(Le Mars) — Local law enforcement officials were on board some trains yesterday to watch for violators crossing in front of an on coming train. Le Mars Police Senior Officer Jay King was one of the officers to sit in an Union Pacific locomotive. King offers an explanation as to the purpose of the program.
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Union Pacific railroad had three locomotives that passed through Le Mars between the Fairway supermarket on Plymouth Street and continuing past the 12th Street rail crossing near the Hy-Vee supermarket. King says he witnessed several vehicles that may have gotten too close to the railroad crossings.
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Officer King says one fact the train companies informed the local law enforcement officials is that it takes a great distance to be able to stop a train.
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King says he had never before yesterday had the opportunity to ride in a train locomotive. He says it is an unique perspective to view the scenery from the engineer’s viewpoint.
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King says law enforcement officials did issue one warning to a motorist for being too close to the rail crossing during the time of an approaching train.
