Why does NS in general seem to be less friendly to

[cprted]

Generally speaking, the Canadian roads are a lot more open to railfans than the american ones. So long as you're not doing anything stupid. In fact if you're wearing steel toed boots, a hard hat and a high visiblity vest most railroaders won't say a thing. Unfortunatly some people do stupid things to give railfans a bad name. Last year CPR Hudson 2816 arrived at the North Vancouver steam shops for restoration. The locomotive was placed inside but the tender was left out and within a month or two the builders plates were stolen off the tender.

[edahrenhoerster]

You would think that the RRs would look at places where large groups of railfans gather, like Rochelle or Grand Crossing in La Crosse, Wi and see that this actually reduces vandalism and that the more sensible fans tend to keep the idiots in line. Also, I have never seen ANY litter in either place. If I were an RR and had a problem area the first thing I would do is encourage the local community to do something like Rochelle.

[Anonymous]

back to the problem in hand it seems to me there are some "canadian Pacific" lovers that don't quite seem to see eye to eye with ns I really wish I could have been part of this descusion early but I wasn't so fortunate to but, thats beside the point. I was at a csx yard when they were switching, a guy let me go across the tracks and I got a few shots of a couple of engines and I did look, listen, and live. the guy even told me that there would be a train coming in 5 minutes and I got a picture when it came by. at a local ns yard I'm down there every day taking pictures all the guys in the beehive just see that its me a wave while I take pictures. one of the guys even took me up in a brand new ns primered engine. what I'm trying to say is, is that it is a railroad with a zero incidents zero accidents record and they just want to keep it that way. so if they tell you to leave then don't get your BVD's in a bunch because there is no room for accidents from someone who was just trying to take a picture that would make the photo of the day on trains.com ns is a good railway with a zero incidents zero accidents record so lets keep it that way, so don't be an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Acutally, More often than not those vandals and thieves happen to be "railfans". It is very unfortunate but true. A few examples would be residents' property being trespassed and littered on (Kodakrome boxes) along parts of Cajon Pass and other popular areas, builders plates and other items being removed from active locomotives, items removed from depots, locos, cabooses, etc... I could go on. A few bad apples giving all "railfans" a bad rep. I for one can understand why RR's do not want anyone wandering on and off property. Liability is the other big problem. In this lawsuit-happy world we live in, every time someone gets hurt they try to blame it on someone else, even when they were at fault themselves in the first place. It ends up costing the innocent parties (RR's in this case) unnecessary expenses win or loose.
If you eant to do it right, check in and sign a release form amd use common sense and discresion when on the property. If they decline permission to enter their property, honor their wishes. Remember, RR property is private property. If you enter without permission, you are trespassing, period.

[Justicar]

I agree. And to expand a bit, I think rails (railroaders) are protective and possessive of their little piece of the railroad as they pass thru it. I think this is normal and a good thing. Naturally, when one looks up ahead and sees something on or around the tracks, especially away from a grade crossing, we get anxious and afraid. So, the sooner one can get off the tracks (like if you have to cross to get your shot) and at least 50 feet away the quicker we relax. When these two things don't happen we get really, really concerned and tense. Then when we pass by and find out that it was all unnecessary then the aggravation and bad attitude develops against railfans. I think that these scenarios with the corresponding reactions are all perfectly normal and healthy...we are human.

But, when you factor in that some of us at times are going to be a bit unreasonable and overprotective. This is bad but as a railfan there's really not anything you can do to stop it.
Well, if you happen to be an M.D.
a script for Prozac and Halcion could be hooped up. lol
We all have bad days, bad weeks, bad months, etc. Its not at all unheard of for a rail to take offense to something a railfan did and call the police. No one wants that. Even if you don't think your going to get caught.

Lastly, in the defense of some of these zealots who seem to have a vengeance toward railfans, each one of us rails are constantly and continously doing everything we can to NOT get fired...sometimes resorting to extreme bahaviours. I think its really hard to empathize with a group of workers who must be so intensely cautious and careful.
I didn't totally get it til I felt the heat myself. Its just so much easier and quicker to get fired or injured/killed out on the railroad than most anywhere else. Just some thoughts....

jc
CP

[PaulWWoodring]

I can tell you that personally I wouldn't say anthing to or call the RR police on someone that was just standing along the ROW or at a station taking pictures. In fact it's my theory that where there are railfans around taking photos there's less chance of finding vandals or thieves which are the real problems. Yards are another matter, often with the brass around and I would avoid them. Unfortunately, some real jerks who have done off-the-wall antics in the past, like climbing signal masts and even light towers have made it tough going for those who come after them.

[edahrenhoerster]

I found it varies wildly by time and place. UP has a reputation as non-friendly, but I had no problem at Clinton or Pine Bluff. Regional Wisconsin Southern once tried to chase me away while I was standing on a public sidewalk next to their yard and now they even come to local train shows. I've found the using a tripod for your camera helps. It lets them know you aren't going to go wandering around.

