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Locomotive

2026-08-30T15:37:07Z

Karsaell: Minor formatting, added {{Upcoming}} tag

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Locomotive}}
The '''Locomotive''' is the engine for movement of [[Railway|trains]] over [[rail|tracks]]. Trains are useful for moving large amounts of items over large distances. With the [[Space Age]] expansion, locomotives can also utilize [[railway#Elevated Rails|elevated rails]], which are rails built off of a [[rail ramp]], allowing trains to freely drive over obstacles on the ground.

Locomotives are also good vehicles for the player to reach fixed destinations, as they are considerably faster than the [[car]] or [[tank]]. Naturally, they do not have the same freedom of movement, as they are confined to the track. They can be set up to travel automatically between [[train stop]]s, or be controlled manually, even if the [[player]] is in a [[cargo wagon]] attached to the train instead of the locomotive itself. Automatic trains can also use [[rail signal]]s and [[rail chain signal]]s to designate different or changing paths on a railway, as well as manage multiple trains on multiple or intertwining tracks.

Locomotives are [[burner devices]] and require [[fuel]] to run; the more powerful the fuel used, the faster the locomotive's acceleration and top speed will be. [[Solid fuel]], [[rocket fuel]] and [[nuclear fuel]] will give +20%, +80% and +150% acceleration respectively, and provide +5%, +15% and +15% for top speed respectively. Multiple locomotives can be used on a single train to increase its speed. If a locomotive has no fuel, it can still be moved manually, albeit very slowly.

While locomotives can be assembled by hand, the [[engine unit]] for it requires [[Assembling machine|automated construction]] to build, so it cannot be built from raw materials by hand. The color of the locomotive can be customized.

== Connecting/Disconnecting a locomotive ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|right|200px|Locomotive GUI]]

To connect locomotives, cargo wagons, or [[fluid wagon]]s to each other, either place the cars next to each other on the track (there will be an outlined green connection), or connect an already existing disconnected car by driving the locomotive near the car and press {{Keybinding|G}} by default. To disconnect the last car in a train, press {{Keybinding|V}} by default.

== Defense ==
A locomotive in transit can usually crash through everything in its way (including biters, [[car|other]] [[tank|vehicles]], and the player). However, if the locomotive is moving too slowly, or the target is too tough, it will stop the train instead. Once stopped, the train will continually do damage if trying to accelerate. If the locomotive hits an [[enemies|enemy]], the enemies will fight back and try to destroy the train and the rails.

[[Construction robot]]s are a good way to automatically repair damage at train stations.

[[File:train_kills_biters.gif|frame|none|Train killing three big biters.]]

== Speed calculations ==
The maximum speed that a locomotive can get to depends on the train that it is pulling. The speed of an accelerating, fully fueled, train is calculated every tick by the game with the following formula:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_friction_force ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed + (10 × number_of_locomotives_in_moving_direction × fuel_acceleration_bonus ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed × (1 - air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock ÷ (train_weight ÷ 1000))

<code>train_friction_force</code> is the total friction of a train, a sum of frictions contributed by each entity.
<code>train_weight</code> is the total weight a train, a sum of weights of each entity.
The <code>air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock</code> is air resistance for the entity at the head of a train.
The calculated <code>train_speed</code> is also capped to <code>max_speed = 1.2 * fuel_top_speed_multiplier</code>.

When braking:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_braking_force ÷ train_weight)

<code>train_braking_force</code> is the total braking force of a train, a sum of braking forces contributed by each entity, multiplied by (1+technology_breaking_bonus).

The values of friction, weight, brake and air resistance for every entity (found in their prototypes, file trains.lua):
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Entity
! weight
! air_resistance
! friction_force
! braking_force
|-
| Locomotive
| <math>2000</math>
| <math>0.0075</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>10</math>
|-
| Cargo wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Fluid wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Artillery wagon
| <math>4000</math>
| <math>0.015</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|}

As you can see, air resistance incentivizes to put a locomotive at the head of a train since it has 25% less resistance than a cargo wagon.

== Fuel duration (in seconds) ==
Note that trains throttle their burn rate when they reach max speed, extending the life of their fuel. That means the fuel duration listed below is the minimum time the fuel can last.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1 item of !! Burning time in seconds
|-
| {{Imagelink|Wood}} || 3.33
|-
| {{Imagelink|Coal}} || 6.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Solid fuel}} || 20
|-
| {{Imagelink|Rocket fuel}} || 166.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Nuclear fuel}} || 2016.67
|}

== Driving controls ==
These are the default bindings, they can be changed in the Settings menu.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Command
! Keyboard and mouse
! Controller
|-
|Enter/Exit
|{{Keybinding|enter}}
|{{Keybinding|ZR|X}}
|-
|Accelerate
|{{Keybinding|W}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Decelerate/Reverse
|{{Keybinding|S}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Pick which fork to take at junction (left, right)
|{{Keybinding|A}},{{Keybinding|D}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Connect/Disconnect train
|{{Keybinding|G}},{{Keybinding|V}}
| Not set
|}

When using a controller, such as on the [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]], the behaviour of the left joystick in vehicles can be switched between two modes:
* Relative vehicle driving mode (default): Moving the stick in a direction will make vehicles automatically turn and accelerate to that side of the screen.
* Absolute vehicle driving mode: Moving the stick up/down will make vehicles accelerate/brake. Moving the stick left/right will make vehicles turn in that direction.

== {{SA}} Quality ==

{{Upcoming}}

Starting with update 2.1.10, Space Age and Quality further improve the locomotive in terms of speed and acceleration :

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center
|+ Max Speed (km/h)
! rowspan=2 | Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|32px]] !! Wood [[File:Wood.png|32px]] / Coal [[File:Coal.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 | Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 | Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|32px]] Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|32px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 259|| 272|| 276|| 280|| 284|| 291|| 272|| 310|| 321|| 333|| 356
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 267|| 280|| 284|| 288|| 292|| 300|| 280|| 319|| 331|| 343|| 367
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 275|| 289|| 293|| 297|| 301|| 309|| 289|| 329|| 341|| 353|| 378
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 283|| 297|| 301|| 306|| 310|| 318|| 297|| 338|| 351|| 364|| 389
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 298|| 313|| 317|| 322|| 326|| 335|| 313|| 356|| 370|| 383|| 410
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center
|+ Acceleration (kW)
! rowspan=2 | Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|24px]] !! Wood [[File:Wood.png|24px]] Coal [[File:Coal.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 | Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 | Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 | Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|24px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 600|| 720 || 756|| 792|| 828 || 900|| 1080|| 1224|| 1368|| 1512|| 1800|| 1500|| 1770|| 2040|| 2310|| 2850
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 720|| 864|| 907|| 950|| 994|| 1080|| 1296|| 1469|| 1642|| 1814|| 2160|| 1800|| 2124|| 2448|| 2772|| 3420
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 840|| 1008|| 1058|| 1108|| 1159|| 1260|| 1512|| 1713|| 1915|| 2116|| 2520|| 2100|| 2478|| 2856|| 3234|| 3990
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 960|| 1152|| 1209|| 1267|| 1324|| 1440|| 1728|| 1958|| 2188|| 2419|| 2880|| 2400|| 2832|| 3264|| 3696|| 4560
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 1200|| 1440|| 1512|| 1584|| 1656|| 1800|| 2160|| 2448|| 2736|| 3024|| 3600|| 3000|| 3540|| 4080|| 4620|| 5700
|}
1: When used as fuels, wood and coal get no changes from quality.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center
|+ Fuel duration (s)
|| Locomotive || Wood || Coal || Solid fuel || Rocket Fuel || Nuclear fuel
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || 3.3 || 6.7 || 20.0 || 166.7 || 2017
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || 2.8 || 5.6 || 16.7 || 138.9 || 1681
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || 2.4 || 4.8 || 14.3 || 119.0 || 1440
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || 2.1 || 4.2 || 12.5 || 104.2 || 1260
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || 1.7 || 3.3 || 10.0 || 83.3 || 1008
|}
Note that higher quality locomotives and fuels effectively last longer than the table above implies.
Locomotives throttle their burn rate when they reach max speed, and because of the increased vehicle acceleration bonus from quality they spend less time accelerating and more time at max speed.

For quality locomotives the acceleration bonus outweighs the increased fuel consumption meaning they are more fuel efficient. Marginally beneficial when pulling a light <code>train_weight</code> and very beneficial when pulling a <code>train_weight</code> that's otherwise too heavy.

For quality fuels both the better top speed and acceleration increased the total distance locomotives can travel, effectively increasing the locomotives fuel efficiency.

