ROCKLAND – A man apprehended by officials of the Maine Eastern Railroad while allegedly riding a dirt bike on railroad tracks faces charges from police.

Deputy Chief Wallace Tower said Friday that Craig Curtis, 30, of Rockland was stopped at 10:15 a.m. Thursday on the tracks. Police have charged him with operating an ATV on railroad tracks, and with operating an unregistered ATV.

According to railroad officials, two employees were cleaning switches and checking crossings after the most recent snowfall when they saw Curtis riding the dirt bike on the railroad right of way between New County Road and Broadway. Curtis suffered an injury to his knee in an apparent fall, the railroad reported.

Railroad officials stress that anyone riding an ATV, bicycle, snowmobile or even walking along the tracks is trespassing on the railroad’s right of way. Out of concern for safety, the railroad said, it will summon law enforcement officers when any such trespass is witnessed.