Nevada's Retired First Responders and Military Veterans Pioneering Railroad Public Safety and the See Something Say Something Campaign with the RAT PACK

October 18, 2023

Nevada's Retired First Responders and Military Veterans Pioneering Railroad Public Safety and the See Something Say Something Campaign with the RAT PACK:

[Reno, NV, October 18, 2023] — A remarkable and innovative initiative is transforming Nevada's rail landscape as retired first responders and veterans unite to safeguard the state's railroads. These seasoned professionals, with a wealth of experience in dedicated service, public safety and emergency response, are taking on a novel and indispensable role. Under the auspices of the Washoe County Sheriff Office's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Rail Auxiliary Team, affectionately known as the RAT PACK, is emerging as a trailblazing force in railway public safety and their ability to report suspicious activity to the appropriate agency with accurate and timely information.

The RAT PACK is laser-focused on enhancing the safety, security and integrity of the railroads in Washoe and Storey Counties in Nevada. Leveraging the extensive backgrounds and expertise of retired first responders, they bring an unparalleled level of knowledge and dedication to the task.

However, their role extends beyond physical monitoring. RAT PACK members actively contribute to public safety measures through education and the implementation of reporting methods aimed at reducing or eliminating train/trespasser incidents. They serve as a vital bridge between the community and law enforcement, positioning the counties proactive approach against potential rail public safety issues as well as suspicious activities on or near the tracks.

Trespasser deaths and suicides by train not only devastate the trespassers' families but also have traumatic effects on train engineers, conductors, first responders and witnesses who must deal with the aftermath. Nvrailaware.org , the State suicide prevention agency, along with railroads across the United States and Europe, are working diligently to reduce trespasser deaths, suicides, and suicide attempts through awareness campaigns, employee education, interventions, and mental health promotion.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health, resulting in a significant increase in attempted suicides, suicides, and mental illness across all demographics, affecting the rail and transit industry as well. NVrailaware.org is committed to fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders to tackle suicide prevention, promote mental health resources, and implement mitigation initiatives.

To prepare these professionals for their pivotal roles, retired first responders undergo comprehensive training modules tailored to the intricacies of railroad public safety and what could be considered suspicious activity supporting the See Something Say Something campaign. . This comprehensive curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including general rail safety, basic railroading, and the legal aspects of railroad private property. An innovative aspect of the training is the ability of this group to effectively, efficiently and accurately report any rail public safety issue to the appropriate agency for action.

In addition to rigorous on-site training, RAT PACK members are required to receive 8 hours of rail-specific training as well as monthly on-line or face to face training. This resource, delivered through computer-based instruction and streaming video, offers a flexible and convenient learning model accommodating individual paces and preferences.

The RAT PACK's innovative approach not only equips retired veterans and first responders with new skills but also presents a practical, comprehensive solution to maintaining the safety of Nevada's railroads. These dedicated professionals continue to serve their communities, collaborating closely with railroad asset protection and local law enforcement to preserve the integrity of vital rail infrastructure.

The concept of harnessing the experience of retired first responders for community betterment is not entirely new, but its innovative application in rail public safety monitoring is a game-changer. This initiative enhances rail system public safety while allowing these veterans to extend their service, making their retirement years meaningful and productive.

The potential for broader application of this model is substantial, offering a blueprint for replication in other states and industries. It underscores the power of experience and knowledge transfer for community well-being and safety enhancement. As the RAT PACK's unwavering commitment to safety and security and service garners recognition, Nevada's retired first responders and military veterans are exemplifying that retirement years can be a testament to continued service, further enhancing the safety of the state's railroads and underscoring their dedication to the community.

For more information and to learn about this groundbreaking initiative, please visit:

RAT PACK Information

nvrailaware.org.

About Nevada Rail Aware :

Nvrailware is a pioneering organization dedicated to railway safety, security and the prevention of trespasser incidents and suicides on railroad tracks. Recognized as one of the nation's community-based suicide prevention organizations, we tirelessly promote awareness, educate the community, and foster partnerships to enhance rail transportation safety.

