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Thursday 30 Apr 2026

New cinema style films warn Scottish pupils of rail dangers

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Film industry experts, who have worked on major productions like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter, have helped develop a new series of rail safety films to be shown in Scottish schools.

Network Rail is today launching a suite of five hard‑hitting safety films, combining special effects and dramatic visual storytelling to help pupils better understand the risks of trespassing on the railway.

Figures reveal there were 255 trespass incidents in Scotland between 2025/26, with more than 58% of these occurring over the summer months between April and August.

Examples of dangerous behaviour include crossing the tracks instead of the footbridge at Shettleston, swinging on level crossing barriers in Motherwell, dangling legs off the platform at Inverurie, and playing chicken with trains at Falkirk Grahamston. 

Across Britain, around 4,000 rail trespass incidents each year involve children and young people under the age of 18, which equates to more than 70 every week.

Innis Keith, health, safety and environment director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “We have one of the safest railways in the world, but beyond the passenger areas and safety boundaries it can be extremely dangerous, particularly for young people who may not fully understand the risks.

“These films have been designed to show the real‑life consequences of trespass in a powerful and realistic way, using high‑quality production techniques to ensure the message really hits home.

“Working directly with schools is vital to reaching young people early, giving them the knowledge and confidence to make safer choices. By supporting teachers with engaging resources like this, we can help keep pupils safe, especially as we approach the summer months.”

The films were created with support from frontline medical professionals and film industry specialists, including burns nurse Nicole Lee, an NHS Network Manager for London and the South‑East, whose real‑life experience treating railway injuries helped shape the content.

Aimed at pupils aged nine to 16, the films are designed to help teachers talk to young people about rail safety in an engaging way. They are available free to schools via the Switched On Rail Safety website, alongside other lesson‑ready teaching materials.