Rail Safety Message from Network Rail
Return to Latest News
Ensuring our pupils are safe is really important to us, which is why we are sharing rail safety information from Network Rail with pupils and parents/carers.
Key messages:
- Trains are fast and quiet, travelling up to 125mph and taking 2km (1 and a quarter miles) to come to a stop.
- It is against the law to trespass on the railway and can result in a fine of £1,000 and a criminal record. This isn’t just about going onto the tracks; climbing over our fences, throwing things onto the railway etc. is still dangerous and can lead to police involvement even if you don’t go on the tracks.
- The electricity is ALWAYS switched on around the railway including the equipment boxes and overhead wires, and these use very high voltages and are very dangerous.
- You don’t have to be touching the wires to receive an electric shock as electricity can jump (arc) up to 3 metres in any direction – including upwards. Even if you’re above the wires (e.g. climbing on a bridge) it doesn’t mean you’re safe from them when getting too close. The injuries received from such a shock can be life-changing, and unfortunately are often deadly.
- Always Stop, Look and Listen before using a Level Crossing. Never start to cross a level crossing when its lights are flashing.
- Make sure you’re paying attention whenever you use any kind of level crossing; keep dogs on short leads, walk across with bikes and horses rather than riding them across, and don’t be distracted by phones, earphones etc. as you use the crossing.
- Trains can generate turbulence as they go past, it’s strong enough to drag someone onto the tracks or under the train – another good reason to not trespass, and the reason why there are yellow lines on platforms.
- Should you witness any incidents of unauthorised access or trespass, or any other dangerous behaviour on or near railway land, please contact British Transport Police by texting 61016, or in emergencies call 999. You can also call the Network Rail 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41.
The You vs Train clip below is . Harrison Ballantyne, who was 11 years old, who tragically lost his life when he was electrocuted by overhead power cables after straying into a rail freight depot to retrieve a lost football.
Harrison’s StoryFor more information on railway safety you can visit the websites below: Switched on Rail Safety which has games, quizzes, and activities aimed at those aged 3 to 16+, and YouVSTrain which has further resources available for those aged 11+. Please note, the You vs Train website and the 12-16 section of the Switched On website contains content that some people may find upsetting and so is targeted at secondary school-aged children and older. We’d encourage you to visit these sites with your children, if suitable, and discuss with them the dangers of trespassing on the railway.