If you get stuck on a Union Pacific crossing, such as the Metra rail service through Woodstock, and there is no train in sight, you might be lucky enough to find a sign like the one to the right, showing a telephone number to call and a location identifier to give to the emergency operator.
Frankly, I've never notified one of these signs in the Woodstock or Crystal Lake areas, but I'll start looking.
Thanks to a Chicago Tribune article and a link to a TribLocal article, I read that Chip Pew, state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit group dedicated to reducing fatalities and collisions at railroad crossings, said that, first, you get out of your car and run for it. If there is time, find a silver box-type structure that is supposed to be near every crossing in the state. It contains a sign with a tollfree telephone number and a unique numbered address (location) for the crossing.
Telling the operator that you are at "the Calhoun Street crossing in Woodstock" is not the right information. While it's better than nothing, you could reach an operator, possibly even out-of-state, who won't have a clue what you are talking about. If you provide the unique identifier on the notification sign, the operator at the Union Pacific site should be able to notify an engineer quickly of any emergency.
If you can't find the sign, dial 9-1-1 and tell the dispatcher what's going on and exactly where your call is stuck.
If you abandon your vehicle, run away from your vehicle on a 45° angle back toward the train. This will place the point-of-impact past you and help protect you from flying debris.
Reminder: when the gates go up after a train passes, wait until the red lights and bells stop. Read the sign there while you are waiting. The gates might just start back down for a train approaching from the opposite direction. Waiting might also save you $250.
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