Now that we seemed to have moved into the political arena, why don't we just move onto other posts and threads on trains. This thread has run it's course. Lively conversation...as usual...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
ok..after i cooled off alittle and was able to collect my thoughts alittle regarding this issue...
one of the key issues that i have with the letter besides that i think it was an over reaction to a non issue.. is that being a railroader and haveing to deal with enought from the carrier and the FRA regarding rules compliance in order to protect my job from officals that want to fire anyone at the drop of a hate for not haveing there safty glasses on while walking to a ready track or getting a heavy fine from the FRA..then to have my job threatend from an outside factor such as an irate railfan is what got me fired up.. this case could set a presedent should the carrier take action aginst this woman for her actions... not only do i have to watch my butt from the company and goverment.. now i have to watch the rail buffs for fear of them turning me into the company becouse i wasnt polite enought for there likeing and they take some kind of action becouse i might have hurt there feelings or i didnt awenser there question that they might have asked me track side.. or hell..even wave... this job can be very stressfull enought as it is without the added stress of haveing railfans holding my livelyhood in there hands now too...
csx engineer
Mark:
While I think the slur is a little over the top, In fact I agree.
People totally ignore the fact that the death toll was so high on 9/11 because of the design of the buildings. The criminal act of flying into them was the trigger, but the design is the reason they collapsed in the fire.
In 1945, a B-25 bomber hit the 79th floor of the Empire State Building. The fuel tank exploded engulfing the 79th floor in fire. 11 people died and two dozen were injured. The building still stands today.
I have been flabbergasted at how easily my countrymen have been manipulated into voluntarily giving up so much.
I am now leaving this thread. Have fun.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
marknewton wrote: Phoebe Vet wrote:Get used to it.Since 9/11 we have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with "security" borders on mental illness, and it gets more bizarre every day.We just recently passed the one million person milestone on the list of people who need to be extra hassled before deciding whether they should be allowed on an airplane, and a school district in Texas just voted to arm their teachers and staff with concealed handguns.I'm glad I am old. I am sad for my grandchildren. But then, since they don't remember the days when we had protections from runaway government, they probably won't miss it. I agree, but it's not just runaway government to blame for your current ills, it's also the weak, gutless, lickspittle quislings amongst your own people who willingly acquiesce to this "security" regime. I'm astounded by some of the opinions expressed on this thread. When a bloke prepared to stand up for himself when confronted by someone abusing their limited or non-existant authority is derided as being a "troublemaker", I'd say you've got problems. For a country that proclaims itself to be the land of the brave and the free, you look remarkably like oppressed cowards from over here.
Phoebe Vet wrote:Get used to it.Since 9/11 we have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with "security" borders on mental illness, and it gets more bizarre every day.We just recently passed the one million person milestone on the list of people who need to be extra hassled before deciding whether they should be allowed on an airplane, and a school district in Texas just voted to arm their teachers and staff with concealed handguns.I'm glad I am old. I am sad for my grandchildren. But then, since they don't remember the days when we had protections from runaway government, they probably won't miss it.
Get used to it.
Since 9/11 we have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with "security" borders on mental illness, and it gets more bizarre every day.
We just recently passed the one million person milestone on the list of people who need to be extra hassled before deciding whether they should be allowed on an airplane, and a school district in Texas just voted to arm their teachers and staff with concealed handguns.
I'm glad I am old. I am sad for my grandchildren. But then, since they don't remember the days when we had protections from runaway government, they probably won't miss it.
Wait until you have a major terrorist attack and come back and tell us how brave your country is. Has all this Chicken Little stuff gone too far? In my opinion it has but, it's kind of funny how attitudes change when 3,000 innocent civilians are murdered.
SR1457 wrote:Well after 2 days and close to 200 opinions, this mystery is still unsolved, and after all is said, its all somebodys opinion and who really cares! lets get on to something more serious, like "Do you think Steam will make a comeback" This is a situation where you have a i said/ she said, as i stated before and you all know this, there is always 3 sides to a story, yours, mine, and the truth!
You know, you could just skip this particular thread if it's bothersome to you. I find it kind of fascinating that someone would not only write a letter to the railroad about this rather trivial matter but, would also post the letter on the internet as a sympathy ploy. If the letter gets any actual results at all they likely will be adverse for railfans because the local employees will dislike foamers that much more because of the letter.
