Automating Item and Fluid Transfer with Hoppers and Docks

Moving Items

Place a Rapid Hopper where you need fast item throughput, and a Fluid Hopper where liquids must move between containers. Both accept input from above and push output to the block they face. Route items from a Chest Barge or Chest Train Car into a Barge Dock or Train Car Docking Rail, then pull them out with a Rapid Hopper into your storage. For trains, the docking rail acts as the transfer point between the car and the hopper line.

Moving Fluids

Use a Fluid Tank Barge or Fluid Tank Train Car as the mobile tank. A Fluid Hopper moves liquid in and out of it at the dock. Chain a Fluid Hopper into your stationary tanks so arriving fluid drains automatically when the vessel docks.

Keeping the Network Running

A Chunk Loader Barge or Chunk Loader Train Car keeps the route area loaded so transfers continue while you are elsewhere. A Vehicle Detector next to the dock can trigger redstone when a vessel arrives, letting you gate hoppers or signals on arrival. Use the Conductor's Wrench to reconfigure docking behaviour if a hopper is pulling from the wrong side. For wireless signalling between distant docks, place a Wireless Transmitter Component at the source and a Wireless Receiver Component at the destination.