🚨 See Something, Say Something: A Simple Action That Could Save Lives Near Railroad Tracks 🚨

If you spend any time outdoors — hiking, biking, running, or just enjoying nature — chances are you’ve crossed paths with a railroad track. Maybe it’s a quiet stretch near a river, a hidden trestle in the woods, or a crossing by your local trail. It might feel remote, forgotten, or even harmless. But railroads are never as quiet as they seem, and that sense of “nothing ever happens here” can be dangerously misleading.

That’s where you come in.

“See Something, Say Something” isn’t just a phrase for airports and train stations. It applies just as much to your favorite backwoods rail line or the crossing you pass on your morning run. Being aware and speaking up can literally save lives — and not just your own.

🚧 What Should You Look For?

You don’t have to be a rail expert to spot something out of place. Here are a few things that should make you pause and report:

• Obstructions on the tracks: fallen trees, debris, shopping carts, or even large rocks

• People or vehicles trespassing on tracks: especially kids, hikers, or off-roaders who may not realize how dangerous it is

• Damaged or missing signage or crossing gates

• Strange objects or suspicious packages near the tracks

• Signs of tampering with railroad equipment

Trains can't swerve, and they can't stop quickly. Even if the crew sees a problem, there’s often nothing they can do in time — especially on remote stretches where speeds are higher and warning time is limited.

📲 What Should You Do?

If you see something like mentioned above, call the Railroad.

If you’re near a designated railroad crossing, look for the blue and white Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign. This sign has a phone number and a crossing ID number that connects you to the railroad’s dispatch center, so they can alert approaching trains or send a crew to check it out. Check out some of the other Public Safety Videos for how to determine your location if not near a railroad crossing.

Videos:

• Why We Call the Railroad First
• Other Information Near Railroad Tracks That Will Help the Railroad Determine Your Location
• How to Call the Railroad for an Emerc

Don’t assume someone else will report it. Railroads often run through places where you might be the only person who sees the danger in time.

🚷 Trespassing Isn’t Just Illegal — It’s Lethal

It’s worth repeating: being on railroad tracks or bridges for anything other than a legal crossing is trespassing. That includes photo shoots, shortcuts, or “just looking around.” Every year, hundreds of people are injured or killed while walking on or near tracks, often because they didn’t hear the train until it was too late.

So if you see someone out there who doesn’t belong — especially kids or distracted adults — it’s not nosy to say something. Call the railroad .

🛤️ The Bottom Line

Railroads are part of our landscape, but they’re not playgrounds or footpaths. The tracks may look empty, but danger can appear faster than you think.

So the next time you're near the rails and something seems off, trust your gut. Pull out your phone. Make the call.

See something. Say something. Save someone.