....Perhaps we must slow down and agree to disagree.....
On the fan's side: Being on property other than that belonging to the RR....being called out for doing so in an arrogant manner....RR employee shouting out non existing laws {that fan is breaking}....carelessly, shouting descriptive "words" to fan that did not apply....and being shouted to, to leave for questionable reasons...{not getting feelings hurt as some have said}.....but demanding the fan leave, etc. while on property other than RR ROW {property}.....
On the RR's side: Feeling "someone" is "threatening property and operations"....Acting on the company's behalf to maintain safety....and security, etc....
From what we know, and I'd say we all have the same knowledge and that is from the first fan's post....We can't "cure" anything beyond what's already been discussed. So....we probably must agree to disagree.
Quentin
As a retired police officer I can assure you that you are absolutely correct. The initial attitude of the person in authority determines whether the situation is a civil conversation, or degenerates into a confrontation, and it doesn't really matter whether the person being approached is in the right, or the wrong.
A lesson which I wish the egocentric people in the District of Columbia would learn.
No, I'm not thinking of any one in particular.
youngengineer wrote: If you railfan along railroad right away, on or near or miles from it, and you have a camera and scanner, etc. expect at some point to be hassled.
Methinks the issue is the manner in which one is "hassled."
If a police officer, railroad employee, or even a citizen on the street comes up to me and speaks in a civil tone, advising me that I am in the wrong, or at least I appear to be in the wrong, I'm going to speak with them civilly and we're going to resolve the issue. If I can't convince them I'm actually within my rights, or they convince me that I'm clearly out of bounds, I'll leave. I've been "hassled," my railfanning activities have been interrupted, but we all understand the why's and wherefors and things stay on an even keel.
But if I'm approached by someone sporting an air of righteous indignation, with said person spouting off things that are clearly not true or totally irrelavent, I'm probably going to put up a fight (verbal, not physical) and stand my ground. If said person has shown no credentials, I'll gladly wait for someone to show up who can.
We've seen plenty of examples here before of folks who have been challenged by overzealous authorities, citing non-existant laws. Of course, the balance isn't there - we don't hear about the folks who were asked to leave by perfectly calm officials, acting within the law, and did as requested.
As for being called a terrorist - I think that's just the perjorative term of the day. That's not to say that terrorists aren't bad. Rather had the woman in question not had "terrorist" to use, she probably would have used another derogatory term.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Goober wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: Goober wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: Poppa_Zit wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!csx engineer If you can stand on public property and take photos of me at work, have at it. if i knew what you did and where you worked out of..maybe i would in my time off.. but that isnt the point here.. this isnt about photos or the rights to do it from where.. its about someone being confronted granted in a less that profecinal mannor..and having his feelings hurt becouse the person used the word terrorist... re-read the letter dude.. it is all about that word and how his feelings where hurt and feeling insulted becouse the employee used it.. that is what this is all about.. some of you want to make this an issue of it was public proporty crap..that isnt what this is about at all..reread the first posting and the letter.. you will see the tone of his posting turn when that word was used.. not becouse he was asked not to take pics.. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE..DEAL WITH IT!!!! Well, DUDE, I did go back and read the 1st post, I also re-read the 2nd reply, and if I were to get excited over anyone, it would be that person. Do you recognise that person?? His mention of THE word was a secondary point, his main issue was that of the person and yelling inaccurate information and doing so in a unprofessional manner. I happen to agree with the original post, and also with all of what was said by Poppa_zit. AND, it really does come down to the issue of being on public property and being on private property. When on public property, one is allowed to take photo's of (in this instance) trains. It is not illegal!! Like another poster said, "when they are used commercially" that is a different issue. I also believe that he did the proper thing in not confronting, however, if I were him, I would have completely ignored the person on the "porch BEHIND the engine" and went about my business. I would rather deal with the local law enforcement than with a wannabe security person who has absolutely no authority beyond property lines. So, DUDE. chill and deal with it goes both ways. You were the 1st one to go hyper over this post.thanks,Jared here is my responce to this....... this is OUR house..public proporty or not.. if asked not to take pics regardless of the demeaner of the person saying it.then dont do it.. be respectfull to the job and the employees.. i stand by my statment that is has nothing to do with the pics as it is the exchange between the employee and the person... posting such as yours and this one that started this whole tread are a prime example of why some of use railroaders dont like