See View from 416,000-Pound Locomotive Engine

"I can't tell you how many near-misses with vehicles we see," Tony Kennon, Union Pacific Railroad engineer told Patch during a demonstration of reality and tips from inside a 416,000-pound locomotive about railroad crossings and pedestrian safety in Pacific Wednesday.

Kennon said with an average of 30 trains per day, sometimes 40 to 60 trains daily, moving through the Eureka and St. Louis area, people need to know that engineers cannot stop the trains. "It's not like a car with brakes. Kids walk across tracks, and we find people on tracks who think we can stop," he said.

"But a typical train with 130 to 150 loaded cars weighs 20,000 tons. It doesn't stop quickly, certainly not quickly enough to avoid a person who is just feet in front of it."

Mark Davis, director of corporate relations and media for Union Pacific Railroad, provided the following Missouri statistics about pedestrian and rail-related accidents, as part of the UP's Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety (UP CARES) program:

Kennon, a Pevely resident, said that because the trains often are going 60 mph, pedestrians always should steer clear of tracks. Many people don't realize walking on railroad tracks is trespassing, including the gravel next to the rails and approximately up to 20 feet from them, he said.

"And people should never, never walk on railroad bridges; there's no room for errors, or clearance," Kennon said.

Another UP engineer, Josh Stallings, of Forest Hill, said they cannot understand why people would risk their lives, just to save a few seconds or minutes at railroad crossings.

Gates at railroad crossings are speed-activated, and typically start when the train is about 1/4 mile away.

Davis shared the following tips for safety around tracks and trains, per Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit, international public education program:

1. Look both ways. Trains can run on any track, at any time, in either direction.
2. Don't get stuck on tracks. Before crossing, be sure there is enough room on the other side to completely clear the tracks. Trains overhang tracks by at least 3 feet on each side. For safety, leave at least 15 feet between the rear of vehicles and the rails. Do not shift gears while crossing.
3. Get out and away if your vehicle stalls. Leave the vehicle even if no train is immediately in sight. Call for emergency help.
4. If a train is approaching, wait. Don't be tempted to try to beat trains. Trains may be closer and traveling faster than they appear to be.
5. Trains cannot stop quickly. The average freight train traveling 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop. That's 18 football fields. If a locomotive engineer can see you, it's too late to stop the train.
6. Watch for vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses, commercial buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials.
7. Report problems you see at crossings to local law enforcers or emergency personnel.

Editor's Note:  I found the live demonstration very helpful, and would like to thank Union Pacific for allowing me to ride along to see it firsthand.