Locomotives will always burn fuel at their listed "Energy consumption" rate (600 kW in vanilla and Space Age alike). When higher-quality locomotives and/or fuels are used, the higher acceleration power is "free", as in the same amount of fuel is burned for more accelerating power.

[[File:Quality fuels, locomotives and distance.png|alt=Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled|Quality locomotives, fuels and distance]]

== Achievements ==
Locomotives are directly connected to the following achievements:
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=320px>
File:trains_colors.png|The player among different colored locomotives.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.1.7|
* Quality impacts locomotive speed and acceleration.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Locomotive sounds overhauled.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Locomotive fuel consumption doubled.}}

{{history|0.16.0|
* Locomotive will show train ID in its tooltip. The ID can be used in circuit network conditions.}}

{{history|0.15.19|
* Locomotive snaps to a train stop when placing the first locomotive next to the train stop.}}

{{history|0.15.7|
* Inserters will no longer take fuel from locomotives and instead will take the burnt result items if the locomotive fuel uses that system.}}

{{history|0.15.0|
* Renamed "diesel-locomotive" to "locomotive"}}

{{history|0.14.0|
* Added support for equipment grids in locomotives.}}

{{history|0.13.0|
* New locomotive graphics.
* Can now be colored.
* Trains are now regular size in horizontal and vertical orientations.
}}

{{history|0.12.1|
* Trains that are moving automatically cannot be rotated.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Now show contents in tooltip.}}

{{history|0.11.18|
* Increased the crafting cost of the cargo wagon and locomotive.
* Removing and merging the locomotive of a train without any additional locomotives doesn't clear the schedule anymore.
}}

{{history|0.11.6|
* Copy paste can now be used for train schedules.}}

{{history|0.10.2|
* Now recalculates path on rotation.}}

{{history|0.10.0|
* Backer names are used for locomotives.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Recipe change}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Train can find the path backward when it has locomotives in the back
* New locomotive graphics.
* Locomotive + wagon + rails are more expensive.
}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Smooth (precise) rolling stock placement.
* Rotating while building affects the direction of the rolling stock.
* Rolling stocks can be disconnected from both sides.
}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Locomotive uses fuel.
* Locomotive and Car are minable
* Easier riding in locomotive and car (accelerate vs. brake vs. reverse)
* Automated train transportation. Trains can be given schedule to go to Train Stops (named after backers).
}}

{{history|0.2.8|
* Now shows health bar below locomotive.}}

{{history|0.2.1|
* Now emits light if active.}}

{{history|0.1.0|
* Introduced}}

==See also==
* [[Railway]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}
{{C|Rolling stock}}

Rocket silo

2026-08-30T15:29:11Z

Karsaell: Minor formatting, added {{Upcoming}} tag

{{languages}}
{{:Infobox:Rocket silo}}
The '''rocket silo''' is an important production building that serves as the sole win condition and a source of [[space science pack]]s in the base game. In [[Space Age]]{{SA}}, it is instead the only way to launch items and the player off [[Nauvis]] to orbiting space platforms to visit the neighboring planets of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, [[Gleba]]{{SA}}, and [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}.

Building a silo requires, among other things, [[electric engine unit]]s, [[processing unit]]s, and [[concrete]], which all must be produced in [[assembling machine]]s or [[foundry|foundries]] and cannot be crafted by hand from raw materials. The rocket itself can only be produced in the silo.

Once the silo has been built and placed it can be filled with [[processing unit]]s, [[low density structure]], and [[rocket fuel]], which will create [[rocket part]]s within the silo. 100 rocket parts are needed to construct a rocket (50 parts in Space Age{{SA}}). The silo accepts [[productivity module]]s, and due to the high resource cost of rockets, silos are a prime candidate for their use. Once constructed, the rocket will rise into position and can be launched. It is required to place a [[cargo landing pad]] somewhere on the planet in order to launch a rocket.

Once a rocket has been constructed, the silo will continue to craft a second rocket within the silo. If both are constructed, once the first rocket has been launched, the second will rise into place without the silo going through its normal animation of closing and reopening its doors. This is particularly useful in Space Age when crafting speeds are faster and rockets are in increased demand.

== Base game ==

The rocket silo is unlocked with its [[rocket silo (research)|respective technology]] using all [[science pack]]s except for military. It requires 10 low density structure, rocket fuel, and processing units to make 1 [[rocket part]], for a total of 1,000 of each for a single rocket.

Before a rocket can be launched, the player must place a [[cargo landing pad]] somewhere on the planet. The landing pad can be anywhere on the planet, with no restrictions on distance from the silo, but only one can be placed.

Launching a rocket requires a payload and launching one for the first time will trigger the victory screen, which thanks the player for playing and invites them to keep growing their factory, with the options of exiting the game, viewing the credits, or continuing the game. The rocket can be launched manually by clicking the "Launch" button. Checking the "Send to orbit automatically" checkbox will make the rocket launch automatically once it has a payload.

Only two items can be used as a payload. The first is a [[satellite]]; launching a rocket with one of these will return a shipment of 1,000 [[space science pack]]s to the cargo landing pad roughly 29 seconds after the launch is triggered. The second is a...

{{Spoiler|button-text=Spoiler! Click to view.|message=
<li>[[Raw fish]]: Grants the "So long and thanks for all the fish!" achievement. Other than this, it also wastes the launch.</li>
}}

== Space Age ==
{{About/Space age}}
=== Basics ===
In Space Age, the silo is unlocked far earlier in the game, requiring 1,000 of only [[automation science pack|automation]], [[logistic science pack|logistics]] and [[chemical science pack|chemical]] science packs. The silo is a critical building for transporting items and the player offplanet to orbiting [[space platform]]s. Rockets are built identically to the base game, except that a single rocket part takes only 1 of each material instead of 10 and only 50 rocket parts are required per rocket. This means that a single rocket requires only 50 of each resource. The silo greatly benefits from higher [[quality]] productivity modules as well as the [[technologies#Infinite Research Exclusive to Space Age|rocket part productivity]] infinite technology, both of which can reduce the cost of rockets even further.

The rocket can be manually launched in one of three ways:
* Deliver cargo: launch with a payload of any size or composition at any orbiting platform
* New platform: if the silo contains exactly one [[space platform starter pack]], clicking this will open the map and invite the player to enter a name for the new platform.
* Travel to platform: the rocket will launch to any orbiting platform with the player as its sole payload. The player can only bring any equipped [[armor]], their installed modules, and any weapons, but no ammo for those weapons.

[[File:rocket_silo_gui.png|The rocket silo's GUI in Space Age|310px|right]]

=== Rocket capacity ===
Unlike in the base game, a space age rocket can accept nearly every item in the game as a payload. This is expressed by the silo as a weight limit. Every item in the game has a rocket capacity which is the maximum number of items that can fit in a single rocket. An item's rocket capacity can be read by the circuit network by feeding an item into the [[selector combinator]] and choosing the respective mode of operation. As a general rule of thumb, the more complex the item, the fewer can fit within a rocket.

Some items, like the rocket silo itself and the [[atomic bomb]], are too heavy for rockets, and so the raw materials must be shipped to orbit individually and assembled on the destination planet.

[[Fluids]] cannot be put in rockets, but full [[barrel]]s can. Some fluids cannot be barreled, so they cannot be transported by rocket. This is notably the case for all the fluids that can only be obtained on [[Fulgora]], [[Vulcanus]], and [[Aquilo]], except for [[fluoroketone]].

=== Orbital requests ===
The rocket silo can detect requests from any space platform in orbit around the current planet. These can be satisfied in two ways.

* If "Automatic requests from space platforms" is ''not'' selected, the silo acts as a large container. Items can be inserted and removed with [[inserters]]. If the silo receives a full rocket of a single item that is requested, the rocket will automatically launch to the platform requesting that item, even if the payload is more than what is being requested. If multiple platforms are requesting the same item, the rocket will prioritize the earliest platform that the player created.

* If automatic requests ''is'' selected, the silo acts similar to a [[requester chest]]. [[Logistic robot]]s will fill the silo automatically from the [[logistic network]] (including from [[buffer chest]]s), and the rocket will launch automatically when full, unless the requesting platform has set a minimum payload to a lower amount than a full load. If there are items in the rocket inventory when this box is selected, those items will be moved to the silo's trash slots and be removed by logistics robots.

Regardless of option selected, the rocket will only launch automatically when it contains at least one item.

The silo can be connected to the [[circuit network]], with two output functions.
* Output requests: Outputs the sum of requests from all orbiting platforms, if any. A request is considered satisfied and will be removed from the output the instant the rocket launch is triggered, not when the delivery to the platform actually happens.
* Output contents: Outputs the contents of the rocket silo. If automatic requests is selected, this option will do nothing.

