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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling Yesterday, Tuesday October fourth, I had one of the worst railfanning experiences of my life... My dad and I railfanned the CNs yard in Fondu lak... Where I got to see several CN locos, including a slug! and 2 WC SD45s !!!!!!!!!! NIICE!!!!! Of course, we were on a rr access road- trespassing, so instead of asking us to leave some CN guy called the COPS on us. The cops (there were 2!) said that we could take pictures from public streets, so my dad and I proceded to do so.... Just as a raised my camera to shot another picture, a CN truck roars up to me and my dad, stepping out of it was the guy who called the cops on us, and yelled to me, "son, put the camera down, there is no photography here. " My dad informed the CN guy that it was entirely legal to take pictures from the sidewalks, but he said that I couldn't take pictures. My dad told me I could take pictures, so I did. My dad and I hopped into our Jeep and moved on to a different spot to shoot, only to be followed by that same CN truck! This continued fo about 45 minutes, and just as I finished taking my last shots, The rude CN guy yelled to me and my dad- "I hope you guys are enjoying your little game, I am going to have you detained!" My dad told me he couldn't, and then the CN guy thretaned to have us arrersted! And I think he tried, as he called the cops again! and lied to thwem that we were continuing to trespass. Fortunently, the kind officer believed my dad and I and not the CN jerk, and we didn't get arrested. Now, I have been railfanning my whole life, and employees os the UP, CSX, Montana Rail Link and CP have been so kind, and even given my dad and I tours of facilities. Never in my life have I been treated so badly by a railroad employee. What do you all make of this? That CN guy stalked me and my dad!!!!!!!!!! [/quote] Yeah, things around here really went down the crapper when the CN took over.[:(!] From the WC's inception until the "takeover", the WC was incredibly friendly to railfans. I live about 3 blocks from the Shops/Yard, and every year from '87 til about '94, the WC would take part in "North Fondy Pride Days", by offering shop tours and displaying newly painted freight cars and an engine or 2. The WC even christened the SW-1 shop switcher "The Fran Weiner", after a retired SOO employee who was WC's unofficial photographer at North Fondy. I knew Fran well, and had access to the yards and shops. Remember a few times being invited to join Fran and his wife Dorothy in the engine house to view slides with some of the WC/ex-SOO employees that they knew.[:D] Then, around '95, up went the "No Tresspassing" signs at the entrance to the Shops complex, and along Lakeshore Drive near the yard office. This was, IIRC, around the time Ed Burkhardt was ousted from the RR presidency, and the WC was more particular about who was on the property. Before that time, I had managed to get most of the original WC fleet (85 units)on film in both original paint and WC paint.[:D] Now, I rarely if ever take pics near the roundhouse/diesel house or the shops(which have been cut back to 1 shift, and the roundhouse/diesel shop to running repairs.) As you mentioned, you were originally on the access road, which is off limits, no matter what. As far as public streets, where did he get you? Scott Street crossing(south end of the yard) has many places to take pics, and you can get some fairly decent pics on Subway Road & Minnesota Ave, at the north end. Be warned, however, the NFDL Police are a younger, more abrasive bunch than most P.D.s, and won't hesistate to ticket you for minor offenses(don't ask how I know)[V][}:)]
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