From the Commissar of Production - Factory Evacuation

[Gris]

Gris, that is an awesome document, you taught me many things.  I just moved my factories east, never even thought of manpower and rail capacity!!  Also I was scrolling the map looking for factories and such, MUCH MUCH easier doing it your way.  The Blitz is very fortunate to have you as a member my friend!  

I moved my Leningrad factories to Vologda, which has decent manpower but rail capacity of 1.  I read the manual and Matrix doing a search for RAIL CAPACITY but nothing is mention how the rail points would affect the factory production (that I found), in other words would a RC of 1 bottle neck the number of KVs moving west as opposed to a KV factory in Moscow with a RC of 34?

**Thanks for the 'shout out', I was worried I was becoming a pain.  I always investigate before asking but sometimes even the answer is confusing as hell.**

No pain, no gain my friend!

There were some old post on the Matrix forums and they may be archived now. In the manual the only mention I know  is in rule 21.1.8. I do not think it would bottle neck it so to speak, just not build as "fast". In the next section of the rule it eludes to the math. My impression is the game compensates for this as part of the 50% recommendation to move. Above & beyond if you min/max the system.

21.1.8.1. Build Limit Each type of Aircraft or AFV/combat vehicle ground element equipment has a build limit that will cap expansion at a fixed number of items per factory location per turn. For example, in June 1941, there are three factories that produce the T-34 M1941, which has a build limit of 75 and an expansion rate of one. The current capacities of the factories are 51, 6 and 6. Assuming no damage, the first factory will reach its build limit in 24 turns, while the other two will take 69 turns to reach full capacity. Once all three factories reach their build limit of 75, the maximum number of T-34 M1941 ground elements that can be produced each turn will be 225.

This is part of the reason why you only get one shot to move them. If you could break your 3 factories into 2 location each, you would double your production. So the system is designed to have each factory build up to the max build limit and match wartime production if you evac half of the factories by the historical date. What I do not know is the exact math outside of what it states in the examples the manual provided. The build limit for equipment has changed as listed in the what's new PDF, but I do not recall reading anything else to the effect. So the given I take away is the quicker I reach the build limit the more I produce and possibly even exceed the historical production. So moving your KV-1 factories quickly become a priority for that reason alone. Where you move them helps improve reaching the build limit.

To the best of my knowledge, A rail yard of 34 would build faster than 1 according to rule 21.1.8. However, unless you do not move your factories, the best rail yard you will get is 8 or 9. Take into consideration the 7 cities above 9 rail yard are easily are capturable by the Axis. How fast the build is the question though. 

Like anything in the game, it is testable. Take the Factory save, move some factories and just end turn for 20 times in a row and see how great the effect is. It should give a general idea, just take in consideration there really is no telling for sure without looking at the code. Remember also the factories do not build until all damage is repaired, that is the first variable that can randomize results.

I really do not think getting the factories out is the hard part, believe or not. It is the manpower centers and how long the Axis can hold them that really hurt you. Historically the Soviet for all their men had problems rounding out infantry divisions with replacements. If you take a greater loss in manpower, your in trouble. You will take Berlin, but not in time.

Hope this helps, the numbers are tough to wrap my head around sometimes. I am a bit better at the best practice than the under the hood details.

*If there is an expert who knows the number, let's us know. I would like to know the details just for discussion's sake at the least.*

See you on the Steppe!