rail buffs.. its the oh i wasnt doing anything wrong..but yet you where taking pics of me while i was working and maybe i was haveing a bad day and in a very POed mood and just didnt want my pic taken.. maybe i missed out on going to a wedding that day becouse i got called into work and there you are on a nice saterday afternoon track side taking pics injoying yourself when i have to work and "proform" for you like a circuse animal for your amusement and injoyment.. you might only think of it as equimpment or a building..but there is more to it then that.. the human side of things and being human myself there are days where i dont want to deal with people im working with let alone someone trying to take my pic while im working...so DUDE.. be respectfull if anyone asks you not to take any more pics regardless of where it is or what it of.. public proporty isnt a free licence to invade my place of work if i am not feeling photogenic that day!!!!csx engineer As in the my last response, you need to get something correct, you may ask me to not take your photo, and being a decent human being I should respect your request. Tell me that it is illegal to take your photo and we will continue to argue the point. Yes it is your house, don't make exceptions, because (and you are not going to like this) public property is NOT your house. Sorry!! Public property is not your place of work, then you would be a public employee and subject to different codes of conduct (probably be required to wear a vest).As far as your "sister" is concerned, she made a decision to do the wrong thing, don't make it worse by condoning it just for the sister/brotherhood. She made a mistake, if that causes her a penalty, welcome to the real world.Kudos to Paul a fellow railfan from Appleton in a following post.Jared
csxengineer98 wrote: Goober wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: Poppa_Zit wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!csx engineer If you can stand on public property and take photos of me at work, have at it. if i knew what you did and where you worked out of..maybe i would in my time off.. but that isnt the point here.. this isnt about photos or the rights to do it from where.. its about someone being confronted granted in a less that profecinal mannor..and having his feelings hurt becouse the person used the word terrorist... re-read the letter dude.. it is all about that word and how his feelings where hurt and feeling insulted becouse the employee used it.. that is what this is all about.. some of you want to make this an issue of it was public proporty crap..that isnt what this is about at all..reread the first posting and the letter.. you will see the tone of his posting turn when that word was used.. not becouse he was asked not to take pics.. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE..DEAL WITH IT!!!! Well, DUDE, I did go back and read the 1st post, I also re-read the 2nd reply, and if I were to get excited over anyone, it would be that person. Do you recognise that person?? His mention of THE word was a secondary point, his main issue was that of the person and yelling inaccurate information and doing so in a unprofessional manner. I happen to agree with the original post, and also with all of what was said by Poppa_zit. AND, it really does come down to the issue of being on public property and being on private property. When on public property, one is allowed to take photo's of (in this instance) trains. It is not illegal!! Like another poster said, "when they are used commercially" that is a different issue. I also believe that he did the proper thing in not confronting, however, if I were him, I would have completely ignored the person on the "porch BEHIND the engine" and went about my business. I would rather deal with the local law enforcement than with a wannabe security person who has absolutely no authority beyond property lines. So, DUDE. chill and deal with it goes both ways. You were the 1st one to go hyper over this post.thanks,Jared here is my responce to this....... this is OUR house..public proporty or not.. if asked not to take pics regardless of the demeaner of the person saying it.then dont do it.. be respectfull to the job and the employees.. i stand by my statment that is has nothing to do with the pics as it is the exchange between the employee and the person... posting such as yours and this one that started this whole tread are a prime example of why some of use railroaders dont like rail buffs.. its the oh i wasnt doing anything wrong..but yet you where taking pics of me while i was working and maybe i was haveing a bad day and in a very POed mood and just didnt want my pic taken.. maybe i missed out on going to a wedding that day becouse i got called into work and there you are on a nice saterday afternoon track side taking pics injoying yourself when i have to work and "proform" for you like a circuse animal for your amusement and injoyment.. you might only think of it as equimpment or a building..but there is more to it then that.. the human side of things and being human myself there are days where i dont want to deal with people im working with let alone someone trying to take my pic while im working...so DUDE.. be respectfull if anyone asks you not to take any more pics regardless of where it is or what it of.. public proporty isnt a free licence to invade my place of work if i am not feeling photogenic that day!!!!csx engineer
