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Rail Safety

Keep Clear. Stay Safe.

Tracks are for trains ONLY! Be rail safe.

Tracks are for trains, not for shortcuts, selfies, runs, bike rides or just hanging out! Trespassing is illegal and may be deadly. Please stay OFF the tracks, and be alert when crossing at designated public crossings.

Being rail safe means:

  • Crossing only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. It’s safer, and crossing anywhere else is illegal.

  • Staying alert around railroad tracks. Avoid texting, headphones, or other distractions. Today’s trains are very quiet and they don’t always sound their horns.

  • Remembering that it takes about one mile—the length of 18 football fields—for a train to stop.

  • Expecting a train at any time. Trains can move in either direction at any time, day or night.

silhouette of girls biking

PLEDGE TO BE RAIL SAFE


September is rail safety month.
Take the pledge to be rail safe and enter for a chance to win a pair of Metrolink tickets.


Pledge Now

Join Us in Santa Ana!

Grab safety swag, snacks for your commute, and spin the prize wheel. Don’t forget to enter for a chance to win free Metrolink tickets!

Date

Thursday, September 18, 2025
7:00 – 10:00am

Location

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
1000 E Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana

What to do if you get stuck on the tracks!


1. GET OUT IMMEDIATELY

Evacuate your vehicles (Trains traveling at 60 mph >may take a mile or more to stop.)

2. MOVE AWAY FROM YOUR CAR

Walk at a 45-degree angle towards the oncoming train and away from the tracks. (If your vehicle is hit, debris will spread out from the tracks in the same direction the train is moving).

3. LOCATE THE EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER

When you are safely away from the tracks, find the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign posted on or near the crossing which includes the railroad's emergency phone number and DOT crossing identification number (see photo).

4. CALL FOR HELP!

Call the railroad's emergency phone number and tell them a vehicle is on the tracks. Provide the location, crossing number (if posted), and the name of the road or highway. Afterwards, call the local police or 911 if appropriate.

ens sign

Stay Safe – Six Things to Know

Eyes Up. Look and Listen.
Look both ways and listen before crossing the tracks. Expect a train at any time and from either direction.

Eyes Up. Phone Down.
Avoid dangerous distractions such as texting, loud music or headphones that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train.

Stand Back. Look Around.
Always stay behind the line at train stations. Enter or exit a station platform at designated areas.

Keep Out. Stay Away.
Train tracks, bridges and yards are private property. Never walk, bike, skateboard or run on or along the tracks; it’s illegal and dangerous. Cross only at designated rail crossings.

Stop and Wait.
Don't ever try to "beat" a train. An approaching train is closer and moving faster than you think. Wait until the gates are up and lights have stopped flashing, they may be down for a train approaching in the other direction.

See Something? Say Something.
To report suspicious packages, activity, persons and/or security concerns, call or text Metrolink’s Security Operations Center at (866) 640-5190. If you witness or experience criminal or life-threatening situations, dial 911.

  1. Always pay attention to announcements made by the train crew.
  2. Always use the handrail when boarding and leaving the train. Please watch your step.
  3. Always hold the handrail when climbing or descending the stairs on board the train or at the station.
  4. Always use the set handholds when standing or moving with the train car.
  5. Once onboard the train familiarize yourself with the emergency exits and emergency procedures poster.
  6. Always collect all of your belongings and move toward the exit as soon as your station stop is announced.
  7. Never lean on the doors or hold them open.
  8. Never put your hands or any objects between closing doors.
  1. Never run on or toward the station platform.
  2. Always wait behind the line while standing on the platform. Do not cross the line until the train is stopped and the doors open.
  3. Train stops are brief; board immediately.
  4. Pay attention to any audible/visual announcements from station message boards regarding delays, warnings, or other information.
  5. We ask that passengers requiring boarding assistance wait at the top of the access ramp located at the end of the platform.
  1. Always cross tracks at a designated crossing.
  2. Look both ways before crossing tracks. Trains can come at any time, on any track, and from any direction.
  3. Never cross the tracks when the signal indicates that a train is coming. Flashing lights and ringing bells mean STOP and wait for the train to pass. NEVER walk under or around pedestrian gates.
  4. Never stop your vehicle on the tracks. If your car stalls or stops on the crossing for any reason, get yourself and any passengers out and away quickly.
  5. Remember that approaching trains are always closer and moving faster than they appear. Always yield the right-of-way to a train.
  6. Either underneath the crossbuck sign or on the silver bungalow (box) located near the crossing, you can find information about the street name, railroad milepost number, Department of Transportation identification number and letter (“DOT 123456X”), and an emergency phone number to report safety or security issues at a crossing.

  1. Always pay attention to announcements made by the train crew.
  2. Always use the handrail when boarding and leaving the train. Please watch your step.
  3. Always hold the handrail when climbing or descending the stairs on board the train or at the station.
  4. Always use the set handholds when standing or moving with the train car.
  5. Once onboard the train familiarize yourself with the emergency exits and emergency procedures poster.
  6. Always collect all of your belongings and move toward the exit as soon as your station stop is announced.
  7. Never lean on the doors or hold them open.
  8. Never put your hands or any objects between closing doors.

  1. Never run on or toward the station platform.
  2. Always wait behind the line while standing on the platform. Do not cross the line until the train is stopped and the doors open.
  3. Train stops are brief; board immediately.
  4. Pay attention to any audible/visual announcements from station message boards regarding delays, warnings, or other information.
  5. We ask that passengers requiring boarding assistance wait at the top of the access ramp located at the end of the platform.

  1. Always cross tracks at a designated crossing.
  2. Look both ways before crossing tracks. Trains can come at any time, on any track, and from any direction.
  3. Never cross the tracks when the signal indicates that a train is coming. Flashing lights and ringing bells mean STOP and wait for the train to pass. NEVER walk under or around pedestrian gates.
  4. Never stop your vehicle on the tracks. If your car stalls or stops on the crossing for any reason, get yourself and any passengers out and away quickly.
  5. Remember that approaching trains are always closer and moving faster than they appear. Always yield the right-of-way to a train.
  6. Either underneath the crossbuck sign or on the silver bungalow (box) located near the crossing, you can find information about the street name, railroad milepost number, Department of Transportation identification number and letter (“DOT 123456X”), and an emergency phone number to report safety or security issues at a crossing.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDS)

There is an AED located on board every Metrolink train operating systemwide. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically can diagnose certain life-threatening cardiac conditions and can treat them through the application of electricity. To view the Red Cross AED demonstration video, click here.


California Operation Lifesaver

Increasing the awareness of the potential dangers that exist at highway-rail grade crossings is an integral component of our safety education program. Therefore, we partner with California Operation Lifesaver to maximize our impact on preventing highway rail grade crossing collision and trespass prevention.


Rail Safety Month


California Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on rail property through a nationwide network of volunteers who work to educate people about rail safety.

California Operation Lifesaver regularly provides speakers on railroad safety to visit with community groups, motorists, emergency responders, schools and professional drivers. To request a speaker, please visit California Operation Lifesaver at caoperationlifesaver.com.


Incident Reduction Task Force

The Incident Reduction Task Force (IRTF) meets regularly to share data and analyze risk with a mission to reduce railroad ROW incidents in Southern California through community partners’ collaboration, focusing on long-term solutions. The IRTF combines the resources and expertise of Authority staff, local law enforcement, social services, and Member Agencies to develop mitigation strategies to assist in preventing incidents.

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