To the fan I had arrested today...

[edblysard]

So, now that you spent the afternoon in jail, and have to post a bond tonight to get out...

Was it really worth arguing with me about being in my yard, taking photographs of that locomotive?

Have you finally figured out that why I was angry with you was not because I dont like fans, but because you were standing in the center of live yard tracks?

Smack dab dead center of track 43, between the rails.

Did it ever click with you how much danger you were in?

Didnt you understand that we were down in the yard working, not just hanging out on a locomotive?

Have you any idea how dumb you were, and how mad it made me when the answer to all my questions about why you were here was "All I want to do is to take some photos" .

I politely explained to you why you couldnt be where you were, I even offered to take your camera, and take some photos for you...but you insisted you had the right to drive into private property, park in the middle of our emergency road, and block it with your car (which is why your car was towed) then wander across live tracks that I was switching into, climb around on a flat car that was part of a track we were kicking cars into...because "all I want..."

Your "want" in no way supercedes the safety, and well being of my crew.

You put yourself in harms way, with total disregard to your safety, and the safety of my guys....

I tried to get you to leave, on your own...but no, "All I want is to take some photos" must, in your mind, justify you breaking the law, and getting yourself killed.

You refused to listen to me when I explained what we were doing, and what was happening in those tracks...

Didnt the railcars crashing into each other give you any clue as to how dangerous a place it is?

I really dont care if you saw that locomotive in California years ago, nor do I care that you feel it is safe to stand in the middle of live tracks "because I have been around a lot of trains before"....

You were in my yard, in my tracks, jacking with my crews lives and livelyhood, and doing your best to get coupled up....

When you go to court, remember, I asked you to leave, I even offered to take some photos for you, with your camera, so you would leave on your own, gave you every chance I could to understand that railyards are dangerous, even for those of us who work in them...and you couldn't see beyond your "want".

Because of narrow minded, selfish people like you, all the legitimate fans, those who play by the rules and the law, will suffer...

Why was it so hard for you to understand that what you were doing was dangerous, illegal and just plain dumb?

Or, did you know that, and just didnt care, or allowed your "want" for photographs to overule your common sense?

Do you even have any common sense?

I doubt it, everyone I know is smart enough to not stand in the center of tracks, and certainly not argue with the guys working there that you have the right ot be there because you "want to, and the Constitution says I can"

Wrong, the Constitution says nothing about your wants, but it does say you cant tresspass on private property.

It does say you can take all the photos you "want" to, from public property...
but not in the middle of my yard, in tracks I am kicking cars into.

So, I hope the afternoon in jail, and the fine the judge will enforce on, along with the probation you will have to serve, because I plan on asking for that, will wake you up to how close you came to being killed.

I have enough problems with the jackasses at grade crossings trying to get killed, I really dont need them to sneak into the yard, and do it where I have to walk every day.

We took your "mug" shot for a reason, and have passed it around to the rest of the crews, so if I, or any of my crew, ever find you with one foot on PTRA property, we will have you arrested for tresspassing, again...and the fine will be even bigger.

And yes, I am sure you have realized by now that they are police officers, not security guards, and now that you have seen the inside of the Harris County Jail, remember, you brough it upon yourself.

You refused to listen to me when I explained what we were doing, and what was going to happend.

It is not because we dont like you, but because even though you dont seem to care if you get yourself killed by our train, we do!

And trust me, your lucky the gumshoe got to you before my engineer did...he was going to stuff you in the trunk of your car, and have it towed to a storage lot...


I will personally ask the judge to give you jail time, if you ever show up again.

And yes, I am a little sorry about the thread I started on that locomotive...yup, thats me, Ed Blysard...the guy who almost killed you by accident today.

Do not ever, ever let me catch you in my yard again.

I know who you are...and now you know who I am.
I am pretty sure I know what name you use on the forum, both this one and the one about models...

Do not tempt fate again.

Ed

[UPTRAIN]

Deleted

[Randy Stahl]

*** ! I mean ...WoW !

[cherokee woman]

Ed, you've hit the nail on the head, BIG TIME!! I'm proud of you. You had every
right, legally AND morally to do exactly what you did.[tup][tup][tup][tup]

[chad thomas]

Sounds like you had a interesting day Ed.

