- Students from rural towns in the Lockyer Valley and Ipswich regions are now rail savvy thanks to Queensland Rail's Community Education team's "Railsmart" tour.
- More than 49,000 students across Queensland have been educated on rail safety this year.
- Since April, Queensland Rail's Community Education team has visited more than 280 schools and education centres and delivered 455 presentations - tailored for year levels.
Lockyer Valley and Ipswich students from Prep to Year 12 are "Railsmart" after a visit from Queensland Rail's Community Education team.
Students at Grantham State School, Grandchester State School, Rosewood State School and Laidley State High School have learned about the dangers of trespassing in rail corridors, the importance of using designated crossings, and the risks posed by high-speed trains and electrical infrastructure.
These visits were part of the regional rail safety tour which saw the team take interactive workshops and engaging presentations to key locations across the regional rail network including Gympie, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Sarina.
Queensland Rail's Community Education Team Leader Dave Webber said the tour aimed to leave a lasting impression on students and their communities.
"We've been thrilled by the enthusiasm and engagement from students across the state this year," Mr Webber said.
"Our message is clear - rail networks are not playgrounds. Trains are fast, heavy and take a long time to stop.
"In fact, high speed trains can travel up to 160 kilometres per hour, they can't swerve to avoid a collision and can take up to 1.5 kilometres to come to a complete stop.
"Trains are powered by 25,000 volts of electricity, and high voltage can jump.
"Our goal is to empower young Queenslanders to make safe choices around the rail network and we're confident these messages will ripple through families and communities."
