What you need to know to stay safe around trains and tracks

Here are five reminders K9 Thorr, and all of us on Team NS, want you to know:

1. Always expect a train: Any track, any time, either direction.
2. Stay off the tracks: They’re private property and dangerous.
3. Stay alert: No headphones, texting, photography, or distractions.
4. Never race a train: They can’t stop quickly, and you won’t win.
5. Look for the blue ENS sign: It connects you directly to the railroad in an emergency.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: When you see tracks, think train.

7 signs to know at rail crossings

Understanding railroad crossing signs and signals isn’t just helpful — it can save your life. Whether you’re driving, biking, or walking, these signs are designed to keep you safe.

Download our Rail Safety Guide to share these lifesaving tips with family, friends, and neighbors.

Safety in our communities

NS is more than just a train rolling through your town. Our railroaders are your neighbors, family, and friends, and we're committed to helping our communities stay safe.   

Every year, we:

• Train over 5,500 local first responders to prepare for rail-related incidents.

• Invest more than $1 billion in infrastructure improvements to protect the communities along our network.

• Support safety programs through our Safety First Grants, which fund organizations across our 22-state network.

To us, service means treating the communities in which we operate as our own. Listening, connecting, and keeping people safe — that’s our biggest responsibility of all.

Safety is a core value at NS

Rail is the safest, most efficient, and most sustainable way to move goods over land. Every day, we take meaningful action to make our railroad even safer.

Safety drives every decision we make — from investing in technology and infrastructure to modernizing operating protocols and empowering our team to speak up when they see a concern. Our goal is clear: zero accidents, zero injuries.

Because behind every train is a team of people working around the clock to keep America moving, and our railroaders’ safety will always be our top priority.