Indeed. Locking the wheels probably simply damages them in time. So attempts are made to prevent that.
The acceleration and decelaration of trains is pretty appalling.. 0-60 in one minute is quoted.. :-) Once off te rails who knows what brings the train to a halt..bouncing off the sleepers would be one way..digging into the gravel another..
I also question the wisdom of having points anyway in an isolated place..
I also note that as agaisnt the trains of my youth, where railway cranes would be routinely deployed down the lines to clear wreckage, they seem to be faced with building and access road to get land borne cranes in situ.
Why?