How do you cross a railway line safely?

When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail. ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.



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Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Do not cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so.

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A rider should cross railroad tracks by traveling straight across them and remaining in their lane. It may be tempting to cross tracks at a ninety degree angle; however, that may cause the rider to travel into the opposite lane. Last, one should never ride the center line or the berm of the road.

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The important point is to have your front wheel cross the tracks at a right angle to avoid it becoming caught in the space between the rail and the pavement. The link below is to a good example showing safe procedure for crossing tracks.

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If there are no gates, drivers are required to stop and may proceed only when it is safe to do so. Remember, trains always have the right-of-way. Some roads will have lights and a crossbuck above the road on a cantilever. Flashing red lights with gates are used to temporarily close the road when a train is approaching.

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Flashing Red Lights — with or without bells When the red lights are flashing, a train is approaching. Stop and wait for the train to pass, then proceed when it is clearly safe to do so.

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Always be super-cautious when approaching a railway crossing. Even if the lights aren't flashing, look both ways before proceeding. Don't try to beat a train to a crossing - the train is moving faster than it appears. Trains can't stop rapidly because of their extreme weight.

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A stop line, an X and the letters RR may be painted on the pavement in front of railroad crossings. These markings warn you to be aware of the crossing ahead and to pay particular attention to the possible approach of a train.

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Explanation: A railway line should always cross a road at 90° angle, i.e. they should be perpendicular to each other. This is done so that the passing train is clearly visible to the road passengers, thus avoiding accidents.

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Advance warning signs The advance warning sign is a round, yellow sign bearing the lettering RXR. The X is very large, covering the full diameter of the sign. It is usually the first warning you will see that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen for an approaching train.

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A low-voltage electric current is sent between the two rails via a series of relays like the ones in this photo. When a train approaches, the current runs through the train's metal wheels and axles instead of the relays. This short circuit activates the crossing signal.

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Stay off the tracks: Train tracks, bridges and yards are private property. Never walk, bike, skateboard or run on or along the tracks; it's illegal and dangerous. Cross only at designated rail crossings. Hold hands: Hold hands with smaller children while at stations and crossings.

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The Cardinal Rule of Railroading: Always expect a train or equipment to move on any track in any direction at any time!

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But some experts say there is a particular direction you should try to run: Away from the tracks at a 45 degree angle, in the direction from which the train is coming. “That actually means run toward the train,” said Joyce Rose, president of Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit rail safety education group.

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Railroad tracks are private property, not public trails. It's illegal to walk on the tracks unless you're at a designated crossing.

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Never walk on tracks; it is illegal to trespass and highly dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer sees a trespasser or vehicle on the tracks it's too late. It can take a mile or more to stop a train.

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