Rail safety starts here
We love trains — which is exactly why we want everyone to stay safe around them. Real trains are far faster, quieter and heavier than they look, and they can't stop quickly or swerve out of the way. A few simple rules keep every visit a happy one. Learn them, teach them, and take the Whistle-Stop Safety Promise below.
A train runs on fixed rails, so it can never steer around you. It's also enormously heavy, which means even with the brakes fully applied a freight train can take a mile or more to stop. By the time an engineer sees a person on the track, it is almost always too late to stop in time. That's why the rules below all come down to one idea: give trains plenty of room, and never assume a track is empty.
A loaded freight train needs a mile or more to stop — it physically cannot brake in time for someone on the track.
Modern trains can approach with surprisingly little warning. Never rely on hearing one coming — especially with earbuds in.
A train overhangs the track by three feet or more on each side. If you can touch a rail, you're already too close.
Distance and size fool the eye. A train that looks far away and slow is usually much closer and faster than it seems.
Turn these rules into a fun mission. Our Junior Conductor quiz teaches railroad safety through play — and earns a printable badge.
Start the quiz →Bring a group to the museum and we'll fold rail safety into your visit. Free resources live in our Education Hub.
Open the Education Hub →Never on the tracks. Get great, safe railroad photos at our Photo Booth and at the landmarks on our museums map.
See safe photo-op spots →Read it aloud together before or after your visit — it's a favourite with our school and scout groups.
For official programs, classroom materials and the latest guidance, we point families and educators to these independent national organizations. They are not affiliated with the museum, but we're proud to help spread their life-saving message.
In an emergency, or if you see someone or something on the tracks, call 911. At any highway–rail crossing you can also call the emergency number on the blue-and-white ENS sign posted there.