> **Quick Answer:** Get everyone out of the car immediately and move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle in the direction the train is coming from. Do not try to restart the car. Call 911, then look for the Emergency Notification System (ENS) blue sign posted near the crossing. That sign has a direct number to stop train traffic at that specific crossing. Your car is replaceable. You are not.
## What Do I Do the Second My Car Stalls on Railroad Tracks?
Get out. Right now. Do not spend a single second trying to start the car again. Every second you sit there turning the key is a second you are not moving away from the tracks.
Open the door, get every passenger out, and move away from the tracks in a direction that is not directly behind the train's path. The reason for the 45-degree angle: if a train hits your car, debris flies forward and outward. You do not want to be standing directly in line with it.
Once everyone is clear, look around for a blue Emergency Notification System sign. These are posted at or near almost every public railroad crossing in the United States. They have a phone number and a crossing ID number. Call that number and give them the crossing ID. Dispatchers can contact the railroad's train control center and attempt to slow or stop an approaching train. This call takes less than 30 seconds and could matter.
After that, call 911. Tell them you have a vehicle stalled on a railroad crossing. Give them your location as specifically as you can, including the road name and any nearby intersections.
## Is It Ever Worth Trying to Restart the Car and Drive Off?
No. The only exception is if the engine starts immediately on the first crank and you can drive clear in under two seconds. If you are grinding the starter, waiting for it to turn over, or hearing nothing at all, stop and get out.
A dead battery, a flooded engine, or a failed neutral safety switch are the most common reasons a car stalls and won't restart on the spot. None of those are going to fix themselves in the 30 to 90 seconds that might separate you from an oncoming train. A [car that won't start after sitting or stalling](/car-wont-start-after-rain-electrical-problem/) is a tow job, not a roadside fix, and certainly not something to troubleshoot while sitting on railroad tracks.
If the car is in an automatic transmission and stalled due to an electrical issue, the transmission may also be stuck in park, meaning even pushing the car off the tracks becomes difficult without manually overriding the shift lock. Know where your shift lock release slot is (usually near the shifter, covered by a small cap) before you ever need it.
## Where Exactly Should I Stand After Getting Out?
Move at least 100 feet away from the tracks, and stand at that 45-degree angle from the direction the train is traveling, not parallel to the tracks and not directly in line with your car.
Train strikes cause cars to be thrown and shredded violently. Steel and glass travel much farther than most people expect. Getting to the far side of a guardrail, a concrete barrier, or even a roadside ditch puts a physical barrier between you and that debris field. If you can see a train coming, move faster. If you cannot see one but can hear one or feel vibration in the ground, move just as fast.
Do not go
*Photo: Pexels*
back for anything inside the car. Not your phone, not your wallet, not your dog. If your dog is in the car, open the door and get it out before you move away, but do it fast and do not linger.
## What Happens to My Car After the Train Passes or the Threat Is Cleared?
Your car will need to be towed. Railroad crossing incidents, even when no collision occurs, typically require police to clear the scene before a tow truck can move in. Do not attempt to push the car off the tracks yourself after the fact without verifying the area is safe and cleared by law enforcement.
When the officer clears the scene, a flatbed tow truck is almost always the right call here. If the car stalled due to a mechanical failure, having it dragged on its wheels risks damaging the drivetrain further. [A flatbed is the right move](/how-do-i-know-if-my-car-needs-a-flatbed-tow/) when you do not know what caused the stall and you do not want to compound the problem.
Your insurance company will need to be contacted if the car was struck. If a collision did occur, the railroad may also be involved in liability discussions, though that is a conversation for after you are safe.
*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: What is the ENS blue sign at a railroad crossing and where do I find it?**
A: The Emergency Notification System sign is a blue placard posted at or near the crossing, usually on a signal pole or nearby post. It lists a phone number and a unique crossing ID. Calling that number connects you to the railroad's control center so they can attempt to warn or stop an approaching train.
**Q: Can a train stop fast enough to avoid hitting my car if I call 911?**
A: Freight trains traveling at 55 mph can take a mile or more to stop. Passenger trains are faster to brake but still need significant distance. Calling 911 and the ENS number immediately is the right move, but do not assume any call will stop a train in time. Get off the tracks first, then call.
**Q: My car is in park and I can't push it off the tracks. What do I do?**
A: Get everyone out first. Then look for the shift lock release, a small slot usually near the base of the gear selector, and use a coin or flathead screwdriver to override it so you can shift to neutral and push. But again, only attempt this if you have time and no train is approaching.
**Q: Will my insurance cover a car that got hit by a train?**
A: Comprehensive coverage typically covers train strikes, since it covers non-collision damage events. Collision coverage may also apply depending on the circumstances. Contact your insurer as soon as you are safe. [Your policy details on towing and coverage after an incident matter here.](/does-car-insurance-cover-towing-after-accident/)
**Q: What if I break down on the highway at night and not on railroad tracks? Is the process similar?**
A: The core rule is the same: get out and away from traffic first. The specific steps differ because you are not in immediate train danger, but the urgency of getting clear of moving vehicles is equally real. [Here is a full breakdown for highway breakdowns at night.](/what-to-do-if-car-breaks-down-on-highway-at-night-alone/)
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Stuck on Railroad Tracks and Car Won't Start: What to Do Right Now
Photo: Pexels