Heads up to anyone railfanning the CN...

[Phoebe Vet]

"At least with FOX News, you would get a balanced view of the situation"?

Now THAT is humor......

[Soo 6604]

CN must be serious about this, because I went by Homewood Yard today and they have built a huge 7 foot high chain-link fence around almost the entire yard.

You all have it totally wrong.  CN management is using the trespassing issue as a smokescreen.  The 7-foot chain link fence at Homewood is just the start.  Soon, CN will have a chain link fence around their entire North American property.  Once that is done, the employees will no longer be able to go home.  They will effectively be "in jail" at CN Rail and with no way to get out, will work longer hours.  Efficiencies at CN will then return to the levels preferred by managmentment.

Yes!  Finally a little humor!

Simple solution again - take pictures of trains from public property and CN can put up all the signs and fences they want.  If you're not trespassing there isn't anything they can do. 

Everything else I've read on this thread is a whole lot of hot air.  The RR has every right to keep you off their property, whether it is because of Fox news or the libertarians.

At least with FOX News, you would get a balanced view of the situation, not just a biased, sugar coated railfan point of view. Not to mention, the reporting could be from one of the nice looking blondes that they have there like Martha or Dhue,,,,mmmmmmm

[Anonymous]

Everything else I've read on this thread is a whole lot of hot air.

And you're doing your part to add to global warming too eh Solzy?? 

 

[solzrules]

CN must be serious about this, because I went by Homewood Yard today and they have built a huge 7 foot high chain-link fence around almost the entire yard.

You all have it totally wrong.  CN management is using the trespassing issue as a smokescreen.  The 7-foot chain link fence at Homewood is just the start.  Soon, CN will have a chain link fence around their entire North American property.  Once that is done, the employees will no longer be able to go home.  They will effectively be "in jail" at CN Rail and with no way to get out, will work longer hours.  Efficiencies at CN will then return to the levels preferred by managmentment.

Yes!  Finally a little humor!

Simple solution again - take pictures of trains from public property and CN can put up all the signs and fences they want.  If you're not trespassing there isn't anything they can do. 

Everything else I've read on this thread is a whole lot of hot air.  The RR has every right to keep you off their property, whether it is because of Fox news or the libertarians.

[Andrew Falconer]

If the Railroads do not like seeing people hanging near their property, then they could have solved the problem decades ago by taking and selling quality photographs of their equipment for a reasonable price. $15 per photo is not a reasonable price.  $0.50 per photo is more like it.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

CN must be serious about this, because I went by Homewood Yard today and they have built a huge 7 foot high chain-link fence around almost the entire yard.

You all have it totally wrong.  CN management is using the trespassing issue as a smokescreen.  The 7-foot chain link fence at Homewood is just the start.  Soon, CN will have a chain link fence around their entire North American property.  Once that is done, the employees will no longer be able to go home.  They will effectively be "in jail" at CN Rail and with no way to get out, will work longer hours.  Efficiencies at CN will then return to the levels preferred by managmentment.

The libertarians on the forum should have fun chewin' on that...

[Anonymous]

CN must be serious about this, because I went by Homewood Yard today and they have built a huge 7 foot high chain-link fence around almost the entire yard.

You all have it totally wrong.  CN management is using the trespassing issue as a smokescreen.  The 7-foot chain link fence at Homewood is just the start.  Soon, CN will have a chain link fence around their entire North American property.  Once that is done, the employees will no longer be able to go home.  They will effectively be "in jail" at CN Rail and with no way to get out, will work longer hours.  Efficiencies at CN will then return to the levels preferred by managmentment.

[CShaveRR]

Something to think about.

I have a friend who's coming to visit us in a couple of weeks.  He, like I, is into freight car research and history.  For that, we often need to get information in the very tiny lettering stencilled on the cars.  So you'd think we'd be putting ourselves into the danger zone, or risk running afoul of this when we visit the CN crossing of Broadway at Blue Island.

But he wrote me recently to say that his best research is done when he's no closer than 100 feet to the cars, and all he needs is a 200-foot range of vision from that 100-foot distance.  I think we can do that at Blue Island without running afoul of CN.  Unless they detain us for the direction in which our cameras or binoculars are pointed, which is a whole other subject.

Our intent is to upset nobody.  As a railroader, I wish that were everyone's intent when watching us.

[AlcoRS11Nut]

A crew does NOT have the authority to invite you on the property. And any crew doing so must not need their job that bad since it can easily lead to discipline. Esp. when you have railfans that do not have a lick of sense that will post the photos and all pertinent information about the "visit" to one of the more popular sites.

 

even if they cleared it with their super in advance? 

[zugmann]

A crew does NOT have the authority to invite you on the property. And any crew doing so must not need their job that bad since it can easily lead to discipline. Esp. when you have railfans that do not have a lick of sense that will post the photos and all pertinent information about the "visit" to one of the more popular sites.