== Maximum throughput ==
In the base game, a fully moduled silo has +611% crafting speed from beacons and +40% productivity.

Modules accelerate crafting time in the first phase, but have no effect on animations in the other phases.

There are five phases to a rocket launch.

===== Working =====
Rocket parts must be assembled in the silo before the rocket can be deployed.

The best possible time to assemble 100 rocket parts, based on the rocket part recipe and the module effects, is 1250 ticks, or ~20.833 seconds.

1250 ticks elapsed.

===== Preparing rocket for launch =====
The rocket is brought up out of the silo so a payload can be inserted, if any.

This animation lasts 890 ticks, or ~14.833 seconds.

2140 ticks elapsed.

===== Waiting to launch rocket =====
The payload must be inserted.

One fast inserter arm swing to insert a Satellite is 14 ticks, or ~0.233 seconds.

2154 ticks elapsed.

===== Launching rocket =====
The rocket is launched with the payload. This phase ends when the result inventory appears inside the silo.

1162 ticks, or ~19.367 seconds.

3316 ticks elapsed.

===== Reset =====
The silo door must close before the cycle begins again.

368 ticks, or ~6.133 seconds.

If a second rocket was buffered within the silo, this step is skipped.

=== Totals ===
'''Grand Total: 3684 ticks''', which gives a total cycle time of ~61.417 seconds, including time spent building rocket parts and inserting the payload.

With a build time of 1250 + 14, the delay from animations is 2420 ticks.[https://www.reddit.com/r/technicalfactorio/comments/x92gfa/more_empirical_measurements_on_rocket_silos/]

=== Space Age ===
In Space Age, the rocket silo gained the ability to buffer a second rocket ready to load and launch [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-405]. If a second rocket is ready, then the rocket silo skips the door close/open animation.
This means the only stages that take place are preparing, loading and launching the rocket. The preparing animation lasts 684 ticks (11.4 seconds) and the launch animation lasts 933 ticks (15.55 seconds).
Assuming the loading is instant, this results in a rocket launch every 1617 ticks (26.95 seconds), with sufficient speed and/or productivity bonuses (enough to get <math>\frac{1000}{539}</math> (~1.85) rocket parts per second, or ~111 rocket parts per minute).

=== Quality ===

{{Upcoming}}

Starting with the 2.1 update, Rocket Silo quality has an impact on the animations speed. The paragraphs above are still true, but only for the normal-quality Rocket Silo.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center
! Quality !! Ticks between launches !! % increase from previous quality !! % increase from normal quality !! Continuous launches per minute !! Min. Rocket parts per second for continuous launches
|-
| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || 1614 || ø || ø || 2.23 || 1.85
|-
| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || 1423 || 11.8 || 11.8 || 2.53 || 2.11
|-
| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || 1301 || 8.57 || 19.4 || 2.77 || 2.31
|-
| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || 1218 || 6.34 || 24.5 || 2.96 || 2.46
|-
| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || 1097 || 9.94 || 32.0 || 3.28 || 2.73
|}

== Achievements ==
The rocket silo, which is used to win the base game, is directly connected to the following game-win-based achievements:
{{Achievement|smoke-me-a-kipper-i-will-be-back-for-breakfast}}
{{Achievement|no-time-for-chitchat}}
{{Achievement|there-is-no-spoon}}
{{Achievement|raining-bullets}}
{{Achievement|steam-all-the-way}}
{{Achievement|lazy-bastard}}
{{Achievement|logistic-network-embargo}}
{{Achievement|so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish}}

== Trivia ==
Prior to version [[version history/2.0.0#2.0.7|2.0]], the rocket could accept any item as cargo; however, most did nothing in particular and simply wasted the launch. Notable exceptions included:

{{Spoiler|button-text=Spoiler! Click to view.|message=
<ul><li> [[Vehicle]]s : When a vehicle was inserted into the payload slot, the player could enter the rocket like they would any other vehicle, then launch and ride it.
<ul><li> This allowed a fast-moving view of one's base (as the game world is internally 2-dimensional, the rocket actually simply moved north along the map), and then returned the player next to the launching silo once the launch animation had finished.
<ul><li> If all space near the rocket silo is occupied, the player is placed at spawn instead.</li></ul>
<li> Wasted the launch, as the rocket's sole payload slot is occupied by the vehicle, rather than a satellite. (Having any number of satellites in the car's trunk or the "astronaut"s inventory does not count.)</li></ul>
<li>[[Space science pack]]: Returned one [[raw fish]] for every science pack that was launched, but no more than 100 raw fishes per launch.</li></ul>}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=240px heights=240px>
File:Victoryv2.jpg|The victory screen
File:rocket_silo_rising_rocket.gif|The rocket rising and being primed for launch.
File:rocket_silo_launch.gif|The rocket launching.
File:Rocket_silo_gui_base_game.png|The rocket silo's GUI
File:Rocket_silo_gui_space_age.png|The rocket silo's GUI in Space Age
</gallery>

== History ==

{{history|2.0.7|
* Updated sprite for the rocket. A payload is now required to win the game.
* Rocket silos continue producing parts for the next rocket while the current rocket is being launched. Completing another rocket soon enough skips closing and reopening the doors.
* {{SA}} Rocket silo circuit connection can read orbital requests.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Updated sprite and changed dimensions from 9×10 to 9×9. A satellite is no longer required to win the game.}}

{{history|0.13.9|
* Rocket parts from building rockets in the silo now show in production statistics.}}

{{history|0.12.7|
* Updated icon.}}

{{history|0.12.4|
* Rocket silo now behaves correctly when out of electricity.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Satellite]]

{{SpaceNav}}
{{C|Space related}}

Locomotive

2026-07-17T14:11:28Z

Karsaell: Updated image

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Locomotive}}
The '''Locomotive''' is the engine for movement of [[Railway|trains]] over [[rail|tracks]]. Trains are useful for moving large amounts of items over large distances. With the [[Space Age]] expansion, locomotives can also utilize [[railway#Elevated Rails|elevated rails]], which are rails built off of a [[rail ramp]], allowing trains to freely drive over obstacles on the ground.

Locomotives are also good vehicles for the player to reach fixed destinations, as they are considerably faster than the [[car]] or [[tank]]. Naturally, they do not have the same freedom of movement, as they are confined to the track. They can be set up to travel automatically between [[train stop]]s, or be controlled manually, even if the [[player]] is in a [[cargo wagon]] attached to the train instead of the locomotive itself. Automatic trains can also use [[rail signal]]s and [[rail chain signal]]s to designate different or changing paths on a railway, as well as manage multiple trains on multiple or intertwining tracks.

Locomotives are [[burner devices]] and require [[fuel]] to run; the more powerful the fuel used, the faster the locomotive's acceleration and top speed will be. [[Solid fuel]], [[rocket fuel]] and [[nuclear fuel]] will give +20%, +80% and +150% acceleration respectively, and provide +5%, +15% and +15% for top speed respectively. Multiple locomotives can be used on a single train to increase its speed. If a locomotive has no fuel, it can still be moved manually, albeit very slowly.

While locomotives can be assembled by hand, the [[engine unit]] for it requires [[Assembling machine|automated construction]] to build, so it cannot be built from raw materials by hand. The color of the locomotive can be customized.

== Connecting/Disconnecting a locomotive ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|right|200px|Locomotive GUI]]

To connect locomotives, cargo wagons, or [[fluid wagon]]s to each other, either place the cars next to each other on the track (there will be an outlined green connection), or connect an already existing disconnected car by driving the locomotive near the car and press {{Keybinding|G}} by default. To disconnect the last car in a train, press {{Keybinding|V}} by default.

== Defense ==
A locomotive in transit can usually crash through everything in its way (including biters, [[car|other]] [[tank|vehicles]], and the player). However, if the locomotive is moving too slowly, or the target is too tough, it will stop the train instead. Once stopped, the train will continually do damage if trying to accelerate. If the locomotive hits an [[enemies|enemy]], the enemies will fight back and try to destroy the train and the rails.

[[Construction robot]]s are a good way to automatically repair damage at train stations.

[[File:train_kills_biters.gif|frame|none|Train killing three big biters.]]

== Speed calculations ==
The maximum speed that a locomotive can get to depends on the train that it is pulling. The speed of an accelerating, fully fueled, train is calculated every tick by the game with the following formula:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_friction_force ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed + (10 × number_of_locomotives_in_moving_direction × fuel_acceleration_bonus ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed × (1 - air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock ÷ (train_weight ÷ 1000))

<code>train_friction_force</code> is the total friction of a train, a sum of frictions contributed by each entity.
<code>train_weight</code> is the total weight a train, a sum of weights of each entity.
The <code>air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock</code> is air resistance for the entity at the head of a train.
The calculated <code>train_speed</code> is also capped to <code>max_speed = 1.2 * fuel_top_speed_multiplier</code>.

