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I enjoyed “...a Railfan Un-American”, and it reminded me of an experience I had a long time ago. One of my fondest memory as a young Peace Corps Volunteer in the late 60s was the sights, sounds and smell of coal-fired steam locomotives passing nearby my village in northern India. Numerous times each day local passenger, coal, express and freight trains broke the peace and calm of the village. Each had a unique rumble, or whistle and the ever present odor of sulfurous coal smoke as they passed bye. Shortly after my arrival in Varanasi City, just across the Ganges river from the rail yard at Moghul Sarai, I was out photographing monuments and tombs of the ancient city. On the rail/auto bridge was a locomotive belching steam and smoke with a dozen bogies attached. I wanted that picture and started to move into position near the bridge for a better shot. As I climbed towards the bridge I caught sight of three figures moving with a very deliberate pace towards me. One figure was carrying an old British caliber .303 rifle with a bayonnete fixed, the others were armed with lathies, long spear-like clubs used for crowed control. I was quickly informed that photography of the bridge is forbidden and I should move along or risk being arrested. Shortly after this incident I was visited by a deputy inspector of police. Over tea, he told me of a provision of the Defense of India Act which prohibits photography of bridges, locomotives and just about anything of importance. The local authorities would determine what is important. He added that I can be arrested and jailed without charge until the authorities were satisfied that I presented no threat to India. Over the next 18 months, the deputy would stop by my hut from time-to-time to remind me to be on my best behavior. I remember thinking, this would never happen in the United States of America. John Paskevicz Arlington Heights, Illinois
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