Being a good Railfan and still get yelled at.

[wabash1]

ted marshall did you do the cross out his words and try correcting him, and try making the statement into something you wanted it to say. if so then you know it was directed at you. and then here we go with beach bill who thinks he got to add 2 cents into the statement,

Listen up there is people who write the way they talk, might be few in number but our thoughts we write just they way we would say it. we say and and just like the stuttering we would do in real life when excited and saying whats on our mind, to me that makes us better than you as we are not impersonating something we are not such as yourselfs you are so self centered on what others think you cant get by with out trying to intimidate others. you would never cut it in the real world of railroading because to be a railroader you must be thick skinned, not the imtimdated hide behind the computor types you guys are. this guy wrote as he would have said it and with that i would rather someone call me a illiterate toothless redneck with a 5th grade education than the stuff shirt players you try to come off as.

Now as the original post next time get the lic plate number. turn it in if asked for it.   thats about all you can do anyways because you are not a cop it be usless to do anything.  and if there was a wreck you could have been the one to post it on you tube.  just remeber stand on the side close to the direction the train is comming as then you wont be hit by debris from the vehicle and then enjoy the view.

[wgnrr]

What did you expect the guy to do to you??? Almost a LOL there...

Yes, I always try to stop people from crossing the crossing when a train is coming, and the lights are on. They hate it, but they REALLY hate it when I get a picture of their car going around gates or through a crossing with lights on, and then send it to either UP or the local police, and they get a ticket.

Phil 

[BaltACD]

About 10:30 Saturday night I was out railfanning with my father over in west of Warwick (Clinton, Oh.) at the Black Diamond road crossing, BG146.4 on CSX's New Castle Sub. anyways K381 had just cleared the single main and a balast extra got the line up to continoue east. The gates went down and and as the was about 50 or so feet from the crossing a car tried to go around the gates, I stoped the from doing so, but after the train past and the gates went up I got yelled at for it, It took all my nevre not to chase him down and beat the crap out him.

I guess what my Question is, has something like this happen to anyone else?

As a railfan you are not in a position to play a Law Enforcement officer, so don't.  As a railfan, I would expect you to have a camera, either still or video, at the ready.  So do what railfans do....take pictures and document the occurrence.  Provide the pictures to local law enforcement and/or the railroad police and let them take whatever actions they deem necessary.

[Soo 6604]

the nerve of you to correct his statment and chew on him at the same time. if he wanted to say those words he would have wrote those words. This is why this forum has went down hill. believe it or not i understood what he said what he meant and his attitude at the time. I dont agree with his actions but since this is a free forum he has the right to exsprees his self any way he chooses as long as it isnt profanity. 

If someone on this forum doesn't have the courage to correct such atrocious use of language, who will?   If someone on this forum doesn't have the sense to question the writer's hostile attitude, who will?  It is the nature of public discourse.  When we post ideas, we present them for comment, and this response may well draw a negative comment as well.... but at least the reader will have some belief that this was posted by someone with more than a fifth grade education. 

But to the heart of the matter - I fail to see how stepping in front of traffic classifies one as "a good railfan".  Showing a desire to chase someone down and assault them also does not qualify one for "good railfan".  Now retired, I served over 30 years as a municipal police officer and the offense of driving around RR gates was always a sure ticket from me.  The last one I wrote was to a fellow who tried to talk me out of it because he was a NS engineer and "knew how fast the train was coming".  I asked him how often he had cursed drivers for doing that from the engineer's seat.  He paid off the ticket before court.

Bill

If someone doesn't step-up to correct such activities of breaking the law, who will? At least he tried. I believe he did it in the wrong matter, plate number and a call to local police would have been suffice. I, personally, would have let it be. Let them break the law. Let them get hit. If someone is breaking the law, its their choice. I wont interfere if it might cause injury to myself. Greedy? **** straight. You have to look out for #1. I will call the local police or at least 9-1-1, but something as going around lowered gates, no, why bother.

[Beach Bill]

the nerve of you to correct his statment and chew on him at the same time. if he wanted to say those words he would have wrote those words. This is why this forum has went down hill. believe it or not i understood what he said what he meant and his attitude at the time. I dont agree with his actions but since this is a free forum he has the right to exsprees his self any way he chooses as long as it isnt profanity. 

If someone on this forum doesn't have the courage to correct such atrocious use of language, who will?   If someone on this forum doesn't have the sense to question the writer's hostile attitude, who will?  It is the nature of public discourse.  When we post ideas, we present them for comment, and this response may well draw a negative comment as well.... but at least the reader will have some belief that this was posted by someone with more than a fifth grade education. 