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Posted in Press Releases

A Different Kind of Rat Pack - Military Veterans - Military Families

July 21, 2023

Nevada veterans give back through Rail Auxiliary Team

by Elena Ferrarin

June 21, 2023

Do you know what to do if you see someone walking on railroad tracks with a train barreling down in the distance? Or if your car gets stuck on the tracks?

The Rail Auxiliary Team in Washoe County, Nevada, educates the public on such topics and monitors local railroads to report people who might be in danger on or near train tracks. They also ensure railroad crossings are safe. Team members also are trained by the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention to deal with potentially suicidal individuals.

The team, informally known as the “Rat Pack,” has more than 120 volunteers, mostly retired veterans, said Richard Gent, a retired naval officer from Fallon, Nevada, who created the team about eight years ago.

In the United States, trains collide every three hours with either vehicles or pedestrians, Gent said.

“What we are trying to accomplish here is keep people safe and keep trained eyes near the railroad infrastructure,” he said. “Our guys and gals are out there looking at the railroad tracks, focusing on safety.”

Gent devised a curriculum of eight hours of classroom instruction for Rail Auxiliary Team volunteers. That includes basic railroading — such as how to identify different trains and box cars — reporting procedures, awareness of potential criminal activity and terrorist threats, and suicide awareness. Once part of the team, volunteers complete ongoing monthly classroom and online training, as well as field and tabletop exercise

Railroad tracks, and the land immediately adjacent to them, belong to railroad companies like Norfolk Southern Railway, BSN Santa Fe Railway, Amtrak and more. Rail Auxiliary Team volunteers wear orange reflective vests and are careful not to go onto railroad property, which constitutes trespassing, Gent said.

“The railroad has color codes for their personnel, and an orange vest signifies an individual on the ground,” he said. “A locomotive engineer will recognize it.”

Volunteers don’t operate in shifts, but rather check out railroads on their own time, whenever they are out and about, Gent said.

“What we say is, ‘Hey, if you’re going to Walmart, take a little side trip and go down by the railroad tracks and take a look,’” he said. “We found out it’s quite effective.”

Team members also use their own drones to survey railroad tracks from above, he said.

When team members spot something off, they alert the owners of the railroad, who in turn immediately contact train engineers, as well as law enforcement, for a quick response. The team calls in three to four reportable events per month, more in spring and summer, along the 50 or so miles of tracks in Washoe County, Gent said.

That has saved lives, such as last summer, when a team member reported a family walking along railroad tracks near the Cherokee River. The railroad company alerted the incoming train engineer who sounded the horn to prompt the family to get off the tracks, Gent said. Team members usually refrain from directly addressing trespassing individuals in order to avoid confrontations, he said.

Courtesy photo

Reporting malfunctions at railroad crossings, such as non-working lights, is another task the volunteers take on. In fact, anyone can do that by calling the toll-free phone number listed on blue emergency notification system signs placed at crossings, he said.

Additionally, the Rat Pack offers railroad education to the public, such as school bus drivers, emergency responders and others. Volunteer Art O’Connor, a veteran who lives in Reno, Nevada, said he especially enjoys giving lectures about railroad safety, such as what to do when a vehicle gets stuck on the tracks.

“(911 operators) have no clue how to stop that train, but if you call the 1-800 number on the emergency notification system sign, they will immediately stop the train and you will not become a statistic,” O’Connor said.

Volunteers also know about “hot spots,” such as railroad bridges that people like to cross on foot despite the danger of incoming trains, O’ Connor said. People should always use pedestrian bridges, no matter how inconvenient, he said.

O’Connor’s interest in railroads dates back to his youth, when he traveled by train from his family’s home in South Carolina to boarding school in Massachusetts. Volunteering with the Rail Auxiliary Team is all about giving back, he said.

