Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has reached out to the Town of Golden ahead of Rail Safety Week, September 15–21, 2025, asking for support in making rail safety a community priority.
In a letter to Golden’s Mayor and Council, CPKC’s Director of Indigenous Relations and Government Affairs, Mike LoVecchio, stressed the importance of local engagement—from sharing Operation Lifesaver resources to encouraging schools, families, and law enforcement to take part. “One incident is too many,” the letter notes, underscoring that rail safety is a shared responsibility and a daily commitment.
In an effort to reduce rail-related injuries, both Operation Lifesaver Canada and CPKC are urging Golden residents to make rail safety a daily habit. The message is clear: too many lives are lost each year in incidents that could have been prevented.
National push, local participation
The Town of Golden has been invited to take part by sharing Operation Lifesaver’s community safety toolkit and encouraging residents to engage with CPKC’s safety initiatives.
That includes promoting the #STOPTrackTragedies campaign, which shares real stories from families impacted by rail incidents, and Operation Clear Track, the largest rail-safety law enforcement initiative in North America.
“The goal is simple,” said Dale Ruzycki, CPKC’s Chief of Police Canada. “Everyone should have the knowledge to make safe choices and get home safe each day.”
Safety reminders everyone should know
Operation Lifesaver Canada emphasizes that safety comes down to knowing and following the rules:
• Stay off the tracks: Never walk, cycle, or drive along railway tracks. Trains can travel up to 160 km/h and may take two kilometres to stop.
• Keep off railway property: Yards, tunnels, and bridges are private and dangerous. Trespassing can result in fines up to $50,000—and far worse consequences.
• Use designated crossings: Always cross at marked railway crossings. Trains don’t run on fixed schedules and can come from either direction at any time.
• Obey all signals: Lights, bells, and gates mean stop—at least five metres back from the nearest rail. Only proceed once all warnings have ceased and you’re sure no other trains are coming.
• Stay alert: Today’s trains are quiet. Avoid distractions like phones or headphones near tracks.
• Keep your distance: Trains can overhang tracks or carry wide loads. Straps, chains, or equipment may also swing loose.
Operation Lifesaver also reminds drivers of special hazards such as low ground clearance crossings, where buses, trailers, or sports cars can get hung up, and multiple-track crossings, which may mean more than one train is approaching.
How locals can get involved
Golden residents are encouraged to:
• Share Operation Lifesaver’s safety messages and videos on social media.
• Encourage children to try CPKC’s interactive rail-safety video game, which teaches safe behaviour around tracks.
• Support the #STOPTrackTragedies campaign to spread awareness.
• Engage with local police or RCMP as they participate in Operation Clear Track.
A shared responsibility
Rail safety is not just the railway’s job—it’s everyone’s. CPKC Police Service will be active across its network during Rail Safety Week, but awareness at the community level is what makes the difference.
For more information and safety resources, visit OperationLifesaver.ca.
