Trains.com

Fordyce Police Arrest Crew

6212 views
62 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: K&A Sub MP 415.0
  • 163 posts
Fordyce Police Arrest Crew
Posted by K&ARailfan on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 1:21 AM

Bunch a bonified morons if you ask me!   http://www.kbjtkq.com/news/090407a.htm                                                                     Good job, how are you gonna move the train?Sign - Dots [#dots]

The question of what CSX stands for comes up frequently on these forums, so here you go. C=Chessie S=Seaboard, X=Many More/The RR's that Chessie and Seaboard were comprised of (L&N, C&O, SCL, etc)
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 6:11 AM
Maybe a really, really big tow truck...

Dan

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 8:53 AM
Well, at least the cop was able to report back to headquarters that he made his ticket quota....BIG TIME....for that month!
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: near Chicago
  • 937 posts
Posted by Chris30 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 9:02 AM

Maybe they put out a warrant for the dispatcher who told them hold there. Or, the yardmaster without any room in the yard for the train. I can agree with the towns concerns for emergency vehicles. Provided that this wasn't some type of emergency stop, the dispatacher should have held the train at a better location. Perhaps the dispatcher on duty in Omaha wasn't aware of the layout of his/her territory.

CC

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • 1,432 posts
Posted by Limitedclear on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 2:05 PM

I hope that the "City" of Fordyce has excellent attorneys. Interfering with Interstate Commerce is a serious offense last time I checked. The officers are likely well beyond their jurisdiction, a fact that the UP legal department will be more than happy to educate them about...lol...

LC

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 2:50 PM

One would think that this little burg, with all the emphasis on railroading they make note of on thier city web site would be friendlier to the little old U.P.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:03 PM
 Limitedclear wrote:

I hope that the "City" of Fordyce has excellent attorneys. Interfering with Interstate Commerce is a serious offense last time I checked. The officers are likely well beyond their jurisdiction, a fact that the UP legal department will be more than happy to educate them about...lol...

LC

Uh, doesn't Federal Law apply here more than the state?Confused [%-)]

I didn't think the "City" or "State" could override the other laws.

 

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:06 PM

It is funny how the Mayor thinks that it is still "the Cotton Belt". I wonder if the police brought an extra horse for the engineer to ride on back to the jail, or if they just tied him up behind their horse and made him walk.

He did say that the engineer didn't sign the ticket. Isn't that illegal in some places? Of course the judge ordered the police to go retrieve the engineer off the train, so who knows if it would have mattered.

The mayor sounds like he is through about half a bottle of Beam, and his second pack of cigarettes for the day.

Smitty
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • 293 posts
Posted by Newyorkcentralfan on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:29 PM
Anyone know if the UP railroad police can arrest a local cop for tresspassing on their row and loco? It might be fun for them to arrest the cop and leave him face down and handcuffed on the floor of a trailing unit till they get to Omaha.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:34 PM
 csmith9474 wrote:

The mayor sounds like he is through about half a bottle of Beam, and his second pack of cigarettes for the day.

Well, to me he sounds like the typical "good 'ol boy" you hear and see on COPS every Saturday night on Fox TV...wonder if he lives in a "double wide"?

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:42 PM
 eolafan wrote:
 csmith9474 wrote:

The mayor sounds like he is through about half a bottle of Beam, and his second pack of cigarettes for the day.

Well, to me he sounds like the typical "good 'ol boy" you hear and see on COPS every Saturday night on Fox TV...wonder if he lives in a "double wide"?

Yeah, to say the least.

Smitty
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:53 PM
Nothing quite like Redneck political grandstanding.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 4:39 PM

I would love to see the judge. I bet he shoes horses when he ain't behind the bench.

For whoever listens to Bob and Tom, the mayor sort of reminds me of Floyd the Trucker.

Smitty
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 5:27 PM
Hey, isn't Fordyce where Jed Clampett and his brood came from?
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 5:39 PM

 eolafan wrote:
Hey, isn't Fordyce where Jed Clampett and his brood came from?

Could be. They really seem to be behind the times there. Heck, the Cotton Belt still lives on there. I guess these folks must be illiterate as well to not be able to read "Union Pacific" in large red letters against a bright yellow background.

