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	Veterans’ Association of the Chicago & North Western Railway

	Organized December 9, 1924

Safety First

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Written by Wisconsin Division Engineer Doug Smith and appearing February 8, 2007 in the Chicago Sun-Times, we feel this message is worth repeating.

When the gates go down, risk goes sky high

I am the regular engineer on Metra North Line trains 310 and 337. I have been with Union Pacific Railroad and its predecessor Chicago and North Western Railway for over 12 years. In those years, it never ceases to amaze me what risks people will take to catch a train.

I've seen people run in front of me on a regular basis; one gentleman at Ravinia was habitual about it. I've seen people crawl under the cars. I've watched more than one person drive around the gates. Most people would never think of doing these things, but they think nothing of crossing tracks when crossing lights are flashing and gates are down.

At Wilmette, I often simultaneously come into the station with train 309, and people will walk behind this train and into the path of mine. One man recently even ran across in front of both of us. I usually have a good hold on the train and will stop short of the crosswalk at Central Street, but what if I don't?

You can ask my crew; I'm pretty good at giving descriptions, allowing them to deny passage for the offender. But what is it that people don't get about safety? Trains are a very safe mode of travel, but a railroad is a very dangerous place to trespass. I've yet to put anyone in the hospital but unfortunately, I have put two in the cemetery. That's two more than I ever wanted.

Think about your situation. Consider that each locomotive weighs about 135 tons and each car weighs around 85 tons. Add one ton for approximately every dozen people and it starts adding up (if you're like me, you might be overachieving a bit). What your car will do to an aluminum can, my train will do to your car. And if you're a pedestrian ... trespassing on a grade crossing can result in a $500 fine under Illinois law — a rather light penalty when you consider most of the alternatives.

We have an enviable safety record and we are the safest of 23 service units on the Union Pacific Railroad. That bell on display at our Chicago Passenger Terminal was not won easily. We're proud of who we are and what we do. All we ask is that you be as safe as we are.

Doug Smith, Salem, Wis.

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Posted: 01/02/09