Harsh treatment from BNSF police.

[Anonymous]

I just recently went to get some pictures by corwith yard in chicago. I got some suggestions from some other fellows on here to see where I could go around the yard without getting tooclose to the tracks. I ended up at a viaduct on the North lead into the yard. Now everytime I go train watching i ALWAYS stay atleast 10 or 15 feet away from the closest rail. I was taking some shots of a loaded intermodal train, when right after the last car past, A BNSF Police ford explorer pulled up.    We said, Top of the morning to ya, Just trying to be nice and civil with him, He responded real quick, " Shut off the camera and the cam corder right now!" We said ok, no problem. He took down all our Names, Our phone # and address. Then told us, and I qoute, Get offBNSF property now. No one is allowed on any railroad property exept for authorized personnel, We said, (Being real civil) We arent on the tracks, Were not even 15 feet close to the tracks, Were not doing any harm. He used the excuse, Oh well no one is allowed to take pictures our eqipment anymore due to circumstances with the war and the 9/11 attacks. We asked if we could take pictures from the side walk, (IN A PUBLIC NEIGHBORHOOD). He said, absolutly not! If any of you ever get caught taking pictures (on Or near) BNSF property, We will be arrested on the spot and the film and tape will be desrtoyed.            Now whats funny to me is, In the summer of 2002, 1 year after 9/11, We got approched by a BNSF police officer on the east end of Eola yard. He just told us that we could'nt take pictures anymore that day at that spot, He told us if we wanted to get shots it would have to be on a public side walk or street. Yet he did at first tell us he didnt have a problem with us taking pictures, He just had to do his job which is understandable and we respected that, so we just left the spot for the day. we eventually came back, a month or two after that, and yet a BNSF cop past right nexted to us. He jut waved as he entered the yard. When he exited, He just stopped and said, Make sure you guys dont go out on the tracks, And we taked to him for a while, just discussing about whats goin on in the yard. He took us up on our offer of some fresh Krispy cremes too. He was a real nice guy. He said the railroad police dont have problems with railfans they incurage it, as long as its being done safly. So im wondering why now, all of a sudden, 6 years after 9/11, Its now becoming an issue for train watching? Has anyone else had this problem?  Thanks, Dillon

[cprted]

BNSF Police have every right to remove you from BNSF property. It doesn't matter if you're 15' from the tracks or 500' from the tracks.

There are no laws as far as I know that say you're not allowed to take photographs in a public area. However, if the police ask you to stop, why not just move along? If you really want to stand up for your rights, go ahead. But don't be surprised if you end up with some new silver jewelry.

[Anonymous]

ok, well than yes i guess your right, Its pretty much just as if someone was on my property and I didnt want them on it, I can kick them off. But now the question is, is why wouldnt they let us shot from a Public side walk in a nieghborhood? And it seems as if luck plays a roll whether the police are nice or just strict. I do however respect them when asked to leave. We just left after he said no about watching onm the side walk. so we did just go on our way. I just dont understand why not on public land? I guess thats beyond me. I would like to see more of those railroad parks like the one in rochelle. This way, Your right infront of the action, Theres a nice little place to have a pic-nic and yet your allowed to be there, ya know, thats what its there for and its great. So i would definatly like to see more things like those, Perhaps at La Grange crossing (IHB/BNSF) or at bussy junctions in general.  It sure would be nice. But then again, I wish I was born back when you basically had no problem going to junctions that are now all posted No tresspassing.

[Dakguy201]

You did the correct thing in exiting BNSF property.  He had every right to insist that you do so.

Beyond that, however, it is all BS.  9-11 is simply an excuse for some cops to invent any law on the spot that they wish was actually on the books.

The best way in the world to upgrade your current photography equipment to the best on the market is to get the current stuff confiscated by some overly aggressive railroad cop while you are on public property.   If you have some negotiating skill, you might even arrange for delivery by the same cop who took it.       

[coborn35]

Someonee pissed off the rent a cops........

[EJE818]

Remember, BNSF banned photography about a month or two ago from BNSF property (example, Corwith Yard or Clyde Yard) so don't even try to get photo from inside yards or you will be thrown out. That is why the officer was so rude. Eola is fine because you don't have to go onto actual BNSF property, just don't go past tresspassing signs. There are plenty of places to take photos of BNSF trains from public property so I would not encourage going to Corwith again.

