CN Partners with the New Orleans Saints to Champion Rail Safety During See Tracks? Think Train® Week
CN has announced a powerful new partnership with the New Orleans Saints, aligning with the annual See Tracks? Think Train® Week taking place from September 15 to 19. The collaboration is designed to bring rail safety awareness directly into schools and communities across New Orleans, using the influence of professional athletes to help deliver a life-saving message to young people.
A Shared Commitment to Safety
Every year, hundreds of preventable accidents occur near railway crossings and tracks across North America. Many of these incidents involve young people who may not fully understand the risks of being near railway property. CN, one of North America’s largest railway operators, has long placed community safety at the core of its operations. By partnering with the Saints—an organization with deep roots in New Orleans and strong influence among youth—the company is amplifying its commitment to promoting responsible behavior around railways.
The initiative underscores CN’s dedication to achieving “zero track tragedies”, a vision that can only be achieved through widespread education and community engagement.
School Visits and Interactive Safety Programs
As part of the campaign, CN Police officers will be working alongside members of the New Orleans Saints to visit schools across the city. These visits go beyond traditional lectures. Students will engage in interactive activities, role-playing scenarios, and demonstrations that highlight the importance of making safe choices around railway tracks.
The goal is to empower students to become safety ambassadors in their own communities. By equipping young people with the knowledge to recognize risks and the confidence to speak up, CN and the Saints are fostering a culture of responsibility that extends well beyond the classroom.
This approach reflects the broader purpose of See Tracks? Think Train® Week, which is designed to raise awareness nationwide about the dangers of unsafe behavior around railways.
Voices from the Partnership
Matt Webb, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the New Orleans Saints, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration:
“We’re proud to partner with CN on this important safety initiative. Our organization has strong ties to young people across New Orleans, and with rail safety more important than ever, we’re committed to delivering this life-saving message in a way that truly resonates with our community.”
From CN’s perspective, the partnership builds upon decades of investment in safety programs. Shawn Will, Chief of Police and Chief Security Officer for CN, emphasized the importance of collaboration:
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the New Orleans Saints. This collaboration underscores our commitment to safety and our determination to reduce unsafe behaviors on or near railway property. Together, we can strengthen the efforts of community organizations and inspire youth to be role models when it comes to rail safety.”
Why Rail Safety Matters
Rail safety has become an increasingly pressing issue as urban development grows closer to railway corridors. Every year, people are injured or lose their lives due to trespassing on railway property or ignoring warning signals at crossings. These tragedies are not only devastating to families and communities but also deeply affect railway employees and first responders.
Education and awareness remain the most effective tools in preventing such incidents. Programs like See Tracks? Think Train® Week highlight common risks—such as attempting to outrun trains, taking shortcuts across tracks, or being distracted by headphones near crossings—and provide clear guidance on how to stay safe.
Leveraging the Power of Sports
The decision to partner with the New Orleans Saints was both strategic and community-driven. Sports teams hold a unique place in American culture, particularly in cities like New Orleans where the Saints are not just a football team, but a symbol of resilience and pride.
By involving Saints players and staff, CN ensures that its safety message is delivered by voices that young people admire and trust. This increases the likelihood that the lessons shared during school visits will stick, helping to build long-term behavioral change.
CN’s Broader Community Role
This initiative is only one part of CN’s broader commitment to supporting communities along its network. The company regularly invests in educational programs, environmental initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations. Rail safety campaigns, however, remain at the forefront, as they directly address the risks associated with the company’s core operations.
CN Police officers, who specialize in rail safety enforcement and education, have been instrumental in delivering these programs. Their expertise, combined with the Saints’ influence, creates a partnership that is both credible and impactful.
Building Toward Zero Track Tragedies
The collaboration between CN and the New Orleans Saints is ultimately about building a safer future. The vision of zero track tragedies is ambitious, but it is also achievable through persistent education, enforcement, and community involvement.
By reaching young people—those most likely to be influenced by peer behavior and risk-taking—the initiative targets one of the most vulnerable groups. Encouraging students to become leaders in rail safety ensures that the message spreads organically throughout neighborhoods, schools, and families.
A Model for Future Partnerships
This partnership may also serve as a model for other cities and organizations. Rail safety is not a challenge unique to New Orleans; it is a concern for every community with railway infrastructure. By collaborating with influential local institutions—whether sports teams, schools, or civic organizations—rail companies can amplify their safety messages in ways that resonate more deeply than traditional outreach campaigns.
The announcement of CN’s partnership with the New Orleans Saints marks an important milestone in the fight to eliminate preventable rail-related tragedies. By bringing together the expertise of CN Police, the influence of professional athletes, and the energy of local students, this initiative combines education, inspiration, and action.
As See Tracks? Think Train® Week unfolds from September 15 to 19, the message will be clear: rail safety is everyone’s responsibility, and every individual—young or old—has a role to play in ensuring that tragedies near railway tracks become a thing of the past.
Together, CN and the New Orleans Saints are not only raising awareness but also empowering a new generation of safety leaders across New Orleans. It is a partnership built on community, responsibility, and a shared vision of a safer tomorrow.