“It’s rewarding,” he said.

Gent also has loved trains since childhood. He used to watch VHS tapes of moving trains while stationed in an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, and now has a railroad caboose in his yard that he uses as an office, he said.

“It’s a strange disease,” he said, chuckling. “I’ve talked to other individuals that like trains, and it’s just a passion.”

When he approached the Washoe County Sheriff’s office eight years ago with his idea of creating the team, the reaction was immediately positive, Gent said. Now, he’d like to expand the Rail Auxiliary Team program throughout Nevada and across the country.

Joe Olaciregui, Citizen Corps Programs coordinator for the Washoe County Sheriff’s office, endorsed that.

“We are trying to grow the program so we can start getting it out to other counties and nationwide. It’s good for any place that has rail traffic that goes through it,” he said. “The bottom line is responder safety and life safety.”

Rail Auxiliary Team volunteers first go through the community emergency response team academy, of which they are an integral part, Olaciregui said. “That team is awesome,” he said. “They are absolutely killing it.”

For more information, visit the Washoe Sheriff’s Office website, Rail Auxiliary Team (RAT Pack) (washoesheriff.com)

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

Coffee Tracks - Verdi, NV

June 25, 2023

On Friday afternoon June 23, 2023 our RAT pack initially met in Verdi at the local fishing hotspot. Upon arriving, a RAT member noticed a fisherman walking along the tracks to get to his favorite fishing hole. A call to RMCC notified the railroad of a trespasser. A short time later, two RATS witnessed another fisherman walking the tracks to get down to the Truckee River. A second call to RMCC was made, notifying them once again of a trespasser. This time the railroad also notified the Washoe County Sheriff.

About 40 minutes after the call was made, the sheriff arrived, collected information from us and proceeded down to the river. The sheriff was able to talk with the fisherman, get him out of the river and then educate him on what NO TRESPASSING signs mean. This is the first time that we have actually been around when a sheriff arrives and is actually able to talk with the trespasser. We were also able to educate the sheriff about our responsibilities as RAT members and what our protocol is when we see a trespasser on railroad property.

As we were looking around, we noticed a bunch of debris along the tracks that looks to have come off a train. It was not affecting train traffic, so no report was made.

Two people educated about the law and the dangers of trespassing on or near railroad tracks and bridges - that's success!

Our RAT pack then proceeded into town and met at the Bridge Street crossing. We surveyed the area, checked that the crossing inventory was in place and looked around to evaluate any potential crossing issues with trespassers. After this, we headed to a private crossing that most RATs had not been to before. It was noted that this private crossing and road is often used by fishermen to also get to the Truckee River. All looked good at this crossing, so we called it a day and ended our Coffee Tracks field trip.

We would like to thank the Washoe County Sheriff's office for their help in keeping people safe around railroad property. A BIG thank you from the RAT pack!

And ALWAYS remember . . .

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

What does a NO TRESPASSING Sign Mean?

May 28, 2023

What does a NO TRESPASSING Sign Mean?

Railroad tracks and crossings are very dangerous places if warnings are not heeded. Railroad companies spend time and money to make a person’s time at a crossing or around trains as safe as possible. Warning signs, flashing lights, crossing gates, bells, pavement markings, etc. along with NO TRESPASSING signs are put into place for a reason – to keep you physically safe and to keep train crews from having to deal with the aftermath of a tragic accident that was not their fault. (Remember, trains can’t steer and it often takes them more than one mile to stop.)

So, what does a NO TRESPASSING sign mean?

Choose the correct answer:

A. If I cannot see a train, then I can walk on or along the tracks.

B. Those signs are for other people, not me.

C. I can get out of the way of a train before it gets to me, so I can go on the tracks anyway.

D. Trains hardly ever come on these tracks – there won’t be one now.

E. Stay off tracks and bridges, out of tunnels and out of the railroad right-of-way,
which extends approximately 50 feet on both sides of the track.

