>>3042482Because they use electric motors to drive them, you can barely register a sound until it's practically on top of you. Even if it's just starting to get moving and the diesel engine is clearly audible, it can be hard to pick up, because it sounds like a random semi or something and won't draw attention unless you're actively looking for a train. I've had trains sneak up on me on more than one occasion.
The horn, which is the most noticeable thing by far, only gets sounded at crossings, not random stretches of track. Most engineers won't just randomly blast their horn even if they see something on the tracks, because up at the cab from a distance, it could be anything. By the time they see it's a person, go "oh shit!" and lay on the horn, they're close close to you that you would need to dive off the tracks immediately. If you're in heels, or trip on the ties or something and the train is going 50+ MPH, you're pretty fucking screwed.
