The #AskRail app, launched in 2014, is a collaborative effort among the emergency response community and all North American Class I railroads. The app provides more than 25,000 first responders — from all 50 states and eight Canadian provinces — with immediate access to accurate, timely data about what type of hazardous materials a railcar is carrying so they can make an informed decision about how to respond to a rail emergency.
Use a simple railcar ID search to see whether a railcar on a train is carrying hazardous materials
View the contents of the entire train
View emergency contact information for all Class I railroads, Amtrak, and available short lines
“With the push of a button, AskRail equips first responders with accurate, real-time information to plan a swift, safe response to a rail incident. Combined with specialized on-the-ground training, the AskRail app ensures communities have the tools they need to keep people safe.”
Backup resource if information from the train conductor or train consist is not available
Included as part of standard emergency responder training from Class I railroads
Available in English and French in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
Map feature provides isolation zone and points of interest (street or satellite view)
Used by all North American Class I railroads
Provides single-car information on participating regional railroads
For security reasons, only qualified emergency responders who have completed rail emergency training sponsored by one of the Class I freight railroads or at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) can download and use the restricted features in the AskRail app. In addition, railroads can offer the app to known emergency responders along their routes.
Download the app from the Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, or download the Windows Desktop Application by clicking the icons below.
Complete the registration process in the app on your device.
You will receive an email notification once your registration has been approved. The approval process may take up to several weeks.
Once you have been approved to use the app, the app will become fully functional and ready for use.
Please do not send any other communication to these email addresses other than requests to use the AskRail app. Please note that Amtrak is not included on the contact list because they do not approve access to the app.
