Union Pacific is committed to safely serving our nearly 7,300 communities – it’s where our teams live and raise their families.
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As a railroad, we devote resources to promoting public safety, from training first responders to educating schoolchildren and their families to supporting local nonprofits. And as a team, many like myself spend our free time ensuring that message resonates with those we care about most.
I volunteer with Operation Lifesaver, a national nonprofit that partners with Union Pacific, my colleagues and I to educate the Houston community about rail safety. We stress the importance of pedestrian and driver vigilance, teaching people how to locate the blue and white Emergency Notification System sign at every crossing and report the correct Department of Transportation information.
The most important message I share is simple: “See Tracks, Think Train!” I challenge everyone I speak with to take this information seriously and pass it along to their loved ones.
Frontline railroaders like our train crew play a critical role – as the eyes and ears of our railroad, we are often the first to witness and report unsafe activity at crossings. As a conductor traveling between Houston and Longview, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana, I make it a point to document and report any unsafe motorist and pedestrian incidents.
However, I want to emphasize that safety is not just a railroader’s duty – it’s also the responsibility of the general public to make safe choices around railroad tracks. Everyone should educate themselves about railroad safety and share the knowledge with those they love most.
By working together, we can all go home safe every day.
For more information, visit UPCARES.com to download rail safety PSAs and access additional resources. To learn more about Operation Lifesaver or to become a volunteer, visit oli.org.
Welch Earns Back-to-Back Beachler Safety Awards
For his efforts in raising community awareness of rail safety across Houston, Union Pacific awarded David Welch the 2024 Dennis G. Beachler Grade Crossing Safety Award for the second consecutive year.
What his colleagues say:
“David Welch exemplifies our Courage to Care credo by educating communities on railroad safety,” said Clint Schelbitzki, assistant vice president-Public Affairs. “In Houston’s most densely populated areas, there are plenty of chances to engage with the public. He never hesitates to step up and be present at local events.”
“David’s dedication is unmatched,” said Charles Gustafson, senior manager-Safety. “He has been an OLI volunteer for more than 17 years, as well as a UP CARES volunteer and Southern Region safety coordinator for seven years. He leads the service unit in unsafe motorist reporting.”
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