But to the heart of the matter - I fail to see how stepping in front of traffic classifies one as "a good railfan".  Showing a desire to chase someone down and assault them also does not qualify one for "good railfan".  Now retired, I served over 30 years as a municipal police officer and the offense of driving around RR gates was always a sure ticket from me.  The last one I wrote was to a fellow who tried to talk me out of it because he was a NS engineer and "knew how fast the train was coming".  I asked him how often he had cursed drivers for doing that from the engineer's seat.  He paid off the ticket before court.

Bill

[Anonymous]

Hmm....this is a tough one...

I would feel pretty bad if someone got injured/killed and I was there, just watching and saying nothing. I would know it wasn't my fault, but still.....

[Ted Marshall]

Okay, back on topic.

To answer your question, YES, this has happened to me before. But I wasn't in a position to cause them to stop completely nor did I let my failure to save the day get the better of me either.

[cprted]

Why is it that you think you were in a position to stop this or any vehicle? Are you a police officer? Are you a sworn peace officer of some other variety? Do you work for the railroad? If not, what you did was really stupid. Out of all the things that police officers do, vehicle stops have one of the highest potentials for danger. Do not unnecessarily put yourself into harms way. If you see illegal activities, be a good witness. Observe and report. Let the pros handle it.

Let's give Ster1 the benefit of the doubt for a moment and consider the fact that although his/her actions had the remote chance of being disasterous for him/herself, he/she could've very well prevented the likely chance of idiot, in-a-rush motorist from injuring (best case scenario) or killing himself and his passengers as well. I believe that what he/she is saying is that he/she maneuvered his/her vehicle so as to prevent another vehicle from passing from behind as in moving over to the curb. Certainly not something that one must be an officer of any kind to do.

I call that being a road ranger (not a term of endearment). People who feel that by way of being behind the wheel, they are deputized to enforce traffic laws with their vehicle.

And by the way, "it took all my nerve not to chase him down and beat the sh** out him

sounds like an assault to me. I don't know about where you are, but in my neck of the woods, assault is a criminal offense, and you can go to prison for up to five years for it.

Don't be too harsh here; there was no assault, not even a threat. The fact remains that he/she didn't do it. This is an expression that we're all guilty of and I doubt anyone here spent five years in prison for uttering these words or anything close to it. It's when you actually say it to the intended victim that it becomes a threat and when you carry out those words that it becomes an assault.

I think that Ster1 actually did that person a service but could have expresssed his/her thoughts in a more tactful manner.

I should clarify. Wanting to chase someone down a dole out a beating for driving around crossing gates isn't assault, actually doing it is. The original poster doesn't seem to cognizant of the potential consequences of his actions, thought I would put it into a little perspective.

On the topic of perspective, railfans get really bent out of shape over things like this. Look at the big picture folks. Driving/walking around the gates is foolish and dangerous, but it is a traffic violation. Just like running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign. It happens thousands of times per day. Some people get dinged, most don't. Western civilization isn't going to come to an end because someone broke a traffic law.

[selector]

Okay, okay...it has been said.  Pointing out mistakes was not the best reply.  The best reply would have been to ask for more information or clarification.  However, it has now degenerated into posturing, if with some hilarity. 

Let's get back on topic.  If we can by this point.

-Crandell

[Ted Marshall]

the nerve of you to correct his statment and chew on him at the same time. if he wanted to say those words he would have wrote those words. This is why this forum has went down hill. believe it or not i understood what he said what he meant and his attitude at the time. I dont agree with his actions but since this is a free forum he has the right to exsprees his self any way he chooses as long as it isnt profanity. 

Who are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

the nerve of you to correct his statment and chew on him at the same time. if he wanted to say those words he would have wrote those words. This is why this forum has went down hill. believe it or not i understood what he said what he meant and his attitude at the time. I dont agree with his actions but since this is a free forum he has the right to exsprees his self any way he chooses as long as it isnt profanity. 

Ditto, I fully understood what he meant. My spelling stinks and I dont' have spell check, so I can't pick his grammer apart. I understand him wanting to get involved in trying to stop an accident, but unless he's a railroad employee or a cop he should keep his mouth shut. People are quick to jump out and beat you down or blast you so be careful what you say. I get yelled at all the time when flagging crossings. People blow right by me while I'm standing on the crossing, flag in hand and lights blinking. Some things you have to overlook, as there aren't enough hours in the day to report every motorist who breaks the law.

So watch what you say or else you could be forced to back up the things you say to people in the heat of the moment.

[Ted Marshall]

"grammer"??

