The facts

What is trespassing?

If you step on the railway track, the land next to the track, or any area near the railway that isn’t open to the public, you are trespassing. It is dangerous and illegal.

Trespassing includes:

Picking up lost property from the tracks

Crossing the tracks
at any point other
than at a level crossing

Stepping off a level
crossing onto an area
where you shouldn’t be

Taking a walk
down the side of
the railway track

Do you really know the
potential risks of trespassing?

Stop sign

When you step on the track you face 25,000 volts of electricity, 400 tonnes of train, and the electrified third rail.

The facts

Ready to learn more?

Select from below:

You VS. 25,000 Volts You VS. 400 Tonnes You VS. The 3rd Rail Take the Quiz

You VS. 25,000 Volts

The overhead cables that power trains carry 25,000 volts of electricity.

This is 100 times stronger than your household electricity. Because it is always on, it’s easily the most dangerous aspect when trespassing.

People can die if they’re struck by it, and survivors are left with life-changing injuries.

You VS. 400 Tonnes

Modern trains travel faster than you think, achieving speeds of 125mph almost silently.

They also run round-the-clock, so there is no “quiet time” on the railway.

Don’t think that keeping to one side of the track will keep you safe. Trains are all wider than the rails.

You VS. The 3rd Rail

More than 30% of the network uses a third rail to power trains.

The third rail is probably the most hidden threat because it looks like an ordinary rail but carries 750 volts of direct current – easily enough to kill you. If you survive contact with the third rail, you will be left with severe, life-changing injuries such as burns and amputations.

Learn more

Select from below:

You VS. 25,000 Volts You VS. 400 Tonnes You VS. The 3rd Rail Take the Quiz
You Vs. Train

Campaigns

School boy sat in kitchen eating cereal

Harrison’s Story

Harrison’s Story tells the story of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne, who tragically lost his life when he was electrocuted by overhead power lines.

 Photo of woman with multiple scars on face

Shattered Lives

‘Shattered Lives’ powerfully shows the devastating impact that trespass can have on families. There are more dangers on the track than you think. Don’t leave the people around you to pick up the pieces.

 Freeze frame from video of a male looking worried

Parallel Lines

Every time someone trespasses on the railway they risk everything that matters to them. But there’s a wider impact too. A long-lasting effect on the trespasser, their families, those who work on the railway, and our communities too.

 Group of young boys playing on the tracks

Tom’s Story

When 16 year-old schoolboy, Tom Hubbard, chose to venture onto the railway tracks and climb on top of a train in June 2014, he had no idea that this decision would change his life forever.

 Freeze frame from a video of Megans story

Tegan’s Story

16-year-old Tegan suffered a cardiac arrest, third-degree burns and her heart stopped beating for seven minutes when she ran across the tracks and fell onto the third rail.

 Young person laying on tracks with mobile and skateboard

You vs. Train – Dan’s story

The third rail is probably the hardest danger to see. It looks just like an ordinary rail, but it carries 750 volts – easily enough to kill you.
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