Is it safe to cross train tracks?

The only safe place to cross railroad tracks is at a designated public crossing. Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction.



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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. It's extremely dangerous to walk, run, or drive down the railroad tracks or even alongside them.

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Never try to make it across a railroad crossing if you see a train coming. The main reason is that it can take a train moving 55 mph over a mile to come to a complete stop if they pull the emergency brake. So there's no chance they can stop if you hit some bad luck and break down on the tracks.

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Look both ways TWICE before crossing a railroad track. Never engage in a race with a train to cross the tracks. Keep a minimum distance of 15 feet from the tracks when stopped.

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It is defined as follows: The danger zone is the area next to the tracks, which shouldn't be used by passengers when no train occupies or a train drives through the station. The safety zone is the area which shall be used by passengers for movements and waiting.

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Walking on or beside railroad tracks is illegal. The only safe place to cross tracks is at designated public crossings with a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate. Crossing anywhere else is illegal.

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Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks, rights-of-way or through tunnels. The only safe place to cross railroad tracks is at a designated public crossing. Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first.

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The speed limit is 15 mph when you come within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You may go faster than 15 mph if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman.

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Trains can move very fast. In rural areas, it's not unusual for a train to be moving at 60 to 100 mph. A train cannot stop and you will not survive the crash.

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What happens if you stand too close to a train? Air between person and the train moves with high velocity due to dragging effect and the air behind person is approximately still.

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It's Illegal Trespassing onto railroad property, including tracks, bridges, buildings and signal towers, is illegal. Violators are subject to a citation for trespassing. Union Pacific will seek removal from publication any photograph or video that violates this policy.

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The middle of the train is by far the safest for persons. The National Transportation Safety Board does not release comprehensive data on where victims were sitting during fatal train accidents, though some details are available in individual investigative reports.

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Noise pollution and vibrations are some of the biggest concerns, particularly for people who live within one-third of a mile of railroads or railyards, says Natalia Caldeira Loss Vincens, an expert in public health at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

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The easiest ways to reduce these noises is by installing sound blocking products at the source of entry into your home.
  • Soundproof curtains are one of the easiest ways to combat train noise. ...
  • You can also abate noise by creating outdoor barriers. ...
  • Check your exterior doors, as well as any outlets and openings.


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While crossing a railroad (or a speed bump), you need to slow down, mainly to negotiate the uneven surface. Essentially, you take your foot off the accelerator and put it on the brake pedal.

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There is no single answer to this. After nearly 200 years of railroad history in the US (and that's assuming you're even speaking of the US), lots of land has changed hands. But, generally speaking, the railroads own the land on which their track is laid and a significant easement on each side of a couple-hundred feet.

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If you want to leave a train during it's motion (for example, to avoid a catching by the police at the station), get to the lowest footrest of car, face forward to direction of movement, than jump to the side off the train and run after a contact with land surface.

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It is trespassing and illegal, and you will be subject to arrest if caught. Due to vandalism and theft from shipments, railroad security is more observant than ever. Not to mention increased post-9/11 surveillance… Try Amtrak if you want to ride a train….

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