not the expected full 4x/6x, but lower by some amount. If we're trying to utilise the capacity to 100% by attaching 4 platforms to a space belt or 6 to a space pipe, the factories will not be able to receive 100% of the input and start struggling, decreasing their outputs.
Attached screenshots for shapes and paint unloading.

[vernal garden]

no way this bug is back

I can't believe it

[lean swallow]

Hi @warped trail !

Thank you for your report! 😄

Would you be willing to share your save affected by this issue?

[warped trail]

Sure, here it is. In the list of map markers there are two last ones, both labled "test" - they are the locations where I did the shape and paint test for the screenshots above. Luckily I have not destroyed them yet. 🙂

[lean swallow]

[SPZ2-4738] [0.1.0-pre8-rc1] Train unloader creates gaps when switching packages

Thank you for the save! 😄

I've created a ticket in our internal system for further investigation 🙂

Hopefully it'll keep itself fixed next time 🤞

[chrome dew]

any unloader station have this bug, at least in my computer I can recreate this every single time with any sation.
for me it's happening consistently every time the stations switch boxes.

[supple mural]

In 2026 the bug still exists. When can we expect the problem to be fixed? Thank you! 👀

[kind cairn]

While annoying, it's easy enough to work around.

[supple mural]

So be it. 😇

[kind cairn]

LOL. If you're drawing a full belt it's a good idea to use multiple wagons anyways.

[maiden flame]

Yeah, still a problem for me as well

Hopefully it'll keep itself fixed next time 🤞
Too much to hope for unfortunately 😞

Yes it can be worked around with additional belts, but it would be nice and cleaner for the output to be constant as expected

[eternal linden]

Am I tripping or is this still a problem in 1.0

[vernal garden]

yes it is still a problem

it's got the todo tag so it hasn't been fixed yet

[wild jacinth]

The fix is simple, as it involves just making the internal buffer of the train unloader be double what a package is.

[steel ice]

The fix is clearly not simple, because if it was simple, it would already have been fixed and would not have recurred even the first time.

I get that you think it should be simple, but it's clearly not.

[vernal garden]

"the fix is simple: just fix the bug"

[wild jacinth]

I just realized why it isn't simple as that: They're using booleans instead of a number for whether a package is in the buffer or not.

[craggy shoal]

still has this bug in 1.0.2-rc3

[craggy shoal]

no, 1.0.3-rc3

[tribal oxide]

Please fix that... it really messes with my OCD, I do not like it when I have gaps in my belts.
It also causes hiccups down the line that I have to filter out with overflow -> trash splitters.
If not filtered it can ripple though the entire factory resulting in weird oscillations that slow down production even further.
Similar to the Myth Busters traffic jam episode.

[velvet fern]

The current workaround is to use two loaders/unloaders at once

[tribal oxide]

That would ragebait my inner engineer 🤣

[velvet fern]

all we’ve got for now

[tribal oxide]

I mean if what garr said is true, than it would be as simple to not reset that between packages if of same kind.
Either way this seems to be a regression regardless, so it is probably just a matter of "getting to it".