Stay Away and Be Ok

September 13, 2014 by Charlie London

Here is a question you should ask yourself, your family and friends: Is okay to walk across your neighbor’s front yard without their permission? Most responsible adults are going to answer, “Of course not.”

As a follow-up question, ask if it’s okay, or if it’s “a problem” for uninvited guests to walk on or across railroad property without permission.

Unfortunately, most members of our society don’t see railroad trespassing as a problem even though railroad rights-of-way constitute privately-owned land and are – especially bridges, tunnels, mainlines and switch yards – among the most dangerous places non-railroaders could occupy.

warning-railroad1Trespassing on railroad property is illegal and foolish. Without question, a 10,000-ton train moving 50 mph is going to take a much bigger bite out of a trespasser than the dog in your neighbor’s front yard.

Indiana Rail Road recently made news across the world when our executive, legal and public relations staffs made the decision to release video of a near-fatal encounter between an Indianapolis-bound train and two trespassers on Shuffle Creek Trestle, near Bloomington, Indiana.


Two female subjects, both in their mid-30s, dove between the rails after attempts to run proved futile. The locomotives and several cars passed above them, but the subjects are fortunate for two reasons: there is a mere 10 inches of clearance between the crossties and bottom of a locomotive’s snowplow, and if one of the heavy air hoses connecting each locomotive and railcar had been hanging lower than normal, it would have struck and killed them.

The point is: the women should have never been on railroad property to begin with, for their act could have resulted not only in their death but that of the engineer, not to mention a catastrophic derailment. As with all North American railroads, trains can run on INRD at any time, any day, and we must be vigilant to protect our employees, asset and the public.

Shuffle Creek Trestle is 982 feet long and stands 80 feet over the swampy shallows of Lake Lemon.  Photo by Chris Thompson
Shuffle Creek Trestle is 982 feet long and stands 80 feet over the swampy shallows of Lake Lemon. Photo by Chris Thompson
Protecting our employees is exactly why INRD chose to release the video. In this case, thankfully, an engineer did not kill two trespassers, and does not have to forever live with the memory of fatalities that were out of his control.

Such incidents are why railroad employees are encouraged to report trespassers, why railroads encourage law enforcement to prosecute trespassers, and why we partner with law enforcement and Operation Lifesaver to encourage trespass avoidance and grade-crossing safety.

Click here for the rest of the story in Indiana Railroad’s Milepost newsletter

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: bridge, people, railroad, safety, tracks, train, two women running on bridge, two women running on tracks

Safety is a Train of Thought

April 30, 2014 by Charlie London

For more than 20 years, CN employees at all levels of the company, as well as retirees, have been promoting rail safety at highway crossings and discouraging trespassing on or near railroad property. Help us put an end to accidents. Learn the safety rules. Click on any graphic in this post for more information.

cnsafety504
cnsafetykidsweb
PrintTake the time to stop-look-listen and use caution at all railroad crossings.

Be prepared to stop and obey the signals at railroad crossings. crossbuckwebiconLook for the crossbuck sign, lights or gates at crossings.

Listen for warning bells and whistles.

Wait for the crossing gate to be fully raised before crossing the railway tracks and then look both ways before crossing the tracks.

Only cross tracks at designated areas. Never take short cuts across tracks or through railway property – don’t let a shortcut cut your life short.

Walking, playing or running on or beside railroad tracks is dangerous (and illegal): any time is train time.

Please remember that tracks and recreation do not mix. No pedestrians, bicycle or car is a match for a train.

Learn more about CN’s ALL ABOARD FOR SAFETY program at www.cn.ca/safety

10 TIPS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE

crossbuckwebicon Never walk or play on train tracks. It’s dangerous and illegal.

crossbuckwebiconBe prepared to stop at crossings.

crossbuckwebiconCross train tracks at designated highway/railroad crossings.

crossbuckwebiconLook for the crossbuck sign, lights or gates at crossings.

crossbuckwebiconListen for warning bells and whistles.

crossbuckwebiconObey the signals.

crossbuckwebiconWAIT for the train to pass through the crossing, then wait again, to be sure a second train is not approaching on any track in any direction.

crossbuckwebiconObey the directions of a police officer or member of a train crew directing traffic at a crossing.

crossbuckwebiconCross the tracks in low gear; do not change gears while crossing.

crossbuckwebiconStalled vehicle? Get out quickly and move far away from the vehicle and tracks.

Safety is a train of thought!

 

 

 

Stay focused around railroad tracks.

 

 

Train_pic_(2)

It’s important to THINK TRAIN
even in New Orleans City Park!

 


About City Park:
City Park is distinguished by its large menu of sports and recreational activities, attractions for children, and its natural beauty. City Park holds a special place in the hearts of generations of New Orleanians and is a must-see for visitors to the city. As a popular place to picnic, play a favorite sport, wander through its gardens or take a boat ride, the Park receives millions of visit each year. It is located in the heart of the city and is the largest recreation area in the entire metropolitan area.

Attractions include: New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Putt, Storyland fairytale playground, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and numerous athletic venues. The 1,300 acres of parkland provide enjoyment for young children playing on our playgrounds and walkers, joggers, and bicyclists navigating the winding paths through the Park’s streets and trails.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: accidents, canadian national, cn, illinois central, New Orleans, rail, safety, safety is a train of thought, tracks, train

Magical Mystery Tour – Choo Choo La Roux

August 17, 2011 by Charlie London

Have you walked City Park lately? If not, you are missing magical mysteries like the scenes you see here

Filed Under: Magical Mystery Tour Tagged With: bayou, city park, faubourg, fsjna, New Orleans, roux, tracks, train

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