Goober wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: Poppa_Zit wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!csx engineer If you can stand on public property and take photos of me at work, have at it. if i knew what you did and where you worked out of..maybe i would in my time off.. but that isnt the point here.. this isnt about photos or the rights to do it from where.. its about someone being confronted granted in a less that profecinal mannor..and having his feelings hurt becouse the person used the word terrorist... re-read the letter dude.. it is all about that word and how his feelings where hurt and feeling insulted becouse the employee used it.. that is what this is all about.. some of you want to make this an issue of it was public proporty crap..that isnt what this is about at all..reread the first posting and the letter.. you will see the tone of his posting turn when that word was used.. not becouse he was asked not to take pics.. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE..DEAL WITH IT!!!! Well, DUDE, I did go back and read the 1st post, I also re-read the 2nd reply, and if I were to get excited over anyone, it would be that person. Do you recognise that person?? His mention of THE word was a secondary point, his main issue was that of the person and yelling inaccurate information and doing so in a unprofessional manner. I happen to agree with the original post, and also with all of what was said by Poppa_zit. AND, it really does come down to the issue of being on public property and being on private property. When on public property, one is allowed to take photo's of (in this instance) trains. It is not illegal!! Like another poster said, "when they are used commercially" that is a different issue. I also believe that he did the proper thing in not confronting, however, if I were him, I would have completely ignored the person on the "porch BEHIND the engine" and went about my business. I would rather deal with the local law enforcement than with a wannabe security person who has absolutely no authority beyond property lines. So, DUDE. chill and deal with it goes both ways. You were the 1st one to go hyper over this post.thanks,Jared
csxengineer98 wrote: Poppa_Zit wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!csx engineer If you can stand on public property and take photos of me at work, have at it. if i knew what you did and where you worked out of..maybe i would in my time off.. but that isnt the point here.. this isnt about photos or the rights to do it from where.. its about someone being confronted granted in a less that profecinal mannor..and having his feelings hurt becouse the person used the word terrorist... re-read the letter dude.. it is all about that word and how his feelings where hurt and feeling insulted becouse the employee used it.. that is what this is all about.. some of you want to make this an issue of it was public proporty crap..that isnt what this is about at all..reread the first posting and the letter.. you will see the tone of his posting turn when that word was used.. not becouse he was asked not to take pics.. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE..DEAL WITH IT!!!!
Poppa_Zit wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!csx engineer If you can stand on public property and take photos of me at work, have at it.
csxengineer98 wrote: this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!csx engineer
this is a case study in railroad/railfan relations.. insted of being respectfull when you come into "our house" (on public proporty or not you are watching the actions of our place of work..and the actions of us doing our jobs) and should be respectfull of US the EMPLOLYEES!!! that means if we ask you not to take pics then dont do it.. just move on to another location or something.. im sure that if we where to come to your place of work and take pics of you or your company doing what it dose and you didnt want your pic or the actions of the company photograghed you would say something to the person takeing the pics too... but this isnt about taking pics or the right to take pics from public proporty of trains..this is all becouse someone got there feelings hurt by a brash employee...bottom line!!!!
If you can stand on public property and take photos of me at work, have at it.
Well, DUDE, I did go back and read the 1st post, I also re-read the 2nd reply, and if I were to get excited over anyone, it would be that person. Do you recognise that person?? His mention of THE word was a secondary point, his main issue was that of the person and yelling inaccurate information and doing so in a unprofessional manner.
I happen to agree with the original post, and also with all of what was said by Poppa_zit. AND, it really does come down to the issue of being on public property and being on private property. When on public property, one is allowed to take photo's of (in this instance) trains. It is not illegal!! Like another poster said, "when they are used commercially" that is a different issue. I also believe that he did the proper thing in not confronting, however, if I were him, I would have completely ignored the person on the "porch BEHIND the engine" and went about my business. I would rather deal with the local law enforcement than with a wannabe security person who has absolutely no authority beyond property lines. So, DUDE. chill and deal with it goes both ways. You were the 1st one to go hyper over this post.
thanks,
Jared
As in the my last response, you need to get something correct, you may ask me to not take your photo, and being a decent human being I should respect your request. Tell me that it is illegal to take your photo and we will continue to argue the point. Yes it is your house, don't make exceptions, because (and you are not going to like this) public property is NOT your house. Sorry!! Public property is not your place of work, then you would be a public employee and subject to different codes of conduct (probably be required to wear a vest).
