They're lucky this isn't a mainline:
https://www.facebook.com/MtRainierRailr ... AwmNr6Xxgl
"Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
6h
We try not to get cranky on Facebook—but today deserves a moment of real talk.
This morning, for the third time this year, an unauthorized work crew entered the railroad right-of-way. And not just that—they parked a work truck on the rails. We were minutes away from moving a locomotive and rock train through the area when an on-site employee in Elbe spotted the issue and flagged it in time. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the work crew’s supervisors responded quickly and professionally. But it easily could have gone another way.
We’re not being dramatic when we say this could have ended in tragedy.
Let’s talk about something most people still don’t know about: ENS signs. Since 2015, the Federal Railroad Administration has required railroads to post these blue Emergency Notification System signs at every public crossing. They list the crossing number and a direct phone number to reach the railroad—not 9-1-1, but the people who can immediately stop train traffic if there’s a problem.
If your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, or if there's any issue at a crossing—call the number on the ENS sign. It’s the fastest, most effective way to prevent disaster.
And just a reminder: It’s illegal to access railroad property—including within 50 feet of the centerline—without permission. That includes government crews, contractors, surveyors, and utility teams. Always assume tracks are active. Because they are.
We believe in regulation. We believe in safety. But regulation without education doesn’t work.
We’ve launched a petition calling for ENS sign education to be included in Driver’s Ed, CDL training, and roadway worker certifications. Because laws don’t save lives unless people know what to do.
Please take a minute to sign and share: https://chng.it/kJFNHVvYzS
Your signature could help prevent a tragedy."

While working for Union Pacific, this was a common issue across the system. I have found crews working on sewer lines, paving grade crossings (even over the rails), fighting fires, installing power lines, and performing many other tasks while blocking main lines.

One of the wildest was a crew installing a mobile home. They left it on the tracks while leveling the site, and a train cut it in two.

Years ago, I was on the Tennessee State Grade Crossing Committee. We were reviewing the state grade crossing laws and regulations. One of the things we pushed was including questions on the driving test about grade crossings. At the time, very few states had anything about grade crossings in their training or testing. Getting information about the blue signs on the exams would certainly help.

Bart

The two universal excuses:

"I thought this line was abandoned! I've never seen a train on it!"

"Don't trains only run on weekends/at night here?!?"

Add to the excuses "Trains have air brakes and can stop quickly, right?"

There have been multiple incidents of this in the past. AMTRAK struck a third party crane in NE that was fouling the BNSF mainline. Usually that third part is either unaware they need RR permission (mostly small time contractors) or just do not want to pay for a Flagman because "It wasn't going to take that long" or "I thought those tracks were abandoned."

Our group just signed an agreement with a fiber optic provider for running a line over our track. The agreement specifically states that the RR must be notified prior to installation or any necessary maintenance.

I drove by the location earlier this week and saw evidence that the line was first strung, then later lashed, all without notification. I found the crew and had a discussion with them about fouling RR track. An email was sent to all parties involved stressing that they got away with it this time on this line, "but what about the next one?" and we got 3 "sorry, we screwed up" responses.

Another excuse: "I thought the train is only as wide as the rails."

Years ago when I was at csx I caught a crew from DC metro fouling the tracks by Rhode island avenue Metro station with no protection on the CSX metropolitan sub. I asked them to step off so we can discuss this. They refused I stopped the train coming called the dispatcher and had the railroad police show up to get them off, in hand cuffs for the belligerent assistant foreman who got caught with marijuana on his person after being detained for failing to obey a lawful order.

I guess if you're gonna act stupid, go big or go home!

If you're going to break the law only break one at a time

If you're going to break the law only break one at a time