WMW&NW freight train

Here's a shot of a short freight pulled by locomotive No. 5:
http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth20349/?q=railroad

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Ive read a little lately on rail crossing fatalities and incidence involving trains and it made me ask myself a simple question. Why is it that freight trains run hundrds of metres in lenght yet no where except for the front and occassionally rear have lighting? I live country and often trains at level crossings are not always immediately visible. If the locomotive has passed there is no lighting announcing it's there. I wonder how many lives may be saved by passing legislation to have mandatory lighting on freight trains. I would be intrested in anyone elses view.