As far as your "sister" is concerned, she made a decision to do the wrong thing, don't make it worse by condoning it just for the sister/brotherhood. She made a mistake, if that causes her a penalty, welcome to the real world.
Kudos to Paul a fellow railfan from Appleton in a following post.
she may have been wrong with the laws regarding pic taking and the scanner use.. but the point still remains that regardless of who was right or wrong this is all over hurt feelings.. that is what this all boils down to..insted of just moving on and maybe another day or time if this happens agin be more willing to help "re-educate" the person in the wrong..not go cry to corp. about it.. being wrong is part life.. in my oppion both parties might have been wrong..her in the way she handled it..and him for the way he handled it.. his actions as i stated in a post already can make things alot more difficult for you to injoy your hobby if everytime anyone at that terminal desides to let "the law" come question you.. going to miss a few more shots of trains hwile they are running your personal info to check you out if they chose to on public land or not.. ..and that is the welcome to the real world of his actions
Poppa_Zit wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: and for the reason why i was the first to get "hot" over this thread was that a fellow sister in service could get in some kind of trouble with the company due to the actions of one hurt feelings train buff...i cant stand people that have to make issue out of not being told they couldnt do something..there are alot of things i have been told i couldnt do..some in polite ways and others in ways that make what this woman said sound respectfull.. yet i didnt go off and have to write a letter..i sucked it up and moved on with my life.. csx engineer Then why are you having major problems getting past this discussion?
csxengineer98 wrote: and for the reason why i was the first to get "hot" over this thread was that a fellow sister in service could get in some kind of trouble with the company due to the actions of one hurt feelings train buff...i cant stand people that have to make issue out of not being told they couldnt do something..there are alot of things i have been told i couldnt do..some in polite ways and others in ways that make what this woman said sound respectfull.. yet i didnt go off and have to write a letter..i sucked it up and moved on with my life.. csx engineer
and for the reason why i was the first to get "hot" over this thread was that a fellow sister in service could get in some kind of trouble with the company due to the actions of one hurt feelings train buff...i cant stand people that have to make issue out of not being told they couldnt do something..there are alot of things i have been told i couldnt do..some in polite ways and others in ways that make what this woman said sound respectfull.. yet i didnt go off and have to write a letter..i sucked it up and moved on with my life..
Then why are you having major problems getting past this discussion?
someone above me put alot of my thoughts and feelings i have about this issue into a very well writin posting.. granted i am not a great oritor.. and i try to express myself as best i can on here.. but when i get "hot" my brain thinks faster then i can type..
in the 10 years i have been railroading..i have tried to be nice to most of you foamers..but it seems as the years go on.. more and more of you feel that you have a right to do what ever you want to do..and if somoene says no.. you get all bent out of shape...more and more of you are becomeing brazen with your actions and more and more confrentational... just look at some of the posts in this thread.. i have the right to bla bla bla..
Murray wrote:Many times on this very forum, we have read instances where, for example, a policeman comes up and asks someone ot leave, and the railfan develops a case of "the nerve of that guy" attitude.
Many times on this very forum, we have read instances where, for example, a policeman comes up and asks someone ot leave, and the railfan develops a case of "the nerve of that guy" attitude.
I just laugh when I hear this; I hope no one here ever has to put up with real harassment.
Looking at Kevin's website pics, I see lots of people, even little kids, running all around the tracks, when the 611 was in town even when it was moving. That does not look safe at all.How bout taking pics of sensitive areas? Pics were being taken of everything. So terrorists are only active when not around people?
I just noticed his web site is down.
Soo 6604 wrote:I dont beleive that Chad has the popcorn machine working overtime. I think he's using the microwavable popcorn. The radiation has to go somewhere. "Trouble Maker" Paul
I dont beleive that Chad has the popcorn machine working overtime. I think he's using the microwavable popcorn. The radiation has to go somewhere.
