Preventing train derailments.
Protecting communities.
Rail Watch is a grassroots organization that works directly with communities to prevent train derailment disasters.
Born from the East Palestine train derailment, Rail Watch gives communities the strategic expertise they need to take their rail safety concerns and turn them into reasonable and accessible solutions to keep people safe.
Using education and advocacy to prevent derailment disasters, Rail Watch works with at-risk communities, labor unions, environmental groups, and government agencies to bridge the gap between community concern and railroad safety action.
What We Do
Rail Watch collaborates with community leaders, unions, government entities, and industry to navigate rail safety concerns and connect communities to decision makers, grant opportunities, and experts.
Investigate rail safety concerns in your community
Connect communities to the decision makers who can create change
Equip grassroots leaders with actionable strategy
Advocate for stronger rail safety monitoring and enforcement
Recent News & Media
Stay up to date on Rail Watch events, webinars and media.
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On Third Anniversary of East Palestine, Ohio Train Disaster, New National Organization “Rail Watch” Launches to Prevent Future Derailments
EAST PALESTINE, OH — Three years after the catastrophic derailment that forever changed East Palestine, a native of the community, Jess Conard, is launching a new national organization that will bridge the gap between community railroad concerns and community rail safety action. Rail Watch, an advocacy and education organization, officially launches today with a mission…
Featured Media (see all here)
- East Palestine, Ohio, activist running rail safety initiative — NewsNation
- East Palestine woman starts group to improve train safety, share tips — WKBN
- East Palestine advocate Jess Conard launches ‘Disaster Averted: Rail Watch Service’ — The Review
- Surrey Coal Train Derailment Underscores Urgency of North Vancouver Chlorine Facility Vote — The Globe and Mail
- Congress weighs changes to Toxic Substances Control Act — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- New bill ‘Railway Safety Act of 2026’ introduced for railway safety — WKBN
Whether you live near an active freight line or know someone who does, there is something you can do.
Book a consultation
Bring your rail safety concerns and walk away with a real action plan.
Donate
Every dollar funds community support to prevent derailment disasters.