(The following article by Cathy Logg was published in the January 14 issue of The Herald in Everett, Wash.)
EDMONDS, Wash. — Authorities say that public education rather than fences along railroad tracks are what’s needed to prevent pedestrians from getting killed by trains.
David Pfeiffer, 14, of Lynnwood died Friday when he was struck by a Seattle-to-Chicago Amtrak passenger train.
The accident occurred in the 16100 block of 76th Place W. Edmonds police Sgt. Jeff Jones said Pfeiffer, his brother and another boy were “on the tracks, apparently unaware of the train’s approach.”
“We’re used to thinking of trains going ‘clackety clack’ down the rails,” Jones said. “It’s actually a lot quieter than you think it is.”
A Burlington Northern-Santa Fe spokesman said Monday that the area is dangerous because of all the recreational opportunities.
“We operate through thousands of communities across the United States,” rail spokesman Gus Melonas said.
“In our northern tier area, this is one of the largest problems due to the recreational opportunities with Puget Sound and a heavily populated area.
“With a mainline operation, we have seen numerous close-call situations. It’s one of the most active trespassing areas.”
In Washington state, there are 2,000 miles of track, with more than 70 percent of it owned by Burlington Northern, he said.
“We can’t fence all of it,” Melonas said. “Not to be insensitive or uncaring, but a fence doesn’t stop the problem. People can go over, under, around and through a fence. People take short cuts. We do all we can do to make the public aware. The trains simply can’t stop.”
And for those walking along the tracks, there are many distractions and noises to hide the sound of an approaching train, including churning waves of water, traffic, environmental noise and conversations.
“I agree with the railroad: Fences do not solve the problem,” Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson said. “We worked closely with Burlington Northern-Santa Fe over the last few years trying to create an awareness, particularly in the downtown Edmonds area, where we have a lot more traffic.”
The city has two main railroad crossings downtown and strictly enforces no trespassing on railroad property, the mayor said. Neighbors call 911 if they see people walking on the tracks because they don’t want to see people hit and also don’t want fences erected that would block their views, he added.
“The folks who live along the tracks have a healthy respect for trains. Trains come quickly, some trains are quieter than others. We all — police, public officials, the railroad, residents — have to do a better job of instructing everyone that there’s danger on those tracks.”
The no trespassing law is frustrating for people who have a legal right to tidelands, Haakenson said.
“As long as there’s train tracks and people, we’re going to have those problems,” he said.
Mukilteo city administrator Richard Leahy said that town has fewer problems with people on tracks because the rails are at the base of steep bluffs. Also, most of the tracks that are accessible are fenced, he added.
“It’s a fact of life that any time you have vehicles — trains, planes, watercraft, cars — there’s always a potential for injury,” he said.
Burlington Northern-Santa Fe has an Operation Lifesaver public safety program designed to educate people on the dangers along railroad tracks, Melonas said. All railroad property is private, and trespassing is prohibited. The company provides speakers for who talk about railroad safety; call 206-625-6000.
Railroad officers patrol and issue citations to violators, he said. In 2001, officers confronted 20,000 people nationwide and issued numerous tickets. The numbers were much higher last year, but haven’t been tallied yet, Melonas said.
In Snohomish County, walking on tracks or railroad property constitutes second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and carries a fine of up to $500, he said.
Since David Pfeiffer died, railroad personnel began working with Edmonds police and school officials to further educate students on the dangers, Melonas said.
“The first rule that railroaders learn is to expect the movement of a train on any track in any direction at any time.
“We would ask that the public use the rail as a reminder and as a warning barrier that this is an extremely dangerous area and to please use the appropriately designated public crossing points,” Melonas said.