When I was going to Mt Whitney for a hike I went through Mojave. If I am clear there is a train yard there before all trains go to LA or east to Phoenix There is a split in Palmdale that the train can go east or west. Mojave train yard; Haven't been there is a long time. The sun will burn out, We might get invasions from outer space but trains will always go thru the Tehachapi's. Highest mountain in that area is 9000 ft.
Pretty funny I can across your video, I heard the horn salute at 44:18 from my house overlooking Cable and thought to myself, must be railfans trackside. Cool compellation of the area
To protect the coal. Up to 10% of the coal could blow away during transit, unless covered or sprayed at the mine with a polymer to create a temporary hard shell.