Smitty
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Mainline, USA
  • 157 posts
Posted by Steam Is King on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 6:05 PM
 csmith9474 wrote:

It is funny how the Mayor thinks that it is still "the Cotton Belt".

Funny how the mayor knew the correct RR on the town;'s website:

Welcome from the Mayor

Welcome to Fordyce - South Arkansas' best located little city and Home of the Redbugs!

We're located here in the heart of south Arkansas in the midst of tall pine trees and majestic oaks, the perfect place for hunting deer, and other game. Our people are friendly and family-oriented. Traditions runs deep here, and we're proud to be the home town of such greats as Paul "Bear" Bryant and World War II hero, Admiral John H. Thatch. The first direct dial long distance telephone call in the world was made from Fordyce, and we're the only school in the world to have the Redbug as a mascot. Fordyce has more native sons in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame than any city in Arkansas. Included are Paul "Bear" Bryant, Jim Benton, Jim "Red" Parker and Larry Lacewell. Our Tri-County Lake was the first Game & Fish Commission lake in Arkansas. Our largest employer, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, began the world's first southern pine plywood mill here in Fordyce.

We celebrate our heritage, but we are also prepared for the future. The Dallas County Industrial Park is a 90 acre facility with all utilities, including three-phase wiring, and paved streets. Our Hopkins Airport is ready for landings and take-offs twenty-four hours a day, with a lighted runway and a rotating beacon. Rail service is available here from Union Pacific Railroad and switching service from Fordyce & Princeton Railroad. Access to I-30, I-530 and I-40 is only an hour or less away. Our labor force has a strong work ethic and is committed to outstanding performance.

William C. Lyon
Mayor

I love the smell of coal smoke in the morning! I am allergic to people who think they are funny, but are not. No, we can't. Or shouldn't, anyway.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 6:09 PM

What's wrong with Jim Beam and smokes?

It's all about the application....Cool [8D]

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: heart of the Pere Marquette
  • 847 posts
Posted by J. Edgar on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 6:24 PM

well gol lee.....da way yalls jaws are a flappin youd think yall city folk aint got no respect fer us simple people livin in the sticks......ima sure am glad n happy i aint no city folk....yall soundin real mean and bigot like...........

 

 has anyone researched details?...why was the train stopped? equipment failure? hoglaw?..why did the "Cotton Belt" refuse?.....did they give a reason?...was the engineer belligerent ?   or was he\she just ignorant sounding as you guys raggin on a "small town" mayor that has a seemingly real concern for the safety of the public of this "lil hick town on the Cotton Belt"........ i mean no disrespect to anyone here but come on....i read posts of people going off on people " behind the times" and "illiterate" and theres no details.......again im sorry for spouting here but .........a lil respect i guess is all....

i love the smell of coal smoke in the morning Photobucket
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 6:47 PM
I know of a conductor who was ticketed a large sum of money for blocking crossings, and one arrested for doing the same thing. I always though police had little to no jurisdiction when it comes to railroad property. I guess different measures for different situations, but I think the UP should seek action for this.
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: The 17th hole at TPC
  • 2,283 posts
Posted by n012944 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 7:03 PM
 J. Edgar wrote:

well gol lee.....da way yalls jaws are a flappin youd think yall city folk aint got no respect fer us simple people livin in the sticks......ima sure am glad n happy i aint no city folk....yall soundin real mean and bigot like...........

 

 has anyone researched details?...why was the train stopped? equipment failure? hoglaw?..why did the "Cotton Belt" refuse?.....did they give a reason?...was the engineer belligerent ?   or was he\she just ignorant sounding as you guys raggin on a "small town" mayor that has a seemingly real concern for the safety of the public of this "lil hick town on the Cotton Belt"........ i mean no disrespect to anyone here but come on....i read posts of people going off on people " behind the times" and "illiterate" and theres no details.......again im sorry for spouting here but .........a lil respect i guess is all....

The stupid do not deserve respect. If you have concern for public safety, then why take the one person who is qualified to move the train off the train? 

An "expensive model collector"

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: heart of the Pere Marquette
  • 847 posts
Posted by J. Edgar on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 7:26 PM
 n012944 wrote:
 J. Edgar wrote:

well gol lee.....da way yalls jaws are a flappin youd think yall city folk aint got no respect fer us simple people livin in the sticks......ima sure am glad n happy i aint no city folk....yall soundin real mean and bigot like...........

