BNSF News

Southern California Rail Safety Event Brings Results

2009-11-12

BNSF Resource Protection employees worked with other railroads and 24 Orange County law enforcement agencies to host an Officer-on-the Train event in Anaheim, Calif.

More than 70 police officials participated in the event, writing nearly 250 citations and educating drivers and pedestrians on railway safety.

Tim Coleman, road foreman of engines, and Alex Bowles, road foreman of engines, based in San Bernardino, Calif., and Wilmington, Calif., respectively, helped organize the event. "This was a countywide effort. It is great to see all these agencies coming together to work toward the same cause - grade crossing safety," Bowles said.

Officers gathered at 5:30 a.m. the day of the event for a briefing at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., and received location assignments.

"This event is significant in part because of the number of law enforcement agencies that participate," said Steve Neubauer, director, Field Safety Support. "These officers' 'contacts' could help make a difference and perhaps save a life."

The Southern California Rail Safety Team is comprised of multiple railroads and governmental agencies, including Amtrak, BNSF, Metrolink, Union Pacific, Federal Railroad Administration, California Public Utilities Commission, CalTrans and law enforcement agencies.

BNSF Headquarters

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com