🚂 BALROND RUNE RAILS
Overview
RUNE RAILS is a fully modular railway, cargo and automation system for Valheim.
The mod introduces:
- 🚃 Functional railway carts and trains
- 🛤 Modular rail building system
- ⚙️ Signal automation network
- 🚪 Lift gates and automated doors
- 📦 Cargo transfer systems
- 🔀 Rail switches and traversal logic
- 🔋 Powered train carts
- 🏗 Dedicated Builder Workstation
- 🔨 Dedicated Railway Hammer
- 🌐 Multiplayer synchronized systems
🔓 Unlock Progression
All RUNIC RAILS content unlocks after defeating:
🐉 Moder
The railway system becomes available during the Artisan progression tier.
🔨 Railway Hammer
The mod adds a dedicated:
Railway Hammer
The Railway Hammer contains all railway categories and all RUNIC RAILS build pieces.
All railway pieces are ALSO available in the vanilla Hammer under the:
Players may use:
- Vanilla Hammer
- Railway Hammer
interchangeably.
🏗 Builder Workstation
The Builder Workstation is a universal railway construction station.
Features:
- Allows railway construction
- Unlocks railway build categories
- Supports advanced infrastructure building
Universal Build Support
The Builder Workstation can temporarily replace:
- Workbench
- Forge
- Stonecutter
during BUILDING.
This allows players to:
- Build railway systems in remote locations
- Construct large infrastructure projects
- Build without nearby vanilla crafting stations
Important
The Builder Workstation DOES NOT replace crafting stations for crafting items.
It only replaces building requirements while constructing pieces.
Track will only works if placed properly. the middle of track edge need to match the next track !
🚃 Cart Prefabs
Cargo Cart
Prefab:
Features:
- Storage container
- Multiplayer synchronization
- Runtime rail traversal
- Cargo automation support
Powered Cart
Prefab:
Features:
- Powered movement
- Runtime acceleration
- Slope handling
- Train pulling support
- Multiplayer synchronized movement
Utility Workbench Cart
Prefab:
Features:
- Mobile crafting support
- Runtime traversal support
- Multiplayer synchronization
Cart Coupling
Carts support automatic and manual coupling.
Automatic Coupling
When carts are placed close enough to each other, they can automatically connect through their couplers.
Manual Coupling
Players can also connect or disconnect carts manually by interacting with the front or rear coupler on a cart.
Use this when:
- automatic coupling does not trigger
- you want to rearrange train order
- you want to detach a specific wagon
- carts were placed too close together
Flipping Carts
If you flip or rotate a cart, existing coupling links may be broken.
This is intentional, because the coupler orientation changes and the train connection needs to be recalculated.
Building Recommendation
Coupling can sometimes be awkward when carts are placed very close together.
For easier train setup, it is recommended to build:
- Control Rail
- 1m Rail
- Control Rail
This gives enough spacing between carts and makes coupling, uncoupling, spawning and alignment easier.
🛤 Rail Prefabs
Straight Rails
railtrack1m_balrailtrack_balrailtrack4m_balrailtrack8m_bal
Sloped Rails
railtrackRamp_balrailtrackRamp26short_balrailtrackRamp45short_balrailtrackRamp45_balrailtrackRamp64_bal
Turn Rails
15 Degree
railtrackTurnLeft15_balrailtrackTurnRight15_balrailtrackTurn15_bal
30 Degree
railtrackTurnLeft30_balrailtrackTurnRight30_balrailtrackTurn30_bal
45 Degree
railtrackTurnLeft45_balrailtrackTurnRight45_balrailtrackTurn45_bal
Rail Switches
railtrackSwitchMid_balrailtrackSwitchLeft_balrailtrackSwitchRight_bal
Features:
- Runtime switching
- Branch traversal
- Multiplayer synchronization
Crossroads
Speed Rails
Features:
- Runtime acceleration bonus
- Speed multiplier
Jump Rails
Flat Jump Rails
railtrackJump4m_balrailtrackJump6m_balrailtrackJump8m_bal
Jump Up Rails - SOON TM
railtrackJumpUp4m_balrailtrackJumpUp6m_balrailtrackJumpUp8m_bal
Jump Down Rails - SOON TM
railtrackJumpDown4m_balrailtrackJumpDown6m_balrailtrackJumpDown8m_bal
Drop Rails - SOON TM
railtrackDrop4m_balrailtrackDrop6m_balrailtrackDrop8m_bal
Drawbridge Rails
railtrackDrawbridge6m_bal - SOON TMrailtrackDrawbridge8m_bal - SOON TMrailtrackDrawbridge10m_bal
Features:
- Animated bridge sections
- Signal automation support
- Multiplayer synchronization
- Runtime traversal handling
Interactive Rails
Control Rail
Prefab:
The Control Rail is a special utility rail used for train interaction and runtime railway control.