 

 has anyone researched details?...why was the train stopped? equipment failure? hoglaw?..why did the "Cotton Belt" refuse?.....did they give a reason?...was the engineer belligerent ?   or was he\she just ignorant sounding as you guys raggin on a "small town" mayor that has a seemingly real concern for the safety of the public of this "lil hick town on the Cotton Belt"........ i mean no disrespect to anyone here but come on....i read posts of people going off on people " behind the times" and "illiterate" and theres no details.......again im sorry for spouting here but .........a lil respect i guess is all....

The stupid do not deserve respect. If you have concern for public safety, then why take the one person who is qualified to move the train off the train? 

well again the biggest point i want to make is.....details....could the train move? why was the matter not resolved from the "call to Cotton Belt"? WE as fans and readers of this forum should not make a "judgement " that some small town mayor is wrong and the mighty iron horse is right.......especially not having "details"....to me that kinda makes ya....well....ignorant
i love the smell of coal smoke in the morning Photobucket
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 9:00 PM

From what I've read before, railroads pay traffic tickets incurred by train crews on duty. I wonder though if the ticket will appear on the engineer or conductor's record?

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: heart of the Pere Marquette
  • 847 posts
Posted by J. Edgar on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 10:42 PM
 AntonioFP45 wrote:

From what I've read before, railroads pay traffic tickets incurred by train crews on duty. I wonder though if the ticket will appear on the engineer or conductor's record?

 while conductoring for CSX in MI "we" would get tickets from the city of Holland Mi for blocking crossings while taking coal to West Olive power plant.....according to the Detroit Service Lane Timetable special instructions...." .....state law prohibits crossing blockage beyond 5 minutes for a standing train, if conditions permit cutting of crossings as per rulebook is required ,if conditions do not allow for the cutting of crossings the DSPR will alert the local authorities......"

the city of Holland would contact the Trainmaster in Wyoming Mi for the train ID and the ticket would be assigned to the "train" and CSX payed it locally thru the Trainmaster after a "proper" investigation this also happens sometimes in the city of Wayne moving autoracks around...IF the train crew would act "unprofessionally" in reguards to local authorities..i.e. being ignorant like saying " im an engineer and your state laws dont affect me...." the loud mouth crew member would get a ticket for obstucting justice......which takes me to the point i tried to make before....it dont matter if your a UP engineer or the Pope.....if you break the law and\or dont respect local authority your get arrested simple as that

i love the smell of coal smoke in the morning Photobucket
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central VT
  • 31 posts
Posted by vtCSX on Thursday, September 6, 2007 12:04 AM

Bingo!!!

The RR will get the ticket for blocking the crossing...simple.  No big deal for the engineer or conductor.  But if either begin to get obnoxious and have no regard for proper authority (Local/State laws don't apply to me as I'm a big-bad railroader kind of BS) then they will receive a citation to court (not just a ticket) for all kinds of different charges, depending on how much of an A$$ the offending person is.

Try to remember, the officer is just doing his job, just like the train crew.  Don't take it personally, and don't get an attitude.  It only makes things worse.

Marc

"The light at the end of my tunnel always seems to be a freight train..."
  • Member since
    June 2006
  • 1,432 posts
Posted by Limitedclear on Thursday, September 6, 2007 12:11 AM
 locomutt wrote:
 Limitedclear wrote:

I hope that the "City" of Fordyce has excellent attorneys. Interfering with Interstate Commerce is a serious offense last time I checked. The officers are likely well beyond their jurisdiction, a fact that the UP legal department will be more than happy to educate them about...lol...

LC

Uh, doesn't Federal Law apply here more than the state?Confused [%-)]

I didn't think the "City" or "State" could override the other laws.

My point exactly.

LC

  • Member since
    July 2001
  • From: Shelbyville, Kentucky
  • 1,967 posts
Posted by SSW9389 on Thursday, September 6, 2007 6:40 AM
See http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/806 Chapter 3 for Blocked Crossing Laws, Arkansas does not have one.
COTTON BELT: Runs like a Blue Streak!
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Thursday, September 6, 2007 7:01 AM

So, what exactly did they "arrest" the engineer for?

If I remember correctly, blocking a crossing is a class three misdemeanor, punishable by citation and fines not arrest and incarceration.

