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Thursday 10 Apr 2025

New immersive experience in Edinburgh educates children on rail safety

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A new interactive experience is open to help children from Edinburgh and the Lothians understand the dangers of playing on or near the railway.  

It’s part of The Risk Factory, a purpose-built centre in the capital, which opened in 2007 and provides a safe environment for thousands of primary 7 children to learn life-saving strategies for hazardous situations. It’s delivered by partners including the City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and SP Energy Networks. 

This month, Network Rail upgraded its railway safety scenario room at the venue, creating an immersive activity for children to learn the risk of playing on or near the tracks.  

It includes placing items like money, a school bag, or a laptop on a simulated railway line and asking the pupils how they would respond. During the exercise, an image of a train emerges from a tunnel to vividly illustrate the danger. 

There is also an audio experience on how to keep safe at a train station, as well as a true-to-size mural of the front of a train at a level crossing, created by artist Jo Curtis.  

Jeremy Spence, route delivery director at Network Rail, said: “One trespassing incident on our railway is one too many, so this upgraded scenario room will be vital in providing an immersive and impactful learning experience for children on how to stay safe. 

“By vividly demonstrating the dangers of playing on or near tracks and giving them the time and a safe space to work through how they would respond, we’re equipping young people with the knowledge and strategies to protect themselves and their friends.  

“More than 100,000 pupils have visited The Risk Factory since it opened, and we’re confident thousands more will benefit from this improved experience for years to come.” 

Last year, there were 365 trespassing incidents in Scotland involving under 18s – the equivalent of one a day. That’s down from 460 in 2023.  

It comes as Network Rail launches its latest safety campaign, stay off the tracks. More information is available on the You vs Train website.