Your Opinion Please

[Anonymous]

This could turn out to be a controversial topic. If so, please be considerate of other opinions that might differ from your own. Yes, we do live in a land of free speech, but MIND YOUR MANNERS.

Now the story so you can understand the question.

Today as I was leaving to go to the grocery store I heard a train horn. It wasn't the normal bland horn commonly used today -- something like a three chime. It sounded more like a 5 or 7 chime horn so I wanted to see what loco this horn was mounted on. I could hear the horn and knew if I didn't get somewhere that I could see it that I would miss it. The normal places I might go would make me miss the engine. I live close enough to the tracks to hear the horn, engines, and rumble of the cars but not close enought (because of hills, trees, houses) to see the tracks or trains. There is a dead end road that I thought I might drive down and see the train. The road dead ends just before the tracks but because of houses and trees on this road and by it I could only see a small part of the loco, not really enought to get a good look. (Now we start getting to the meat of the question.) There is a cemetery next to the road and next to the tracks. At this time all I was thinking about was getting a look at the loco. I couldn't see it from the road so I drove into the cemetary to try to find a spot where I could see it. Real close to the tracks was an area about 40 yards long
where you could see the tracks and a train if one were there. It was a nice quiet spot (no jokes here) and you could see the trains very well from here. It was a higher spot (just a little) with a gentle slope down to the tracks. All in all a pretty place. I thought to myself that it would make a nice spot to see and photograph trains. I did however notice that many shots might include the grave markers that were not flush with the ground. Now I bet some of you are getting the same thoughts I suddenly had. "Would this really be an appropriate spot from which to take pics of trains?" "If the shots didn't show the grave markers would it be appropriate?" (If they didn't most people would never know the photographer was standing in a cemetery.) "WOULD ANY PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN FROM THIS SPOT BE APPROPRIATE?"

Now I didn't have my camera and wasn't taking pics anyway. My first thoughts were "a nice place to take shots from" then all of a sudden I felt uneasy about the idea. I have much respect for the dead and still pull over for a funeral procession (where and when appropriate).

After just a little thought I decided I wouldn't use that spot. But I woundered how many might or would?

I really don't feel it is an appropriate spot to use for photography of trains. Does anyone have a different opinion on this subject? WOULD YOU USE IT?

Let's hear your comments.

Changing the tone of this new thread.
A story you should like.

I read in one of the monthly newsletters I used to receive (from train organizations I belonged to) that one of the MO PAC workers had passed on and his funeral was at this same cemetery. (This was many, many years ago.)
During the gravesite service a lone MOPAC engine ran light on the trackage next to the cemetery. It reverently stopped near the service and remained quiet and patiently waited for the end of the service. As the service ended (just like the engine knew) it sounded the horn and called in the flagman. (Man typing this story has touched this 'ole softie and I had to stop and get a Kleenex--I REALLY DID.) As the mourners left the engine reverently and slowly left also, returning the same way it had come.

Now if the photo part of this posting has offended you I hope the second part has made up for it.

Sincerely yours,

Jim

[Anonymous]

I have taken a few pictures of trains in the cemetary ,as well as the trees in the Autumn, where I used to live in Wausau,Wi. It was at the Pine Grove Cemetary.In fact I used to work there as well! I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking a couple of pictures of the trains in the cemetary.In fact there is a picture of a CNW train passing a cemetary in an article on the CNW Adams Line in an out of print magazine called Rail News.Granted if there are some people visiting their lost loved ones,there is a need for respect,on that part,but I feel that there is nothing wrong with taking a few pics. After all where are we railfans suppose to get or take pictures with all of the security precautiuons going on anyway? One more fact,a cemetary IS a public place,even if it is a burial site. If you feel a bit concerned about taking some pictures,ask the people who run or manage the cemetary,and see what they say. The least thing they could do is say no...but I highly doubt it.

[Anonymous]

I have taken a few pictures of trains in the cemetary ,as well as the trees in the Autumn, where I used to live in Wausau,Wi. It was at the Pine Grove Cemetary.In fact I used to work there as well! I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking a couple of pictures of the trains in the cemetary.In fact there is a picture of a CNW train passing a cemetary in an article on the CNW Adams Line in an out of print magazine called Rail News.Granted if there are some people visiting their lost loved ones,there is a need for respect,on that part,but I feel that there is nothing wrong with taking a few pics. After all where are we railfans suppose to get or take pictures with all of the security precautiuons going on anyway? One more fact,a cemetary IS a public place,even if it is a burial site. If you feel a bit concerned about taking some pictures,ask the people who run or manage the cemetary,and see what they say. The least thing they could do is say no...but I highly doubt it.

