Busted!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

Why would be asked to leave? Isn't railfanning legal? I hope so.

He was on RR property. It's like someone going in your backyard without permission. On KCS Railfanning IS ILLEGAL..[V]

[Anonymous]

Why would be asked to leave? Isn't railfanning legal? I hope so.

[Fergmiester]

Before this gets out of hand lets just slow down and bleed some steam off. I for one have walked the rails with camera in hand. In my much younger years I probably made one or two Engineer' hearts skip a beat or two just to get that photo. The vast majority of us are law abiding citizens who would not do anything to cause harm to private or public property. As we live in a free society and we consider unfettered mobility a right. The facts are against us so consider this:

Railroads are an integral part of our infrastructure which are responsible for the transportation of Hazmats in large quantaties.

Liability is an increasing risk factor that large corporations are being nailed for. Ask McDonalds and what happens when somebody spills a hot coffee on themselves.

If you ever research or are involved with with accident causation you would be amazed by the accident stats. Simple mistakes which we all make can cause 100's of millions of dollars of damage. If an innocent bystander is involved tack another $200 million to the price tag.

If the RR's want to keep their insurance costs down they have to show due diligence which includes enforcement.

Some of the best spys and those who wi***o disrupt our everyday way of life don't lurk in the shadows they blend in and what better way to pose as a railfan!

The odds that one of us is a terrorist or part of a fringe group is remote but as recent events have proven it is a possibility. The poor cop can't deferentiate between good and bad he's just doing his job. If he didn;t and that fruit bar got through the cracks and wiped out a train in a residential area the effects would be far reaching and we could only imagine what kind of crack down would be put in effect.

It's a sad day for the responsible ones without a doubt.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevinstheRRman

I Sure as hell won't tell you "I Hope you get prosecuted" Because, that IS NOT the PROPER reaction from a True Railfan.

Best of luck

and Remember

it's only a crime when you get caught (Don't tell ACL I told you that)

I wasn't aware that a True Railfan advocates breaking the law. I figured, respecting others' property rights was a smart (and legal) thing to do. But maybe not.

I guess I'm not a True Railfan, if I have to support criminal activities to be one.

[Anonymous]

Big_Boy_4005

It's your opinion, and so you should stand by it.

I may not view the same way you do, I don't, but thats your opinion, and I thnak you for sharing it.

I assume you therefore know the Risks Associated with Tresspasing, and the Consequences lie as they are.

I Sure as hell won't tell you "I Hope you get prosecuted" Because, that IS NOT the PROPER reaction from a True Railfan.

Best of luck

and Remember

it's only a crime when you get caught (Don't tell ACL I told you that)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I view trespassing like speeding on the highway, it happens, just don't get caught. This comment may draw some heat form some members, but this is my opinion, and I'll stand by it. This whole thread has been about just that, getting caught in the railroad's "speed trap". I got off with a warning, but I don't plan to change, just choose my times more wisely.

You're hurting everyone who likes to railfan when you do that. Thanks for your thoughtlessness.

And when you DO get caught, you deserve to be arrested and prosecuted. Then you can explain to your children, whom you're teaching to break the law when they don't like it, why Daddy's getting handcuffed and placed in the back seat of a police car.

Also, the wife will love it.

[rambo1]

One day I went up to the CN tracks near my home and saw something odd going on so I called the police, I don't know what happend after but I feel that us railfans are also helping to police the tracks. Is there any way I D could be provided to show we are railfans? Perhaps through clubs? rambo1....

[Anonymous]

Maybe if there had been a RR cop around to chase away the dopey SOB who threw a rope at a train, he would still be alive today.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I got it last night, but you said you were going to bed so I didn't write back. I'm glad you're having fun.[8D][:)]

[Hawks05]

thats the spirit.

PS i sent you another email last night. i have the benchwork done and have a loop up so far. the joys of finally running my trains.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Hawks, THAT'S DAYTON'S BLUFF!!!! The place I've been telling you about. Good thing you were in school today, not that anything bad happened, but the weather was crappy, and I nearly got skunked anyway.[:D]

This has been on a Pentrex tape and on a Walthers flyer before! There was a place where I live called CP BURN. like this that was in a few tapes and articles that CR let you go to (A dirt lot) AS LONG AS YOU STAYED OFF THE TRACKS. There we're literely 10 people there on a average weekend. Once 'Nazi Southern' moved in here they got rid of all the fun. I would NEVER go on the tracks but railroads don't see it like that anymore.