[RRKen]

Said I was done, but time for another quick question? 

In cities where railroads go through part of the town, do the railroads ever own the property that a business sits on?  ie  - the business owns the building, but the railroad owns the property? 

(especially ones that sit very close to the tracks?)

That depends upon the situation.   Yes and no.   Some sidings are the carriers property, but of late they have gotten away from owning the siding.  In looking at some historical maps of the CNW from the mid-30's, most if not all the sidings were owned by the RR.   Spots in a siding were leased by companies such as Standard Oil, Blue Earth Co-Op Elevator, or  American Chrystal Sugar.   

 When CNW needed to raise revenue, they began to convert the leases to sales.   As an added revenue stream, they contracted to maintain those sidings for the customers.   Those customers who did not want to purchase the siding, and did not offer many carloadings, were scrapped (more revenue for CNW).  

Currently, all new sidings for customers are owned by them, up to the derail, or 100' from the switch.   UP sets the standards for said sidings, and if they are not met, UP will not put in the switch.    

I am thinking of one business that is on UP property today, there are not a lot of them left however.  Those that could be converted from company property leased to private, have done so long ago, unless they had a very long lease.  

  I can think of several instances of late, where CNW sold the property and tracks off, only for UP to buy it back and install new tracks.   One such case is where the land repurchased  became a main line bypassing our yard with a siding.   They are currently building two  more 5000 foot tracks along side same.      

[AlcoRS11Nut]

CN isn't being unreasonable...we don't have to be that close anyway to enjoy the action.

Agreed.

I'm not sure why some people are so outraged by the fact that CN is cracking down on trespassers. It seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

In addition, the people who have hijacked this thread and turned it into the typical political battle should be ashamed. I highly doubt that CopCar intended for this to happen with this thread.

All it seems like  CopCarSS was doing is to give everyone a heads up/friendly reminder with the matter.

 

 I agree 100%, a good chunk of the shots are good from a distance and would be lacking in other "stuff" if it was locomotive only, but sometimes getting a close-up shot of locomotive blasting around a curve or out of a tunnel is impressive too. For what its worth, I think it kind of depends on the area and each railroaders idea of "too close" is. I know I have been INVITED into the yard in my town once or twice to take pictures by the crew on duty but thats a UP yard (old CNW) not CN.  I don't know about any one else here, but I kind of can sense when I might be getting a little to close and then I back up a little. Maybe the people who do get to close have to listen to that sense of theirs, and all of use dust off our telescopic lenses.

 

 

Not sure who said it, but to whomever did...Yes, it does seem like threads seem to always get policital. 

 

 

[AlcoRS11Nut]

If I can comment on the original topic - I've seen all kinds of "No Tresspassing" signs go up on CN property in my part of the world (N.E. Wisconsin.) 

Kind of sad when compared to the relatively "railfan friendly" attitude of prior owner WC.

Although - the Green Bay and Western had a long time policy of very little tolerance for railfan poking around - though, if I recall, that resulted from some folks who grossly overstepped their bounds and ruined for the rest of us.

 

Thats the first thing I noticed first time I went to  Fondy after the take over. Yeah...like normal...its the stupidy of the few that ruins it for the rest of us.

[RRKen]

You feel proud of yourself for making that up all on your own zardoz???

Libertarians believe in personal rights and no gov't interference? Well that is what CN and other RRs are doing. They are protecting their assets by keeping lawsuit-happy trespassers off their property. I bet these "libertarians" are the first ones to sue when they do something stupid.

 I am not sure they get the point.  Private property is a huge issue when it comes to the Constitution.   CN, or any railroad for that matter can have you arrested at the blink of an eye when you cross the line onto their property.   End of conversation.  

There are signs I am sure on CN's property, as there is on Union Pacific's ROW.   I catch a trespasser, I ask once.   If they don't understand the concept, I let the local police explain it.   Should that fail, and it has, they end up at the County Bed and Breakfast eating beans and bologna.  

My safety, more over, the safety of my fellow employees, is more important that any photograph.  That includes watching some dummy fall on his keister while on the property, and getting hurt or worse.   It has happened before, and we do not want it happening again.   So pay heed to CN, or carry a bond card with you.  

[Anonymous]

No offense Eola, but after reading your post I would not be playing the proper grammar card.

Bottom line - stay off the ROW. Too many people out here have been splattered by trains.

PS>> I never went for the mature thing. Nanner, nanner.

PPS.>> lighten up a little guys.. you'll live longer.

Possibly the wisest post I have seen on this thread!

 

[Mookie]

Said I was done, but time for another quick question? 

In cities where railroads go through part of the town, do the railroads ever own the property that a business sits on?  ie  - the business owns the building, but the railroad owns the property? 

(especially ones that sit very close to the tracks?)

