By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
UP running Operation Lifesaver on rails Friday
Placeholder Image
A special Union Pacific passenger train will roll back and forth through Manteca Friday afternoon taking on the role as “Operation Lifesaver.”

It is all part of a continuing proactive effort to enhance public awareness of the need for railroad safety that will be operating through Central Valley communities from Stockton to Bakersfield through Jan. 14.

Some 30 Manteca area high school students have been invited to board the passenger cars on a siding on Moffat Boulevard near Spreckels Avenue at 1:30 p.m.  City officials and members of the press are being allowed to ride in the engine for a better view of railroad crossings where they can actually witness violators driving around the gates.

Union Pacific police along with Manteca traffic officers are scheduled to take positions near the crossings and watch for motorists who drive past the red warning lights or who go around the safety arms.  They will be cited for ignoring the railroad crossing warnings.

Beginning in 2001, the program has been credited with reducing grade crossing accident rates by 37 percent.  A substantial part of the reduction in mishaps involves the UP Cares Program, which brings together rail safety leaders on behalf of Union Pacific in the communities where UP trains operate.