"Trouble Maker" Paul
And if it weren't for those meddeling kids, I would have gotten away with it.
http://www.youtube.com/user/pavabo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulvbox
OK, so we found something foamers hate more then railroader's that don't wave. I can't speak to the incident I wasn't there, i don't know what actually happened. If the employee acted as was stated, it's a bit over the line. If your offended beacuse she didnt know the law, great, glad you know the law so well. If your offended at being called a terrorist grow a thicker skin. If your offended because you didn't get your picture, go back the next day.
If you railfan along railroad right away, on or near or miles from it, and you have a camera and scanner, etc. expect at some point to be hasseled. If you can't deal with the fact that someone at some point is going to hassle you, don't railfan. It is really unbecoming to come onto this forum and bring nothing to the discussion. Is this important, or relevant to other railfans, I really can't see how it is. So you ran across what might be a employee with bad attitude or bad day, so what.
When i'm at work i expect that I will be watched either by a company offical or railfan. However, if i see that either one is in danger or in a potentially dangerous position I will not hesitate to ask either to change what they are doing. If you railfan and myself or another empolyee asks you to leave, just do it, don't become a self appointed lawyer, or someone with an attitude. trust me, if i call the police and say to them, I have someone on the property or close to it and they are being beligerent, or otherwise disprespectful, you are going to have a very bad day. I have only asked a handful of railfans to leave, this was due to closeness to the tracks, or just acting in a strange manner. I have a duty to keep my fellow employess safe, my companies operations smooth, and protect the public. If at anytime I don't like the situation I will do what I can to change it.
We have many threats to the railroad everyday, we have many potential threats to the railroad. We live in a world were bad people do bad things to others. Do I think that we have gone to far, or being overly paranoid about those around us, maybe, but maybe we should have been looking out for these type of situations earlier.
Please, be respectful of others, be kind your fellow humans, and if someone is having a bad day and harrasing you just walk away. You will feel better for not having upset them further and maybe they will think twice next time and do the right thing. You don't know what transpired to your arrival at your location, maybe she had some disrespectful railfans before you arrived, you don't know and your whining about a trivial incident is unwarranted.
I find it amazing the same railfans on here always have the same troubles, when others on here never seem to have trouble, maybe you should look at your own actions and ask yourself am I the problem and if so change. Others on here have been told to get back, go away, or other such instructions and just deal with the situation.
I ralfanned for years before I worked for the railroad, I only had one run-in with railroad police, they said that they would prefer I leave, so I did. I didn't go back that area for awhile and when I did no longer had any problems, granted I never touched anything, never crossed tracks and never tried to approach buildings or other sensitvie areas. Railroads are dangerous places, heed the warning even if you don't like it and be kind to those that approach you, you never know you might change someones attitude if you use a little common courtesy which so many railfans seem to lack. A smile and a thank you go along way to put me at ease that you are not doing something illegal or harmful to my employeers bussiness.
Thank You
NOT SINGED (becasue it does not matter)
Holy moly, I've now read the whole thread...
I think we need a turn the beer sales off after the first three pages of posts rule.
Since everyone is giving their two cents on this topic, how about: "Is now a good time to pull the plug on this thread?" Yes, no? (Mind your own business?)
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Just by her sitting in the chair on railroad property, one could assume that she was a RR employee.
chad thomas wrote: Modelcar wrote: .....A hundred forty-three replies to this thread....Who would have thunk it.....Yea, the popcorn machine is getting a workout
Modelcar wrote: .....A hundred forty-three replies to this thread....Who would have thunk it.....
.....A hundred forty-three replies to this thread....Who would have thunk it.....
Yea, the popcorn machine is getting a workout
I have to believe this could be a record of some sort. When I saw the size of the thread I figured it had been resurrected from the depths and was surprised to find that it started today.
As for the topic at hand - I support the OP's basic premise that the "employee" (something that hasn't been proved conclusively) in question was out of line. I'm certain that had she said something along the lines of "we strongly discourage photos of this area, please move along" this thread would never have been started.
