The quote reflects on the haunting presence of trains that traverse lonely landscapes at night, evoking a sense of nostalgia and loss. It describes a scene where passersby are encouraged to lay down and rest as trains pass by, signifying both a physical and emotional journey. The imagery conveys the emptiness left in the wake of these trains, which travel through desolate cities and remain devoid of passengers or purpose, suggesting that they exist in a world apart from human experience.

Pynchon poignantly illustrates the inevitability of time and the passage of life, where trains continue their journey while humans age and change. The abandoned railway stations and clear rights-of-way symbolize neglected dreams or unfulfilled paths. Ultimately, the cries of the trains are likened to those of spurned lovers, resonating with a sense of longing that echoes through the night, leaving their sounds to wander in the wind without finding solace.