[Jolly Amaranto]

Some times when a freight train is backing up, it can sneak up on you. If it is straight track there is no squealing of the wheels and very little creaking. If there are other ambient noises, whether traffic, wind or ear buds/phones, you may not hear it. Cabooses are no longer common so there usually is no one at the back of a train to signal the engineer to stop or sound a caboose whistle. Many a person walking or jogging down the middle of the tracks has been overcome when a train comes up behind them.