We now live near a rail yard and hear train horns often. Searching the different signal meanings, I discovered that most of them mean, “Get the hell out of my way!”
First, the vast majority of US railroad mileage is out in the boonies where only coyotes will be disturbed. Second, block signals are generally miles apart; far more disturbing are the numerous grade crossings. The amelioration of that nuisance has been covered in earlier posts. Third, unless there is an unexpected occurrence, stopping at a block signal is a rare event; a railroad not moving is a railroad not making money. I can’t imagine why the DB would regularly stop between stations.
They blow the horn for adults, too when you make the universal sign for that - arm out, elbow bent, move up and down like you are pulling on something. How did I miss that as a kid? Still got a big thrill when the boyfriend and I did that and the engineer blew his horn for us.