Welcome, fellow passengers of the void! In this quick and practical guide, we’re breaking down exactly how to upgrade your train in Void Train. While the game does little to explain the actual process, the mechanics behind expanding your locomotive are fairly straightforward—provided you know what to prepare, where to go, and how to time your upgrades.

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Step 1: Reaching the Right Depot

As you travel through the void, you’ll encounter various depots. Not every one of them allows for upgrades. Early depots may only offer loot or your first firearm, but eventually, you’ll come to a proper upgrade depot—easily recognizable by the presence of enemy soldiers. Once you’ve cleared out all the guards, you’ll gain access to a control panel. That’s your cue: you’re at the right place to expand your train.

Make sure to come prepared. Many players make the mistake of spending all their resources on research and crafting upgrades beforehand, leaving them without enough materials for the train expansion. If you do this, you’ll have to wait for the next upgrade-eligible depot—which could be 2 to 3 gates away. Save yourself the hassle and plan ahead.

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Step 2: Required Workstations and Resources

Before you can expand your train, you need two essential workstations: the Workbench (Level 1) and the Laboratory. The Workbench allows you to craft bolts, springs, and other mechanical parts, while the Laboratory is required to craft grease, a vital material for producing bearings.

Here’s the full list of materials needed to add a new wagon:

• 4x Iron Ingots (crafted in the smelter)
• 2x Springs (Workbench)
• 2x Bolts (Workbench)
• 2x Bearings (Workbench, after making Grease in Laboratory)
• 8x Wood (for building the wooden platform flooring)

Grease, in particular, requires fat, which is often dropped by the larger space whales or, occasionally, the smaller critters that attach to your train. Chemical components are commonly available and should already be in your inventory if you’ve been collecting consistently.

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Step 3: Upgrading the Train

Once you’ve taken out all the guards at the depot and ensured you have all required materials, access the control panel. You’ll see two icons—one marked with a health sign, the other with an arrow. Either option will add a wagon to your train. As of now, both appear to serve the same function, but that could change in future updates.

After adding a wagon, you’ll need to exit the panel, press T to enter construction mode, and place wooden floor platforms down onto the new train car. Only after this can you return to the panel and begin placing machinery and rearranging the layout to your liking.

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Step 4: Layout Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

You can move core train mechanisms—such as the driving console—to any part of the train. This gives you freedom to redesign your setup as needed. Use the Machinery tab (hammer icon) in construction mode to place and adjust these components.

However, note that you cannot move crafting benches without dismantling them, which causes a loss of roughly 50% of the resources used to build them. That’s a painful mistake to make, especially early on. Save before experimenting or plan carefully. Use the newly added wagon as a dedicated zone for driving mechanics, storage, or your next set of crafting stations.

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Step 5: Depot Resources, Loot, and Tokens

Depots can sometimes feel underwhelming in terms of loot. Many canisters appear lootable but don’t actually contain items. Still, explore every corner—some containers might give useful resources. After defeating guards, they may drop tokens, which can be used in special vending machines for extra items.

There’s also the Prophecy machine, found in some depots. These machines provide passive buffs at no cost—just interact and receive a prophecy. These aren’t available in every depot, but they’re worth keeping an eye out for.

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Final Thoughts: Timing, Preparation, and Solo vs. Co-op

This upgrade guide is especially relevant for solo players. Resource management and space become significantly more constrained when you’re on your own. You’ll want to craft at least two storage containers to keep all your needed components handy for when an upgrade depot finally appears.

By preparing in advance and knowing what to expect, you can avoid missing out on valuable expansion opportunities. Always double-check your inventory before hitting a depot, and prioritize crafting components ahead of time. As you continue to upgrade and refine your train, the journey through the void only becomes smoother.

Stay tuned for more Void Train guides as the game continues to evolve. Until then—keep building, keep blasting, and ride the void with style.