Add "Only 1 inbound train allowed at a time" checkbox for train stops

[Qon]

Well you _really_ want to avoid a situation where a train leaves a station, then the destination station reduces the number of trains it will accept, and suddenly a train is stuck on the rails with no path, because there is no station on its schedule that will accept another train. If the game only checks whether a station will accept another train when a train first chooses it's destination station, then that shouldn't be a problem.

The refuel/home station is always open and accepting. This is no different than turning stations on/off.

[Zavian]

The refuel/home station is always open and accepting. This is no different than turning stations on/off.

If you use double-headed trains, and build a network without loops, then there will be places in most networks where a train cannot repath back to its home/refuel station if the destination station is disabled or reduces the number of train it is willing to accept. (The only solution is to add loops to virtually every station which could be disabled or reduce the number of trains it is willing to accept. Also note that even if there are other destinations with the same name that are willing to accept the train, there will there will still be spots in most networks where a train can't path to those either, unless the network has loops). This problem is avoided if the train always continues to its chosen destination.

Personally, I think if the devs implement this, it should replace the current disabling mechanic.Setting the number of trains a station will accept to zero is effectively equivalent to disabling that station, at least for any trains haven't already chosen it as a destination. There is no need for the game to keep both mechanics.

[Festmester]

I try to mitigate the issue by allowing x trains worth of stuff before it shuts off, the train station would become active when buffer gets low.

The threshold could be 4 full trains worth of junk, which of course would require you to build a buffer able to hold that material, then shut off the station when the amount has been reached, to turn on again when the lower threshold has been met. The buffer needs to be large enough to never run dry while waiting for trains, and also not become full when the last train leaves again.

In effect this means each stop will be visited by a handful of trains at a time, and see no other train until the buffer is running low. Look at those trains rushing!

[Draba]

If you use double-headed trains, and build a network without loops, then there will be places in most networks where a train cannot repath back to its home/refuel station if the destination station is disabled or reduces the number of train it is willing to accept. (The only solution is to add loops to virtually every station which could be disabled or reduce the number of trains it is willing to accept. Also note that even if there are other destinations with the same name that are willing to accept the train, there will there will still be spots in most networks where a train can't path to those either, unless the network has loops). This problem is avoided if the train always continues to its chosen destination.

Don't see a case where reducing count below the number of trains already on their way would be practical(as mentioned, it's just the same problem as disabling anyway).
Even if there is one, when a particular tool doesn't fit your network just don't use it.

[mrvn]

I try to mitigate the issue by allowing x trains worth of stuff before it shuts off, the train station would become active when buffer gets low.

The threshold could be 4 full trains worth of junk, which of course would require you to build a buffer able to hold that material, then shut off the station when the amount has been reached, to turn on again when the lower threshold has been met. The buffer needs to be large enough to never run dry while waiting for trains, and also not become full when the last train leaves again.

In effect this means each stop will be visited by a handful of trains at a time, and see no other train until the buffer is running low. Look at those trains rushing!

A simple stacker won't do it. That would mean all the trains will rush the station, fill the stacker and then sit there waiting. After 4 trains have been unloaded you disable the station and all trains leave the stacker in another rush.

You need a stacker with (pre) stops in each branch and the schedule set to move on circuit signal. Each pre-stop is disabled when a train is in it and the main station too. That way the station and stacker will fill up and any excess trains get turned around. You then need some more circuit logic to enable the main station when a train leaves it one tick before signaling ONE train in the stacker to move on. The timing there is critical so that the train in the stacker will not pick a different station. You also need a dummy pre-stop that is unreachable so no train will skip the pre-stop and go directly to the main stop. It's manageable for 2 trains (main stop + 1 pre-stop) and gets more and more complex the more trains you allow per station. Note: pre-stops should only be enabled if the buffer space allows for another train to be unloaded.