Children have been urged to stay away from railway lines

The company is particularly keen to highlight the warning as a number of its quieter new trains are currently being tested across the rail network.

Northern Ireland Railway's General Manager Mal McGreevy said these areas should not be regarded as playgrounds.

He said it was important children were taught to respect the railways.

"A train travelling at 70mph can take more than a mile and a half to stop," he said.

"When you consider that the sound of an approaching train can be muffled by trackside vegetation, and that our newest trains, several of which are now in daily service are much quieter, there is obviously potential for tragic consequences."

Easter trains

Meanwhile, special trains were put on to serve one of Northern Ireland's top seaside resorts on Easter Monday, to thwart youths who have disrupted the service in the past.

The family service to Portrush was introduced last year after trains and buses were cancelled on Easter Monday 2003 following incidences of assault and vandalism in previous years.

Adults were only allowed on board if they had a pre-booked ticket and were accompanied by a child aged under 15.

Translink ran two of the trains from Belfast and one from Londonderry.