Unfortunately, most people may agree that E is correct, (Stay off tracks and bridges, out of tunnels and out of the railroad right-of-way, which extends approximately 50 feet on both sides of the track.), but they act like A, B, C and D are correct.

What is your response to a NO TRESPASSING sign? Do your actions look like answer A, B, C or D above? Or do you obey the NO TRESPASSING sign?

In Verdi, NV there is a location that we call our “fishing hotspot”. This is a narrow train bridge across the Truckee River in which fishermen consistently ignore the very visible NO TRESPASSING sign at each end of the bridge. Why? Because it is a shortcut to their favorite fishing hole. A shortcut I say, because there is a correct way to cross the river that is just a few steps longer. Is the convenience of a shortcut worth the risk of getting hit by a train? NO!

Remember, your life is worth obeying any railroad warning signs!

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

Coffee Tracks - Old US 395 and N. Virginia

March 19, 2023

On Saturday morning March 18, 2023 our RAT pack met at crossing 833573J .

In preparation for our RAT field exercise, RATs always set up an orange traffic warning sign to warn drivers that people are present in the area and to also educate the public. This sign is a reminder that if you ever see a vehicle stuck on the tracks, look for the blue Emergency Notification System sign at the crossing and call that phone number first, before calling 911, and tell them about the vehicle on the tracks.

Anytime we are meeting at a crossing, we do an inventory of the equipment We check the following things:

The crossbuck assembly is in good condition and that there is one on each side of the crossing
Two blue ENS signs - one on each side of the crossing
The gates, lights and bells look to be functioning
The W-10 advanced warning signs present
The railroad crossing pavement markings are painted on the road ahead of the tracks on each side of the crossing
Along with all the other things on the US DOT Crossing Inventory Form

Crossing 833573J and the bungalow associated with that crossing are at a very busy crossing and often drivers get impatient and go around the crossing gates when they are down. Don't ever go around gates when they are down! When you see gates in the down position, there is a train nearby.

We talked about switches and the requirement that they are to always be locked.

While checking out the crossing, we came across a pile of rails and ties - some new and some used. A fellow RAT pointed out that Timber Nail Plates are used to strengthen the ends of railroad ties, reducing their tendency to split when spikes are driven into them.

The blue derail indicators on the track warn an approaching train or railcar that if they proceed to this point, the train/railcar will be derailed. The derail device is used to protect people or trains further down the track. Derail devices are to be locked at all times.

The metal stamped sign along the tracks indicates where the railroad's responsibility for maintaining the track ends and the company that the track is going to is responsible for the maintenance on their part of the track. In this case, Union Pacific's track ended at this spur and Ameri Gas become responsible for their part of the track.

The yellow paint and orange cone indicate the point on the track that the train cannot go past, or it will trigger the lights, gates and bells at the crossing in front of it.

We learned that tank cars carrying hazardous materials have a special coupler known as a double shelf coupler. While the coupler is designed to not uncouple, the main reason for the "shelf on the top and bottom" is to keep one tank car from riding up and puncturing the end of another tank car.

Tank cars have many requirements specified by the Department of Transportation. This panel identifies the tank car as a DOT 112 car. A DOT-112 pressurized tank car has additional safety features than what is required on DOT-111 class non-pressurized tank cars. This 33,700 gallon tank car is built to meet DOT 112J340W specifications and to operate at 263,000 lbs gross rail load for the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

We love our Coffee Tracks field training and yes, we do sometimes even have coffee!

Remember . . .

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

RAT Academy Graduates

March 7, 2023

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

Rail Auxiliary Team Press Release

February 20, 2023

Introducing the Nation’s Premier Community-Based Rail Safety Volunteer Group: the Rail Auxiliary Team

RAT Pack Railway Auxiliary Team

Railway Auxiliary Team in Nevada

Help Keep Rail Roads Safe in Nevada

In emergencies, notify the railroad first, using the information on the blue Emergency Notification System signs near rail crossings, to immediately inform the railroad, and then call 911.”

