What tips do you have of what to do and not to do when chasing trains?
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
I generally stay put, it's rare that I chase trains. I know some people that do, but I generally don't because it's too easy to focus on the chase and not on traffic.... after all, it's just a train.
I rarely ever actually chase a train, although I have done it a few times. Note that I don't actually film the chase; rather I just try to get ahead of the train and catch it at another location farther up/down the line. There are a few locations northwest of Atlanta on the CSX W&A sub where the grade is steep enough that you can do this on heavy trains going upgrade. One suggestion as to what to definitely NOT do--film while you are driving. This is a recipe for disaster. If you are going to actually film a chase, have someone else drive while you film. Makes for a better video anyway. Jamie
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You saw Mookie's response to your other question, I assume? Here in northeastern Illinois, TimChgo and I are among those who are blessed with not having to go out and chase 'em down.
So I can only echo Jamie when it comes to safety on the drive. Get yourself far enough ahead of the target to give yourself time to do things right.
If you're chasing just any train, be aware of the railroad you're "working" as much as possible--mileposts, signals, detector locations, and so on. A scanner will then be of considerable help (be aware of laws regarding scanners in the state you're in--they may not be legal). Arm yourself with good maps, and study them well before you go. And make notes and mark them when you find a good spot.
Once you reach your spot, stay well away from the track--you don't want to be accused of trespassing, and you don't want to be hit by anything hanging loosely from the train.
It won't hurt to wave at the crew. Cherish the returned waves or horn blasts--they aren't always forthcoming.
Finally, carry some incriminating evidence with you--for example, a railroad atlas, a copy of Trains, something that will tell someone who wonders about you that this is fairly normal behavior for you.
Remember, this isn't baseball--don't plant yourself directly in front of the train to catch it!
Behind keeping your party safe, the most important rule is to have fun!
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
The most important is to be safe & sane. Stupid could get you killed. Trespass on the tracks could get you thrown in jail. Don't pace & chase the train, you could get a ticket for speeding or worse.Watch for characters. Be sure where you park & walk is a public area. If asked by the police, be polite & leave.
The best thing to do is have your camera ready. Take some test shots before the train arrives.
The best incriminating evidence you can have that you are out having fun and not up to no good? Kids! I usually take my 4-year old son and 9-year old daughter everywhere. In fact, the girl has her own photographic and video setup, so we usually will shoot the same train and compare results afterwards (I don't always win either).
Also, I could not agree more with the test shots--especially if you are shooting video. I will usually shoot some test video scenes and play them back on the camera well in advance of an arriving train to make sure everything looks like I want it to. I also will test any pans and zooms and even mark stops on the tripod so I can repeat the scene when the train actually comes by. Also make sure you get all of your manual camera settings taken care of as late as possible so your lighting conditions will be as close to the actual shot as possible.
Jamie
I have to echo Jamie. When I arrive at the spot I have chosen, I take test shots, make sure the camera is operating the way I want it to, and I try different angles, all before a train arrives. I also make sure the kids are well away from the tracks and in a safe spot before I start shooting photos. I also bring a good pair of binoculars, so I can read distant signals, and get a good idea of what is on the way when I see a headlight.
When I go out railfanning:-I never pace. Too dangerous as was said,-I usually pick 2 or 3 spots to sit as light/RR traffic dictates for better shots,-I never trespass,-I always try to give someone a rough timeline of where/when I'll be where I am and when I think I might be coming home.As to the gear I bring with me:-a map,-scanner,-camera,-extra batteries for both,-notebook/pen,-binoculars,-lawn chair,-RR book/Trains,-Snack/beverage. In my area CN crews seem to like chocolate/M&M cookies and cheese curds!
Dan
PLAN YOUR "CHASE". Check out the route before hand, know where there are, or might be, good camera angles and shots. Decide on a reasonable number of those sites by knowing how long it will take for you to get from one to another (in other words instead of trying to beat the train to the next spot, get ahead by two or more locations). Yes, you may be giving up one or two shots in favor of another, but you can be safe by not speeding or taking chances to get to a place and set up. If you miss a shot or location, do it next time. Do not speed, do not pass unsafely, do not tresspass, do not forget to put film or proper batteries in your equipment. And if a cop or railroader tells you to quit it, do so without confrontation no matter how right you think you are. Believe it or not, there will (usually) be other days.
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There's a very old saying that seems to fit this discussion...and it goes like this:
"WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T".
I have "Chased" trains, as well as paced alongside them, a rush to say the least. And if the engines are under power the sound is great. That being said, we were on a public road, obeying the speed limit, and all traffic signals. The train was on an upgrade and easy to get ahead and alongside of. This particular line has little daytime traffic though so it usually isn't a factor.
As Tim and Carl have alluded, we don't have to chase trains in Chicago because they come to us.
Seriously, in the immediate Chicago area, it is near impossible to chase trains because of the traffic signals, congestion and local police presence. We'd have to drive at least 40-50 miles out of Crook County to find a suitable location that lends itself to chasing trains.
I have never done it because it can be dangerous, and I usually watch trains by myself anyway and don't do video.
Well, I chase all the time and I would say first and foremost: Driveing is #1 priority, the train(s) are second. Secondly refer to the first rule !!!!
chad thomas Well, I chase all the time and I would say first and foremost: Driveing is #1 priority, the train(s) are second. Secondly refer to the first rule !!!!
I have to agree... Although, pacing and chasing can be fun and safe if you do it correctly, it's only advised in places where conditions allow. Here in South Florida, we're blessed to have many miles of paceable main line on the FEC. It's actually a quite a common thing to do if you're a local railfan.
