MARION, Ohio — Norfolk-Southern’s Operation Lifesaver train rolled through Marion Wednesday as part of an effort to educate the community about railroad safety, the Marion Star reported.
Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, public information program dedicated to reducing the number of incidents, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way.
The group aims to remind motorists to approach railroad tracks cautiously and people to never trespass on railroad tracks or property. In events such as Wednesday’s, the railroads work with law enforcement to put a little punch behind that reminder by traveling along the tracks with officers on the look-out for motorists driving around train signals.
If a vehicle and a train hits the crossing at the same time, “there’s no ties,” said Richard Dodds, vice-chairman of the Marion County Railroad Task Force. “You’re going to lose,” he said, calling it a loss that’s going to result in a squashed vehicle.
No violations were spotted in Marion County, though Marion County Sheriff John Butterworth said two violators were spotted and cited in Crawford County.
“It was a pleasant day to spend with the railroad and learn different aspects of railroad safety,” said Butterworth, who rode the train along with other law enforcement and government officials.
Dodds said Norfolk-Southern is also sending volunteers into the schools to teach children not to walk on railroad tracks except at proper crossings and not play around trains.