Yes Mark, it was once featured on the Walthers quarterly mailing, and the Pentrex video as well as a couple other videos that I have in my collection. You have a very good eye!!!

When it comes to railfanning and taking photos, SAFETY is the most important thing!!!!
I never go on the tracks, especially at this location, and sometimes I have my kids with me and they both know to stay way back too.

I view trespassing like speeding on the highway, it happens, just don't get caught. This comment may draw some heat form some members, but this is my opinion, and I'll stand by it. This whole thread has been about just that, getting caught in the railroad's "speed trap". I got off with a warning, but I don't plan to change, just choose my times more wisely.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

You know I remeber when I was growing up, having a camera was like a magic pass for railfaning. All I would need was my Pentax K1000 around my neck and the Conrail Cops would just smile and wave. In fact the only time I was ever stopped back in those days was when a cop directed me to a BETTER spot, where he used to take pictures when the line belonged to the NYC.
I would bet good money that there was a rule on the books back then about trespassing, and I know for a fact that those cops were dedicated to their jobs, but I am thankful that they were kind enough to look the other way when I was watching the trains go by.

I LOVE CONRAIL!

I HATE NS!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Hawks, THAT'S DAYTON'S BLUFF!!!! The place I've been telling you about. Good thing you were in school today, not that anything bad happened, but the weather was crappy, and I nearly got skunked anyway.[:D]

This has been on a Pentrex tape and on a Walthers flyer before! There was a place where I live called CP BURN. like this that was in a few tapes and articles that CR let you go to (A dirt lot) AS LONG AS YOU STAYED OFF THE TRACKS. There we're literely 10 people there on a average weekend. Once 'Nazi Southern' moved in here they got rid of all the fun. I would NEVER go on the tracks but railroads don't see it like that anymore.

[Anonymous]

That's because my (and Conrail Guy's) signature is correct.

[METRO]

You know I remeber when I was growing up, having a camera was like a magic pass for railfaning. All I would need was my Pentax K1000 around my neck and the Conrail Cops would just smile and wave. In fact the only time I was ever stopped back in those days was when a cop directed me to a BETTER spot, where he used to take pictures when the line belonged to the NYC.
I would bet good money that there was a rule on the books back then about trespassing, and I know for a fact that those cops were dedicated to their jobs, but I am thankful that they were kind enough to look the other way when I was watching the trains go by.

[lupo]

this is how UP police looks like : The Union Pacific Police Department will honor requests for shoulder patches only from sworn law enforcement officers who make the request on their Department's official letterhead.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Good idea, I hadn't really thought of that.

You and me on the layout being told to clear off by a UP cop. [:D]

I saw the railroad police patch on his sleeve, but I didn't catch which railroad, and he didn't get out of his car. CP posted all of the extra signs, so he might have been one of theirs.

Yeah, Lupo, that wasn't it, I've seen that one before. [:D] The car was dark green, maybe BNSF.

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by dhesh

That's a bummer. When I lived in the Minneapolis area, Pig's Eye was one of my favorite places too. A good place to see a lot of the roads that operate in Minnesota.
I remember being able to have my dad drive around near the CP shop and along the UP yard and park for a while near the tracks without any problems at all.

You seem to know the spot well! This is actually a spot published in Kalmbach's Guide To Train Watching Hot Spots, and a place that I have frequented for years. It is also going to be featured on the layout that I am currently building. You could say that I was doing research, but I already have what I need for my modeling purposes.[:D]

Bigboy, why don't you model that situation on your layout ? cops chasing railfans !

[Anonymous]

Years ago I used to haul piggyback trailers out of N&S & most railyards in Chicago . The railroad police were very good to me , Most of my movements were at night . I could write a book with all of the things that went on in those hours, daytime also. When you see what they have to go through sometimes. It'll amaze you. Not knowing who they were dealing with, they have to treat everyone with caution & as if you were up to no good. . Those officers are there for a reason & are following orders from the railroad. If they don't do their job , Then it's the unemployment line for them . I do agree with you folks though , "It sucks"...... we realy can not railfan like we used to. PS; I'm on both sides of the fence on this issue, I have tracks that border my property & I do walk their property also. With extream caution................But i'm wrong for doing it too . Kind of a devil on one shoulder & an angel on the other senario. PSS; Try to look at it in their perspective , After 9-11 things have changed for good. We are living in another era now & just have to deal with it. Like you folks, I too miss alot on how things used to be.............. " THINGS CHANGE" ........ & not always for the better...............& I do not intend to offend anyone with my opinions so I appologise if I hurt anyones feelings or ruffled anyones feathers. Welcome to the 21st century. "WHAT NEXT "?

[Hawks05]

cool. that looks so familiar.

i wish i would have been out of school. i paid for being in. i stayed up till midnight thinking we wouldn't have it. i had 3 tests so i screwed myself there. oh well. sad thing is i didn't see any trains today.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hawks, THAT'S DAYTON'S BLUFF!!!! The place I've been telling you about. Good thing you were in school today, not that anything bad happened, but the weather was crappy, and I nearly got skunked anyway.[:D]

[Hawks05]

Where were those taken? the spot looks familiar even though i don't go railfanning in the cities. i think just driving though does that.

Big Boy i'll try and send you an email tonight.

[dharmon]

It's unfortunate that times have changed. Nice pics though, the next shot it would seem, does in fact answer the question.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNWfan5525

Ok this is off topic but the second unit in the first photo was that a CNW SD45?

I think if it were a SD45 the radiator would be flared from the dynamics all the way to the rear of the long hood. It looks vertical to me, but then again it could be my screen.

Rather than keep you guessing.......


By the way, back in 1999 when the NMRA national convention was in town, this piece of railroad property was always full of railfans, and looked like a parking lot, and the railroads never batted an eye.

I think my experience today was just bad timing, because on other occasions I have encountered other railroad employees at this location who didn't seem to mind at all.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNWfan5525

Ok this is off topic but the second unit in the first photo was that a CNW SD45?

I think if it were a SD45 the radiator would be flared from the dynamics all the way to the rear of the long hood. It looks vertical to me, but then again it could be my screen.

[Anonymous]

Ok this is off topic but the second unit in the first photo was that a CNW SD45?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I must admit, that I was on railroad property, and that it was clearly marked. As a matter of fact the railroads have added EXTRA signage recently.

Then you were wrong. And you make life harder on those of us who respect their railroad's property rights.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I must admit, that I was on railroad property, and that it was clearly marked. As a matter of fact the railroads have added EXTRA signage recently.

When I pulled up I saw the unmarked car with the antenna, and suspected that I would be asked to leave, and sure enough, within two minutes I was. He may have just been on his lunch break, but no matter, there weren't any trains at that moment anyway.

The lower photo was taken about a mile west, from an overpass on a city street. A different perspective to be sure, but not my favorite spot.

I wonder what he would have said if I had had my scanner with me too?

I do not railfan, as in actively go out and chase trains, I kind of do it on a target of opportunity basis, but from what I gather the RR police generally have enough experince with railfans that there is usually no problem, as long as no problem is created. For the RRs it's not just a security, as in terrorist thing...although that is often used as a catch all..but crime/vandalism security issues as well as a safety/liability issue. Lawsuits from idiots or their survivors doind stupid stuff around trains is costly. Additionlly, RRs like any industry really don't like folks watching and filming what they do....they are not in the PR business they're in the transportation business and having a crew caught on tape doing something wrong airing on Ch10 news at 11 is always bad. Security just becomes the blanket cover for it all.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I must admit, that I was on railroad property, and that it was clearly marked. As a matter of fact the railroads have added EXTRA signage recently.

When I pulled up I saw the unmarked car with the antenna, and suspected that I would be asked to leave, and sure enough, within two minutes I was. He may have just been on his lunch break, but no matter, there weren't any trains at that moment anyway.

The lower photo was taken about a mile west, from an overpass on a city street. A different perspective to be sure, but not my favorite spot.

I wonder what he would have said if I had had my scanner with me too?

OK, even before 9-11 you could get arrested for trespassing. You can thank the idiots that run there cars around lowered crossing gates and sue. Conrail used to let people railfan on there property as long as you stayed of the tracks but EVIL NS HATES and is HATED by ex-CR Railfans and employees.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dhesh

That's a bummer. When I lived in the Minneapolis area, Pig's Eye was one of my favorite places too. A good place to see a lot of the roads that operate in Minnesota.
I remember being able to have my dad drive around near the CP shop and along the UP yard and park for a while near the tracks without any problems at all.

You seem to know the spot well! This is actually a spot published in Kalmbach's Guide To Train Watching Hot Spots, and a place that I have frequented for years. It is also going to be featured on the layout that I am currently building. You could say that I was doing research, but I already have what I need for my modeling purposes.[:D]