[bluepuma]

I wouldn't feel badly about taking train pictures from a graveyard. But I grew up in the California, Arizona, and I wasn't Catholic, my wife who grew up in North Central IL has a different view of graveyards, we went to one, one day a 4 years ago, took pictures of things there. During a troubled time, I remembered a friend who died in '65/66 and went, found her site, several times spent hours there different times. Not far from
the SP tracks near Covina, Grand Ave. We were taught that only the empty shell lay there, the soul returned to God, but I think it rests waiting for Judgement Day. A sense in tradition of not disturbing the dead, sleeping. I think most would not be disturbed, respectful conduct. I remember railroad tracks next to a graveyard in Mississippi, Biloxi, that I would not seek out a graveyard as my train pix site unless there was a point I wanted to make.

I see the Classic trains, old locos, places, times gone past, those scenes hurt my heart, seeing some of the old pictures is like visiting a graveyard, knowing people and trains you once knew and loved are long gone, never to return.

[bluepuma]

I wouldn't feel badly about taking train pictures from a graveyard. But I grew up in the California, Arizona, and I wasn't Catholic, my wife who grew up in North Central IL has a different view of graveyards, we went to one, one day a 4 years ago, took pictures of things there. During a troubled time, I remembered a friend who died in '65/66 and went, found her site, several times spent hours there different times. Not far from
the SP tracks near Covina, Grand Ave. We were taught that only the empty shell lay there, the soul returned to God, but I think it rests waiting for Judgement Day. A sense in tradition of not disturbing the dead, sleeping. I think most would not be disturbed, respectful conduct. I remember railroad tracks next to a graveyard in Mississippi, Biloxi, that I would not seek out a graveyard as my train pix site unless there was a point I wanted to make.

I see the Classic trains, old locos, places, times gone past, those scenes hurt my heart, seeing some of the old pictures is like visiting a graveyard, knowing people and trains you once knew and loved are long gone, never to return.

[Anonymous]

I just ran across this story on AOL, I don't know how long the link will be good so you might want to look now. It is not about trains but about a special graveyard in New York.

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20031107103709990001

[Anonymous]

I just ran across this story on AOL, I don't know how long the link will be good so you might want to look now. It is not about trains but about a special graveyard in New York.

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20031107103709990001

[locomutt]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong if someone wants to take pictures of a train
passing by a cemetery. So what if the headstones are in the picture? Someone
in the family, in later years who's researching their family history, might be very
thrilled to see one of their ancestors in a rail picture.

Paula G., wife of Locomutt

[locomutt]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong if someone wants to take pictures of a train
passing by a cemetery. So what if the headstones are in the picture? Someone
in the family, in later years who's researching their family history, might be very
thrilled to see one of their ancestors in a rail picture.

Paula G., wife of Locomutt

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim. It is nice to know that you have friends, even we have not actually met, who will say an extra prayer for your children. I appreciate it so much. Thank all of you very much.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim. It is nice to know that you have friends, even we have not actually met, who will say an extra prayer for your children. I appreciate it so much. Thank all of you very much.

[yellowducky]

I think "respecting the dead" is more a matter of respecting the living, and respecting our Creator. During a church service one time, I used our church's Alter to step up onto a shed-sized church we built at VBS(Vacation Bible School) so I could get on the roof of it to set the cross during the program. Was I being disrespectful? Should I have used the Alter that way for the expedience of the program? This has caused some debate. Not a lot, but some. Would I use the Alter to take a picture at a friend's wedding for them. NO. Would I use a gravestone as a step into a tree to take a picture of a train? Probably. Would I stand on a gravestone to take a picture? NO. Shades of black and white, where do we draw the lines?

[yellowducky]

I think "respecting the dead" is more a matter of respecting the living, and respecting our Creator. During a church service one time, I used our church's Alter to step up onto a shed-sized church we built at VBS(Vacation Bible School) so I could get on the roof of it to set the cross during the program. Was I being disrespectful? Should I have used the Alter that way for the expedience of the program? This has caused some debate. Not a lot, but some. Would I use the Alter to take a picture at a friend's wedding for them. NO. Would I use a gravestone as a step into a tree to take a picture of a train? Probably. Would I stand on a gravestone to take a picture? NO. Shades of black and white, where do we draw the lines?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scottydog

Thank you Dan. Now I'm scared silly for my middle son is in the army and at present is stationed at the Pentagon. His hitch there is up in May and from there, it almost certainly Iraq. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him too.

We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers. The do not have a say in where they go, and most certainly don't want to be over there.

I am sorry to hear about your first son. I too appreciate his service to our country.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scottydog

Thank you Dan. Now I'm scared silly for my middle son is in the army and at present is stationed at the Pentagon. His hitch there is up in May and from there, it almost certainly Iraq. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him too.

We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers. The do not have a say in where they go, and most certainly don't want to be over there.

I am sorry to hear about your first son. I too appreciate his service to our country.