Is there a physical limit for the length of a train?

Question

Assume you can hook every locomotive and car Union Pacific owns up into a single gigantic freight train. Safety and laws aside, would it work?

In: Physics

Answer 1

There are trains that add extra engines along the train length for extra power. There are diminishing returns because you’re still stressing all the wheels more as you add more and more train cars.

You’re more likely to run into limits of the specific lines it’s running on. Most train lines have a limit for length of trains based on the capabilities of the tracks themselves. Things like requiring trains to be able to fit into sidings, or how long a train will take to clear a crossing.