[zugmann]

No offense Eola, but after reading your post I would not be playing the proper grammar card.

Bottom line - stay off the ROW. Too many people out here have been splattered by trains.

PS>> I never went for the mature thing. Nanner, nanner.

PPS.>> lighten up a little guys.. you'll live longer.

[CopCarSS]

I highly doubt that CopCar intended for this to happen with this thread.

Indeed not. I merely wanted to bring the crack-down to light because I know that I've inadvertantly wandered onto RR property before while composing shots. I just wanted everyone to realize that CN had instituted a zero tolerance policy and that they should fully be aware of where they are railfanning as there appears that there will be no exceptions in the future on the CN. My post was in no way meant to convey a feeling of "right to be on the property," but rather serve as a warning to all railfans.

At any rate, Willy, once again you've proved that despite your youth, you are in fact more mature than many participants in this forum.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else get tired when these so-called libertarians throw these mind-numbing quotes around?

Enough already! 

I am not surprised that those simple quotes numbed your mind...I would imagine that happens quite often to you.

My what a witty retort! 

I bet you stayed up all night thinking up this didn't you?

 

At least this "super genius" payed attention in English Composition 101, so much so that I know that the correct sentence structure would be "I'll bet you stayed up all night thinking this up, didn't you?".

Let's agree right now to a cessation of hostilities before this thread gets really nasty, and believe me when I say it truly can degrade very quickly and none of us want that.  Remember the old saying that reads something like "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"...well Harry I suggest you stop throwing "stones" so none come back over the fence at you in the future.

How 'bout you just mind your own business?

 

[eolafan]

Does anyone else get tired when these so-called libertarians throw these mind-numbing quotes around?

Enough already! 

I am not surprised that those simple quotes numbed your mind...I would imagine that happens quite often to you.

My what a witty retort! 

I bet you stayed up all night thinking up this didn't you?

 

At least this "super genius" payed attention in English Composition 101, so much so that I know that the correct sentence structure would be "I'll bet you stayed up all night thinking this up, didn't you?".

Let's agree right now to a cessation of hostilities before this thread gets really nasty, and believe me when I say it truly can degrade very quickly and none of us want that.  Remember the old saying that reads something like "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"...well Harry I suggest you stop throwing "stones" so none come back over the fence at you in the future.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else get tired when these so-called libertarians throw these mind-numbing quotes around?

Enough already! 

I am not surprised that those simple quotes numbed your mind...I would imagine that happens quite often to you.

By the way, thanks for the compliment.

Very good zardoz, very good indeed!

Sigh!  Yet another "super genius" encouraging the other "super genius"

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else get tired when these so-called libertarians throw these mind-numbing quotes around?

Enough already! 

I am not surprised that those simple quotes numbed your mind...I would imagine that happens quite often to you.

My what a witty retort! 

I bet you stayed up all night thinking up this didn't you?

 

[Willy2]

CN isn't being unreasonable...we don't have to be that close anyway to enjoy the action.

Agreed.

I'm not sure why some people are so outraged by the fact that CN is cracking down on trespassers. It seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

In addition, the people who have hijacked this thread and turned it into the typical political battle should be ashamed. I highly doubt that CopCar intended for this to happen with this thread.

[Ulrich]

CN isn't being unreasonable...we don't have to be that close anyway to enjoy the action.

[zugmann]

Nah.... gotta stay away from that coffee crap... puts me to sleep..

 

[Phoebe Vet]

Zug:

Some of the decaffeinated brands are just as tasty...

[zugmann]

You feel proud of yourself for making that up all on your own zardoz???

Libertarians believe in personal rights and no gov't interference? Well that is what CN and other RRs are doing. They are protecting their assets by keeping lawsuit-happy trespassers off their property. I bet these "libertarians" are the first ones to sue when they do something stupid.

Does anyone else get tired when these so-called libertarians throw these mind-numbing quotes around?

Enough already! 

I am not surprised that those simple quotes numbed your mind...I would imagine that happens quite often to you.

By the way, thanks for the compliment.

[eolafan]

Does anyone else get tired when these so-called libertarians throw these mind-numbing quotes around?

Enough already! 

I am not surprised that those simple quotes numbed your mind...I would imagine that happens quite often to you.

By the way, thanks for the compliment.

Very good zardoz, very good indeed!

[Phoebe Vet]

In addition to the security paranoia, things like this probably are responsible as well:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15446658/

 

[Doublestack]

If I can comment on the original topic - I've seen all kinds of "No Tresspassing" signs go up on CN property in my part of the world (N.E. Wisconsin.) 

Kind of sad when compared to the relatively "railfan friendly" attitude of prior owner WC.

Although - the Green Bay and Western had a long time policy of very little tolerance for railfan poking around - though, if I recall, that resulted from some folks who grossly overstepped their bounds and ruined for the rest of us.