Train safety

Energy crackling through the air. The electric yellow of hazard signs and painted stripes cautioning you to keep your distance – in nature, bright colours are warnings to stay away. The cold shine of various metal implements: anti-trespassing fences, cages and gates for all manner of things. Then, a lethal jolt sent through you, rebounding through your body, jumping between blood vessels and nerve endings, synapse to synapse. You didn’t even touch anything, but just the air bristling with voltage was enough to bridge the distance. When you’re electrified, your muscles tense together, hands forming fists, everything clenching, nervous system spasming out of control. Fifty volts is enough to kill a human being in the right conditions. A train station’s overhead lines carry 25,000.

You may think the only danger of a train station is the oncoming trains themselves. Please stay behind the yellow line… mind the gap… If there isn’t anything on the tracks, you’re completely safe. But this kind of thinking could be your cause of death, and you wouldn’t be the first.

Staying safe in and around the station

Train stations are busy, populated areas often with lots of crowds and noise. To avoid anything getting stolen or going missing, ensure you have a safe place for all your belongings. For instance, instead of keeping your phone in your back pocket, try your bag or rucksack. Pickpocketing isn’t the worst danger that comes with large groups either, and being young means you can be vulnerable to a lot of nasty stuff. Always be aware of your surroundings, and if you’re going out after dark, make sure at least one responsible adult is aware of your location.

‘Suspicious activity’ is a phrase tossed around in stations a lot, but you might not be clear on what exactly it means. If you see something like an abandoned piece of luggage (especially something that seems to be hidden away), someone monitoring security cameras, someone being where they shouldn’t be, or someone avoiding cameras and staff, report it to the British Transport Police (BTP) or a member of railway staff. There are lots of posters with contact information for the BTP and instructions around any station, so you can always check there or ask a staff member if you’re unsure.

Staying safe at the tracks

We all know that the trains rushing through can be fatal, but even if there’s nothing coming, stay away from the yellow line. Many aren’t aware of the third live track running between the two, which carries unbelievable voltages of electricity. Don’t ever attempt to get down onto the rails, no matter how important it may seem. If you’ve dropped something valuable, notify a staff member and leave it well alone. This may sound completely obvious but remember that many people have lost or risked their lives this way.

I know you’ve had the yellow line drilled into your head since the day you were born, but for good reason. Since drugs or alcohol can impede your coordination, motor skills, and reasoning (all things that keep you away from the tracks), don’t touch them anywhere near the station or railway (or anywhere).

Staying safe around restricted areas

You may not always think of trespassing as a serious offence, but when it comes to the railway, it can get you into a lot of trouble. Not just legal trouble either – there’s a lot of dangerous equipment and electricity that you don’t want to mess with. Young people have legitimately died this way – by trespassing onto areas with trains or the places that power them, even without touching anything. There were more than 19,300 trespass incidents on Britain’s railways during the 2023/4 financial year – roughly one every half hour*.

Be smart, be careful, and – above all – be safe. The railway staff have your best interests at heart and are there to help. Trains are a great way to get around and maximise your holidays, but only if you can be safe around them. Otherwise, your trip could very well take a turn for the worst.

Speak Out partnered with the Harborough Community Safety Partnership who aims to make our local district safer for children and young people.*Data source: Network Rail July 2024.