The engineer is not required to sign or accept a ticket, unless he is empowered to act as a legal agent for the railroad.

 

So the mayor sent his troops up to "get the engineer off the train"...under what pretext do they have the authority to remove an employee from private property and or interfere with interstate commerce?

What was the reason given, besides contempt of Mayor?

 

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: heart of the Pere Marquette
  • 847 posts
Posted by J. Edgar on Thursday, September 6, 2007 9:11 PM
 edblysard wrote:

So, what exactly did they "arrest" the engineer for?

If I remember correctly, blocking a crossing is a class three misdemeanor, punishable by citation and fines not arrest and incarceration.

The engineer is not required to sign or accept a ticket, unless he is empowered to act as a legal agent for the railroad.

 

So the mayor sent his troops up to "get the engineer off the train"...under what pretext do they have the authority to remove an employee from private property and or interfere with interstate commerce?

What was the reason given, besides contempt of Mayor?

 

again...............DETAILS...what are the details....i would side with the crew ( crew and RR are 2 different things here) if the details warrented it... but ..railroad "law" means nothing to joe smalltown cop....just because you "work on the railroad" does not repeat DOES NOT exempt you from any laws or respect for said laws.....its sounding more and more like this crew acted "unprofessonally" to proper law enforcement officers...and yet the foamers here ( yes i know what a foamer is) continue to "defend" the acts of the crew....as far as "private propery" and "interfering with interstate commerce" the point remains....YOU HAVE NO RIGHT OR AUTHORITY TO DISREGAURD THE RULE OF LAW....no matter how "small town" or local that law may be....sure ICC\ntsb "rules" apply but they are just RULES not law.....UP can contest and the crew can "defend" thier actions but.......BUT that does not expunge them from following the law or respecting those enforcing the law....period
i love the smell of coal smoke in the morning Photobucket
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: heart of the Pere Marquette
  • 847 posts
Posted by J. Edgar on Thursday, September 6, 2007 9:20 PM
 J. Edgar wrote:
 edblysard wrote:

So, what exactly did they "arrest" the engineer for?

If I remember correctly, blocking a crossing is a class three misdemeanor, punishable by citation and fines not arrest and incarceration.

The engineer is not required to sign or accept a ticket, unless he is empowered to act as a legal agent for the railroad.

 

So the mayor sent his troops up to "get the engineer off the train"...under what pretext do they have the authority to remove an employee from private property and or interfere with interstate commerce?

What was the reason given, besides contempt of Mayor?

 

again...............DETAILS...what are the details....i would side with the crew ( crew and RR are 2 different things here) if the details warrented it... but ..railroad "law" means nothing to joe smalltown cop....just because you "work on the railroad" does not repeat DOES NOT exempt you from any laws or respect for said laws.....its sounding more and more like this crew acted "unprofessonally" to proper law enforcement officers...and yet the foamers here ( yes i know what a foamer is) continue to "defend" the acts of the crew....as far as "private propery" and "interfering with interstate commerce" the point remains....YOU HAVE NO RIGHT OR AUTHORITY TO DISREGAURD THE RULE OF LAW....no matter how "small town" or local that law may be....sure ICC\ntsb "rules" apply but they are just RULES not law.....UP can contest and the crew can "defend" thier actions but.......BUT that does not expunge them from following the law or respecting those enforcing the law....period

 and to be redundant.....i am a former RR traincrew employee that has gotten tickets ( addressed to the railroad not as its agent ) for blocked crossings.....RR employees are not "special" and "exempt" from any law....small town or state wide...if a "law" passed by a town,city,county,state is contestable from a RR managment point of view thats fine.....its not up to the crew on site to contest it

i love the smell of coal smoke in the morning Photobucket
  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: K&A Sub MP 415.0
  • 163 posts
Posted by K&ARailfan on Thursday, September 6, 2007 9:27 PM

After viewing the map below, it's pretty safe to assume the train was parked at the junction, or was switching:                        http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?zipcode=71742

I've been trying to find more details, but not many people (besides railfans, Union Pacific and Fordyce) really care anyhow.

The question of what CSX stands for comes up frequently on these forums, so here you go. C=Chessie S=Seaboard, X=Many More/The RR's that Chessie and Seaboard were comprised of (L&N, C&O, SCL, etc)

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy