Recent Safety Messages

Train Safety

An incident occurred yesterday that has caused us some concern. As one of our trains was about to depart a Manassas Line train, a passenger started to run towards the train. As she was doing so, the doors closed and the train started to pull out of the station. Another passenger on the train blocked a door open. The passenger on the platform attempted to jump onto the moving train through the blocked-open door. The running passenger fell at the edge of the platform and, fortunately, was not injured. This happened not just once, but twice.

We cannot emphasize enough how dangerous this situation was. Attempting to board (or detrain) a moving train is simply not an option. The passenger in this situation was very lucky. Rather than simply being late for work, she could have been seriously injured or even killed.

In addition, holding open a door to allow a passenger to board a moving train is equally dangerous. Not only are you encouraging someone else to risk their life, you are risking your own life and those of your fellow passengers already on board. This is especially true on the Sounder (Bombardier cars) where the doors open directly into the seating area. Any sudden movement in the train could result in someone falling out of the train.

We understand that our passengers sometimes run late, or are waiting out the cold in their cars. However, our policy is to board everyone who is on the platform when the train arrives. We would love to wait for those who are running to catch the train. With our growing ridership, we simply cannot afford to do so. In this case, the train was already late, and passengers for the next train began arriving. This resulted in a constant stream of passengers and more delay to the train. If the crews were to wait at every station for stragglers, even a train that is operating on-time could end up with a daily 20 minute delay.

While we know that instances like this are rare, as our ridership grows, they are becoming more common. Your safety is our top priority, but it must be a partnership between VRE and its passengers. If you see something occurring that causes you concern, please notify the conductor immediately as he/she is the full authority on the train and, should it be necessary, is able to take immediate action, to include removing the person from the train.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We ask that you share this with any of your fellow passengers who may not subscribe to Train Talk. As we said before, your safety is very important to us. We want to keep you in the VRE family for many more years to come.

We would like to remind all of our passengers to exercise good judgment and be safe throughout their commute. This morning, one of our trains arrived on the far platform at the Fredericksburg station. While it arrived well before its departure time, we have heard that quite a few people crossed the tracks in front of the oncoming train rather than using the tunnel to reach the other side. Despite the fact that is may have saved a few minutes, it may have cost them their life.

Regardless of which station you use (Alexandria, Manassas and Quantico have a similar setup), keep the following in mind:

• Trains are not designed to stop on a dime. It can take a passenger train traveling at 55 mph at least a mile to come to a full stop.
• If you misjudge how far away the train is and how fast it is traveling (or the rate at which it is slowing down), you could be seriously hurt or killed.
• Have you ever been caught in a delay because a train struck someone? Any injury that occurs on the tracks will delay that train for at least an hour (not to mention the trains behind it). A fatality can close the tracks for up to 4 hours.
• Virginia is ranked 15th in the country for pedestrian injuries on railroads. Visit Operation Lifesaver's website for more startling train statistics.

Take Precautions When Walking in the Dark

This weekend, we will be setting our clocks back by one hour (Fall Back = More Sleep!). This means that many of our passengers will be arriving at their stations in the dark. With the crowded parking conditions at many of our stations, we would like to take this time to remind you to be safe.

If you will be walking to your car after dark, please be sure to wear light reflective clothing so that you can be easily seen. This is especially important for passengers at stations like Broad Run, Fredericksburg, Rippon, and Rolling Road patrons who must park on adjacent roadways.

For those who may not have to walk so far, use caution when driving out of the parking lot. Rather than joining in the race to the exit, slow down so you do not injure a fellow passenger.

Thank you for your courtesy and your cooperation.

Some words about Safety - It's a Team Effort

At VRE, our top priority is your safety. This is an issue we take very seriously. Our priority is to take every step we can to make your commute safe. However, as with everything, in life there are things that you, as a passenger, can and should do to keep yourself out of harm's way. Recently, we have seen a disturbing trend of people pushing the envelope of safety. Whether it is queuing before their stop, or putting their briefcase in the doors to keep them from closing, or (the worst one) jumping on a moving train and pulling someone on behind them, it is important that passengers think through the consequences of their actions.

We realize that the people who read Train Talk are generally interested in their commute and are probably not our target audience, but we feel it is important to stress the safety do's and do not's to all. We hate to "mother you," but if it saves one injury, all these words will be worth it!

On the flip side, if you see a practice that you feel may be unsafe, please report it to your conductor or to VRE. You are our eyes and ears and we want to know what you see!

Below are some tips to keep yourself safe during your daily trek:

1. Hold on the handrails as you use the steps on the trains and on the platforms. This practice gives you an edge on staying safe and prevents falls.
2. Hold on to the seatback as you walk through a moving train. Very few people have good "train legs." Trains will lurch unexpectedly and holding on will not only prevent falls, but also keep you out of your fellow commuter's lap!
3. Take a seat whenever one is available. While standing, in and of itself, in not unsafe, why stand when you don't have to? Sitting not only prevents you from any potential falls, but it is also a courteous way to allow passengers detraining at stations before yours to easily access the vestibule doors.
4. Always try to be early for the train. Injuries resulting from running to and from the train are our number one reported hazard. Does that extra minute really matter???

Below are some practices best to avoid. VRE has had an enviable safety record, and we want to keep it that way. If you see yourself below, remember that it only takes a minute to change your whole life.

1. Never attempt to board a moving train. While it seems inconvenient at the time to wait for the next train, it is always the best option. Recently, after seeing someone jump onto a moving train another passenger remarked, "What is wrong with that?" What is wrong is one misstep can result in serious life threatening injuries. For example, if you miss the step and wind up under the wheels or stuck between the platform and the train, you can become maimed, or worse, it can be fatal. Don't take the chance!
2. Never attempt to get off a moving train. Being carried by to the next station is not as hazardous to your health -- jumping while the train is moving is.
3. Crossing the railroad tracks outside of designated crossings. We once had someone tell us that he "dodged bullets in Vietnam and could dodge a train." While it can be tempting at places like Alexandria, Quantico, Fredericksburg, and Manassas to cross in the middle of the platform, you may not see the train coming. Trains can take a mile to stop and often run through any station at full speeds of up to 70mph. You wouldn't let your children play in the middle of a highway. Railroad tracks are just as dangerous and just as deadly.

The information above is just a few tips designed to keep you a VRE passenger forever! Please don't take chances with your life and limbs. For more tips on how to stay safe read our safety brochure online at or email us at gotrains@vre.org to have a copy mailed to you.

The tracks that VRE operates on are owned by freight railroad companies who also host Amtrak trains. These Amtrak and freight trains are not required to slow down as they pass through our stations. In some areas, this means that these trains can pass through at speeds approaching 70-80 miles an hour. Because of this, it is possible that trains can kick up debris (both from the tracks and from the train itself) onto the platform. Trains coming through at high speeds can also create enough wind force to pull items onto the tracks and under the wheels of the train. Just last month, a Union Pacific train pulled an empty baby stroller from a passenger platform in California.

While these are rare occurrences, they do happen. To be the safe side, when waiting for your train, please be sure to stand back from the platform edge, well beyond the yellow tactile edge.