When braking:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_braking_force ÷ train_weight)

<code>train_braking_force</code> is the total braking force of a train, a sum of braking forces contributed by each entity, multiplied by (1+technology_breaking_bonus).

The values of friction, weight, brake and air resistance for every entity (found in their prototypes, file trains.lua):
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Entity
! weight
! air_resistance
! friction_force
! braking_force
|-
| Locomotive
| <math>2000</math>
| <math>0.0075</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>10</math>
|-
| Cargo wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Fluid wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Artillery wagon
| <math>4000</math>
| <math>0.015</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|}

As you can see, air resistance incentivizes to put a locomotive at the head of a train since it has 25% less resistance than a cargo wagon.

== Fuel duration (in seconds) ==
Note that trains throttle their burn rate when they reach max speed, extending the life of their fuel. That means the fuel duration listed below is the minimum time the fuel can last.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1 item of !! Burning time in seconds
|-
| {{Imagelink|Wood}} || 3.33
|-
| {{Imagelink|Coal}} || 6.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Solid fuel}} || 20
|-
| {{Imagelink|Rocket fuel}} || 166.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Nuclear fuel}} || 2016.67
|}

== Driving controls ==
These are the default bindings, they can be changed in the Settings menu.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Command
! Keyboard and mouse
! Controller
|-
|Enter/Exit
|{{Keybinding|enter}}
|{{Keybinding|ZR|X}}
|-
|Accelerate
|{{Keybinding|W}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Decelerate/Reverse
|{{Keybinding|S}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Pick which fork to take at junction (left, right)
|{{Keybinding|A}},{{Keybinding|D}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Connect/Disconnect train
|{{Keybinding|G}},{{Keybinding|V}}
| Not set
|}

When using a controller, such as on the [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]], the behaviour of the left joystick in vehicles can be switched between two modes:
* Relative vehicle driving mode (default): Moving the stick in a direction will make vehicles automatically turn and accelerate to that side of the screen.
* Absolute vehicle driving mode: Moving the stick up/down will make vehicles accelerate/brake. Moving the stick left/right will make vehicles turn in that direction.

== {{SA}} Quality ==

Since update 2.1.10, Space Age and Quality further improve the locomotive in terms of speed and acceleration :

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Max Speed (km/h)
! rowspan=2 align="center"| Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|32px]] !! align="center"| Wood [[File:Wood.png|32px]] / Coal [[File:Coal.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|32px]] Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|32px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 259|| 272|| 276|| 280|| 284|| 291|| 272|| 310|| 321|| 333|| 356
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 267|| 280|| 284|| 288|| 292|| 300|| 280|| 319|| 331|| 343|| 367
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 275|| 289|| 293|| 297|| 301|| 309|| 289|| 329|| 341|| 353|| 378
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 283|| 297|| 301|| 306|| 310|| 318|| 297|| 338|| 351|| 364|| 389
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 298|| 313|| 317|| 322|| 326|| 335|| 313|| 356|| 370|| 383|| 410
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Acceleration (kW)
! rowspan=2 align="center"| Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|24px]] !! align="center"| Wood [[File:Wood.png|24px]] Coal [[File:Coal.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|24px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 600|| 720 || 756|| 792|| 828 || 900|| 1080|| 1224|| 1368|| 1512|| 1800|| 1500|| 1770|| 2040|| 2310|| 2850
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 720|| 864|| 907|| 950|| 994|| 1080|| 1296|| 1469|| 1642|| 1814|| 2160|| 1800|| 2124|| 2448|| 2772|| 3420
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 840|| 1008|| 1058|| 1108|| 1159|| 1260|| 1512|| 1713|| 1915|| 2116|| 2520|| 2100|| 2478|| 2856|| 3234|| 3990
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 960|| 1152|| 1209|| 1267|| 1324|| 1440|| 1728|| 1958|| 2188|| 2419|| 2880|| 2400|| 2832|| 3264|| 3696|| 4560
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 1200|| 1440|| 1512|| 1584|| 1656|| 1800|| 2160|| 2448|| 2736|| 3024|| 3600|| 3000|| 3540|| 4080|| 4620|| 5700
|}
1: When used as fuels, wood and coal get no changes from quality.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Fuel duration (s)
|| Locomotive || Wood || Coal || Solid fuel || Rocket Fuel || Nuclear fuel
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || 3.3 || 6.7 || 20.0 || 166.7 || 2017
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || 2.8 || 5.6 || 16.7 || 138.9 || 1681
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || 2.4 || 4.8 || 14.3 || 119.0 || 1440
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || 2.1 || 4.2 || 12.5 || 104.2 || 1260
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || 1.7 || 3.3 || 10.0 || 83.3 || 1008
|}
Note that higher quality locomotives and fuels effectively last longer than the table above implies. Locomotives throttle their burn rate when they reach max speed, and because of the increased vehicle acceleration bonus from quality they spend less time accelerating and more time at max speed.

For quality locomotives the acceleration bonus outweighs the increased fuel consumption meaning they are more fuel efficient. Marginally beneficial when pulling a light <code>train_weight</code> and very beneficial when pulling a <code>train_weight</code> that's otherwise too heavy.

For quality fuels both the better top speed and acceleration increased the total distance locomotives can travel, effectively increasing the locomotives fuel efficiency.

[[File:Quality fuels, locomotives and distance.png|alt=Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled|Quality locomotives, fuels and distance]]

== Achievements ==
Locomotives are directly connected to the following achievements:
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=320px>
File:trains_colors.png|The player among different colored locomotives.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.1.7|
* Quality impacts locomotive speed and acceleration.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Locomotive sounds overhauled.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Locomotive fuel consumption doubled.}}

{{history|0.16.0|
* Locomotive will show train ID in its tooltip. The ID can be used in circuit network conditions.}}

{{history|0.15.19|
* Locomotive snaps to a train stop when placing the first locomotive next to the train stop.}}

{{history|0.15.7|
* Inserters will no longer take fuel from locomotives and instead will take the burnt result items if the locomotive fuel uses that system.}}

{{history|0.15.0|
* Renamed "diesel-locomotive" to "locomotive"}}

{{history|0.14.0|
* Added support for equipment grids in locomotives.}}

{{history|0.13.0|
* New locomotive graphics.
* Can now be colored.
* Trains are now regular size in horizontal and vertical orientations.
}}

{{history|0.12.1|
* Trains that are moving automatically cannot be rotated.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Now show contents in tooltip.}}

{{history|0.11.18|
* Increased the crafting cost of the cargo wagon and locomotive.
* Removing and merging the locomotive of a train without any additional locomotives doesn't clear the schedule anymore.
}}

{{history|0.11.6|
* Copy paste can now be used for train schedules.}}

{{history|0.10.2|
* Now recalculates path on rotation.}}

{{history|0.10.0|
* Backer names are used for locomotives.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Recipe change}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Train can find the path backward when it has locomotives in the back
* New locomotive graphics.
* Locomotive + wagon + rails are more expensive.
}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Smooth (precise) rolling stock placement.
* Rotating while building affects the direction of the rolling stock.
* Rolling stocks can be disconnected from both sides.
}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Locomotive uses fuel.
* Locomotive and Car are minable
* Easier riding in locomotive and car (accelerate vs. brake vs. reverse)
* Automated train transportation. Trains can be given schedule to go to Train Stops (named after backers).
}}

{{history|0.2.8|
* Now shows health bar below locomotive.}}

{{history|0.2.1|
* Now emits light if active.}}

{{history|0.1.0|
* Introduced}}

==See also==
* [[Railway]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}
{{C|Rolling stock}}

File:Quality fuels, locomotives and distance.png

2026-07-17T14:10:51Z

Karsaell: Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled

== Summary ==
Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled

Talk:Locomotive

2026-07-17T14:04:29Z

Karsaell:

I think the current quality fuel duration table is misleading. To me the current table implies that higher quality locomotives are less fuel efficient, but as the reddit post below shows, it is the opposite: quality trains are actually more fuel efficient.

https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/1ufu2t7/how_train_fuel_consumption_works/

Should the current quality fuel duration table be removed?
Or replaced with numbers from the reddit post or some other test/metric?

Maybe it is possible to calculate/math the distance traveled but I don't know how.

[Karsaell] : I authored those recent changes, and discussed on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/1uxg60w) with the author of the post you mention.

To complete this page, and take into account their findings, I re-ran a version of their benchmark to publish the table added today. I hope this makes the subject clearer ?

