News Release

Steamtown National Historic Site to Help Spread the Message to #STOPTrackTragedies during Rail Safety Week, September 22-28, 2019

News Release Date: September 19, 2019

Contact: Bill Fischer, 570-340-5244

SCRANTON, Pa. – During National Rail Safety Week, September 22-28, 2019, Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) will partner with Operation Lifesaver to help get the word out to “Stop Train Tragedies” by offering daily rail safety programs. 

For most people, buckling up when driving and using sidewalks rather than walking down the center of a road are automatic safety habits. But drivers and pedestrians often overlook another potential safety hazard: driving or walking near train tracks.

According to Operation Lifesaver, fully 95 percent of U.S. rail-related incidents involve vehicle-train collisions at railroad crossings or people on the tracks being struck by trains. Unfortunately, government statistics show that a vehicle or person is hit by a train every three hours in this country. Over the past ten years, approximately 20,000 Americans have been killed or seriously injured because they were involved in unsafe behavior at railroad crossings, or were illegally walking, playing, or taking photos on train tracks.  These incidents have devastating consequences for families, communities and train crew members – and virtually all of them are preventable.

To raise awareness about the need for caution near tracks and trains, in 2017 the rail safety nonprofit organization Operation Lifesaver launched a public safety education campaign, #STOPTrackTragedies, during Rail Safety Week, held annually on the last week of September
 
This campaign highlights personal stories of those affected by rail incidents — including victims, friends, family, and local communities from across North America. You can help spread the rail safety message by visiting www.oli.org and www.stoptracktragedies.ca and sharing the videos with your friends and neighbors.

Operation Lifesaver’s top five rail safety tips: 
1) Look and listen for trains as you approach any railroad crossing — obey all signs, warning lights and gates.  
2) Trains are quieter and faster than you think — never try to beat a train.
3) Because of their size and weight, it can take a mile or more to stop a train. 
4) Always expect a train on any track, in any direction; avoid distractions when you approach a crossing.
5) Rail property is private property. Walking on the tracks is illegal and dangerous. 

Steamtown National Historic Site supports Operation Lifesaver’s goal of keeping the public safe, and will offer daily programs during Rail Safety Week to help people gain awareness and practice rail safety near train tracks. Throughout the year, help #STOPTrackTragedies – and make preventable railroad crossing and trespassing incidents a thing of the past!

Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning [phone] during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.

www.nps.gov/stea


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