You know, I'd agree with you. I really would.

Except CNN has video of a wheel bearing in the final stages of failure. Could brakes have prevented a crash in that instance? Probably not. Look up what happens when a bearing fails.

A failed bearing walks back to failed or missed maintenance, which leads back to the workers who were saying they were over worked and it was causing Safety risks. Had workers been allowed to force the railroads into, uh, safe working conditions, that maintenance likely would have been completed and this could have been prevented.

Alas, Bumblefuck knew better and now a huge area is ecologically ruined because of it.

Edit:

Downvote away.

Here's a study from the UK that says a failed bearing can cause derailment.

And here, is Vox an undeniably left leaning site that's saying the likely cause of this was, you know, a bearing. New brakes would only work if your train was still attached to the track.

Lastly, here is Vice. Also an incredibly Left leaning publication. In this one, workers who claim to be familiar with the train in question say they're not shocked it crashed and also point out they now have 90 seconds to inspect each car. A train car is 55+ feet long. For perspective, before you type anything to me, go out and look at your personal car. Set a timer on your phone for 90 seconds. Try and inspect every safety feature on your car, including looking under it. See how long it takes you. Now imagine having to do both sides, of a vehicle 3 times longer in the same time period and tell me if you think the workers probably should have been allowed to strike for better conditions.