Birdie flies over a town with railroad tracks running across it.

From above, she spots Sly Fox placing a spike and other small metal things on a railroad track just for fun, to see what will happen when a train runs over them.

Later, Fox changes his mind after Birdie explains those items will act like bullets, flying out from the tracks and striking anyone nearby.

The two animals are cartoon characters in a video about rail safety that is being shown at schools in four towns this month. The video lesson is part of preparations for an April 26 test along five miles of the new light rail system under construction. Railroad vehicles will run between Pennsauken and Cinnaminson to test the switching and signals system.

Charles Ingoglia, NJ Transit public relations director for new rail construction, said the program eventually will be presented to all schools along the 34-mile Southern New Jersey Light Rail Line between Camden and Trenton. The line is due to open in June 2003.

"We're trying to get the word out and answer everyone's questions and have made this a priority," he told the Burlington County Board of Freeholders on Wednesday.

He said the program is being presented this month in Pennsauken, Palmyra, Cinnaminson and Riverton to preschool, elementary and high schools. An NJ Transit policeman presents the information.

Ingoglia said the safety message has several key warnings: - don't cross in front of trains, cross at grade crossings, obey signals and don't trespass on railroad property.

Another key point, he said, is teaching people that trains cannot stop as quickly as cars and may continue moving after braking for the distance of several football fields.

Palmyra Superintendent of Schools Ron Cancelliere said safety has been a major concern because there are local schools on both sides of the railroad tracks and children cross them daily.

"We were really the ones who initiated New Jersey Transit doing the program, and we were very happy with the seven programs they gave this week at our schools," he said.

What's next

Public meetings will be held Thursday at Riverton School, April 23 at Delair Elementary School in Pennsauken and April 24 at Cinnaminson Middle School. All meetings start at 7 p.m.