[Anonymous]

Oh, See now I had no clue they did that. Yea trust me, After that experience, We dont even want to get close to that place. And ya know I keep hearing about Eola yard. I went there a few years ago but was on the east end, Not really the best place... So next time, Thats where were gonna end up goin. And now were real worried about bein on BNSF property because, Hey, Who wants to get arrested! lol. I dont really know much about the west end of the yard or how to really get to it.

[spikejones52002]

I was traveling on 80/94 over the C.N yard near Haslecrest Il.

I see a passenger train pulled by E-units in what looked like old NYC colors (from a distance quick look).

I got off 80/94 ant Hulsted and back tracked.

I was across a public road from C.N's yard taking pictures. Then I drove up about a block and pulled into an Appartment parking lot.

I was standing on the floor of my truck attempting to take a good shot.

A plain white pick up truck pulled up behind me. a man in plain clothes came up to my window.

He very quickly flashed a badge. Then he demanded my drivers licences.

I refused and demanded his idendification.He then showed me his ID. on the back it stated it was only valid on Railroad properity.

I pointed that out and refused. He then called Haslecrest police. The Haslecrest Sargent told me the Railroad police have totally unrestricted power.

I give the RR cop my licence. He recorded it and said he will be filing charges. I also recorded with my camera where I was.

Five years and I am still waiting to hear from them(who ever they are).

[Railfan1]

I just railfan where I know it's ok to be. By an old train station in the middle of town, railfan platforms, etc. etc.......

[Andy Cummings]

Firstly, nobody ever has the right to erase your memory cards or ruin your film. Even if you broke the law and trespassed to get the photos, don't ever let them lay a hand on your photographic equipment. They have no right. Period.

Secondly, as long as you're standing on public property, you're in the clear. No company has the right to ban photography of their facilities/equipment from public property.

Somebody asked: Why stand and fight? The reason: Because when you don't, they win. And when they win, they get bigger heads. The bigger their heads get, the more they'll dole out this kind of abuse.

There has been a flareup of sorts of this kind of behavior in Chicago recently, and it needs to stop.

Andy Cummings
Associate Editor, Trains Magazine
Waukesha, Wis.

[EJE818]

BNSFFreak, have you ever been to West Eola? It is a nice place to see a lot of trains, and you commonly see yard movements. You don't usually see the EJ&E on that end of the yard but Illinois Railway does interchange on the west side of the yard. There is a nice gravel lot to park in and the employees usually are quite friendly. The nice thing about it is you don't have to go past any tresspassing signs to see the action. You can take photos of BNSF yards and engine terminals as long as you are on public property.

[EJE818]

The gravel lot at West Eola is right off McClure Road and there are usually quite a few people there on weekends getting photos. It is a very popular spot.

[PBenham]

Taking pictures or just lingering on bridges over railroads in the NYSSR has been verboten since 9/12/01. The Police are 100% off base on this, but sadly, it is enforced quite vigorously. I have said it before--there are people with authority and there are idiots with authority. Guess what most cops are. The terrorists win another one, and WE lose another one. This theater of the war on terror is being ignored by the drive by media, which would rather tell us how we are losing wars overseas.

Railfanning in the northeast corridor (around New York and Washington DC especially) is forbidden. Terrorists are very happy, since they are fearless and have contempt for everyone and everything they dislike. Why do we let them win?

[Anonymous]

Well thank you everyone for their input. EJE818, I've been hearing alot about the west end, It sounds alot better than whats goin on on the east end which is where I have visited. I would really like to come on down there and see what its all about, Which I plan on doing soon. I hope to see so other railfans up there as well. As for Andy Cummings, Thanks for your input as well, I didnt think the railroads had the rights to take your equipment, especially on public property.

[B.Erdmann]

hey,

 

 

well now what i heard thats one place to cross off my chicago list.

 

ive never had any problems w/ cops when i go out. once i saw a North Fondy police office when i was at the shops yard but he didnt bother me. he just drove through they ard & turned the opposite way. ya if i do end up in a prediciment like this i  can just say im on public property & i was told by the people who work here that these spots were ok. & sometimes when i get close ups ill ask the people on the loco & then if any one drives by & starts harassin me ill just say he gave me permisson. but any way i think railroad cops can only  take action on railroad property but the city/county cops could. ive never seen a CN cop any where ive gone. & i know now to tresspass i usually stay a certain distance from the work areas.