[Anonymous]

Wabash is right, Chip. I'd never let a railfan on the property without an escort. I've always done it that way. We don't need to hear about you on the six o'clock news.

Bob

[Anonymous]

I'm afraid that all I can offer is a bit of help - not employment itself. Thanks, J.C.

Regards

Bob

[Justicar]

Well, Bob might be in a position to offer employment but the only thing I can suggest is persistence and flexibility.

CP Rail (Soo Line side) Human Resources isn't the easiest to navigate. They do not advertise in newspapers outside of the local area in which they are hiring...WV qualifying. They do not accept applications, only resumes. They reportedly "file" resumes received that aren't in response to an advertised opening, but I would send in another when I learned specifics.

BTW, saving Bob the time, the phone number for CP Rail U.S. Human Resources is 800-234-0013. It is an automated line but is apparently only functional during business hours (M-F 8-5). On the menu is an option for the current job openings...its updated weekly, but can change day to day.

If your looking to apply for a managerial-company position I think the process is altogether different. As memory serves our website (cpr.ca) contains details for those positions. You specifically asked for office work.
They do hire clerks here at Mecca, er, uh, I mean Minneapolis all the time. Since there's a far cry from managerial positions and positions attainable with a college degree from a clerk's job I'm not sure which you'd be interested in.

J.C. Rausch
Canadian Pacific Railway
Minneapolis, MN

"All on a flanged wheel."

[Anonymous]

NOW TAKE BNSF,TACOMA WASHINGTON MAKEUP YARD,WHAT BNSF DID WAS TO RUN BELT UP FENSE MOST THE WAY AROUND,ON THE SIDE IT PARK SOMETIME THE SIGN ON FENSE SAYS,FOR EMPLOYEE'S PARKING ONLY,BUT STILL ROOM FOR PUBLIC,WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MOVE,BUT NOT TOLD IT WAS A MUST======HUB

[wabash1]

chip

i agree except, the man who was switching cars and was walking back to a couple he was in the gage of track 4 cars were to be going to track 3 he lost his leg 3 inch below the hip. the man who was at a cut of cars waiting on his train to couple on to that cut when the cars he was to get got slamed by a cut kicked into that track from other end killed. the man who was riding his engine back that ended up side swiping another cut of cars there. lived 15 min after that. i can go on but the thing is they were 30+ year men there incedents previtable. but they have enough since not to get in the way right. bottom line. i dont want to be resposible for anyone in the yard but my crew. you dont always here the cars comming. when im not around yards i will let people watch go on the engine even gave them rides in the engine sit at the controls and run. but in the yards its to dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Hi Chip - you could look at the "careers" link on our site www.cpr.ca. You might also consider working for the Soo Line (a CP subsidiary). Great bunch of folks down there. I'll see if I can find an email address for you through our HR folks re hiring, etc.

Regards

Bob Dunn

[Anonymous]

Wow! There is a class one that understands that people who like trains are not scary. I'm smart enough to not stand on the tracks when a train is close to me. The main thing that erks me is even though I am not an employee, in general I am a shareholder. I did have stock in UP, but I sold it because it is flat (says the investing folks). I want to try to get some CP stock before you guys split into seperate little companies. Would you be able to get me a job for CP in an office setting in about 3 years? I am a logistics major at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. If you can get me a job in an office setting for CP, email me at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Hi Chip - can't speak for other roads but I've always enjoyed having railfans on the property. We can usually find someone to give them a bit of a tour. Always enjoy their questions. It's best if they can arrive with personal safety equipment (hard hat, safety boots, safety glasses, and reflective vest). I've personally escorted a couple of fellows around in a couple of the places that I've worked - enjoyed it a lot. Too bad about the NS.

Bob Dunn
Canadian Pacific Rwy
Winnipeg, Canada

[Anonymous]

It's no secret that NS is very protective of their image and their property. That they have won the Harriman award so many times is no coincidence;They are a very serious Railroad.They apppear arogant and paranoid and this manifests itself in their culture.They are mis-trustful of almost everyone outside of their organization.

[wabash1]

well to make it short in the bible (ns rule book) the rule is that you are tresspasser and must be told to leave. if you knowingly do not tell them this you can get time off. now if you were at a place where we switch then it be differant but with bosses around rules are rules

[Anonymous]

I once stopped at Portsmouth, OH's star yard.
I parked in the NS employee lot away from cars and people. I stayed a good distance away from the tracks. An employeed gruffingly told me and a friend to leave. However, when I go to a nearby CSX yard, no body says much if anything. Also, I have been through some other class 1 yards and have not been run off. I got 10 feet from a BNSF derailment and all the rr police did was wave when I took pictures of a GMC surburban squished upside down between the trucks of one railcar and the side of another.