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Railroad Safety

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Raritan Center® offers more than 3.6 million square feet of rail-served warehouse/distribution space, along with onsite storage for 350 rail cars.  You may see CSX, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern delivering rail cars to businesses throughout Raritan Center® daily.  Our short line rail operator, Raritan Central Railway, delivers and switches all of the rail cars, and does its best to schedule those deliveries during non-peak traffic times.  Railroad safety is of key importance to Federal Business Centers and Raritan Central Railway—as such, we ask that you heed these guidelines.   

 

  • TRAINS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY AT ALL RAILROAD CROSSINGS, at all times, regardless of the type of protection in effect at the crossing pursuant to New Jersey state law.  Pedestrians and vehicles (even emergency responders and their vehicles!) must always yield to rail traffic.

 

  • ALL RAILROAD TRACKS ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY.  Never walk on the tracks—it is an illegal trespass and highly dangerous.  If there are railroad ties, always assume the tracks are active, even if there are weeds or the tracks look rusty or unused.

 

  • Although the trains that travel in and through Raritan Center® do not travel at high speeds, they still CANNOT STOP QUICKLY as the rail cars and the locomotive are very heavy.  By the time the rail operator sees you, it is already too late. 

 

  • A locomotive can either push rail cars or pull them.  NEVER ASSUME the direction a train may be heading based solely on the location of the locomotive. 

 

  • Trains and cars don’t mix!  NEVER RACE A TRAIN in an attempt to get through the crossing before the train gets there–even if you tie, you lose.  If you see a train approaching, stop and wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.

 

  • Today’s trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale “clackety-clack” sounds.  So, NEVER DRIVE AROUND LOWERED GATES – it's illegal and deadly.  If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the emergency number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.

 

  • DO NOT GET TRAPPED ON THE TRACKS – proceed through a crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear it without stopping.  Remember, the train is at least three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.

 

  • IF YOUR VEHICLE EVER STALLS OR GETS STUCK ON THE TRACKS, get out of your vehicle and away from the tracks, even if you don’t see a train. Locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle.  If a train is approaching, run toward the train, but outwards and away at a 45-degree angle.  If you run in the same direction a train is traveling, you could be injured by flying debris.

 

  • When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, LOOK BOTH WAYS, AND CROSS THE TRACKS QUICKLY WITHOUT STOPPING.  Remember, it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail. 

 

  • ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN!  Freight trains do not follow set schedules.

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