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Which on a train system is paramount for safety, otherwise you'd have trains crashing into each other because they're on the same track.

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Different system, that'd be the switches/signalling. Freight and international trains were running just fine, safely. This was literally just planning which train (rolling stock) is going to operate which train (ride) with which personnel.

Safety could be related to duty times, or making sure the rolling stock is fit for a certain trajectory (maximum platform length, weight restrictions etc.)

No the section a train is on is automatically and mechanically secured by the lights on the section ahead and afterwards. (2 sections if you count the yellow warning lights)

Unless they are operating a dynamic block system like the channel tunnel lines and other high speed lines across Europe. Anything that runs over 125mph (or has to mix with traffic which does) isn't using block signalling.

True dynamic block ("moving block") still isn't that widespread, at least as far main line railways are concerned. High-speed lines are still by far and large using fixed block signalling with conventional train detection (track circuits or axle counters), it's just that the movement authority is given via some sort of cab signalling.

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