Leaders ride 'Rails of Safety Train'

Passengers on "Rails of Safety Train" de-board in Millen for lunch. They were welcomed by Mayor King Rocker; Jennie Glasgow, state coordinator for Georgia Operation Lifesaver; and Paula Herrington, executive of the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

Law enforcement officials, emergency responders and other local, state and federal dignitaries boarded a special "Operation Lifesaver" Train from Garden City to Millen Sept. 23.

Sponsored by Norfolk Southern Railway and Georgia Operation Lifesaver, the trip was designed to show community leaders and first responders what train crews see every day -danger- when motorists ignore signs and signals at highwayrail intersections and try to beat the train. A video camera mounted on the front of the engine with monitors in the pas- senger cars enabled riders to view the track ahead.

Guests on board included mayors and other city officials from Savannah, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Rincon, Springfield, Shawnee, Oliver, Rocky Ford and Millen as well as county officials from Chatham, Effingham, Screven and Jenkins. Along with state and federal officials, there were representatives from the trucking industry, school pupil transportation departments, medical institutions and court systems. As passengers boarded the train, Mayor Andy Quinney presented a proclamation designating Sept. 23 as "Operation Lifesaver Day" in Garden City.

Mayor King Rocker proclaimed Sept. 23 as "Operation Lifesaver Day" in Millen. From left, are Adrian Sinkler, manager Grade Crossing Safety, Norfolk Southern Corp.; Daniel J. Bostek, terminal superintendent, Norfolk Southern Corp., Georgia Division; Joel E. Harrell III, resident vice-president, Norfolk Southern Corp.; Jennie Glasgow, state coordinator, Georgia Operation Lifesaver, Inc. and Mayor Rocker.

While in Millen, train passengers de-boarded for lunch while the train was being turned, and heard Mayor King Rocker read a proclamation designating the day as "Operation Lifesaver Day" in Millen.

Norfolk Southern and Operation Lifesaver representatives provided safety and statistical information on board the train, and guests received information about Operation Lifesaver and its free programs to educate the public.

Georgia historically ranks in the Top 10 states in the nation with the highest number of motor vehicletrain collisions. Having over 8,000 highway/railroad at-grade (level) crossings, and a large volume of both train and motor vehicle traffic, contribute to this ranking. However, according to Jennie Glasgow, State Coordinator for Georgia Operation Lifesaver, "crossing collisions are the most preventable of all motor vehicle crashes since the law clearly requires the motorist to yield to an oncoming train. She also points out that railroad tracks and rightsof way are the private property of the railroads and anyone walking on tracks or entering railroad yards is guilty of trespassing.

Operation Lifesaver is a nationwide nonprofit educational program dedicated to saving lives and preventing injuries at highway-rail intersections and on railroad rights-of-way. Free programs are presented to schools, civic groups and businesses, along with specialized programs for law enforcement, emergency responders, school bus drivers and professional truck drivers.

For more information, call (770) 393-2711 or e-mail gaol@mindspring.com.