Let me know if you still think it needs clarification

(To be clear, I didn't math anything, I simply set a locomotive of each quality, with a stack of each quality of fuel, on a circular track and counted their laps until they were out of fuel.)

Locomotive

2026-07-17T13:57:38Z

Karsaell: Added a table of distance travelled per fuel quality

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Locomotive}}
The '''Locomotive''' is the engine for movement of [[Railway|trains]] over [[rail|tracks]]. Trains are useful for moving large amounts of items over large distances. With the [[Space Age]] expansion, locomotives can also utilize [[railway#Elevated Rails|elevated rails]], which are rails built off of a [[rail ramp]], allowing trains to freely drive over obstacles on the ground.

Locomotives are also good vehicles for the player to reach fixed destinations, as they are considerably faster than the [[car]] or [[tank]]. Naturally, they do not have the same freedom of movement, as they are confined to the track. They can be set up to travel automatically between [[train stop]]s, or be controlled manually, even if the [[player]] is in a [[cargo wagon]] attached to the train instead of the locomotive itself. Automatic trains can also use [[rail signal]]s and [[rail chain signal]]s to designate different or changing paths on a railway, as well as manage multiple trains on multiple or intertwining tracks.

Locomotives are [[burner devices]] and require [[fuel]] to run; the more powerful the fuel used, the faster the locomotive's acceleration and top speed will be. [[Solid fuel]], [[rocket fuel]] and [[nuclear fuel]] will give +20%, +80% and +150% acceleration respectively, and provide +5%, +15% and +15% for top speed respectively. Multiple locomotives can be used on a single train to increase its speed. If a locomotive has no fuel, it can still be moved manually, albeit very slowly.

While locomotives can be assembled by hand, the [[engine unit]] for it requires [[Assembling machine|automated construction]] to build, so it cannot be built from raw materials by hand. The color of the locomotive can be customized.

== Connecting/Disconnecting a locomotive ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|right|200px|Locomotive GUI]]

To connect locomotives, cargo wagons, or [[fluid wagon]]s to each other, either place the cars next to each other on the track (there will be an outlined green connection), or connect an already existing disconnected car by driving the locomotive near the car and press {{Keybinding|G}} by default. To disconnect the last car in a train, press {{Keybinding|V}} by default.

== Defense ==
A locomotive in transit can usually crash through everything in its way (including biters, [[car|other]] [[tank|vehicles]], and the player). However, if the locomotive is moving too slowly, or the target is too tough, it will stop the train instead. Once stopped, the train will continually do damage if trying to accelerate. If the locomotive hits an [[enemies|enemy]], the enemies will fight back and try to destroy the train and the rails.

[[Construction robot]]s are a good way to automatically repair damage at train stations.

[[File:train_kills_biters.gif|frame|none|Train killing three big biters.]]

== Speed calculations ==
The maximum speed that a locomotive can get to depends on the train that it is pulling. The speed of an accelerating, fully fueled, train is calculated every tick by the game with the following formula:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_friction_force ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed + (10 × number_of_locomotives_in_moving_direction × fuel_acceleration_bonus ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed × (1 - air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock ÷ (train_weight ÷ 1000))

<code>train_friction_force</code> is the total friction of a train, a sum of frictions contributed by each entity.
<code>train_weight</code> is the total weight a train, a sum of weights of each entity.
The <code>air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock</code> is air resistance for the entity at the head of a train.
The calculated <code>train_speed</code> is also capped to <code>max_speed = 1.2 * fuel_top_speed_multiplier</code>.

When braking:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_braking_force ÷ train_weight)

<code>train_braking_force</code> is the total braking force of a train, a sum of braking forces contributed by each entity, multiplied by (1+technology_breaking_bonus).

The values of friction, weight, brake and air resistance for every entity (found in their prototypes, file trains.lua):
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Entity
! weight
! air_resistance
! friction_force
! braking_force
|-
| Locomotive
| <math>2000</math>
| <math>0.0075</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>10</math>
|-
| Cargo wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Fluid wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Artillery wagon
| <math>4000</math>
| <math>0.015</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|}

As you can see, air resistance incentivizes to put a locomotive at the head of a train since it has 25% less resistance than a cargo wagon.

== Fuel duration (in seconds) ==
Note that trains throttle their burn rate when they reach max speed, extending the life of their fuel. That means the fuel duration listed below is the minimum time the fuel can last.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1 item of !! Burning time in seconds
|-
| {{Imagelink|Wood}} || 3.33
|-
| {{Imagelink|Coal}} || 6.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Solid fuel}} || 20
|-
| {{Imagelink|Rocket fuel}} || 166.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Nuclear fuel}} || 2016.67
|}

== Driving controls ==
These are the default bindings, they can be changed in the Settings menu.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Command
! Keyboard and mouse
! Controller
|-
|Enter/Exit
|{{Keybinding|enter}}
|{{Keybinding|ZR|X}}
|-
|Accelerate
|{{Keybinding|W}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Decelerate/Reverse
|{{Keybinding|S}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Pick which fork to take at junction (left, right)
|{{Keybinding|A}},{{Keybinding|D}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Connect/Disconnect train
|{{Keybinding|G}},{{Keybinding|V}}
| Not set
|}

When using a controller, such as on the [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]], the behaviour of the left joystick in vehicles can be switched between two modes:
* Relative vehicle driving mode (default): Moving the stick in a direction will make vehicles automatically turn and accelerate to that side of the screen.
* Absolute vehicle driving mode: Moving the stick up/down will make vehicles accelerate/brake. Moving the stick left/right will make vehicles turn in that direction.

== {{SA}} Quality ==

Since update 2.1.10, Space Age and Quality further improve the locomotive in terms of speed and acceleration :

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Max Speed (km/h)
! rowspan=2 align="center"| Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|32px]] !! align="center"| Wood [[File:Wood.png|32px]] / Coal [[File:Coal.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|32px]] Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|32px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 259|| 272|| 276|| 280|| 284|| 291|| 272|| 310|| 321|| 333|| 356
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 267|| 280|| 284|| 288|| 292|| 300|| 280|| 319|| 331|| 343|| 367
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 275|| 289|| 293|| 297|| 301|| 309|| 289|| 329|| 341|| 353|| 378
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 283|| 297|| 301|| 306|| 310|| 318|| 297|| 338|| 351|| 364|| 389
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 298|| 313|| 317|| 322|| 326|| 335|| 313|| 356|| 370|| 383|| 410
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Acceleration (kW)
! rowspan=2 align="center"| Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|24px]] !! align="center"| Wood [[File:Wood.png|24px]] Coal [[File:Coal.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|24px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 600|| 720 || 756|| 792|| 828 || 900|| 1080|| 1224|| 1368|| 1512|| 1800|| 1500|| 1770|| 2040|| 2310|| 2850
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 720|| 864|| 907|| 950|| 994|| 1080|| 1296|| 1469|| 1642|| 1814|| 2160|| 1800|| 2124|| 2448|| 2772|| 3420
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 840|| 1008|| 1058|| 1108|| 1159|| 1260|| 1512|| 1713|| 1915|| 2116|| 2520|| 2100|| 2478|| 2856|| 3234|| 3990
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 960|| 1152|| 1209|| 1267|| 1324|| 1440|| 1728|| 1958|| 2188|| 2419|| 2880|| 2400|| 2832|| 3264|| 3696|| 4560
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 1200|| 1440|| 1512|| 1584|| 1656|| 1800|| 2160|| 2448|| 2736|| 3024|| 3600|| 3000|| 3540|| 4080|| 4620|| 5700
|}
1: When used as fuels, wood and coal get no changes from quality.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Fuel duration (s)
|| Locomotive || Wood || Coal || Solid fuel || Rocket Fuel || Nuclear fuel
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || 3.3 || 6.7 || 20.0 || 166.7 || 2017
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || 2.8 || 5.6 || 16.7 || 138.9 || 1681
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || 2.4 || 4.8 || 14.3 || 119.0 || 1440
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || 2.1 || 4.2 || 12.5 || 104.2 || 1260
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || 1.7 || 3.3 || 10.0 || 83.3 || 1008
|}
Note that higher quality locomotives and fuels effectively last longer than the table above implies. Locomotives throttle their burn rate when they reach max speed, and because of the increased vehicle acceleration bonus from quality they spend less time accelerating and more time at max speed.

For quality locomotives the acceleration bonus outweighs the increased fuel consumption meaning they are more fuel efficient. Marginally beneficial when pulling a light <code>train_weight</code> and very beneficial when pulling a <code>train_weight</code> that's otherwise too heavy.

For quality fuels both the better top speed and acceleration increased the total distance locomotives can travel, effectively increasing the locomotives fuel efficiency.

[[File:Quality locomotives, fuels and distance.png|alt=Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled|Quality locomotives, fuels and distance]]

== Achievements ==
Locomotives are directly connected to the following achievements:
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=320px>
File:trains_colors.png|The player among different colored locomotives.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.1.7|
* Quality impacts locomotive speed and acceleration.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Locomotive sounds overhauled.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Locomotive fuel consumption doubled.}}

{{history|0.16.0|
* Locomotive will show train ID in its tooltip. The ID can be used in circuit network conditions.}}

{{history|0.15.19|
* Locomotive snaps to a train stop when placing the first locomotive next to the train stop.}}

{{history|0.15.7|
* Inserters will no longer take fuel from locomotives and instead will take the burnt result items if the locomotive fuel uses that system.}}

{{history|0.15.0|
* Renamed "diesel-locomotive" to "locomotive"}}

{{history|0.14.0|
* Added support for equipment grids in locomotives.}}

{{history|0.13.0|
* New locomotive graphics.
* Can now be colored.
* Trains are now regular size in horizontal and vertical orientations.
}}

{{history|0.12.1|
* Trains that are moving automatically cannot be rotated.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Now show contents in tooltip.}}

{{history|0.11.18|
* Increased the crafting cost of the cargo wagon and locomotive.
* Removing and merging the locomotive of a train without any additional locomotives doesn't clear the schedule anymore.
}}

{{history|0.11.6|
* Copy paste can now be used for train schedules.}}

{{history|0.10.2|
* Now recalculates path on rotation.}}

{{history|0.10.0|
* Backer names are used for locomotives.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Recipe change}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Train can find the path backward when it has locomotives in the back
* New locomotive graphics.
* Locomotive + wagon + rails are more expensive.
}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Smooth (precise) rolling stock placement.
* Rotating while building affects the direction of the rolling stock.
* Rolling stocks can be disconnected from both sides.
}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Locomotive uses fuel.
* Locomotive and Car are minable
* Easier riding in locomotive and car (accelerate vs. brake vs. reverse)
* Automated train transportation. Trains can be given schedule to go to Train Stops (named after backers).
}}

{{history|0.2.8|
* Now shows health bar below locomotive.}}

{{history|0.2.1|
* Now emits light if active.}}

{{history|0.1.0|
* Introduced}}

==See also==
* [[Railway]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}
{{C|Rolling stock}}

File:Quality locomotives, fuels and distance.png

2026-07-17T13:55:49Z

Karsaell: Karsaell uploaded a new version of File:Quality locomotives, fuels and distance.png

Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled

File:Quality locomotives, fuels and distance.png

2026-07-17T13:49:18Z

Karsaell:

Impact of quality locomotives and fuels on the distance travelled

Locomotive

2026-07-15T19:01:58Z

Karsaell: Updated with locomotive speed and acceleration changes regarding quality, added in 2.1.7

{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Locomotive}}
The '''Locomotive''' is the engine for movement of [[Railway|trains]] over [[rail|tracks]]. Trains are useful for moving large amounts of items over large distances. With the [[Space Age]] expansion, locomotives can also utilize [[railway#Elevated Rails|elevated rails]], which are rails built off of a [[rail ramp]], allowing trains to freely drive over obstacles on the ground.

Locomotives are also good vehicles for the player to reach fixed destinations, as they are considerably faster than the [[car]] or [[tank]]. Naturally, they do not have the same freedom of movement, as they are confined to the track. They can be set up to travel automatically between [[train stop]]s, or be controlled manually, even if the [[player]] is in a [[cargo wagon]] attached to the train instead of the locomotive itself. Automatic trains can also use [[rail signal]]s and [[rail chain signal]]s to designate different or changing paths on a railway, as well as manage multiple trains on multiple or intertwining tracks.

Locomotives are [[burner devices]] and require [[fuel]] to run; the more powerful the fuel used, the faster the locomotive's acceleration and top speed will be. [[Solid fuel]], [[rocket fuel]] and [[nuclear fuel]] will give +20%, +80% and +150% acceleration respectively, and provide +5%, +15% and +15% for top speed respectively. Multiple locomotives can be used on a single train to increase its speed. If a locomotive has no fuel, it can still be moved manually, albeit very slowly.

While locomotives can be assembled by hand, the [[engine unit]] for it requires [[Assembling machine|automated construction]] to build, so it cannot be built from raw materials by hand. The color of the locomotive can be customized.

== Connecting/Disconnecting a locomotive ==
[[File:locomotive_gui.png|thumb|right|200px|Locomotive GUI]]

To connect locomotives, cargo wagons, or [[fluid wagon]]s to each other, either place the cars next to each other on the track (there will be an outlined green connection), or connect an already existing disconnected car by driving the locomotive near the car and press {{Keybinding|G}} by default. To disconnect the last car in a train, press {{Keybinding|V}} by default.

== Defense ==
A locomotive in transit can usually crash through everything in its way (including biters, [[car|other]] [[tank|vehicles]], and the player). However, if the locomotive is moving too slowly, or the target is too tough, it will stop the train instead. Once stopped, the train will continually do damage if trying to accelerate. If the locomotive hits an [[enemies|enemy]], the enemies will fight back and try to destroy the train and the rails.

[[Construction robot]]s are a good way to automatically repair damage at train stations.

[[File:train_kills_biters.gif|frame|none|Train killing three big biters.]]

== Speed calculations ==
The maximum speed that a locomotive can get to depends on the train that it is pulling. The speed of an accelerating, fully fueled, train is calculated every tick by the game with the following formula:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_friction_force ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed + (10 × number_of_locomotives_in_moving_direction × fuel_acceleration_bonus ÷ train_weight)
train_speed = train_speed × (1 - air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock ÷ (train_weight ÷ 1000))

<code>train_friction_force</code> is the total friction of a train, a sum of frictions contributed by each entity.
<code>train_weight</code> is the total weight a train, a sum of weights of each entity.
The <code>air_resistance_of_front_rolling_stock</code> is air resistance for the entity at the head of a train.
The calculated <code>train_speed</code> is also capped to <code>max_speed = 1.2 * fuel_top_speed_multiplier</code>.

When braking:

train_speed = max(0, abs(train_speed) - train_braking_force ÷ train_weight)

<code>train_braking_force</code> is the total braking force of a train, a sum of braking forces contributed by each entity, multiplied by (1+technology_breaking_bonus).

The values of friction, weight, brake and air resistance for every entity (found in their prototypes, file trains.lua):
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Entity
! weight
! air_resistance
! friction_force
! braking_force
|-
| Locomotive
| <math>2000</math>
| <math>0.0075</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>10</math>
|-
| Cargo wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Fluid wagon
| <math>1000</math>
| <math>0.01</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|-
| Artillery wagon
| <math>4000</math>
| <math>0.015</math>
| <math>0.5</math>
| <math>3</math>
|}

As you can see, air resistance incentivizes to put a locomotive at the head of a train since it has 25% less resistance than a cargo wagon.

== Fuel duration (in seconds) ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1 item of !! Burning time in seconds
|-
| {{Imagelink|Wood}} || 3.33
|-
| {{Imagelink|Coal}} || 6.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Solid fuel}} || 20
|-
| {{Imagelink|Rocket fuel}} || 166.67
|-
| {{Imagelink|Nuclear fuel}} || 2016.67
|}

== Driving controls ==
These are the default bindings, they can be changed in the Settings menu.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Command
! Keyboard and mouse
! Controller
|-
|Enter/Exit
|{{Keybinding|enter}}
|{{Keybinding|ZR|X}}
|-
|Accelerate
|{{Keybinding|W}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Decelerate/Reverse
|{{Keybinding|S}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Pick which fork to take at junction (left, right)
|{{Keybinding|A}},{{Keybinding|D}}
|''Use left joystick''
|-
|Connect/Disconnect train
|{{Keybinding|G}},{{Keybinding|V}}
| Not set
|}

When using a controller, such as on the [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]], the behaviour of the left joystick in vehicles can be switched between two modes:
* Relative vehicle driving mode (default): Moving the stick in a direction will make vehicles automatically turn and accelerate to that side of the screen.
* Absolute vehicle driving mode: Moving the stick up/down will make vehicles accelerate/brake. Moving the stick left/right will make vehicles turn in that direction.

