Norfolk
Southern Whistle-Stop Safety Train reminds Ohioans to ‘See Tracks? Think Train!’
NORFOLK,
Va., Aug. 3, 2015 – Norfolk Southern’s Whistle-Stop Safety Train continues its
journey this week, traveling through Ohio Aug. 4-6 to deliver a life-saving
message to motorists and pedestrians about staying safe around railroad
tracks.
The
safety train, a partnership between Norfolk Southern and Operation
Lifesaver,
a national rail safety public education organization, will stop in Cincinnati,
Dayton, Columbus, Bellevue, Cleveland, and Alliance. The train last week
traveled through South Carolina and North Carolina.
“Ohio
had a 21 percent increase in the number of grade crossing collisions in 2014,
which underscores why this train and its message are so important for Ohioans to
hear,” said Cayela Wimberly, grade crossing safety director at Norfolk Southern.
“We will be talking this week to motorists, parents, school officials,
photographers, rail fans, public safety officers, and others about a common
sense safety message – when you see tracks, think train.”
Last
year, 267 people died in the U.S. in highway-rail grade crossing incidents, an
increase of 16 percent compared with 2013, and deaths due to trespassing on
train tracks jumped 22 percent to 526 people, according to Federal Railroad
Administration statistics.
Ohio
had the eighth highest number of grade crossing collisions in the nation last
year with 86, compared with 71 the year before. Four people died in grade
crossing collisions in Ohio in 2014.
Trespassing
on railroad property in Ohio accounted for 13 people killed in 2014, a 38
percent drop compared with 21 fatalities in 2013.
“We
will remain vigilant and promote safety until that number is zero,” Wimberly
said. “Trespassing on railroad property is not only illegal, it puts your life
at risk. It’s not worth it.”
The
safety train will be pulled by NS’ newest commemorative locomotive, the NS
9-1-1, which honors first responders across Norfolk Southern’s 22-state network.
The train includes two restored Pullman passenger rail cars with television
monitors showing a live video feed from a camera mounted on the lead locomotive.
Passengers see firsthand what engineers see from the locomotive cab. The train
also includes the Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car, which showcases the benefits of
rail freight transportation.
“This
Ohio Whistle-Stop tour is about building partnerships in our communities with
people who can become safety advocates,” said Gena Shelton, state coordinator
for Operation Lifesaver
Ohio.
“Have a conversation with your neighbors, your friends, your children about why
you should obey traffic signals at grade crossings and stay away from railroad
property. It could save a life.”
Attendees
of the Whistle-Stop tour are hearing from Ohio native Mark Kalina Jr., a
double-amputee due to a train-pedestrian incident in Columbus in
2012.
“People
in every state need to hear this message, and I’m grateful I can be an advocate
for safety here in my home state,” Kalina said. “Your safety, your life, and the
lives of others are not worth risking just to save a few minutes by taking a
shortcut across railroad tracks or trying to beat a train at a grade
crossing.”
Invited
guests on the train include county and municipal leaders, state and local
transportation officials, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, school
transportation directors, trucking officials, news media, and others who have a
vested interest in public safety.
The
Whistle-Stop Safety Train Schedule is:
· Tuesday,
Aug. 4: Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus
· Wednesday,
Aug. 5: Columbus-Bellevue
· Thursday,
Aug. 6: Bellevue-Cleveland-Alliance
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver is a national nonprofit
safety organization whose mission is to end collisions, deaths, and injuries at
highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way.
About
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern
Corporation
(NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk
Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000
route
miles
in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in
the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail
carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the
East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial
products.
Operation Lifesaver
contact:
Gena
Shelton,
614-357-5115, oplifeohio@gmail.com
Media
Inquiries:
Dave Pidgeon, 717-541-2247, david.pidgeon@nscorp.com
Investor Inquiries:
Katie Cook, 757-629-2861 (InvestorRelations@nscorp.com)