Steve Stapp of Abilene has been an engineer for 10 years. He drove the UP heritage train from Sweetwater to Clyde and back on an educational trip.

The main issue that was stressed on the trip was the possibility of highway-rail crossing consolidation and elimination. Sam Stephenson, manager of public safety for Union Pacific Railroad said, “Nearly 50 percent of all vehicle-train collisions occur at railroad crossings with full warning devices with lights and gates. Nearly half of all highway-railroad crashes occur when the train is moving less than 30 miles per hour.”
He said that with consolidating railroad crossings, there will be less opportunities for an accident to occur.
It takes a train going at the speed of 55 miles per hour — one mile or the equivalent to 18 football fields from end to end — to come to a complete stop. Stephenson stressed the importance of staying away from train tracks.
“It is dangerous and illegal to walk on railroad tracks.”
He also mentioned a toll-free number that can be called in case of emergencies such as a car stalling on the railroad tracks. That number is located at each crossing’s cabin. Each phone number is unique to that particular crossing, so engineers and conductors can be notified right away to take immediate safety precautions.
UPRR representatives also talked about Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a non-profit, international continuing public education program established to end collisions, deaths and injuries at places where roadways cross train tracks, and on railroad rights-of-way. OLI’s trained and certified volunteer speakers provide free safety presentations for various professions and for all age groups in order to increase public safety around railroad tracks. These volunteers stress the “Three E’s” of railroad safety — education, enforcement and engineering.
OLI strives to increase public awareness about the dangers around the rails. The program seeks to educate both drivers and pedestrians to make safe decisions at crossings and around railroad tracks.
The organization also promotes active enforcement of traffic laws relating to crossing signs and signals and private property laws related to trespassing.
OLI encourages continued engineering research and innovation to improve the safety of railroad crossings.
To have an OLI volunteer speak for you school, business or civic organization, to become an OLI certified volunteer or for more information on OLI, visit www.oli.org.
Many facts about trains were also learned on this trip.
“The railroad is the largest private consumer of diesel fuel in the country and is second overall after the Navy,” said Joe Arbonas, director of public affairs for UPRR.
“It has been fun and very educational, too. It will be something to remember for a long time,” said Nolan County Judge Tim Fambrough of the informative train ride.
On this special train ride, members of the media were able to view first-hand what it takes to run a train. Engineer Steve Stapp of Abilene, who has been an engineer for 10 years, and conductor Randy Pepper of Abilene, who’s family rode on the passenger train, allowed journalists to ride in the locomotive with them.
One rule that has to be abided is to always have ear and eye protection while boarding and getting off of the engine. The locomotive has a maximum speed of 70 mph and went an average 65 mph on the trip from Sweetwater to Clyde. Many calls were made to and from the telephone in the front cabin. Many stops had to be made on passenger tracks to make way for incoming trains. An engineer-conductor team have to have patience and great communication skills to run a train smoothly.
“Always be cautious when going through towns or even when out in the country,” said Stapp about engineering a train.
This special train featured the heritage George Bush 4141 presidential locomotive that was unveiled at his library at Texas A&M University. The locomotive was painted to match Air Force One.
Officer Robert Clark of the Sweetwater Police Department enjoyed his ride on the heritage train, stating that the trip was “very nostalgic. It makes me wish that passenger service could somehow be brought back because it makes me think of a simpler way of life.”