UP urges eclipse viewers to stay off rail property

(source: Progressive Railroading 08/14/2017)

Union Pacific Railroad has no plans to alter operations on train schedules for Aug. 21, the day of a solar eclipse. As a result, the Class I has issued a safety warning to eclipse viewers to avoid railroad property.

The Class I, which has many miles of rail lines within the eclipse’s viewing path, specifically asked eclipse viewers not to walk on or alongside rail tracks or congregate near tracks, and to cross only at designated railroad crossings.

UP officials noted that a fully loaded freight train traveling 50 mph can take more than a mile to come to a complete stop, making it nearly impossible to avoid colliding with an individual, group or vehicle in its path.

“During Union Pacific’s proud 155 years of existence, 15 total eclipse events have transpired in the continental United States,” said Rod Deorr, UP vice president-safety. “For those looking to participate in this historic event, please do so safely and stay away from railroad tracks.”