DeKalb Times

This Rail Safety Week, the public is reminded of critical safety tips to stay safe around railroad tracks. Operation Lifesaver has issued a series of guidelines aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities.

"Freight trains don’t travel at fixed times. Schedules for passenger trains often change. Always expect a train," emphasized Operation Lifesaver. The organization also highlighted that all train tracks are private property, and walking on them constitutes illegal trespassing, which is highly dangerous.

A significant point made by the organization is about the stopping distance of freight trains. "It takes the average freight train traveling 55 mph more than a mile—the length of 18 football fields—to stop. Trains cannot stop quickly." This emphasizes the importance of staying clear from tracks as trains cannot halt abruptly.

The weight comparison between locomotives and cars was starkly illustrated: "The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or 200 tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car."

Operation Lifesaver stressed that "trains have the right of way 100% of the time over pedestrians and vehicles, including police and emergency vehicles." They advised staying at least 15 feet back from tracks due to potential overhangs and always assuming railroad tracks are in use even if they appear unused.

Additionally, it was noted that "trains can move on any track, in either direction at any time." The organization warned that some train cars might be pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled, particularly in commuter and light rail services.

"Trains are quieter and moving faster than you think – only trains belong on the tracks Today’s trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale 'clackety-clack.'"

Lastly, Operation Lifesaver urged people to cross train tracks only at designated crossings and obey all warning signs and signals posted there. They also recommended staying alert around railroad tracks by avoiding distractions such as texting or using headphones.