Hardly a year goes by when somebody isn't hit by a train in Harford County or Cecil County or both.
With so many railroad lines locally, there's plenty of opportunity for these accidents to happen. But there's one reason why they never should: It's called common sense.
The CSX tracks that traverse both counties aren't fenced, but they are private property and the railroad typically prosecutes people it finds trespassing. Also not fenced is the Norfolk-Southern line north along the river into Perryville. Meanwhile, while the Amtrak line is fenced in many places, people routinely find ways to get through the barriers.
If you get hit by one of Amtrak's high speed passenger trains, it's doubtful you'll survive long enough to know it. The freights that travel the CSX, N-S and over the Amtrak line, don't move as fast, but are usually just as deadly. One unidentified man, who was struck by a CSX freight in Aberdeen last week, appears to have survived, according to city police, who also note the man and a companion should not have been on the tracks in the first place Trespassing charges are pending.
Most freight trains that travel through our two counties are a mile or more in length and reach top speeds of 50 mph. They can't stop in a mile. Most people fooling around on railroad tracks also have no idea how quickly a train can come up on them. By the time you hear a warning horn blast, it could be too late to get out of the way.
Unfortunately, railroads are an attractive nuisance for too many people. But why tempt fate? Stay away, and stay alive.