== {{SA}} Quality ==

Since update 2.1.10, Space Age and Quality further improve the locomotive in terms of speed and acceleration :

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Max Speed (km/h)
! rowspan=2 align="center"| Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|32px]] !! align="center"| Wood [[File:Wood.png|32px]] / Coal [[File:Coal.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|32px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|32px]] Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|32px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 259|| 272|| 276|| 280|| 284|| 291|| 272|| 310|| 321|| 333|| 356
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 267|| 280|| 284|| 288|| 292|| 300|| 280|| 319|| 331|| 343|| 367
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 275|| 289|| 293|| 297|| 301|| 309|| 289|| 329|| 341|| 353|| 378
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 283|| 297|| 301|| 306|| 310|| 318|| 297|| 338|| 351|| 364|| 389
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 298|| 313|| 317|| 322|| 326|| 335|| 313|| 356|| 370|| 383|| 410
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Acceleration (kW)
! rowspan=2 align="center"| Locomotive [[File:Locomotive.png|24px]] !! align="center"| Wood [[File:Wood.png|24px]] Coal [[File:Coal.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Solid fuel [[File:Solid_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Rocket fuel[[File:Rocket_fuel.png|24px]] !! colspan=5 align="center"| Nuclear fuel[[File:Nuclear_fuel.png|24px]]
|-
|| ¹ || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]]|| 600|| 720 || 756|| 792|| 828 || 900|| 1080|| 1224|| 1368|| 1512|| 1800|| 1500|| 1770|| 2040|| 2310|| 2850
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]]|| 720|| 864|| 907|| 950|| 994|| 1080|| 1296|| 1469|| 1642|| 1814|| 2160|| 1800|| 2124|| 2448|| 2772|| 3420
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]]|| 840|| 1008|| 1058|| 1108|| 1159|| 1260|| 1512|| 1713|| 1915|| 2116|| 2520|| 2100|| 2478|| 2856|| 3234|| 3990
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]]|| 960|| 1152|| 1209|| 1267|| 1324|| 1440|| 1728|| 1958|| 2188|| 2419|| 2880|| 2400|| 2832|| 3264|| 3696|| 4560
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]]|| 1200|| 1440|| 1512|| 1584|| 1656|| 1800|| 2160|| 2448|| 2736|| 3024|| 3600|| 3000|| 3540|| 4080|| 4620|| 5700
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Fuel duration (s)
|| Locomotive || Wood || Coal || Solid fuel || Rocket Fuel || Nuclear fuel
|-
|| [[File:Quality_normal.png|24px]] || 3.3 || 6.7 || 20.0 || 166.7 || 2017
|-
|| [[File:Quality_uncommon.png|24px]] || 2.8 || 5.6 || 16.7 || 138.9 || 1681
|-
|| [[File:Quality_rare.png|24px]] || 2.4 || 4.8 || 14.3 || 119.0 || 1440
|-
|| [[File:Quality_epic.png|24px]] || 2.1 || 4.2 || 12.5 || 104.2 || 1260
|-
|| [[File:Quality_legendary.png|24px]] || 1.7 || 3.3 || 10.0 || 83.3 || 1008
|}

1: When used as fuels, wood and coal get no changes from quality.

== Achievements ==
Locomotives are directly connected to the following achievements:
{{Achievement|getting-on-track}}
{{Achievement|getting-on-track-like-a-pro}}
{{Achievement|watch-your-step}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=320px>
File:trains_colors.png|The player among different colored locomotives.
</gallery>

== History ==
{{history|2.1.7|
* Quality impacts locomotive speed and acceleration.}}

{{history|2.0.7|
* Locomotive sounds overhauled.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Locomotive fuel consumption doubled.}}

{{history|0.16.0|
* Locomotive will show train ID in its tooltip. The ID can be used in circuit network conditions.}}

{{history|0.15.19|
* Locomotive snaps to a train stop when placing the first locomotive next to the train stop.}}

{{history|0.15.7|
* Inserters will no longer take fuel from locomotives and instead will take the burnt result items if the locomotive fuel uses that system.}}

{{history|0.15.0|
* Renamed "diesel-locomotive" to "locomotive"}}

{{history|0.14.0|
* Added support for equipment grids in locomotives.}}

{{history|0.13.0|
* New locomotive graphics.
* Can now be colored.
* Trains are now regular size in horizontal and vertical orientations.
}}

{{history|0.12.1|
* Trains that are moving automatically cannot be rotated.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Now show contents in tooltip.}}

{{history|0.11.18|
* Increased the crafting cost of the cargo wagon and locomotive.
* Removing and merging the locomotive of a train without any additional locomotives doesn't clear the schedule anymore.
}}

{{history|0.11.6|
* Copy paste can now be used for train schedules.}}

{{history|0.10.2|
* Now recalculates path on rotation.}}

{{history|0.10.0|
* Backer names are used for locomotives.}}

{{history|0.9.0|
* Recipe change}}

{{history|0.5.0|
* Train can find the path backward when it has locomotives in the back
* New locomotive graphics.
* Locomotive + wagon + rails are more expensive.
}}

{{history|0.4.1|
* Smooth (precise) rolling stock placement.
* Rotating while building affects the direction of the rolling stock.
* Rolling stocks can be disconnected from both sides.
}}

{{history|0.4.0|
* Locomotive uses fuel.
* Locomotive and Car are minable
* Easier riding in locomotive and car (accelerate vs. brake vs. reverse)
* Automated train transportation. Trains can be given schedule to go to Train Stops (named after backers).
}}

{{history|0.2.8|
* Now shows health bar below locomotive.}}

{{history|0.2.1|
* Now emits light if active.}}

{{history|0.1.0|
* Introduced}}

==See also==
* [[Railway]]
* [[Cargo wagon]]
* [[Fluid wagon]]

{{LogisticsNav}}
{{C|Railway}}
{{C|Rolling stock}}

Rocket silo

2026-07-09T12:55:04Z

Karsaell: Added 2.1 changes to quality rocket silos

{{languages}}
{{:Infobox:Rocket silo}}
The '''rocket silo''' is an important production building that serves as the sole win condition and a source of [[space science pack]]s in the base game. In [[Space Age]]{{SA}}, it is instead the only way to launch items and the player off [[Nauvis]] to orbiting space platforms to visit the neighboring planets of [[Vulcanus]]{{SA}}, [[Fulgora]]{{SA}}, [[Gleba]]{{SA}}, and [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}.

Building a silo requires, among other things, [[electric engine unit]]s, [[processing unit]]s, and [[concrete]], which all must be produced in [[assembling machine]]s or [[foundry|foundries]] and cannot be crafted by hand from raw materials. The rocket itself can only be produced in the silo.

Once the silo has been built and placed it can be filled with [[processing unit]]s, [[low density structure]], and [[rocket fuel]], which will create [[rocket part]]s within the silo. 100 rocket parts are needed to construct a rocket (50 parts in Space Age{{SA}}). The silo accepts [[productivity module]]s, and due to the high resource cost of rockets, silos are a prime candidate for their use. Once constructed, the rocket will rise into position and can be launched. It is required to place a cargo landing pad somewhere on the planet in order to launch a rocket.

Once a rocket has been constructed, the silo will continue to craft a second rocket within the silo. If both are constructed, once the first rocket has been launched, the second will rise into place without the silo going through its normal animation of closing and reopening its doors. This is particularly useful in Space Age when crafting speeds are faster and rockets are in increased demand.

== Base game ==

The rocket silo is unlocked with its [[rocket silo (research)|respective technology]] using all [[science pack]]s except for military. It requires 10 low density structure, rocket fuel, and processing units to make 1 [[rocket part]], for a total of 1,000 of each for a single rocket.

Before a rocket can be launched, the player must place a [[cargo landing pad]] somewhere on the planet. The landing pad can be anywhere on the planet, with no restrictions on distance from the silo, but only one can be placed.

Launching a rocket requires a payload and launching one for the first time will trigger the victory screen, which thanks the player for playing and invites them to keep growing their factory, with the options of exiting the game, viewing the credits, or continuing the game. The rocket can be launched manually by clicking the "Launch" button. Checking the "Send to orbit automatically" checkbox will make the rocket launch automatically once it has a payload.

Only two items can be used as a payload. The first is a [[satellite]]; launching a rocket with one of these will return a shipment of 1,000 [[space science pack]]s to the cargo landing pad roughly 29 seconds after the launch is triggered. The second is a...

{{Spoiler|button-text=Spoiler! Click to view.|message=
<li>[[Raw fish]]: Grants the "So long and thanks for all the fish!" achievement. Other than this, it also wastes the launch.</li>
}}

== Space Age ==
{{About/Space age}}
=== Basics ===
In Space Age, the silo is unlocked far earlier in the game, requiring 1,000 of only [[automation science pack|automation]], [[logistic science pack|logistics]] and [[chemical science pack|chemical]] science packs. The silo is a critical building for transporting items and the player offplanet to orbiting [[space platform]]s. Rockets are built identically to the base game, except that a single rocket part takes only 1 of each material instead of 10 and only 50 rocket parts are required per rocket. This means that a single rocket requires only 50 of each resource. The silo greatly benefits from higher [[quality]] productivity modules as well as the [[technologies#Infinite Research Exclusive to Space Age|rocket part productivity]] infinite technology, both of which can reduce the cost of rockets even further.