Features
- Can spawn carts directly on rails
- Supports runtime train alignment
- Supports automatic cart orientation
- Supports stop mode Side A/Side B / Both/ None
- Adjustable stop timing
- Used as a train interaction point
- Supports automation integration
- Multiplayer synchronized
Usage
Control Rails are typically used in:
- Stations
- Spawn terminals
- Maintenance areas
- Train initialization zones
Container Transfer Rail
Prefab:
The Container Transfer Rail allows automatic item transfer between nearby containers and cargo carts.
Features
- Transfers items between carts and storage
- Supports stop mode Side A/Side B / Both/ None
- Item filtering support
- Runtime inventory scanning
- Adjustable unload timing
- Multiplayer synchronized
- Automation compatible
Usage
Container Transfer Rails are ideal for:
Transfer Modes
The rail can:
- Pull items from carts
- Push items into carts
- Operate as part of automation chains
Unload Rail
Prefab:
The Unload Rail automatically unloads items from carts directly into the world.
Features
- Automated cargo unloading
- Supports stop mode Side A/Side B / Both/ None
- Item spawning system
- Item filtering support
- Adjustable unload timing
- Runtime synchronized unloading
- Multiplayer synchronized
Usage
Unload Rails are ideal for:
- Mining systems
- Resource dumping
- Automated sorting
- Delivery stations
- Industrial automation
Unload Filters
Unload Rails support filtering modes allowing:
- Selected item unloading
- Specific cargo unloading
- Full cargo dumping
- Automated sorting systems
Additional Features
- Configurable unload intervals
- Spawn position control
- Visual active/inactive states
- Runtime cargo processing
⚙️ Signal System Prefabs
How the Signal System Works
The RUNIC RAILS signal system allows railway components to communicate using shared signal names.
A signal network always consists of:
- at least one Signal Emitter
- one or more Signal Receivers
Receivers react only to emitters using the exact same signal name.
Basic Setup
Step 1 — Place a Signal Emitter
Example:
railtrackSignalEmitter_bal- Presence Emitters
- Future trigger emitters
Interact with the emitter and assign a signal name.
Example:
MAIN_STATION
Step 2 — Place a Receiver
Example:
- Signal Door
- Lift Gate
- Lamp Receiver
- Speaker Receiver
Set the receiver signal name to the same value:
MAIN_STATION
Now both objects belong to the same signal network.
Signal Range
Signal emitters only communicate within their configured range.
Receivers outside of that range will not react.
You can increase or decrease range using:
while hovering the emitter.
Presence Signal Emitters
Presence Emitters can detect:
- Players
- Monsters
- Tamed creatures
- Any target type
Detection modes include:
- Present
- Entered
- Exited
- Moving
- Stopped
Shape modes:
These emitters are useful for:
- automatic station doors
- train arrival systems
- security systems
- automated lighting
- ambient audio triggers
Door and Gate Receivers
Signal doors and lift gates can react to network events.
Possible behaviors include:
- Open on signal
- Close on signal
Example:
- Presence detected → gate opens
- Signal lost → gate closes
Lamp Receivers
Lamp receivers can toggle light sources remotely through the signal system.
Useful for:
- station lighting
- tunnels
- warning systems
- powered rail sections
Speaker Receivers - SOON TM
Speaker receivers can play sounds or announcements when receiving signals.
