Precision SCHEDULED Railroading in the old days meant that trains MOVED on a schedule. Now, they're parked waiting for 1) new crew, 2) power to be fixed, or 3) another train to couple on (to). Then, once they start moving, they stop because something went wrong, or because everything is too long for the sidings but the dispatcher doesn't figure that out until the railroad is plugged.

At some point, the tendency toward very long trains has to reverse, or else a LOT more double track is needed so nobody has to pass and everybody (including Amtrak) trudges along at drag freight speed. And the containers go by truck.