— Rich Gent

FERNLEY, NEVADA, USA, February 16, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Rail Auxiliary Team, affectionally known as the RAT Pack, is a group of fantastic volunteers in Nevada who work together to reduce the number of rail suicides and trespass incidents. They have been active since 2009, and are asking local veterans, retirees and retired first responders to join in their mission to save more lives on the railroad.

Established by the RailAware non-profit, and sponsored by local law enforcement, the organization provides innovative solutions for rail public safety as well as provides trained eyes and ears for local law enforcement. The Rail Auxiliary Team focuses on keeping trains moving, safe, secure and at velocity with an emphasis on preventing the trauma of rail suicides and trespass incidents.

The RAT Pack was identified as one of the few community-based rail suicide intervention programs in the
nation. Integrated into their initial training and provided by a State-sponsored suicide prevention agency, is a segment on rail-suicide intervention. This training provides the volunteers with the knowledge needed to understand and successfully intervene, as necessary, for those in crisis on or near railroads. A 2022 study by British Rail on suicide intervention, published in the Cambridge Press, cites “lay people should be encouraged to reach out to those in crisis in public places.” Members from the Rail Auxiliary are trained how to react and practice appropriate responses.

“Shortly before we set up the Rail Auxiliary Team, we saw strong evidence showing that railroad suicide and trespass incidents were on the rise.” says Rich Gent, leader of the Rail Auxiliary Team. In the last five years, there was an average of 1,000 trespass incidents per year nationwide and 200 to 300 suicides each per year ̶ existing national strategies to deal with these issues seemed ineffective. We developed the RAT Pack to take a different approach, placing sponsorship with law enforcement organizations. In 2022, the Rail Auxiliary Team reported four potential suicide incidents, locally, and over 28 reportable trespass incidents.

However, we need to expand the Rail Auxiliary concept statewide. If this had been accomplished earlier, we might not have experienced the incident that happened recently in Winnemucca, NV, which involved a car stuck on the railroad tracks. Someone called 911. When the police arrived, the driver got out. Shortly thereafter, two people exited the back seat of the car, walked directly into the path of the train, and were killed.

Part of the Rail Auxiliary Team training is to notify the railroad first, using the information on the blue Emergency Notification System signs near rail crossings, to immediately inform the railroad, and then call 911. Sadly, this emergency procedure is not publicly known, so we continue to spread the word to the community and to law enforcement personnel.

This Winnemucca incident shows that the organization is needed more than ever. But they can’t do it without the help of those called to protect and serve in Nevada. They are now appealing for more volunteers to join their group, to help them save even more lives.

Those who volunteer will receive the training needed to become a RAT Pack member, which includes suicide intervention and awareness, equipping them to help save lives on the tracks. Volunteers who join the team also engage in training scenarios in the field, in addition to follow-on activities and monthly refreshers through in-person or on-line training.

“With an understanding of the rail industry and its unique environment, our team is trained to offer a variety of solutions for both railway safety and security.” says Richard Gent.

There are many generally unknown safety procedures (like staying off of railroad property), training techniques, and other skills, that we know will save lives. If you would like to help us protect the Nevada communities, please get in touch.

The Rail Auxiliary Team currently has 120 dedicated volunteers with a passion for keeping the community safe. The team are the vital ears and eyes of local law enforcement in Nevada, and play a huge part in the prevention of tragedies on railroad property.

Mr. Rich Gent
Railway Auxiliary Team

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

Coffee Tracks - Mustang Exit off I80

August 29, 2022

Our “Pack of Rats” gathered Saturday morning by the Chevron station at the Mustang exit off of Interstate 80. This area was chosen so that we could take a look at how things have changed in this area since the railroad was put in circa 1868. In a wonderful book, The Central Pacific Railroad Across Nevada – 1868 & 1997, we got a glance at the past geography and compared it to what currently exists.