Useful for:
- station ambience
- warning sirens
- industrial automation
- cargo alerts
Configuration Indicators
Most signal receivers include visible configuration indicators.
You can usually determine:
- whether a receiver is configured
- whether it belongs to a signal network
- whether it is currently receiving a signal
without opening the hover text.
Signal Emitters
Presence Signal Emitter
pressenceSignalEmitter_bal
Features:
- Signal Name
- Signal Range(distance)
- Presence detection Toggle: Player/Monster/Tamed/All
- Detection area toggle : Zone /Directional
- Event detection Toggle: Stop/Present/Enter/Exit
- Runtime automation
Rail Signal Emitter
railtrackSignalEmitter_bal
Features:
- Signal Name
- Signal Range(distance)
- Event detection Toggle : Stop/Running/InSensor/Enter/Exit
- Rail detection
- Cart detection
- Runtime automation
📥 Signal Receivers
Lamp Receiver
Features:
- Signal Integration
- Visual state activation
- Runtime signal response
Speaker Receiver
railtrackSpeakerReciver_bal
Features:
- Signal Integration
- Audio activation
- Timed event support
Gate Receiver
Features:
- Signal Integration
- Door automation
- Runtime synchronization
- Multiplayer synchronization
Lift Gate Receivers
Features:
- Signal Integration
- Lift gate automation
- Animation locking
- Multiplayer synchronization
🚪 Lift Gate Animation Protection
Lift gates contain runtime animation locking.
This prevents:
- Animation flickering
- State spam
- Broken transitions
- Multiplayer desync
Once a gate begins opening or closing:
- The animation must finish
- State changes are temporarily blocked
📦 Cargo Systems
Features:
- Automated unloading
- Item transfer
- Connected storage support
- Runtime transfer logic
🌐 Multiplayer Synchronization
The following systems are synchronized:
- Train movement
- Cart traversal
- Lift gates
- Automation systems
- Signal activation
- Cargo systems
Synchronization uses:
💰 Build Costs
RUNIC RAILS uses bundled railway parts for most construction pieces.
Craftable Component Items
| Item |
Recipe |
RailwayHammer_bal |
3 Iron, 4 Fine Wood, 10 Bronze Nails |
RailPartsBundle_bal |
4 Iron Nails, 2 Fine Wood, 4 Bronze Nails, 2 Greydwarf Eyes |
WagonPartsBundle_bal |
2 Iron, 10 Fine Wood, 16 Bronze Nails, 2 Tin |
BuilderWorkstationBundle_bal |
6 Bronze, 20 Fine Wood, 10 Flint, 6 Iron |
WagonBundleCargo_bal |
1 Wagon Parts Bundle, 10 Wood |
WagonBundleTable_bal |
1 Wagon Parts Bundle, 1 Builder Workstation Bundle, 4 Crystal |
WagonBundlePower_bal |
1 Wagon Parts Bundle, 2 Surtling Cores, 1 Thunderstone |
UncharedThunderstone_bal |
6 Flint, 1 Hard Antler, 3 Crystal |
Builder Workstation
| Piece |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Builder Workstation |
piece_buildstation_bal |
1 Builder Workstation Bundle |
Railway Tools
| Item |
Prefab |
Craft Cost |
| Railway Hammer |
RailwayHammer_bal |
3 Iron, 4 Fine Wood, 10 Bronze Nails |
Carts
| Cart |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Powered Wagon |
RailPowerWagon_bal |
1 Wagon Bundle Power |
| Cargo Wagon |
RailCargoWagon_bal |
1 Wagon Bundle Cargo |
| Utility / Workstation Wagon |
RailTableWagon_bal |
1 Wagon Bundle Table |
Basic Rails
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| 1m Rail |
railtrack1m_bal |
1 Rail Parts Bundle |
| Standard Rail |
railtrack_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 4m Rail |
railtrack4m_bal |
3 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 8m Rail |
railtrack8m_bal |
4 Rail Parts Bundles |
Sloped Rails
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Short 26° Ramp |
railtrackRamp26short_bal |
1 Rail Parts Bundle |
| Short 45° Ramp |
railtrackRamp45short_bal |
1 Rail Parts Bundle |
| Ramp |
railtrackRamp_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 45° Ramp |
railtrackRamp45_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 64° Ramp |
railtrackRamp64_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
Turn Rails
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Left 15° Turn |
railtrackTurnLeft15_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| Right 15° Turn |
railtrackTurnRight15_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 15° Turn |
