Horrifying videos of near-misses show the dangers of crossing railway tracks without paying attention.
Network Rail took to X to warn the public to stay alert at crossings and posted a compilation of incidents where people narrowly avoided being hit.
In one video, a young man and woman walked across a track which had a lowered safety barrier before noticing halfway that a train was approaching.
They then sprinted to the other side with just two seconds to spare.
In another video of a similar crossing, a cyclist tried to cross as the barrier began to lower but crashed into another biker coming from the opposite direction.
In the third video, a dog walker began to cross a more rural train track but their pet resisted, and when the man saw the train coming he immediately turned back.
More footage showed a lorry trying to cross as the barrier came down – which caught on the back of the vehicle and was dragged along the track.
The fifth clip showed a reckless group clinging on to the barriers as they went up and down at a crossing.
A video showed how close a cyclist came to being run over by a train
In one video, a young man and woman walked across a track which had a lowered safety barrier before noticing halfway that a train was approaching
They then sprinted to the other side with just two seconds to spare
In another near miss, a man and woman scrambled over a fence and one sprinted across the track.
The other hung back and a high-speed train rushed past just seconds later.
In one of the videos posted by Network Rail, a cyclist wheeled their bike over a pair of tracks before stopping in the middle and staring at the incoming train.
They then strolled on casually before the train stormed past where they had stood just seconds before.
One comment on the X threat read: ‘I can’t imagine how people could be so unaware.’
It comes as Network Rail urges level crossing users to be aware of the risk when crossing ahead of a timetable change that will see more trains running on the South Wales Main Line, as well as changes to the timings of services throughout the day.
From December 15, there will be an increase in the number of services on the line, with up to 21 additional trains passing through Llanharan every day.
Transport for Wales is also increasing the number of trains stopping at the Main Line stations between Bridgend and Cardiff (Pencoed, Llanharan and Pontyclun) by 55 per cent, while the last services from Swansea and to Maesteg will now run later in the day.
With the increased services and altered timetable, Network Rail is reminding people who use any of the level crossings on the route – no matter how regularly they do so – to be aware when crossing.
In another near miss, a man and woman scrambled over a fence and one sprinted across
Seconds later, this train sped past where they had been standing
In the third video, a dog walker began to cross a more rural train track but their pet resisted, and when the man saw the train coming he immediately turned back
More footage showed a lorry trying to cross as the barrier came down – which caught on the back of the vehicle and was dragged along the track
Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: ‘We’re supportive of our colleagues at Transport for Wales as they increase the number of trains running on the South Wales Main Line, and we’re delighted passengers will benefit from more frequent rail services.
‘However, safety remains our number one priority, which is why we’re urging level crossing users to remain cautious and vigilant, to always obey warning signals, and to stop, look and listen.’
Dean Jenkins, level crossing manager for Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: ‘We know when people use a level crossing regularly, they often assume they know when trains will pass through.
‘However, the new timetable means there will be more trains running at different times throughout the day, so I urge everyone to take time to be aware of the risk when using level crossings, no matter how familiar they are with them.’
Network Rail bosses previously slammed reckless influencers and teenagers playing Russian roulette to take photoshoots and play ‘chicken’ on a live railway track.
A series of CCTV clips revealed people dicing with death on Chesnut Grove level crossing in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire in July.
In one terrifying near-miss incident in August last year, a man can be seen taking pictures of a woman as she straddles a chair in the middle of he tracks.
The fifth clip showed a reckless group clinging on to the barriers as they went up and down
In another video of a similar crossing, a cyclist tried to cross as the barrier began to lower but crashed into another biker coming from the opposite direction
A car weaved through the lowered barriers and tried to speed across the tracks
The snapper can be seen putting one foot on the line while taking photos of the woman – who appears carefree- as she strikes several seductive poses.
In another taken on July 13, four youths are seen playing on the tracks in the dead of night, with one lying on the ground as they laugh and take pictures of him.
The hair-raising scenes prompted rail chiefs to issue a warning of the lethal consequences their selfish behaviour could have.
Hayley Manners, Network Rail’s community safety manager in the East Midlands, said: ‘Every time someone strays on to the tracks, they are placing themselves at risk of serious, life-changing injury or worse.
‘The consequences can be devastating, not only for them, but their loved ones and the wider community.
‘Shutting the railway while we investigate reports of trespass also causes costly delays for rail passengers and freight.
‘We hope that sharing the CCTV will act as a deterrent and show that acting irresponsibly on the railway is extremely dangerous.’