Sheldon, Iowa — An enforcement/education effort by the Sheldon Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad Wednesday afternoon nabbed four drivers for Railroad Crossing violations.
Sheldon Police Officer Todd Wood tells KIWA that those four violations were witnessed by the officers aboard the moving train, then radioed to officers in cars who stopped the violators. Wood says all four were issued citations for Railroad Crossing violations, no warnings were issued. Wood says each driver was also given an educational pamphlet about railroad crossing safety.
Union Pacific Spokesperson Calli Hite says the reason for Wednesday’s operation is due to some unsafe behavior Union Pacific personnel have seen in Sheldon.
She says the citations were unfortunate, but Wednesday’s operation netted some positive results, as well.
KIWA had an opportunity to ride on the train during a portion of Wednesday’s enforcement/education effort. In visiting with one of the train’s crew, we were told that about 15 years ago he had actually struck a loaded ready-mix truck with his train. He says he never felt the impact. Even fully loaded a heavy ready-mix truck is no match for a 200-ton train. When asked what message they might have for drivers who come upon a railroad crossing whose lights are flashing, and the gates are down, they all advised to just be patient. They said their goal is for everybody to make it home safely, train operators as well as motorists.
Remember, depending upon the weight of the train and its cargo, and the speed at which it is traveling, a train can require a mile-and-a-half, sometimes more, in order to come to a stop.
Union Pacific officials say you should always expect a train and look both ways before crossing the railroad tracks, wait for trains and don’t attempt to beat approaching trains, do not stop your vehicle on the railroad tracks, make sure there is enough room on the OTHER side of the crossing to allow your cehicle to completely clear the tracks, and avoid distractions like loud music texting or talking on cell phones when crossing railroad tracks. In addition, pedestrians should only cross the tracks at designated railroad crossings, and you should NEVER walk between the rails in other areas that are not designated railroad crossings. The railroad says being on rail property is not only illegal, it’s dangerous.
Below is some video we shot from the engine of the train during Wednesday’s enforcement/education effort. Notice how much taller the train sits compared to the tractor-trailer rig that stops for the crossing.
Original story posted 1:10 pm, Tuesday 4/25/17
Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon Police Department, in cooperation with the Union Pacific Railroad, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa State Patrol, will be conducting an enforcement and education project tomorrow (Wednesday April 26th) in Sheldon, according to Sheldon Police Officer Todd Wood.
Wood says the project will be carried out at every Union Pacific crossing in Sheldon, namely Merietta Road, Park Street (Highway 18 near Casey’s West), West 7th Street, West 8th Street, and West 16th Street.
The enforcement and education project will run from 3:00 to 5:30 pm Wednesday, according to Officer Wood.
Wood says the purpose of the event is to remind drivers of the safety issues at railroad crossings.
