2023 Vol 17, Issue 2 March-April Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Railroad Crossing Safety Gem Lake may be small, but it has three railroad crossings on or near its borders. None of these crossings represent mainline tracks, so no freight train will be running at full power through them, but drivers still need to be alert for trains. It’s important to remember that just the locomotive can weigh over 120 tons and a train pulling even just five or six cars can take hundreds of feet to stop completely. Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting rail safety, and goals include awareness of rail crossings. While it may seem obvious that a 120 ton locomotive will destroy a passenger vehicle in a collision, there were over 2140 car-train collisions in 2021 resulting in 234 fatalities. To bring safety awareness to rail crossings, Operation Lifesaver provides important information. • When crossing railroad tracks, always think there may be a train coming • Locomotives do not have steering wheels, they cannot swerve to avoid a vehicle on the tracks • A train traveling at 55 mph can take up to 1.5 miles to come to a stop To help promote railroad safety crossing safety, the City of Gem Lake reminds its residents of some general information. Railroad tracks are private property and there are posted “no trespassing” signs at the Otter Lake Road crossing. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds people that whether there is a “no trespassing” sign or not, walking along railroad tracks is illegal. Additionally, of the rail crossings near Gem Lake only the one along Otter Lake Road has signals and crossing gates, and as many of us who live along Otter Lake Road know, these are often not working. Minnesota Commercial Railway often uses a person with flags to warn drivers of the train’s presence. Per Minnesota statute, a rail flagger is the same as a rail crossing gate, it is illegal to ignore the flagger (plus, take pity on the poor soul whose job it is to walk into on- coming traffic). While the tracks near Gem Lake are only used on certain days, drivers should always look as they drive through the crossings. Also, listen for train horns. Modern vehicles have excellent soundproofing and radios or fan blowers that can further reduce your ability to hear train horns. Keep this in mind as you approach rail crossings. Rail crossings are serious business. Never try to outrun a train to a crossing. Always obey crossing signals. And remember, if you see train tracks, think train. Article written by Gem Lake Council Member Jim Lindner Gem Lake Scholarship Deadline is April 30 Any Gem Lake resident who is graduating from High School in 2023 should consider applying for the Gem Lake Scholarship Program. This program is funded by charitable gambling receipts in the city and has been in existence for over 10 years. To apply, contact your school’s counselor. An application should be in to school officials by the third Friday in April and a copy should be brought to Heritage Hall by April 30 of the graduation year. For more information, contact Melissa Lawrence at Heritage Hall. See contact information on page 6.