Updated - 05/01/2023

Safety and Compliance

GCW HO Scale RR is dedicated to promoting and keeping "Safety Number One," and we strive to accomplish this in a number of ways.

GCW, in conjunction with federal agencies, conducts Safety Training Seminars throughout the year. Seminar topics are determined by current issues and new or changed federal regulations. Here are a number of training videos used in the upgraded training of all GCW Personnel.

Part 1: - Railroad Signals, Reading and Meanings, The Basic Three Light System

Even though the video title is for Canada, these 4 videos are the BEST training videos available to understand the operational workings for North American Railroad signals!

Part 2: Reading Canadian Railroad Signals, Single and two headed signals

Part 3: Railroad Signals, reading and meanings. Diverging and Limited speeds, to and at signals

Part 4 - Guide to reading railroad signals: dwarf signals

Railroad Signals - PDF Document Link

Operation Lifesaver: It's Your Call

Every year, our State averages 105 crashes involving trains, resulting in 12 deaths and 35 injuries. Another 12 deaths and 12 injuries occur due to trespassing on train tracks. Nationwide in 2013, there were 490 trespass fatalities and another 215 suicides involving our country's railways.

While the number of highway-rail crossing collisions, deaths and injuries has dropped over the past five decades, it’s still a startling fact that about every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train.

Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Education

Grade Crossing Approach

Tennga bus vs train collision 20 years later

Rail Safety for Law Enforcement

Become familiar with railroads operating in your area of jurisdiction and the types of products they regularly transport

Link to the US/Canada Emergency Response Guidebook

US DOT National Rail Crossing Inventory Map

"Getting Off on the Right Foot" -- Railroad Safety Film circa 1972

Everything we do centers on providing services of the highest level of quality. We won’t stop until you’re 100% satisfied – that’s a guarantee.

"Why Risk Your Life?" -- 1940s Railroad Safety Film

This is a fantastic old steam era safety film concerning working around railroad yards and tracks -- heavy on switching operations. Produced by the Great Northern Railway in the 1940s and probably filmed at St. Paul using actual employees.

The Pennsylvania Railroad Fire Safety

This very rare color film, produced by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1955, centers around fighting fires aboard several locomotives, and was intended to teach crews about the types of fires they are likely to face. Also included is what equipment is available to flight the blazes and how to specifically fight each type of fire.