From the Spokesman Review paper out of Spokane this morning:

Free train rides part of collision prevention effort

Union Pacific Railroad is offering free train rides across the Rathdrum Prairie on June 22 as part of a wider effort to prevent collisions at rail crossings.

Tickets for the rides will be available starting Tuesday on a first-come basis at the Idaho State Police office at 615 W. Wilbur Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

Three trips with departures at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon are planned along tracks near Greensferry Road between Hayden and Prairie avenues, north of Post Falls. The train will include vintage passenger cars.

Union Pacific is joining Idaho Operation Lifesaver in calling attention to the dangers of rail crossings. In 2008, 286 people were killed nationwide in collisions involving vehicles and trains while 453 deaths involved pedestrians and trains.