When walking on tracks, approaching trains offer little warning

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Story Published: Jul 4, 2008 at 7:37 AM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:40 PM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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A lot of people don't know this, but walk along a railroad track and you are trespassing. You're also putting your life at risk.

Bob Boston, with the state's Operation Lifesaver program, says a lot of people don't understand the danger involved.

"Trains can be very, very quiet. They run on seamless ribbons of welded rail now and there's really no clickety-clack sound," Hoston said. "And a lot of times the passenger trains have the locomotive in the rear so it's even quieter yet, so there's really no sound coming up."

That train could also be moving a lot faster than you think.

"The train is so big and approaching at a slight angle that it makes it look like it's going about 20 miles an hour when in fact it could be going 80."

And consider this: Even if the engineer sees you and slams on the brakes it takes the average freight train a mile to stop -- the length of 18 football fields.

So play it safe. Never walk along railroad tracks. It's illegal and dangerous.

For More Information:

State officials urge caution at railroad crossings

Operation Lifesaver

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