Some may be interested in this, though it's a few months old now:
http://www.bnsf.com/media/news/articles/2006/06/2006-06-07a.html
JaRRell
That seems like a great idea -- I just wish UP would do the same because I'm nowhere near a BNSF line/
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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csmith9474 wrote:Couldn't just anyone get one of these, regardless of their intentions?
Texas Zepher wrote: csmith9474 wrote:Couldn't just anyone get one of these, regardless of their intentions? Yes, so it seems. I was surprised by the lack of questions, screening, validation, etc. It was entirely too easy to get an id card.
So basically this thing is worthless as any sort of identity verification? It seems nothing more than a card with phone numbers you can call if you see something "suspicious".
Edit: No offense intended towards OP. New info is always appreciated. It is just that I saw someone with one yesterday an LHS, and you would think they had been made a deputy by the way they were talking about it.
csmith9474 wrote: Texas Zepher wrote: csmith9474 wrote:Couldn't just anyone get one of these, regardless of their intentions? Yes, so it seems. I was surprised by the lack of questions, screening, validation, etc. It was entirely too easy to get an id card. So basically this thing is worthless as any sort of identity verification? It seems nothing more than a card with phone numbers you can call if you see something "suspicious". Edit: No offense intended towards OP. New info is always appreciated. It is just that I saw someone with one yesterday an LHS, and you would think they had been made a deputy by the way they were talking about it.
Can you say Neighborhood Watch? That's all it amounts to..See the bad guys doing damage? Call the Police..That is all..
BTW..I don't need to have a id card to do the right thing when there is mischief about.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I agree with Brakie, it struck me as an effort by the railroad to use the eyes and ears of railfans to report anything suspecious and thats about all. But, as far as me going on private property without permission, that ain't gonna happen..
BRAKIE wrote: csmith9474 wrote: Texas Zepher wrote: csmith9474 wrote:Couldn't just anyone get one of these, regardless of their intentions? Yes, so it seems. I was surprised by the lack of questions, screening, validation, etc. It was entirely too easy to get an id card. So basically this thing is worthless as any sort of identity verification? It seems nothing more than a card with phone numbers you can call if you see something "suspicious". Edit: No offense intended towards OP. New info is always appreciated. It is just that I saw someone with one yesterday an LHS, and you would think they had been made a deputy by the way they were talking about it. Can you say Neighborhood Watch? That's all it amounts to..See the bad guys doing damage? Call the Police..That is all.. BTW..I don't need to have a id card to do the right thing when there is mischief about.
That is pretty much my thought on the issue. One should be informing authorities of suspicious activities anyhow. It is nice to have the right phone numbers handy, though.
Very true, there is not any screening and anyone could apply. But again, the IDs aren't passes into restricted areas. My hope is that it would show any BNSF employee (who know of the program) that I support the railroad and will respect their jobs and property while I railfan.
That said, I suppose BNSF could always make the program more formal if there is a lot of interest.