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Since there aren't many 'stopping' points on the line between Atlanta, GA and Augusta, GA, I like to 'chase trains' from grade crossing to grade crossing, and at all the neat viewpoints, like the Alcovy River Trestle. I don't ever get in the train's way, and I NEVER try to beat the train across the grade. I just drive from crossing to crossing watching the train. There are also alot of 10-15 mile stretches where the road parallels the tracks, and I'll pace the train as it runs down the tracks. One night in Social Circle, I had been out chasing trains for about three nights. Most of the trains come through between 10pm-4am, and since I work nights, I'm always up at those hours anyway. I found three trains that night, followed the second one going westbound out of Atlanta, and then found the third one waiting at a meeting point near where I normally turn around. I started following him back toward home, and as I neared Social Circle, I noticed a car passing me going the other direction. Something in my gut said "That was a cop, and he was watching you." So I play it very safe, and keep my speed down, and just proceed to follow the train. As I neared the city limits of Social Circle, suddenly the same car was behind me out of nowhere. I crossed the bridge overpass over the tracks, headed toward the downtown area (just FYI, this is a very small southern town, not more than a couple blocks make up 'downtown'). Suddenly I get the blue lights behind me. So playing it safe, I found a well lit area and parked. I normally drive with my wallet in my center console, so I reached to get it, and I hear over the cops PA speaker "Show me your hands!". For reference, I was driving in a Jeep Wrangler, with the top off, so he could see every move I make. So I again play it safe. He comes up to the door, asks for license and insurance, and then tries to get me on 'you were going a little fast back there'. To which I replied, as politely as possible, "Are you sure? Cause I was just pacing the train, it's a hobby of mine, and the train's speed limit in this area is 45 mph, and the speed limit on the road back there was 55mph. I don't think I could've been speeding." He then asks, "Why were you following the train?" I explained that it's a hobby of mine, I like train watching, and since I work nights, late at night is the best time to see them for me. I explained how since there are very few places to get good pictures of the trains, I just pace along side them for fun. He was taken aback, and couldn't quite understand why anybody would find 'trains' so interesting. He ran my license and when he came back, another cop had pulled up behind him. Apparently nothing else was going on in the town that night. So the first officer explained to the second how this was just a hobby of mine, and I usually do this at night. The second officer seemed more reasonable, and came back to ask a few more questions and explain what was going on. Apparently, the train crew was a regular one on this line, and they had seen me out there several nights in a row. They were concerned and called 911, because they had to stop in Social Circle to make some sort of repairs to the locomotive, and didn't know if I was going to be a problem, like rob them or something. So I told the cops how I usually follow trains on this line from Stone Mountain to Buckhead near Lake Oconee, just watching the trains, and when I have my camera, taking pictures. They said I hadn't really done anything wrong, and they weren't going to ticket me for anything, but it was just a really unusual call and they had to check me out. I thanked them for doing such a great job, and apologized for causing any concern. My railfanning pretty much ceased at that point for about 6 months, because it scared the crap out of me being the first time I was ever pulled over while train watching. I just started back train watching, but I limit my activities to following well behind the locomotives, and when they pass me, I make a point to wave at them, and occassionally get the double horn toot back. I stay away from obvious 'terrorist' suspect type places, like bridges and overpasses. I think in this day and age, getting pulled over or questioned by the authorities is going to become very commonplace, and I've accepted the fact that it's something I may have to deal with, even out in the 'stix' where I live.
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