Blog Post

Train operator Greater Anglia is calling on schools across East Anglia to apply to take part in a free rail safety education programme, delivered in partnership with Rail Safe Friendly. The programme helps improve rail safety awareness for children and young people across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, giving pupils vital knowledge about railway … Read more

Mead Vale Primary School received the Gold Certificate for Rail Safety after a week of activities aimed at teaching pupils about the dangers of railway lines. The school’s headteacher and staff said: “Rail safety matters, and our children have shown just how seriously they take it.” Pupils from Key Stage One and Key Stage Two … Read more

The UK’s leading open access rail operators, Lumo and Hull Trains, are celebrating supporting the delivery of vital rail safety resources to 45 schools across the UK over the past year. In association with the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, the operators’ involvement has led to a social value impact of over £724,000, directly educating thousands … Read more

Carlisle Support Services has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to safety, community impact, and educating the next generation by continuing its partnership with Rail Safe Friendly. Check out this great article from Carlisle Support Service here as they demonstrate the success of their project and how they actively encourage colleagues and teams to get … Read more

Rail Safe Friendly had the amazing opportunity to attend The Greatest Gathering—a landmark three-day festival honouring two centuries of British railway innovation, engineering excellence, and cultural heritage on Friday 1st August. Organised by Alstom, this one-of-a-kind event has proudly earned its place in history as the world’s largest-ever collection of historic and modern rolling stock. … Read more

Faced with over 19,300 trespass incidents on the UK rail network in 2023/24 (Source: Network Rail), a wave of youthful creativity has risen to champion safety. The BackTrack Competition, challenging young people to craft impactful anti-trespass messages, proudly unveils its 2025 winners! This year’s competition saw an explosion of talent, with primary (under 11) and … Read more

The Rail Safe Friendly Programme is proud to introduce its team of passionate ambassadors, each dedicated to bringing crucial rail safety information to schools across the region. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and personal commitment to the mission of educating and protecting young people near railways. Meet the Ambassadors: Liz Ballantyne: A driving … Read more

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for the Rail Safe Friendly programme! Network Rail Western Route has become our very first PLATINUM partner, an elevation from their previous Gold level status. This incredible achievement highlights their unwavering dedication to promoting rail safety. The team at Network Rail Western Route, led by Steve Melanophy, … Read more

COMET is proud to announce its partnership with the Rail Safe Friendly (RSF) Programme, an initiative delivering crucial rail safety education to schools across the UK. This collaboration aims to raise awareness of railway dangers and promote safety among children, teachers, and communities. Click here to read more about COMET’s involvement, the importance of rail … Read more

In 2023, we launched the Rail Safe Friendly programme, a heartfelt initiative inspired by the tragic loss of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne. Harrison’s life was cut short when he was electrocuted by overhead power lines while trying to retrieve a lost football in a rail freight depot. The incident, which involved a shocking 25,000 volts, left … Read more

March signifies a significant milestone, as it marks the second anniversary of the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, a journey filled with impactful developments and lessons learned along the way. Over these two years, the programme has evolved, driven by a commitment to enhancing rail safety awareness among young individuals. Rail Safe Friendly has not only … Read more