For example, I can assign the meta-label "Copper Meta Drop 1" to multiple stations in addition to the normal station name, and any train arriving to any station with the meta-label "Copper Meta Drop 1" must choose its next destination from another station that also has the meta-label "Copper Meta Drop 1" (if one is available).
The train scheduling would be handled as per usual, and a schedule might look like this:
Copper Pickup
Copper Drop Wait
Copper Drop
The train behaviour is normal until it arrives at a station with a meta-label. So if there are multiple stations named "Copper Drop Wait", the train will go to the nearest available station named "Copper Drop Wait". But once it arrives at "Copper Drop Wait" which has the meta-label "Copper Meta Drop 1", it will only choose a "Copper Drop" station that is also meta-labeled "Copper Meta Drop 1". And the train will continue to only choose stations with the meta-label "Copper Meta Drop 1" as long as there is a viable station with that name and meta-label, or else the train will return to normal functionality.
So for example, if there is no "Copper Pickup" station with the meta-label "Copper Meta Drop 1", the train will return to normal functionality (i.e. leave the meta station and go to any "Copper Pickup" station).
This will allow better train handling when you have a large factory and multiple stations with the same name. I would like my trains to be station agnostic some of the time, but only choose specific stations at other times. I think this is the simplest solution, which doesn't change the normal functionality of trains. The same thing could be accomplished with icons instead of meta names.
Factorio is a cool game, thank you
