It is my opinion that railfans have a responsibility to assist the railroads that we watch in any way that we can. Given that, and given the fact that many of us are now carrying wireless phones (for better or worse), it's imperative that we know the number to call to report trespassers, vandalism, dangerous conditions, et cetera.
This list was compiled beginning in early July of 1999 as part of my HOBBY not as part of any official organization or effort. If you are unsure of any number, please verify the number with your local telephone service provider.
Also, I'm still looking for numbers for the various commuter roads not listed. Email rremerg at this domain.
If there is personal injury or property damage associated with the incident you are reporting, dial 9-1-1 or the local emergency number FIRST, then dial the RR PD.
Always know where you are! Report in "decending order", with RR info first, i.e. "There is a trespasser on the Kansas Division, Red Rock Sub, Milepost 401.8 in the City of Norman, Oklahoma near the Main Street grade crossing." Also note that all grade crossings have or will soon have a "D.O.T" number. This is a unique number that instantly identifies the grade crossing in question. Remember to report this number as well.
| Text version | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad | Emergency Telephone Number | Signals/Grade Crossing Hotline | Source, Notes | |
| BNSF Railway | 800-832-5452, then press 1 | www.bnsf.com/ | ||
| Canadian National Ry Co | 800-465-9239 | www.cn.ca/
including former Illinois Central and Wisconsin Central lines |
||
| Canadian Pacific Railway | 800-716-9132 | www8.cpr.ca/cms/english/ general+public/community/cpr+police.htm |
||
| CSX Transportation | 800-232-0144 | www.csxt.com/ | ||
| Kansas City Southern Ry | 877-527-9464 +52 8-305-7957 (Mexico) |
www.kcsouthern.com/en-us/Pages/default.aspx | ||
| Norfolk Southern Ry Co | 800-453-2530 | www.nscorp.com/ | ||
| Union Pacific Railroad | 888-UPRR-COP (888-877-7267) | 800-848-8715 | www.uprr.com/she/ | |
| Shortlines/Regionals | ||||
| Chicago, SouthShore & South Bend | 219-874-7939 | www.southshorefreight.com/faq.htm | ||
| Conrail | 800-272-0911 | www.conrail.com/contacts.htm | ||
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co | 888-883-4202 | www.tstarinc.com/eje/ | ||
| Florida East Coast Ry Co | 800-342-1131, x2302 | www.dot.state.fl.us/rail/railemergencycontacts.htm | ||
| Pan Am Railways (formerly Guilford Rail System) | 800-955-9208 | www.panamrailways.com/ | ||
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 219-989-4834 | www.ihbrr.com/ - no reference to number | ||
| Passenger Lines | ||||
| Amtrak | 800-331-0008 | www.amtrak.com/ | ||
| Caltrain (SF Bay Area) |
877-SAF-RAIL (877-723-7245) |
www.caltrain.com/caltrain_amtrak_police.html | ||
| DART (Dallas) |
214-928-6300 | www.dart.org/about/contactdart.asp | ||
| MBTA (Boston) |
617-222-1212 | transitpolice.us/ | ||
| Metrolink (Los Angeles) |
888-446-9715 | 888-446-9721 | Metrolink General Order No 9, 2001-12-03 covering the following lines: LAUPT to San Bernardino, Fullerton to Oceanside, LAUPT to Moorpark. For other lines, use BN&SF or UPRR | |
| METRA (Chicago) |
312-322-2800 | 877-FIX-GATE (877-349-4283) | Signal shanty, June 1999 | |
| MTA - Long Island RR | 718-558-3300 516-733-3900 |
www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/phone.htm#lirr | ||
| MTA - Metro North RR | 212-878-1001 | www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/phone.htm#mnr | ||
| New Jersey Transit | 800-242-0236 973-378-6565 |
www.njtransit.com/an_police.shtml | ||
| SEPTA (Philadelphia) |
215-580-8111 | www.septa.org/contact_us.html | ||
| Colorado Railroad Emergency Numbers courtesy Colorado Operation Lifesaver | ||||
| Iowa Railroad Emergency Numbers courtesy Iowa's Department of Transportation. | ||||
| Florida Railroad Emergency Numbers courtesy Florida's Department of Transportation. | ||||
| Ohio Railroad Emergency Numbers courtesy Ohio's Department of Transportation. | ||||
Compilation ©1999-2007, Peter Laws. Unlimited reproduction rights as long as attribution in the form of the URL is given.