Maine Operation Lifesaver

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Maine O/L Congratulates Eastern Maine Railway’s Lorrie Johnston

Lorrie Johnston, who heads safety operations at Eastern Maine Railway, part of New Brunswick Southern Railway based in Saint John, has been named recipient of the 2008 Roger Cyr Award. The new award, named after Operation Lifesaver Canada’s first national director, is given in recognition of efforts to reduce railroad crossing collisions and rail trespass incidents.

Lorrie began her career with EMR/NBSR ten years ago and moved into the safety program in 2005. She works closely with communities, schools, bus drivers, trucking companies, government, and industry. She has also worked with Maine Operation Lifesaver, particularly along the 99 miles of Eastern Maine Railway’s mainline between Brownville Junction and Vanceboro, Maine including securing the railroad’s generous annual contribution to Maine O/L.

“I have had the weekend to absorb, but I have to admit I am still speechless…to be put in the same class as Roger Cyr is an honor that I will never forget, thank you,” says Lorrie.

Operation Lifesaver Volunteers Advance

Rail Safety Presentation Skills

Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway employee and Maine Operation Lifesaver volunteer Norma Griffiths in April completed a four-day presenter training trainer course. Norma (left) and Julie Perkins (right) during one of the learning exercises, were the two from New England in the class which brought nine Operation Lifesaver presenters from across the country to South Portland and who are now ready to train new volunteers to lead presentations to the public on safety at railroad crossings and along railroad right of way.

Five volunteers with Maine Operation Lifesaver recently took the day-long certification course to become presenters representing the organization. The course included basic facts and figures related to railroad safety, demonstrating safe and unsafe situations with the help of visuals and props, speaking before different audiences, and delivering a quality presentation. Working on a test during workshop are from left, Jay Calnan of the Great Falls Model Railroad Club; Mike Lee of the Amtrak Police Department; personal care assistant Muriel Oakes; Maine O/L State Coordinator Fred Hirsch; school bus transportation consultant Harvey Boatman; and Gary Briggs of the Downeast Scenic Railroad.

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Highway-Rail Crossing and Trespassing Incidents Drop Nationwide in 2007

Not only did railroad crossing crashes and trespassing casualties decrease here in Maine, but was reflected nationally, too, according to Operation Lifesaver of Alexandria, Virginia, and the Federal Railroad Administration.

Last year, 486 pedestrians nationwide were killed along railroad tracks, a six percent drop compared with 518 in 2006, according to preliminary statistics released by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The number of pedestrians injured while on the tracks declined 17 percent from 472 in 2006 to 393 in 2007.

Total vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings also fell from 2,931 in 2006 to 2,728, down seven percent, in 2007. There were 339 fatalities involving trains and a car or truck last year, 30 fewer than in 2006, or a decrease of eight percent. Those injured in crossing crashes totaled 986, down six percent from 1,047 in 2006, according to the FRA.

“This good news is a direct result of the ongoing safety partnership among federal, state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, traffic safety organizations and rail companies,” said Operation Lifesaver, Inc. President Helen M. Sramek. “Operation Lifesaver’s trained and certified volunteer presenters, who provide safety presentations tailored to specific audiences, are an important part of this partnership,” she noted.

Even with the improvements in these safety numbers, Sramek said, the need for rail safety education remains more important than ever to ensure the public’s safety.

“The number of pedestrians killed in rail-related incidents each year continues to exceed deaths resulting from vehicle-train collisions. That’s why Operation Lifesaver is expanding our trespass prevention outreach in local communities,” said Sramek.

We're proud to support the "Get Out Alive - Parent/Teen Driving Challenge www.goachallenge.org

Maine Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
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The page was updated on May 05, 2008

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2007
Trading Cards are here!

The second edition of Maine railroad trading cards which delight youngsters, but carry an important safety message, are ready for distribution in schools and at community events statewide.

(Click on “OL Trading Cards 07” for a sneak peak). The colorful cards feature pictures of locomotives which can be seen regularly plying the rails through Maine’s cities and towns, over mountains, through passes, alongside lakes and brushing by the seashore. Represented are Maine’s six railroads and Amtrak’s popular Downeaster service. New to the collection of otherwise modern horsepower is a Swedish steam locomotive featured on passenger excursions along the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad. Also, one card features a remote control unit (it looks like a caboose) used by the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway.

On the backs of the cards are safety messages to drive home the fact that trains are fun to watch from a distance, but trespassing on railroad property is dangerous and illegal. Reminders include warnings not to place objects on the tracks or to climb under or over railroad cars. Hunting, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding along railroad tracks, jumping off or fishing from railroad trestles are among other forbidden activities and addressed on the cards. Also on the backs of the cards are brief descriptions of the Maine railroad lines whose locomotive is featured.

The latest printing of 30,000 cards was financed by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority which operates Amtrak service in Maine, by HRH Northern New England in Bangor, and through a grant from Operation Lifesaver, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia.

Collectors: For more information on how to get a set of the new cards, go to the bottom of the OL Trading Cards 07 page.

The Sean Fowler video can be found at www.railcan.ca/site_sean