Rail Safety

The following information is from the Operation Lifesaver website. Please visit their site for more information on railroad safety.

Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal – trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.

There are 200,000 miles of railroad tracks in the United States.

Since 1990, more than 5,000 people have been killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.

Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train moving at 55 miles per hour, or an 8-car passenger train moving at 79 miles per hour, can take a mile or more to stop.

DO NOT walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels.

Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.

DO NOT hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges – there is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass.

DO NOT attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb, or your life.

ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains DO NOT follow set schedules.

REMEMBER: Rails and recreation DO NOT mix!

Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.

Never race a train to the crossing – even if you tie, you lose.

Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.

If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and far away from the tracks. Move away from the tracks and towards the direction of the approaching train. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.

At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.

Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That’s at least 18 football fields!

Do not be fooled by the optical illusion – the train you see is closer and faster moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.

ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.