diff --git a/station_cmd.c b/station_cmd.c
--- a/station_cmd.c
+++ b/station_cmd.c
@@ -1358,6 +1358,9 @@ int32 DoConvertStationRail(TileIndex til
 
 	if (GetRailType(tile) == totype) return CMD_ERROR;
 
+	// 'hidden' elrails can't be downgraded to normal rail when elrails are disabled
+	if (_patches.disable_elrails && totype == RAILTYPE_RAIL && GetRailType(tile) == RAILTYPE_ELECTRIC) return CMD_ERROR;
+
 	if (exec) {
 		SetRailType(tile, totype);
 		MarkTileDirtyByTile(tile);