After this, we headed down the dirt road to the East (old interstate 80) and ended up at milepost 255. While at this location, we discussed the following:

How to read the milepost markers – 2553 means mile 255.3 as measured from San Francisco, CA.
Checking the white light on the Control Shed – if it is steady white, all is good. If it is flashing or out, call the RMCC and ask for the Signal Department and explain what milepost you are at and the condition of the light.
The 9.2 yellow marker along the side of the tracks indicates the mileage of the gas pipeline from the Sparks Yard.
If we see homeless camps on railroad property, go to the Union Pacific Railroad Response Management Communication Center website: UP: Response Management Communication Center (RMCC) At this point, scroll down and choose the correct option for your issue.
- We have often wondered whether or not Union Pacific actually does anything with what we report. I have good news! They do respond.
  - I submitted a problem with a blue ENS sign missing from the crossing at Fourth Street in Reno. I went today to check the status of this – it has been replaced.
  - I reported that a Union Pacific gate at the end of Spokane Street was locked in the open position. When I checked this today, the lock was gone. Yeah! But the gate is wide open. I will submit another request to have a Union Pacific lock put on the gate in the locked position.
  - I reported approximately 10 homeless encampments between Sutro Avenue and “the trench”. Good news is that the camps I mentioned and photographed are gone. The bad news, there are new encampments emerging in that area. I will once again send in a request with photographic documentation.
  - The gaping holes reported to Union Pacific have yet to be repaired. Once again I will submit photographic documentation to Union Pacific.

What can we take away from this? Keep reporting what you observe in the appropriate way, with photographic documentation if possible. We may not always see the results of these reports, so do not get discouraged. Keep up the reporting!

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

Coffee Tracks - Mogul, NV

May 21, 2022

If you arrived early to Coffee Tracks, you got a great view of an East bound Union Pacific manifest train! One of our early RATS even caught a man down the hill beside track 2 changing his clothes. Sorry, no picture of this trespasser! You truly never know what you will come across by the tracks.

After signing in and getting our fresh coffee, we began educating new RAT members. We also discussed the email alerting us to a local railfan that has been playing with the track switches near the dog food plant off of Waltham Road, ringing the bells of locomotives in the Sparks Yard and just general trespassing on railroad property to get a photo or video. As a reminder, if you see someone on the tracks, near the locomotives / railcars or trespassing on any other part of Union Pacific property, call RMCC (Response Management Communication Center) at 888-877-7267.

Because of upcoming community events around railroad tracks, we discussed general rail awareness for the public and the availability of several RAT members for local rail safety presentations. If you are part of a Neighborhood Watch Group, the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, a church, a School District or any other organization, no matter the size, we will be happy to do a FREE rail safety presentation for you. Please contact us at Contact | Rail Auxiliary Team (nvrailaware.org and we will set up a presentation for you.

One of the responsibilities of RAT members, is to check out rail crossings in our area. If you know that you are going to a specific crossing, it can be helpful to have the US DOT Crossing Inventory Form. If you know the DOT Crossing Number, you may download a copy of the Inventory Form at Crossing Inventory Lookup | FRA (dot.gov). If you do not know the DOT Crossing number, you may find the crossing and it's number at the FRA Crossing Viewer website: https://fragis.fra.dot.gov/

Here is a "checklist" of things to look at while observing a crossing:

Control Point Bungalow (If there is one. Only at crossings that have lights/crossing gates.)
- Are the doors to the bungalow locked? Doors not locked or open - this is reportable to RMCC.
- Is the strobe light steady on? Sometimes it is hard to see due to the direction of the sun. If it is off or blinking - this is reportable to RMCC.
Crossing Mast
- Is the Blue ENS sign present, visible and legible? If not - this is reportable as a non-emergency to RMCC.
- Does the DOT Crossing Number on the Control Point Bungalow (if present) match the Crossing Number on the ENS sign? If not, this is reportable on the Union Pacific website UP: Response Management Communication Center (RMCC). Choose the category ROUGH CROSSINGS and fill out the form.
- Do the crossing gates and lights appear to be functional? No obvious defects or problems? If there appears to be a problem - this is reportable to RMCC.
Advanced Warning Signs (AWS)
- Are the signs present on each side of the crossing? These signs are approximately 200 yards from the crossing. If they are not present, report this on our site using Contact | Rail Auxiliary Team (nvrailaware.org. We will then contact the appropriate road maintenance department. FYI - Railroads are responsible for the actual crossing and the devices at the crossing, while the local road departments are responsible for AWS signs and the like.

As always, use caution around crossings and railroad tracks - never trespassing onto rail company property. Thanks to those that joined us in person and online this morning for our monthly Coffee Tracks.

Remember ....

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Posted in Coffee Tracks

Crossing Gates Are There For A Reason

May 8, 2022

On Monday, May 2, 2022 a 27 year old male lost his life due to a rash decision at a rail crossing in Pompano Beach, Florida. This young father on his way to work drove around the gates and lights that signaled a train was coming. The conductor of the train said that he believes the driver was trying to beat the train. BSO: Driver killed in Brightline train crash tried to get around crossing arms (wptv.com)

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022 a 52 year old male also lost his life in a situation that could have been avoided in Hollywood, Florida. Police stated that the arms and lights at the crossing were functioning properly. Witnesses said that he was chasing the train, saw that the arms were down and he tried to zig-zag around them. Jeep driver is second man in two days to die in crash with Brightline train (msn.com)

Railroads place gates at crossings, along with bells and flashing lights for a reason. The reason is for your safety - to keep you alive!

The question we ask is, "Why would someone intentionally decide to drive around down gates with flashing lights and a bell ringing - indicating an imminent train?"

Let's look at one of the excuses that people give.

I don't want to wait for a train, I'll be late and I can beat the train thru the crossing. Unfortunately, the two men mentioned above will not be late for anything again. The Brightline trains involved in the above mentioned driver negligence have operating speeds up to 125 MPH. Most people do not realize that judging the speed of an oncoming train is very difficult. As you are sitting waiting for the train, it is very difficult to judge the speed of the train due to the angle of the train approaching you and the size of the locomotive. These two things combined make it seem that the train is further away and traveling slower than it actually is. What will you do when you come to a rail crossing with the arms down, lights flashing and bells ringing?

When we get in a hurry or worry about being late, we can make irrational and hasty decisions. What should our response be when we encounter down rail arms, flashing lights and bells? We stop and wait. Whatever time we think we might save by going around the gates is not worth the risk. Ask the families of these two men and the many others that have attempted to beat a train by going around the down gates and not survived. Each of us needs to decide before we get in the car every time, that we will abide by the warning devices at rail crossings. If we intentionally decide beforehand, the decision has already been made to stop and wait, thus reducing the chances of making a hasty and irreversible decision. What will you do?

You do not need to be a statistic! Stop and wait!

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Posted in Rail Safety

Rail Awareness in Nevada

Rail Awareness Blog

Nevada's Retired First Responders and Military Veterans Pioneering Railroad Public Safety and the See Something Say Something Campaign with the RAT PACK

A Different Kind of Rat Pack - Military Veterans - Military Families

Nevada veterans give back through Rail Auxiliary Team

Coffee Tracks - Verdi, NV

What does a NO TRESPASSING Sign Mean?

Coffee Tracks - Old US 395 and N. Virginia

RAT Academy Graduates

Nine volunteers graduate from WCSO Rail Auxiliary Team Academy

Rail Auxiliary Team Press Release

Introducing the Nation’s Premier Community-Based Rail Safety Volunteer Group: the Rail Auxiliary Team

Coffee Tracks - Mustang Exit off I80

Coffee Tracks - Mogul, NV

Crossing Gates Are There For A Reason

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