RR Police

[Convicted One]

wilmette2210

If so what was it for?

Here's a "funny irony" story for you.

Several years ago I attended a Norfolk Southern hiring session for conductors. Out of the original field of over 400 applicants, I survived several cuts until I was among the last 20 being considered (for 10 actual openings). The one-on-one interview went very well.....I was encouraged.

But during the session it was mentioned that there were several "wash-out" areas in the training that was to be provided.....and that one of those that had a tendancy to surprise people who failed was the requirement to hang on the side of a car, while it was  shoved around.  The guy running the show pointed out that for whatever reason some people could do it, while others could not...no rhyme or reason, no bearing on strength,....it just happens so if it happens to you don't feel bad....etc

Anyway I walked out of that training session with a pretty positive expectation that I was gonna get a call ...within the next week to 10 days.

The speil about hanging on that ladder being a "no rhyme or reason" failure point in my anticipated training, really stuck with me.

So much so, that I just HAD to see for myself. I went to a really out of the way siding, one that I had railfanned extensively as a younger man with no mishaps, found an empty auto rack, and hopped on the ladder and started watching my watch. 

During my third timed episode I heard the gravel behind me crunching under the weight of an approaching vehicle. A railroad cop no less...my first encounter with one.

As he took my ID, I asked him if I was going to jail, his reply was "not unless you are already in our computers"

And it was at that moment in time I understood that my very positive expectations to be hired, just flew out the window.

Shame too, because I was a real champ hanging on that ladder, after I figured out that the grab hand needs to be one rung above the shoulder.

To his credit, the RR cop was kind, courteous, and efficient.. I was probably more a nusiance to him for just happening to be there during his routine rounds, than anything else.

BUT THEY ARE OUT THERE

[JoeBlow]

It depends on the railroad and where the incident takes place. 

 

RR police are likely to patrol yards and areas where there have been recent disturbances (vandalism or prior reported tresspassing). A place like Tehachapi Loop or the hump in Barstow will most likely have police presence. If you're talking about a local branch line or spur then the RR might just call the local sherriff. 

RR police forces are relatively small, so they tend to focus on the most likely targets of opportunity (yards, shops, etc.) for hobos, vandals and thiefs. 

 

Whether a railroad has an internal police force, relies on a private security company or the local PD depends on management. UP management has seen it fit to have a relatively large police force that patrols major installations and areas around the permanent way. Some shortlines have one cop on staff who mainly patrols the yard such as Pacific Harbor Lines. 

 

[wilmette2210]

Any Railroaders on here have any dealings with RR Police? If so what was it for? And do they respond to train VS pedesterian/Train VS vehicle incidents? Thanks.