railtrackTurn15_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| Left 30° Turn |
railtrackTurnLeft30_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| Right 30° Turn |
railtrackTurnRight30_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 30° Turn |
railtrackTurn30_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| Left 45° Turn |
railtrackTurnLeft45_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| Right 45° Turn |
railtrackTurnRight45_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
| 45° Turn |
railtrackTurn45_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
Switches and Crossings
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Rail Switch Mid |
railtrackSwitchMid_bal |
3 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Crystal |
| Rail Switch Right |
railtrackSwitchRight_bal |
3 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Crystal |
| Rail Switch Left |
railtrackSwitchLeft_bal |
3 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Crystal |
| Cross Rail |
railtrackCross_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles |
Utility Rails
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Control Rail |
railtrackControl_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Thunderstone, 1 Crystal |
| Container Transfer Rail |
railtrackContainer_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Thunderstone, 4 Iron, 20 Fine Wood |
| Unload Rail |
railtrackUnload_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles, 2 Iron, 1 Surtling Core, 5 Fine Wood |
| Speed Rail |
railtrackSpeed_bal |
3 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Thunderstone |
| Stop Rail |
railtrackStop_bal |
1 Rail Parts Bundle, 2 Wood |
Jump Rails
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Jump Rail 4m |
railtrackJump4m_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Surtling Core |
| Jump Rail 6m |
railtrackJump6m_bal |
3 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Surtling Core |
| Jump Rail 8m |
railtrackJump8m_bal |
4 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Surtling Core |
Drawbridge Rails
| Rail |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Drawbridge Rail 10m |
railtrackDrawbridge10m_bal |
8 Rail Parts Bundles, 1 Thunderstone, 4 Iron, 20 Fine Wood |
Signal System
| Piece |
Prefab |
Build Cost |
| Signal Door |
railSignalDoor_bal |
5 Rail Parts Bundles, 2 Crystal |
| Signal Lift Gate |
railSignalLiftGate_bal |
7 Rail Parts Bundles, 2 Crystal, 10 Round Logs |
| Signal Lamp Receiver |
railtrackLampReciver_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles, 3 Tin, 2 Crystal |
| Signal Speaker Receiver |
railtrackSpeakerReciver_bal |
2 Rail Parts Bundles, 3 Tin, 2 Crystal |
| Rail Signal Emitter |
railtrackSignalEmitter_bal |
1 Rail Parts Bundle, 1 Thunderstone, 1 Crystal |
❓ FAQ
Is there a config?
no
Are there translations?
Not right now, support planned in future
Is this just a decoration or it actually runs?
It runs. it can even run without a player inside the active render zone
How do i build a cart on rails?
You use the slots 1-8 with Cart Bundle item on the control rails to spawn it
Power cart changed and now has a chest?
If power cart is the middle Wagon it will become a passenger wagon with a small chest
How do i build rails and other stuff?
Kill moder unlock Artisan table
Can I build without a nearby workbench?
Yes.
The Builder Workstation replaces nearby build station requirements during building.
Does the Builder Workstation replace crafting stations?
No.
It only replaces building requirements.
Can trains work in multiplayer?
Yes.
The system was designed for multiplayer synchronization.
Can carts be linked together?
Yes.
Carts can form complete train chains.
Can trains handle slopes?
Yes.
Powered carts contain runtime slope handling logic.
Are jump rails supported?
Yes.
The system includes:
- Flat jumps
- Upward jumps
- Downward jumps
- Drop rails
🧾 Internal Names
Internal development names may still reference:
- BCS
- ZDO Keys start with "HL_"
- Cargo Systems
- BalrondCargoSystems
💬 Community & Support
Discord: https://discord.gg/Jfp8T5N7Pv
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/balrond1020
