This is Railroad Safety Week

There are three rules on which I want you to focus after reading this piece about railroad safety:

1. Never play, work, or photograph on railroad tracks! Period. No exceptions!

Hollywood film crew, even though they were denied permission by CSX Railroad,
was hit by a train while shooting on a bridge. Even though they had a 
lookout, one died and one was seriously injured.

In a terrible irony, a person in California was killed on tracks this morning. 

2. If a car or truck is stuck on tracks, call the railroad first, then call 9-1-1.

Every public railroad crossing in the United States has unique identifying information to quickly get trains stopped. Here's how to find it: 

If there are flashing lights or other mechanical warning devices, the information will be on the electronics hut along with an (800) phone number. Call that and read off the information on the box. Then, call 9-1-1.

If it is a rural crossbuck:

I apologize for not having a rural crossing photo from the front but you will find the info in the locations highlighted. 

3. Don't go around crossing gates, flashing lights or other indication a train is coming. If the crossing seems to be malfunctioning, please call the railroad as above. Then, find an alternative route. 

There is much more on rail safety, here.