But it sounds like the labor cost savings are at least partially burned down the line at the switching stations. Maybe it is more economical breaking down a 3x longer train than running 3 separate trains since the crew at the depot only works when a train pulls in. And yes I know rail is much more efficient compared to freight. I work with freight companies all the time, and overseas transport too.
And I do agree, if the train is hauling something potentially toxic, they should take extra precautions. I think Denzel made a mediocre movie about that (and I like Denzel, but that film, meh). There’s a TV show about a future world where the remnants of civilization survive on a train that circles the globe.
Why is it that these big complex, pushing, pulling braking, steering systems are not fully computerized. So men don’t have to be manually calculate weight/velocity/windspeed & what not. From start to finish it should be completely computerized.
This job would orders of magnitude easier than, for example, creating a self driving car.