People think train traffic is diminished when in all actuality it's sprawling. Mass transport with much less traffic on the highways. Transport by train is still booming and I don't think people know that. I didn't know or think that until I worked as a freight conductor. After that dumb but relevant rant, the main point I wanted to convey with relevance is "every eight hours someone is hit by a train in the U.S.." I know multiple people out of my own terminal/yard that have had to experience witnessing this. I specifically say witnessing because there is honestly nothing that could be done to change these outcomes. You can't stop 400 cars with a load of 300,000 tons (reserved estimate) as quick as you would like. When I quote every 8hrs that doesn't nessecarily mean fatalities and includes vehicles and soul members walking home drunk on the tracks with over ear headphones. Props to your mom!!! I'm happy to hear that conductors actually do seek help, because a lot of them play it off that it doesn't effect them as much as it does.