 

ROFLMM**O

[Soo 6604]

All I ask is that people check their post/replies for spelling and grammer before they hit post.  Like the one person said, it was hard to read.  Sometimes I feel my 2 year old has been on here posting threads...YIKES!!!

Evrytmie me psot soemtnig, shuold me prvte psot u so u kan korect me speels badnses

I see some regulars on here spelling the same word wrong for years now. I dont see people slamming them. Pcik on the new guy right?

I got exactly what he was getting to the first time i read it. If he wants to post without spellcheck, so be it. If he wants to add profanity to it, so be it. You have the right to not to read what he posts after the first word.

Lets all make it personal and attack the new guy <eyeroll>

[al-in-chgo]

All I ask is that people check their post/replies for spelling and grammer before they hit post.  Like the one person said, it was hard to read.  Sometimes I feel my 2 year old has been on here posting threads...YIKES!!!

"grammer"??

 

[TRNBUF]

But he DID take TIME to compose his post; note the use of the overstrikes. It takes time to add those - back space, use the overstrike letters to replace what he wrote, and then add the same words in a different place.. 

 Your kidding...right?

 At least he knew how many letters there were in both curse words. 

[Anonymous]

But he DID take TIME to compose his post; note the use of the overstrikes. It takes time to add those - back space, use the overstrike letters to replace what he wrote, and then add the same words in a different place.. 

As far as the spelling, very few people seem to have access to a spellchecker, and seemingly fewer still were taught spelling.  Spelling is just not that important, studies have indicated; the meaning is still strikingly clear (pun intended). 

Art 

[TRNBUF]

All I ask is that people check their post/replies for spelling and grammer before they hit post.  Like the one person said, it was hard to read.  Sometimes I feel my 2 year old has been on here posting threads...YIKES!!!

[wabash1]

the nerve of you to correct his statment and chew on him at the same time. if he wanted to say those words he would have wrote those words. This is why this forum has went down hill. believe it or not i understood what he said what he meant and his attitude at the time. I dont agree with his actions but since this is a free forum he has the right to exsprees his self any way he chooses as long as it isnt profanity. 

[Ted Marshall]

About 10:30 Saturday night I was out railfanning with my father over in west of Warwick (Clinton, Oh. OH) at the Black Diamond road crossing, BG146.4 on CSX's New Castle Sub. Anyways, K381 had just cleared the single main and a balast ballast extra got the line up to continoue continue east. The gates went down and and as the [train] was about 50 or so feet or so from the crossing a car tried to go around the gates. I stopped the [driver] from doing so, but after the train past passed and the gates went up I got yelled at for it. It took all my nevre nerve not to chase him down and beat the crap out of him.

I guess what my Qquestion is, has something like this happened to anyone else?

Why is it that you think you were in a position to stop this or any vehicle? Are you a police officer? Are you a sworn peace officer of some other variety? Do you work for the railroad? If not, what you did was really stupid. Out of all the things that police officers do, vehicle stops have one of the highest potentials for danger. Do not unnecessarily put yourself into harms way. If you see illegal activities, be a good witness. Observe and report. Let the pros handle it.

Let's give Ster1 the benefit of the doubt for a moment and consider the fact that although his/her actions had the remote chance of being disasterous for him/herself, he/she could've very well prevented the likely chance of idiot, in-a-rush motorist from injuring (best case scenario) or killing himself and his passengers as well. I believe that what he/she is saying is that he/she maneuvered his/her vehicle so as to prevent another vehicle from passing from behind as in moving over to the curb.  Certainly not something that one must be an officer of any kind to do.

And by the way, "it took all my nerve not to chase him down and beat the crap out him" sounds like an assault to me. I don't know about where you are, but in my neck of the woods, assault is a criminal offense, and you can go to prison for up to five years for it.

Don't be too harsh here; there was no assault, not even a threat. The fact remains that he/she didn't do it. This is an expression that we're all guilty of and I doubt anyone here spent five years in prison for uttering these words or anything close to it. It's when you actually say it to the intended victim that it becomes a threat and when you carry out those words that it becomes an assault.

I think that Ster1 actually did that person a service but could have expresssed his/her thoughts in a more tactful manner.

Ps. Anonymous names really peeve me; I never know what gender the person is I'm referring to, I'm assuming a male. Nontheless, hence the reason for political correctness. 

[selector]

Please, as a courtesy, try to take more time composing your message.  I found it quite difficult to read.  If you take more time for your readers' sakes, they are likely to take more time responding to you, particularly when you really need some input or help.

Secondly, yes, the forum policy prohibits the starred out letters indicating you really wanted to use foul language because nobody is fooled by them.  That goes for younger folk who may be a bit more highly impressed by that usage than they ought to be.  It is a family forum.

