As a railroad chaplain, I have the opportunity to come alongside people in a difficult time in their lives. I represent God's love and comfort to people as their solution to suffering that has come to them. I also help remaining family members realize railroad officials offer sympathy in practical ways, wanting to help families who have had tragedy impact their lives.

As a railroad chaplain, I helped two different families who both lost a son due to a railroad accident. I went to the hospital to be with the railroad workers who had been involved. Then, I traveled to the site of the accident to comfort the family members whose loved one had been killed. After that, I was asked to visit extended family members to learn what their needs were and offer help. I was asked to perform one of the funerals. I also got a chance to talk to some railroad workers who were struggling due to the death of one of their fellow workers. Through all these days, I not only had the chance to represent the railroad, but also shared with families the love of God and that He is the answer to their grief.

Click here for a video testimony from Elaine.

-Elaine Trout

HEAR FROM OUR CHAPLAINS

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Railroad Chaplains stand ready day or night to respond whenever we are called on by the railroads when there is a need anywhere in the USA. The kind, compassionate care given by chaplains representing some of America’s finest railroads has been warmly received by people in crisis.

Railroad Chaplains stands alone as the sole, source provider that specializes in support of the rail transportation industry and families who suffer a railroad incident.

For more than 160 years no railroad in the nation ever provided Chaplains to help individuals and families who suffered sorrow and loss due to a railroad incident. However, on November 15, 2006 railroad history was changed as BNSF Railway, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas as the first Class 1 railroad in the United States, joined forces with RRC to extend its genuine sympathy and compassion. On May 1, 2009, Canadian Pacific (USA operations) became the second Class 1 railroad to sign on with RRC to do for their railroad what was being done for BNSF Railway.

These two giant transportation corporations have called on RRC to send Chaplain Care Teams to more than 400 families all across the USA from Michigan to Washington State, and border to border. The vast majority of those families receiving help from RRC have expressed gratitude, and appreciation for the compassion railroads have extended to them in their time of need.

What We Do

Railroad Chaplains is a humanitarian sympathy support and care giving organization extending help and hope to people needing condolences, comfort, and compassion in time of sorrow, loss and crises.

RRC is composed of more than 100 specially selected professional chaplains who are sent by railroads to families who have suffered an incident related to the railroad, with the results usually being death or critical injury.

We go to the sorrowful and hurting.
We provide help and hope to broken hearts.
We go in the power of God and faith.
We weep with those who weep.
We comfort those who mourn.
We provide for those who grieve.
We extend compassion and love.
We express sympathy.
We offer condolences, both ours and the railroad’s.

Extending genuine sympathy in time of death.
Give support to those in rehabilitation from critical injuries.
Assist in planning funerals and making arrangements.
Perform the Life Celebration Service when another clergyperson is not readily available.
Provide food for the family gathering on the day of the funeral, as needed.
Assist in notifying other family members, as requested.
Become the human support for any special, and practical needs.
Provide confidential pastoral discussions with grief support materials.
Continue support through quality materials, books, DVDs, direct mail, telephone calls, and personal contacts for as long as up to two years after a tragedy.
Always being a family friend knowing there is bonding in grief.