[This news release from the UK’s Network Rail describes a positive application of presence designed to help people understand and avoid the dangers posed by trains. See the original version for three more images and a 1:27 minute video. –Matthew]

VIDEO: Virtual reality helping teach young people in Wales and Borders about the dangers of trespassing on the railway

By Kathy Peart, Media relations manager, Network Rail
April 2, 2026

The technology has been rolled out on the Wales and Borders route for the first time – already reaching more than 2,000 school children.

Immersive VR technology is being used for the first time on the Wales and Borders route to help educate school pupils of the consequences of unsafe behaviour on the railway through a first-person perspective – highlighting the real-life risks in a safe and controlled environment.

In its first six months since the programme launched in September 2025, it has been rolled out at 22 schools, with more than 2,000 children trying out the educational tech.

The VR experience places students in a realistic scenario, showing moments of distraction for two friends near the railway with the perspective of an approaching train – helping to bring safety messages to life in a way that traditional classroom learning cannot.

At a recent visit to Dinas Powys Primary School in the Vale of Glamorgan, the children had the reactions Network Rail is hoping for after trying the new tech – demonstrating the positive benefits of this type of education.

“It was kind of scary in the VR but I can’t imagine what it would be like in real life, so I know I’m definitely not going to go on the tracks,” said one pupil.

“It took me by surprise because it was really quiet but then you turn around and the train beeps, going at 125 miles per hour, and then in a second it’s on top of you – that was frightening,” another added.

“It’s a really good representation of why people shouldn’t cross over them [tracks] for reasons like death.”

Trespass on the railway remains a serious issue, with 927 incidents recorded across Wales and Borders route between March 2025 – March 2026. Young people under the age of 18 accounted for 13% of these incidents*.

This underlines the need for targeted education, with immersive VR sessions helping young people understand the real dangers of the railway and make safer choices – supporting early behaviour change and helping prevent life-changing incidents.

Alison Barker, Community Safety Manager at Network Rail Wales and Borders has been leading on the delivery of the VR education sessions in schools across the route.

“Keeping people safe on and around the railway is our top priority, and education plays a vital role in preventing incidents before they happen”, Alison said.

“These VR sessions allow young people to see the dangers of the railway from a completely different perspective. By experiencing these scenarios in a safe environment, we hope to leave a lasting impression that helps them make safer decisions.

“We’re proud to be working with schools across Wales and Borders to deliver these important messages and help keep our communities safe.”

With plans to expand the programme further, 20 more schools across the region are expected to benefit from the initiative before the end of the 25/26 school year. If you would like to find out more or book a session you can contact Alison.barker@networkrail.co.uk.

The sessions are part of Network Rail’s wider commitment to improving safety across the railway and reducing trespass and misuse incidents, particularly among young people. You can find educational resources here.

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*Data taken from Network Rail railway trespass incident reports.