Thirdly, you never know why a person decides to break the law, but these days its a good bet it is to evade capture or to make a deadline that is itself unlawful.  Think of drug deliveries where $30K may be in the balance.  To the person intending to sneak ahead of the descending gates, your actions might be more than just a nuisance.  To these people, you are dog poop and certainly not worth missing a sure $30K in profit for the week.  In other words, you are expendable, you are unarmed, and they have guns...probably.  Good Samaritans may be a principled lot, but if you have kids, discretion may be in order for their sakes.

Just a few thoughts.

[cprted]

About 10:30 Saturday night I was out railfanning with my father over in west of Warwick (Clinton, Oh.) at the Black Diamond road crossing, BG146.4 on CSX's New Castle Sub. anyways K381 had just cleared the single main and a balast extra got the line up to continoue east. The gates went down and and as the was about 50 or so feet from the crossing a car tried to go around the gates, I stoped the from doing so, but after the train past and the gates went up I got yelled at for it, It took all my nevre not to chase him down and beat the crap out him. I guess what my Question is, has something like this happen to anyone else?

Why is it that you think you were in a position to stop this or any vehicle? Are you a police officer? Are you a sworn peace officer of some other variety? Do you work for the railroad? If not, what you did was really stupid. Out of all the things that police officers do, vehicle stops have one of the highest potentials for danger. Do not unnecessarily put yourself into harms way. If you see illegal activities, be a good witness. Observe and report. Let the pros handle it.

And by the way, "it took all my nerve not to chase him down and beat the sh** out him" sounds like an assault to me. I don't know about where you are, but in my neck of the woods, assault is a criminal offense, and you can go to prison for up to five years for it.

[Namerifrats]

Best thing is to not say anything to him. Good way to get yourself shot for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. No way of knowing what kind of person is in that car. Let them do as they wish and let the suffer them consequences if he doesn't make it. Just stay out of it to be safe. Nobody likes a nosey person correcting them, even if they were in the wrong.

[SR1457]

A little info for you son, dont try to take the law into your hands, people running around gates has been going on long long time, and will continue long long time, take that agression out on something  worthwhile, like chopping wood, or digging a ditch! Also US Army is taking applications at this time.You could also brush up on your spelling!

[Ted Marshall]

About 10:30 Saturday night I was out railfanning with my father over in west of Warwick (Clinton, Oh. OH) at the Black Diamond road crossing, BG146.4 on CSX's New Castle Sub. Anyways, K381 had just cleared the single main and a balast ballast extra got the line up to continoue continue east. The gates went down and and as the [train] was about 50 or so feet or so from the crossing a car tried to go around the gates. I stopped the [driver] from doing so, but after the train past passed and the gates went up I got yelled at for it. It took all my nevre nerve not to chase him down and beat the crap out of him.

I guess what my Qquestion is, has something like this happened to anyone else?

First, let me start by greeting the newbie .

It seems that you may have some anger management issues, Hmm.... Don't let idiots like that get your monkey. You should expect that kind of reaction any time you impede someone from getting where they want to go today, especially in the city.

Also, don't be suprised to recieive a private message from Tom Stage or another moderator reminding you of forum decorum. Even ***ed-out vulgarity is a clear violation of forum rules. Either play by the rules or you'll have to post your content elsewhere.

[al-in-chgo]

About 10:30 Saturday night I was out railfanning with my father over in west of Warwick (Clinton, Oh.) at the Black Diamond road crossing, BG146.4 on CSX's New Castle Sub. anyways K381 had just cleared the single main and a balast extra got the line up to continoue east. The gates went down and and as the was about 50 or so feet from the crossing a car tried to go around the gates, I stoped the from doing so, but after the train past and the gates went up I got yelled at for it, It took all my nevre not to chase him down and beat the crap out him.

I guess what my Question is, has something like this happen to anyone else?

Something similar.  As a pre-emptive move, you might have reported HIM to the town cops.  It costs RR co's way too much money to let idiots commit spontaneous suicide that way. 

 

[Ster1]

About 10:30 Saturday night I was out railfanning with my father over in west of Warwick (Clinton, Oh.) at the Black Diamond road crossing, BG146.4 on CSX's New Castle Sub. anyways K381 had just cleared the single main and a balast extra got the line up to continoue east. The gates went down and and as the was about 50 or so feet from the crossing a car tried to go around the gates, I stoped the from doing so, but after the train past and the gates went up I got yelled at for it, It took all my nevre not to chase him down and beat the crap out him.

I guess what my Question is, has something like this happen to anyone else?

(edited by selector)