You might think twice about crossing the road at a busy intersection. Furthermore, obeying pedestrian laws probably comes second nature to you. Cars are an everyday part of our lives. We learn at a young age how to respect them and be safe around them; doing so can be disastrous.
Yet, many towns have railroads running through them. Train safety is often an afterthought; it’s one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind kind of things simply because we’re not exposed to them as often as cars. However, not respecting train safety can be just as catastrophic. There are many assumptions we make about railroads, too, that can cause us to act unsafely around trains. Let’s dive into some of the most common railroad safety myths and why they are wrong.
Trains Run on An Exact Schedule
If you’re local and familiar with the trains in your area, then you might be tempted to ignore a crossing signal simply because it’s been activated at a time when the local trains don’t run. You might assume that the crossing signal is malfunctioning and attempt to cross. The truth is, freight trains do not run on a schedule even if they appear to. Passenger trains, too, can change their schedule without you knowing.
You Can Hear a Train Coming
Train noise is such a common thing that it’s become a cliché in movies. You know the scene; a person rests their ear on a train track and can hear the minute vibrations of a train approaching from miles away.
While astute listening might be able to detect such a thing, modern trains are much quieter compared to their vintage counterparts. If you think you’re safe to cross a junction simply because you can’t hear a train, then think again.
Overgrown Tracks Are Unused
A track that appears overgrown with weeds and overtaken by mother nature might look like it’s been abandoned. For many hikers or adventurers, an unused track might be an enticing makeshift trail to follow. However, not everyone maintains their track the same way, and as long as the railroad track has ties, you should assume it’s in use. Furthermore, even walking alongside “abandoned” tracks can be deadly, as trains extend well beyond the narrow width of the track they ride on.
An Engineer Will Stop if They See Me
You might be amazed to know that a 400,000 freight train will hit your vehicle with the same amount of force as your car tires would hit a soda can. It would be virtually effortless for an oncoming train to completely flatten you and your vehicle.
Moreover, if an engineer can see your vehicle, then it’s already too late for them to stop. It takes about a mile of distance for a train to come to a complete stop once the action is taken. If they see you, they still have a mile to go before they can stop for you.
Is your railroad track in need of maintenance? We can help you make your railroad identifiable, safe, and secure. Reach out to us today.