BN TO OFFER SAFETY FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY

CHAFFEE - Burlington Northern Railroad and its Health and Safety Action Team will sponsor a Safety Awareness Festival Saturday.

Charles Rowe, team chairman, said the festival will begin at 10 a.m. at the railroad's Chaffee yard office on East Yoakum.

Free rides in a BN "high-rail" vehicle and tours of a BN diesel locomotive and caboose will be offered and displays on Operation Lifesaver and Operation Stop, a railroad employee assistance program, may be seen. Rowe said other displays will include fire, boating, and gun safety and other activities.

"The railroad will have a high-rail carry-all truck with rail wheels to give free rides to children in the railroad yards," he said. "There will also be refreshments for everyone."

Rowe said the festival is not limited to railroad employees and their families. "Everyone in the area is welcome to stop by and attend the safety festival," he said. "There is lots of parking space available."

Rowe said the safety festival is an annual project of the railroad to make everyone aware of safety, both on and off the rails.