Gopher State Railway Museum

Gopher State Railway Museum
25501 Helena Blvd.
PO Box 125
New Prague, MN 56071
ph: 952-758-8729
alt: 952-412-2145
gopherstaterailwaymuseum@yahoo.com

Operation Lifesaver

If you see Railroad Tracks - Expect a Train

Operation Lifesaver is an important safety education program aimed at reducing the number of deaths related to tresspassing and grade crossing accidents to ZERO.

Most major railroads and their employees participate in the Operation Lifesaver program, visiting schools and public events, educating the public on railroad safety.

For more information about Operation Lifesaver and to find out how to arrange a visit to your school, Scout Troop or other organization by an Operation Lifesaver representative, visit: oli.org

Safety Tips from the Operation Lifesaver Crew

Reprinted from the Operation Lifesaver Website: http://oli.org/education-resources/saftey-tips/safety-tips-and-facts/%EF%BB%BF

Freight trains don't travel at fixed times, and schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at each highway-rail intersection.
All train tracks are private property. Never walk on tracks; it's illegal trespass and highly dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer sees a trespasser or vehicle on the tracks it's too late. It takes the average freight train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile—the length of 18 football fields—to stop. Trains cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or 200 tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car. We all know what happens to a soda can hit by a car.
Trains have the right of way 100% of the time over emergency vehicles, cars, the police and pedestrians.
A train can extend three feet or more beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three foot mark. If there are rails on the railroad ties always assume the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks unused.
Trains can move in either direction at any time. Sometimes their cars are pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled, which is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
Today's trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale "clackety-clack." Any approaching train is always closer, moving faster, than you think.
Remember to cross train tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings, and obey all warning signs and signals posted there.
Stay alert around railroad tracks. No texting, headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train; never mix rails and recreation.

Don't Let This Be You!

A disturbing trend is growing in the portrait industry: Railroad rights-of-way as photo studios.

Don't let this be you! It's tresspassing, it's dangerous and your fun photo session could turn tragic in an instant if a train comes along.

With today's modern railways featuring roller bearings and ribbon rail, an approaching train can be deadly quiet - until moments before the engineer sees your photo shoot around the curve and frantically blows the horn just prior to running you over.

Please stay off railroad right-of-ways and if your photographer suggests it, please tell him or her "NO!"

The following three photos are a tiny portion of thousands found doing a Google search and aren't meant to single out or embarass any one person, only to raise awareness of a growing and serious issue.

Don't let this be you!

The photographer of the photo below said he decided to use an "abandoned" rail line - the rails look pretty shiny for an abandoned line - don't do it.

The nearby warehouse may be unused, but the railroad may spot cars on that siding at anytime.

Many things are wrong in this next photo: Never walk on the rail head. It's a railroad safety rule for starters. You can slip and crack your head open on the rail.

Railroaders know to never step on a railhead, always step OVER the rail.

Next - it's clearly an active mainline - if you see tracks - expect a train at any time.

The photographer for this engagement photo noted being inconvenienced while taking the photo by sitting on a cactus - not nearly as painful as being hit by a train! Don't do it - stay off the tracks.

Please remember - if you really must have the railroad as a backdrop, stay a safe distance off the right-of-way.

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Gopher State Railway Museum
25501 Helena Blvd.
PO Box 125
New Prague, MN 56071
ph: 952-758-8729
alt: 952-412-2145
gopherstaterailwaymuseum@yahoo.com