Convicted One Foamer!!
Foamer!!
And *** proud of it!
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann I love the quotation marks around "concerned citizen". what's the alternative? Whole towns of people that didn't see nuthin'? Or saw something odd, but didn't want to call? Oh sorry that someone broke into your car and stole your camera... but I didn't want to be accused of cheering my idols.
I love the quotation marks around "concerned citizen". what's the alternative? Whole towns of people that didn't see nuthin'? Or saw something odd, but didn't want to call? Oh sorry that someone broke into your car and stole your camera... but I didn't want to be accused of cheering my idols.
zugmann [snipped] Whole towns of people that didn't see nuthin'? Or saw something odd, but didn't want to be called.
- Paul North.
Sawtooth500 [snipped] Train crews were really nice though and almost every single passing train waved to me, nothing changed there.
Unless the train crews were waving at or to her instead ?
Either way - in other news, some reports today mentioned that the intelligence materials recently collected from the late Osama bin Laden's hideout indicate that he was also contemplating attacks on shopping malls and other similar less secure targets that have lots of people. Maybe that'll take some of the heightened security 'heat' off the railfan community - what's more politically sensitive than preserving the American right to shop with fear ?!? - and put addded scrutiny at the malls instead. Will that discourage people from going to such places now ? (And would either of those results be a bad thing ??? )
Convicted One Wouldn't surprise me at all. Obviously the law enforcement industry has it's share of '"foamers" just as the rail industry is plagued by them. Whether they are picking up the phone to play "concerned citizen" or picking up their pom poms to cheer for their idols, it s the feeling of participation that they crave.
Wouldn't surprise me at all. Obviously the law enforcement industry has it's share of '"foamers" just as the rail industry is plagued by them. Whether they are picking up the phone to play "concerned citizen" or picking up their pom poms to cheer for their idols, it s the feeling of participation that they crave.
Phoebe Vet , try not to forget that it was probably some "concerned citizen" who made the call that caused the police officer to hassle you while you were harmlessly railfanning in the first place.
, try not to forget that it was probably some "concerned citizen" who made the call that caused the police officer to hassle you while you were harmlessly railfanning in the first place.
Well, the security stuff is real, I was parked at the western end of BNSF Eola yard in Chicago yesterday night, and a Kane County Sheriff just happened to drive by and stopped me because I looked suspicious - she was pretty nice when it became apparent I wasn't a threat but I did have to educate her on what a "railfan" is - the BNSF citizens for rail security card helped too, although that was also the first time she had heard of it. She was actually more curious just to see how it looked than anything else. Train crews were really nice though and almost every single passing train waved to me, nothing changed there.
zugmann The only goat dude I know of was the victim of moderators that really need a sense of humor (or a life). And no, it is not connected to this site. Our moderators are awesome!
The only goat dude I know of was the victim of moderators that really need a sense of humor (or a life).
And no, it is not connected to this site. Our moderators are awesome!
Sounds like you haven't seen the picture of the goat guy I was referring to - count yourself lucky!
Having said that, I agree in that the moderators on this forum do a pretty decent job.
- Erik
[quote user="zugmann"Our moderators are awesome! [/quote]
Hear Hear!!!!
erikem That and "Goat Dude Rocks" brings back -um- memories of an infamous Slashdot troll... For those who have no idea of who I'm talking about, believe me, you don't want to know.
That and "Goat Dude Rocks" brings back -um- memories of an infamous Slashdot troll...
For those who have no idea of who I'm talking about, believe me, you don't want to know.
zugmann Only if you take off your pants...
Only if you take off your pants...
BTW, postal museum does have a RPO car. Well, a cut down RPO car, made possible by funds through the Norfolk Southern Foundation (so says the plaque).
Paul_D_North_Jr . . . the original Saturday Night Live crew - "America, show us your guns !"
Note the gas prices in the one scene . . .
Can you imagine the comedy if either the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, - even the original Saturday Night Live crew (the late John Belushi as "Samurai TSA" ? "America, show us your guns !"), etc. got hold of this as fodder for their antics ?
Or was that belt? Either way, it's a fun time.
zugmann If anyone wants to send me $5, I'll mail back a "Zugmann Card for Railfan Security and Awesomeness" (ZCRSA). It'll make you the coolest railfan this side of the chatroom moderators in Fostoria.....
If anyone wants to send me $5, I'll mail back a "Zugmann Card for Railfan Security and Awesomeness" (ZCRSA).
It'll make you the coolest railfan this side of the chatroom moderators in Fostoria.....
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Phoebe Vet Paul: While proposing this idea, try not to forget that it was probably some "concerned citizen" who made the call that caused the police officer to hassle you while you were harmlessly railfanning in the first place.
While proposing this idea, try not to forget that it was probably some "concerned citizen" who made the call that caused the police officer to hassle you while you were harmlessly railfanning in the first place.
B) Nevertheless, I'm well aware of the irony - I too thought of that as I was typing the above. So be it - I have lots of ID cards, nothing to hide, and a lot of determination for our hobby to co-exist with reasonable and necessary security meaures, and for the latter to co-exist with the U.S. Constitution - and the time, ability, credentials, interest, and even a few 'friends in high places' to explain, educate, advocate, and persuade same for as long as it takes to get the point across . . .
wwhitby ... If the Government thinks that a fat, short haired going bald, 40s white male with a moustache, glasses, and two kids is a national security problem, then we've really lost our focus in this country....
