That's the day when a freight train bearing police officers in the locomotive cab will chug through Madison and Middleton. Officers will be looking for illegal behavior by drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians where train tracks cross streets.

They'll be watching for motorists who don't stop for flashing lights and drivers who pull around lowered gates.

The Madison Police Department will station officers near the crossings, and violators probably will receive citations, said Sgt. John Radovan, who heads the city's Traffic Enforcement Safety Team.

Police officers from Madison, Middleton, UW-Madison and the State Patrol will ride the train. They'll leave the Johnson Street yard at 10 a.m., arrive at Middleton's Greenway Station at about 11 a.m. and head back about 11:20 a.m.

The Wisconsin and Southern Railroad is hosting the program to publicize safety in hopes of reducing the number of vehicle-train collisions and pedestrian accidents, said spokesman Ken Lucht. It's part of Operation Lifesaver, a national nonprofit rail safety education organization.

Last year in Wisconsin, 59 vehicle-train collisions were reported, resulting in three deaths and 22 injuries, Lucht said.

"It is an issue and the railroads are really trying to be active about getting the message out," said Radovan, noting that a Madison citation for failure to obey rail crossing signals will cost $178.

— Anita Clark

Have a concern? Look for Safe & Sound on Fridays in the Local section. Send questions to: aclark@madison.com; 608-252-6138; Safe and Sound, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708.