The spacing for Trains is off by miles, it just doesn’t work. I’ve tried with signals etc, but instead resort to not having trains with multiple stops. They just relay.
However, once waypoints are in, Trains will be at least a little more realistic.
I agree with the OP that something needs to be done with spacing. That can either be timetables or stop durations, OR the devs can work on the code for train spacing so they don’t play follow the leader.
We don’t really have the tools available in-game to create optimal, and realistic rail networks.