Dos:
Don'ts:
Here's one of my videos which demonstrates the opportunities that exist to pace trains down here. Let me assure the group that I never took my eye off the road ahead of me. I may have exceeded to posted speed limit somewhat, but my driving never put anyone at risk :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBWqBgaB9tQ
Ted M.
got trains?™
See my photos at: http://tedmarshall.rrpicturearchives.net/
Ted Marshall I have to agree... Although, pacing and chasing can be fun and safe if you do it correctly, it's only advised in places where conditions allow.
Noooooooooo! Pacing or shooting chase videos while driving is dangerous and should be treated just like trespassing on railroad property: don't do it! Just get a driver if you want to do this. Jamie
PACING AND SHOOTING IS A TWO MAN OPERATION: DRIVER and PHOTOGRAPHER
Some great chaseing spots:
--Highway 111 between Thermal and Niland on the exSP Sunset route.
--Goffs road between Essex and the hwy95 crossing on the BNSF transcon.
--Santa Fe ave. north of Bakersfield up to the Corcoran area along the BNSF's central California valley.
--Washington state route 14 in the Columbia river george between Home Valley and N. Dalles along the BNSF (exSP&S) Portland to Pasco route.
All these places are 2 lane roads with pleanty of turnouts, relatively light traffic, and fast and frequent trains.
I once did get questioned by a cop and I said I was train watching. He was dumbfounded. I had to explain to him that it was a rather common hobby amongst a small number of adults. I think the train crew had called the police on me. I think sometime later I gave the conductor a ride from the end of the train up to the engine.
Ted Marshall chad thomas Well, I chase all the time and I would say first and foremost: Driveing is #1 priority, the train(s) are second. Secondly refer to the first rule !!!! I have to agree... Although, pacing and chasing can be fun and safe if you do it correctly, it's only advised in places where conditions allow. Here in South Florida, we're blessed to have many miles of paceable main line on the FEC. It's actually a quite a common thing to do if you're a local railfan. Dos: Know the road you plan to drive and limits of where you're gonna pace (x intersection to y intersection) Keep your eyes on the road Have someone else drive if you plan to pace on the left side of the train, if possible. Don'ts: Run red lights or stop signs Drive too fast Eat or drink while pacing a train Here's one of my videos which demonstrates the opportunities that exist to pace trains down here. Let me assure the group that I never took my eye off the road ahead of me. I may have exceeded to posted speed limit somewhat, but my driving never put anyone at risk : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBWqBgaB9tQ
We chased BNSF 7605 leaving Flagstaff E/B last June. Occasionally we jumped ahead to get a good pic. Later that day, we were able to exit I-40 and drive on old Route 66. It's too bad that Barbara is photographically challenged, because at times the road is next to the tracks and absolutely no traffic. Thanks to tips from others on a thread last spring, I was able to set up for some pics at good locations. At one spot, the BNSF police pulled up and notified us that the dirt road was rr property but it was OK to park there. Then he said, "Enjoy the trains. I do." We detoured to visit Hubble Trading Post. Then as we pulled into Grants NM, there sat 7605 waiting for a signal. I figure we chased 7605 about 250 miles. A great day indeed.
I live near the NYC's old water level route so traffic is usually pretty good. I agree with a lot of the other guys on letting them come to you instead of chasing them. There are a few local spots I go to watch when I have time and rarely get hassled by the police. Normally they just ask what I am doing and then leave me be. I like to carry a few good magazines with me, some snacks and a drink, and of course the camera. I guess the one of the only things I discourage is trespassing on RR or someone's private property, and make sure that it is legal in the area you are in to have a scanner. Reason I say that is a friend of mine got in a fender bender in Indiana and the local police there heckled him about a scanner being in the vehicle even though he said it was not on or even hooked up to an antenna. I also avoid night photography using a flash so I don't scare or temp. blind the crew(not to mention tick them off).
I don't chase trains because... I only railfan on rare occasions when our family is on vacation and decide to stop near a rail line. Normally this is at a station or something. I film every train that passes (I'm lucky if I get one or two) for around 15 minutes till the family makes me leave... My last (and only in my lifetime so far, excluding Steamtown) railfan trip was to Palmer, MA in July...
I always look forward to visiting my relatives in New Jersey every Easter because they live within walking distance of the Morristown & Erie's Whippany line, which hosts the Easter Bunny Express every year behind an Alco...
Definitely become familiar with the area, and the "schedule" of the railroad you're going to document, moreso if you're doing some railfanning outside of your hometown and whatnot. Make sure you have a map or print off directions so you don't get lost. Don't speed, or drive erratically.
Don't trespass whatsoever, no matter if it's railroad property or private property. You're only looking for trouble there, and God only knows what a private owner may do if you're perceived as a threat of some kind. This includes service roads, and any other area marked with a "No Trespassing" sign. Usually yard parking lots aren't marked, but it's wise not to stay there too long. Get your shots, get out.
If you do get stopped/approached by police(whether it's federal law enforcement or rail cops), be reasonable, don't lip off, stay calm, and explain yourself. If they inform you that rail photography is illegal, feel free to ask for a specific ordinance stating such. If there is an ordinance of that sort in effect, they'll be able to give you the proper info that you can verify, if you choose. If you're asked to leave, do so, even if you think you're in the right. HOWEVER, be aware that neither rail cops, nor federal law enforcement officers can NOT force you to delete pictures or videos that you've already taken. It's your property at that point.
I have to agree with the above posts,as some one stated,dont drive and shoot,go with a friend or wife or girlfriend get them to drive and by all means stay legal ! As I said in the other thread about chasing,if its steam you better have a plan before you start,cause You will Not be Alone ! Pick your spots if you can and when it gets harry get out ! I have done steam chases and spl train chases over a large portion of Tx and there are some places that I will NOT chase any kind of train,I will get a shot where I can and thats it...
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