The rocket can be manually launched in one of three ways:
* Deliver cargo: launch with a payload of any size or composition at any orbiting platform
* New platform: if the silo contains exactly one [[space platform starter pack]], clicking this will open the map and invite the player to enter a name for the new platform.
* Travel to platform: the rocket will launch to any orbiting platform with the player as its sole payload. The player can only bring any equipped [[armor]], their installed modules, and any weapons, but no ammo for those weapons. This is evident before traveling to platform, as shown by an in-game tool tip.

[[File:rocket_silo_gui.png|The rocket silo's GUI in Space Age|310px|right]]

=== Rocket capacity ===
Unlike in the base game, a space age rocket can accept nearly every item in the game as a payload. This is expressed by the silo as a weight limit. Every item in the game has a rocket capacity which is the maximum number of items that can fit in a single rocket. An item's rocket capacity can be read by the circuit network by feeding an item into the [[selector combinator]] and choosing the respective mode of operation. As a general rule of thumb, the more complex the item, the fewer can fit within a rocket.

Some items, like the rocket silo itself and the [[atomic bomb]], are too heavy for rockets, and so the raw materials must be shipped to orbit individually and assembled on the destination planet.

[[Fluids]] cannot be put in rockets, but full [[barrel]]s can. Some fluids cannot be barreled, so they cannot be transported by rocket. This is notably the case for all the fluids that can only be obtained on [[Fulgora]] and [[Aquilo]], except for [[fluoroketone]].

=== Orbital requests ===
The rocket silo can detect requests from any space platform in orbit around the current planet. These can be satisfied in two ways.

* If "Automatic requests from space platforms" is ''not'' selected, the silo acts as a large container. Items can be inserted and removed with [[inserters]]. If the silo receives a full rocket of a single item that is requested, the rocket will automatically launch to the platform requesting that item, even if the payload is more than what is being requested. If multiple platforms are requesting the same item, the rocket will prioritize the earliest platform that the player created.

* If automatic requests ''is'' selected, the silo acts similar to a [[requester chest]]. [[Logistic robot]]s will fill the silo automatically from the [[logistic network]] (including from [[buffer chest]]s), and the rocket will launch automatically when full, unless the requesting platform has set a minimum payload to a lower amount than a full load. If there are items in the rocket inventory when this box is selected, those items will be moved to the silo's trash slots and be removed by logistics robots.

Regardless of option selected, the rocket will only launch automatically when it contains at least one item.

The silo can be connected to the [[circuit network]], with two output functions.
* Output requests: Outputs the sum of requests from all orbiting platforms, if any. A request is considered satisfied and will be removed from the output the instant the rocket launch is triggered, not when the delivery to the platform actually happens.
* Output contents: Outputs the contents of the rocket silo. If automatic requests is selected, this option will do nothing.

== Maximum throughput ==
In the base game, a fully moduled silo has +611% crafting speed from beacons and +40% productivity.

Modules accelerate crafting time in the first phase, but have no effect on animations in the other phases.

There are five phases to a rocket launch.

===== Working =====
Rocket parts must be assembled in the silo before the rocket can be deployed.

The best possible time to assemble 100 rocket parts, based on the rocket part recipe and the module effects, is 1250 ticks, or ~20.833 seconds.

1250 ticks elapsed.

===== Preparing rocket for launch =====
The rocket is brought up out of the silo so a payload can be inserted, if any.

This animation lasts 890 ticks, or ~14.833 seconds.

2140 ticks elapsed.

===== Waiting to launch rocket =====
The payload must be inserted.

One fast inserter arm swing to insert a Satellite is 14 ticks, or ~0.233 seconds.

2154 ticks elapsed.

===== Launching rocket =====
The rocket is launched with the payload. This phase ends when the result inventory appears inside the silo.

1162 ticks, or ~19.367 seconds.

3316 ticks elapsed.

===== Reset =====
The silo door must close before the cycle begins again.

368 ticks, or ~6.133 seconds.

If a second rocket was buffered within the silo, this step is skipped.

=== Conclusions ===
'''Grand Total: 3684 ticks''', which gives a total cycle time of ~61.417 seconds, including time spent building rocket parts and inserting the payload.

With a build time of 1250 + 14, the delay from animations is 2420 ticks.[https://www.reddit.com/r/technicalfactorio/comments/x92gfa/more_empirical_measurements_on_rocket_silos/]

=== Space Age ===
In Space Age, the rocket silo gained the ability to buffer a second rocket ready to load and launch [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-405]. If a second rocket is ready, then the rocket silo skips the door close/open animation.
This means the only stages that take place are preparing, loading and launching the rocket. The preparing animation lasts 684 ticks (11.4 seconds) and the launch animation lasts 933 ticks (15.55 seconds).
Assuming the loading is instant, this results in a rocket launch every 1617 ticks (26.95 seconds), with sufficient speed and/or productivity bonuses (enough to get <math>\frac{1000}{539}</math> (~1.85) rocket parts per second, or ~111 rocket parts per minute).

=== Quality ===

Starting with the 2.1 update, Rocket Silo quality has an impact on the animations speed. The paragraphs above are still true, but only for the normal-quality Rocket Silo.

{| class="wikitable"
! Quality !! Ticks between launches !! % increase from previous quality !! % increase from normal quality !! Continuous launches per minute !! Min. Rocket parts per second for continuous launches
|-
| Normal || 1614 || ø || ø || 2.23 || 1.85
|-
| Uncommon || 1423 || 11.8 || 11.8 || 2.53 || 2.11
|-
| Rare || 1301 || 8.57 || 19.4 || 2.77 || 2.31
|-
| Epic || 1218 || 6.34 || 24.5 || 2.96 || 2.46
|-
| Legendary || 1097 || 9.94 || 32.0 || 3.28 || 2.73
|}

== Achievements ==
The rocket silo, which is used to win the base game, is directly connected to the following game-win-based achievements:
{{Achievement|smoke-me-a-kipper-i-will-be-back-for-breakfast}}
{{Achievement|no-time-for-chitchat}}
{{Achievement|there-is-no-spoon}}
{{Achievement|raining-bullets}}
{{Achievement|steam-all-the-way}}
{{Achievement|logistic-network-embargo}}
{{Achievement|so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish}}

== Trivia ==
Prior to version [[version history/2.0.0#2.0.7|2.0]], the rocket could accept any item as cargo; however, most did nothing in particular and simply wasted the launch. Notable exceptions included:

{{Spoiler|button-text=Spoiler! Click to view.|message=
<ul><li> [[Vehicle]]s : When a vehicle was inserted into the payload slot, the player could enter the rocket like they would any other vehicle, then launch and ride it.
<ul><li> This allowed a fast-moving view of one's base (as the game world is internally 2-dimensional, the rocket actually simply moved north along the map), and then returned the player next to the launching silo once the launch animation had finished.
<ul><li> If all space near the rocket silo is occupied, the player is placed at spawn instead.</li>
<li> Wasted the launch, as the rocket's sole payload slot is occupied by the vehicle, rather than a satellite. (Having any number of satellites in the car's trunk or the "astronaut"s inventory does not count.)</li></ul></li>
<li>[[Space science pack]]: Returned one [[raw fish]] for every science pack that was launched, but no more than 100 raw fishes per launch.</li></ul>}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=240px heights=240px>
File:Victoryv2.jpg|The victory screen
File:rocket_silo_rising_rocket.gif|The rocket rising and being primed for launch.
File:rocket_silo_launch.gif|The rocket launching.
File:Rocket_silo_gui_base_game.png|The rocket silo's GUI
File:Rocket_silo_gui_space_age.png|The rocket silo's GUI in Space Age
</gallery>

== History ==

{{history|2.0.7|
* Updated sprite for the rocket. A payload is now required to win the game.
* Rocket silos continue producing parts for the next rocket while the current rocket is being launched. Completing another rocket soon enough skips closing and reopening the doors.
* {{SA}} Rocket silo circuit connection can read orbital requests.}}

{{history|0.17.0|
* Updated sprite and changed dimensions from 9×10 to 9×9. A satellite is no longer required to win the game.}}

{{history|0.13.9|
* Rocket parts from building rockets in the silo now show in production statistics.}}

{{history|0.12.7|
* Updated icon.}}

{{history|0.12.4|
* Rocket silo now behaves correctly when out of electricity.}}

{{history|0.12.0|
* Introduced}}

== See also ==
* [[Satellite]]

{{SpaceNav}}
{{C|Space related}}