4 minute read
See Tracks? Think Train. Get Involved.
by OneWatco
See Tracks? Think Train. Get Involved.
Since 2017, Operation Lifesaver (OLI) has held its annual Rail Safety Week the last week of September. This year’s North American public awareness campaign is happening September 23-29 and is now known as “See Tracks? Think Train® Week” or ST3 Week.
The effort seeks to educate the public about safety at railroad grade crossings and trespass prevention. Each day of the week has a different theme aimed at reducing injuries and incidents involving rail.
This year’s daily themes are:
• Monday, Sept. 23 - #STOPTrackTragedies – Spread the message that the week is starting and partner with government agencies, municipalities, and more to drive awareness.
• Tuesday, Sept. 24 – Operation Clear Track – Railroads and OLI partner with law enforcement and first responders to deliver safety messages in-person to drivers.
• Wednesday, Sept. 25 – Crossing Safety – Educating drivers, farmers, pedestrians, and more about safety at crossings.
• Thursday, Sept. 26 – Transit and Professional Driver Safety – Focusing on helping people safely ride commuter rail and ensuring truckers and other professional drivers make safe decisions near tracks.
• Friday, Sept. 27 – Red Out for Rail Safety – Wear red to support the cause, volunteer, and share the rail safety message with everyone.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 – Trespass Prevention – Messaging for pedestrians, outdoor enthusiasts, and others about trespass hazards and laws.
• Sunday, Sept. 29 – No Photos/Videos on Tracks – Educating photographers and the public about the dangers of shooting near tracks.
In past years, Watco and our team have supported OLI through posts on social media, in-person educational events, and by partnering with local law enforcement. Officer on the Train is a popular event for Watco short lines. A law enforcement officer rides along in a locomotive to watch for drivers not obeying crossing rules. When that happens, the officer radios other nearby officers to stop and warn motorists driving hazardously.
Many Watco short lines have participated over the years, and Ann Arbor Railroad (AA) General Manager Ken Morgan brought the idea with him when he moved from the Eastern Idaho Railroad to the AA.
“Last year’s event was beneficial in multiple ways,” Morgan said. “We had local law enforcement, Ohio Department of Transportation, and OLI all participate with us. We shared safety messages with drivers at some of our most difficult crossings. It also built relationships with those other agencies so they’re aware of the challenges our team faces.”
Many Watco team members are also involved with OLI at a local or state level as volunteers. They visit schools, staff tables at events, and present for special groups as well. Pittsburg, Kansas, team members Joely Gath and Jay Benedict visit elementary schools in the area to teach first-graders about railroad and crossing safety basics. Last year, South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad team members participated in a community event in Winfield, Kansas, where they performed a crossing safety demonstration as part of a youth bike rodeo. Bobby Baker, Great Northwest Railroad trainmaster, was previously an OLI volunteer in Louisiana before continuing this tradition in Idaho and Washington.
“I get a kick out of talking to people about railroading and safety,” Baker said. “I like talking to people and I like railroading. It means a lot to me to be able to educate people about our industry and educate them about how they, and our people, can work together safely.”
There are many ways to get involved. Do you have something planned for this year’s ST3 Week? Let us know! Send images from your event to photos@watco.com. If you’d like to learn more about ST3 Week, how to become a volunteer, or just want to learn more about rail safety, visit oil.org or look for Operation Lifesaver on social media platforms.