Instead she apparently copped an attitude. I might just have been tempted to hang around until someone with some credentials showed up. Who knows - if she got belligerent enough to cross the tracks and confront me in person, I might have been dialing 9-1-1...
eolafan wrote: csxengineer98 wrote: i just hope that a fellow railroad employee dosnt get in some kind of trouble for what i feel is an over reaction to being asked not to take pics.. granted she might have gone about it alittle bit more tactfull but no everyone will... if she dose end up on some kind of suspention as a ressult of this "letter" it is one more reason for railroaders to have a contempt for rail fans if you ask me..csx engineer It would have been much better for this employee to have said something like "We've been told by our employer to report anyone taking pictures here or with a scanner to the railroad or local police" rather than to improperly quote the laws (this fellow was NOT doing anything illegal from what I just read.
csxengineer98 wrote: i just hope that a fellow railroad employee dosnt get in some kind of trouble for what i feel is an over reaction to being asked not to take pics.. granted she might have gone about it alittle bit more tactfull but no everyone will... if she dose end up on some kind of suspention as a ressult of this "letter" it is one more reason for railroaders to have a contempt for rail fans if you ask me..csx engineer
i just hope that a fellow railroad employee dosnt get in some kind of trouble for what i feel is an over reaction to being asked not to take pics.. granted she might have gone about it alittle bit more tactfull but no everyone will... if she dose end up on some kind of suspention as a ressult of this "letter" it is one more reason for railroaders to have a contempt for rail fans if you ask me..
It would have been much better for this employee to have said something like "We've been told by our employer to report anyone taking pictures here or with a scanner to the railroad or local police" rather than to improperly quote the laws (this fellow was NOT doing anything illegal from what I just read.
I was stopped exactly that way by a UP rail some years back. He was a very nice guy. We spoke for awhile, he understood who I was, and then he said, "Have fun... just don't trespass..." and I did just that.
JT22CW wrote:Brilliant reply. Now we all know that you're a troublemaker. Cops don't tase people who aren't being aggressive with them ("where do you come from?" "My mom"…that's wising off and being disrespectful; well done). Police aren't intimidated by size. Be thankful you're on the outside and not locked up for another episode of acting up like you admitted herein.
I was tazed for obstructing. Here are his exact words from the court report "Answer me now or i will taze you" Officer ******* said. That was over a question of "where are you staying" If the police would have treated me with respect right away and continued it, i would have treated them the same way. I push the envolope into the gray but I leave it up to the courts to find it the right direction. I know the police aren't intimidated by size. Read again. I was writing about people that confront me. Not the Police. Now, when the Police get disrespectful, that's when I push the envelope. I am an adult. Nobody tells me how I should or shouldn't act. Nobody needs to know what I am doing, going to do, or have done. You can ask, and I can refuse to answer you. Depends on how you ask.
I want to know is how I am the trouble maker? Photographing trains, nature, lightning, is that me being the trouble maker? Is it being respectful to the people that show me respect when they question me? Is it when I am appraoched in an aggressive manor and demanded their questions answered? I still don't see where I am the trouble maker.
Within the first few sentences, most Police officers already decided how they are going to go about, just a few questions or resorting to waterboarding. All I have to answer to is: what I am doing there, why and give them my name, phone number, license, registration and proof of insurance (in some states). It's my right to clam up if I so choose to. I'll deal with it later.
I've been on the short quick questions of "What are you doing here?" "Watching trains" "OK, just stay off the tracks". and they move on. The worst one i've been in (in 1996 pre-9/11 fear) was that I've had my car stripped and searched. The seats were actually taken out. The cop kept on telling me that I better conscent to a vehicle search or he's going to make it a really long night for me. I had nothing to lose, I had nowhere to be. I was along the tracks, about 50 feet back from the gates, watching trains. Labor Day weekend and he had to get a judge off the golf course so he could sign the search warrant. 7 hours later and 9 squads responded, the search came up nothing. I was asked if I didn't have anything to hide, why i just didnt conscent to the search. It was my car, my property and I didnt feel like he needed to violate my personal property since he didnt have any probably cause whats-so-ever.
Yeah, I know i have an attitude problem. You give me lip, i give you lip. You ask a stupid question, i give you a stupid answer (which i am very good at). eye for eye. If you think you can change me, go for it, if not, keep your personal opinions about me to yourself. You dont know me, just "my kind". I've given the shirt off my back so many times but its the negative the people remember you by.
Modelcar wrote:.....A hundred forty-three replies to this thread....Who would have thunk it.....
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