... If the Government thinks that a fat, short haired going bald, 40s white male with a moustache, glasses, and two kids is a national security problem, then we've really lost our focus in this country....
I agree with you, but doesn't this sound a lot like the security at US airports?
Jay
Paul:
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Sawtooth500 Actually what would be really cool would be a "Rail Watchers" program - a formal program put together by law enforcement where they would actually do background checks and stuff on us, and let us know specifics of what to watch for on the rails. Similar to the BNSF citizens for rail security program but more formal. This way, if every approached by a cop trackside we could present our ID to them and then they could just leave us alone and let us watch trains. Now I'm sure someone here is going to say well that's going to cost money and yeah it is - but I completely wouldn't mind paying for such a program out of my own pocket if that means I can be trackside and watch trains to my hearts content without having the fear of being bothered by law enforcement.
Actually what would be really cool would be a "Rail Watchers" program - a formal program put together by law enforcement where they would actually do background checks and stuff on us, and let us know specifics of what to watch for on the rails. Similar to the BNSF citizens for rail security program but more formal. This way, if every approached by a cop trackside we could present our ID to them and then they could just leave us alone and let us watch trains. Now I'm sure someone here is going to say well that's going to cost money and yeah it is - but I completely wouldn't mind paying for such a program out of my own pocket if that means I can be trackside and watch trains to my hearts content without having the fear of being bothered by law enforcement.
AMTRAK wants you,
You the RAILFAN, they want your help as another set of Eyes and Ears, to Observe and Report to the AMTRAK Police's "800" number.
By being registered with AMTRAK, they will download to you an ID Card with your name, member number, and Amtrak logos. Your part in the national security is to report anything that seems wrong or out of place. But, also, Amtrak Police will know who you are. This is not a PASS to go on railroad property, only clearence to look, watch, and report.
Amtrak Link to Register Below:
https://pass.amtrak.com/register.aspx
Don U. TCA 73-5735
zugmann Well, I rode through the bowels of washington DC on the metro without a second glance, yet had to take off my belt to get into the Smithsonian's Postal Museum. go figure.
Well, I rode through the bowels of washington DC on the metro without a second glance, yet had to take off my belt to get into the Smithsonian's Postal Museum.
go figure.
Not saying you would be part of this, but they are probably trying to keep the "Going Postal" display from appearing in the museum : - ).
Would that be in the '80's or '90's section of the museum?
And for everyone's convenience, here's the direct link to the sign-up for that program, courtesy of Don in CT on Page 1 of this thread:
DMUinCT Amtrak wants the support of the "Railfan". Amtrak has appealed for your help. They want you to become another set of "Eyes and Ears" to "Observe and Report" to them. Amtrak Police are in charge of Amtrak Security and cooperate with DHS. Starting in mid April a new program called "Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security" was started. Why not sign up and download your personal numbered ID Card and the 800 number for reporting what you see? Use the Amtrak link below https://pass.amtrak.com/register.aspx
Amtrak has appealed for your help. They want you to become another set of "Eyes and Ears" to "Observe and Report" to them. Amtrak Police are in charge of Amtrak Security and cooperate with DHS.
Starting in mid April a new program called "Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security" was started. Why not sign up and download your personal numbered ID Card and the 800 number for reporting what you see? Use the Amtrak link below
Amtrak already has a similar program. Go to the Amtrak web site for details.
Sawtooth500 trainboyH16-44: You know, this all ties into the new Amtrak program and the no-fly list turning into a no-ride list...it's a conspiracy to keep railfans away from railroads and to kill Amtrak! Heh yeah, I can relate to that. Railfans being added to the no-ride list because we do "suspicious activities" trackside... that's the last thing we need. What are we to do if we get on the no-ride list because of just standard railfan activities? Become hobos?
trainboyH16-44: You know, this all ties into the new Amtrak program and the no-fly list turning into a no-ride list...it's a conspiracy to keep railfans away from railroads and to kill Amtrak!
You know, this all ties into the new Amtrak program and the no-fly list turning into a no-ride list...it's a conspiracy to keep railfans away from railroads and to kill Amtrak!
Heh yeah, I can relate to that. Railfans being added to the no-ride list because we do "suspicious activities" trackside... that's the last thing we need. What are we to do if we get on the no-ride list because of just standard railfan activities? Become hobos?
Hmmm - the threat reportedly found in OBL's stuff talked about damaging the tracks. So they're going to not allow "potential terrorists" to ride? Seems to me we'd be safer if they were on the train...
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...
trainboyH16-44 You know, this all ties into the new Amtrak program and the no-fly list turning into a no-ride list...it's a conspiracy to keep railfans away from railroads and to kill Amtrak!
Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296
Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/
Tagging on:
A few years back I had a CN cop ask how long I had been a railfan. My answer was 'over fifty years because I had ridden behind steam on that line before I was in my teens. That comment diffused the situation. He turned out to be a nice guy after all.
Norm
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