Train ride offers lessons on crossing safety

Justin Shopland and Cheryle Gay check out the countryside. Photo by Brian S. Orban

"Why don't we have seatbelts?"

It was the second or third question Makayla Fish raised her hand to ask. It was one of many that puzzled the youngster as the passenger train rolled out of Mountain Home.

As the train passed a railroad crossing, Makayla then wanted to know why the crossing signs and flashing lights knew it was coming. The questions were typical of those asked by countless children that had opportunities to make similar rides on the short passenger train as it stops at cities across the United States each year.

However, the visits have a more important meaning. It gave a nationwide network of volunteers a chance to spread the word about railroad safety in hopes of preventing accidents between trains, vehicles and pedestrians.

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