Another jerk giving railfans a bad name. That sucks.[:(]

[UPTRAIN]

Oh yeah...what locomotive was it? lol

[coborn35]

Dont use the word retard and no it wasnt me but idiot is more appriot.

[edblysard]

Zach,
Its a old Cotton Belt GP40, with three axel trucks replacing the original two axel trucks.
Its on a flat car, it and a few of its sisters are on their way to another country...

Ed

[UPTRAIN]

Cool...what number...lol..just wanted to know if I have a pic of it somewhere.

[edblysard]

Cotton Belt GP40 #7272, stenciled Los Angeles..in old style lettering, not the speed letters.
Looks like it has never been repainted, and this one is clean, by SP standards!

Ed

[csxengineer98]

so what your saying is...it was someone that posts in here?
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Ya done good, Ed! When will these people ever learn?? It's not about harassment when a train crew tries to get you to move for the sake of safety.[banghead][banghead]

[tree68]

Yep, the old "I'm here, so it must be OK" defense....

The fact that this person was standing in the middle of a live track in an active yard is far less disturbing than the fight he put up when politely requested to leave...

[moelarrycurly4]

You hit the nail on the head. I can't believe they were on the yard tracks (yeah I can)

10 years ago I was on SP property at Englewood yard ( their parking lot and didn't know it) and we were told " you can stand over there, but not here" we moved to over there for obvious resons stated above. No its not me I am 800 miles north now.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes ya just gotta do that...have them arrested that is.

[Hugh Jampton]

Some people are just so selfish, and I hope the judge throws the book at him. Pity it's not a very big book though. I'm sure we'd all be interested in the sentence..

[locomutt]

Ed,
You did YOUR job.
As Joe always says;"Stay Safe";and one the very first things I saw,and understood
around railroads,was:"Safety First".

Very sorry you had to do it,but hopefully some lives have been saved because of.
Or at least one.

If you want to "railfan" stay in public areas,if you are lucky enough to get permission
to be on their property,PLEASE listen to the people that you see.
I honestly would like to THANK; Ed for posting that one.
Maybe other people will/can see what can happen.

[edblysard]

CSX..
Yup, it is...here and on model railroader forum.
they know who they are...
I know because I overheard him trying to use the excuse of "I wasnt hurting anyone, just wanted some photos to...........for my model collection".
I did have to make a written statement, and got his name from that.

Of course, thats one of the risks that we, railroaders, take when we post about something like that.

Some folks seem to think because we share here, on line, that is some sorta invitation...

And I think our police officer made it real clear that it wasnt personal, but a matter of safety for the offender.

Ed

[mudchicken]

He could be like the knucklehead railfan who killed himself on BNSF in Arizona within the past few days (forgot about trains moving on any track at any time). I think he owes you his thanx for saving his brainless, worthless, scurvy, useless keester.


http://railroadnews.net/news/4-11.html

[}:)][}:)][}:)]

[Kozzie]

Good choice of words Hugh - selfishness causes so much trouble, especially for everyone else...

Dave

[Junctionfan]

I can't believe that the guy said he had the right to tresspass. I can believe that someone would tresspass but not to say they had the right when they get confronted; and a railfan from the forum. Doesn't he read the posts?

All I can say is, you have patience. I would have kicked his butt about the yard before leting the police take him away. I don't like people making my nerves bad when I'm trying to work, I can't imagine you would want it either.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you had to- but right call Ed! I walked into BNSF's Interbay yard in Seattle about ten years ago.I went into the roundhouse,then to the turntable(got a sd40 being turned) then went to center of yard.I had been in the center about 15 min. when a Employee called me over. He asked me what I was doing and I said.... just taking pics.... Instead of going BALLISTIC He informed me of the dangers to myself and the Workers. I apologized for putting myself and others in harms way. Before escorting me out He let me take 5 more pics and told me what a few locos were I did'nt know. When we got to the main entrance where I came in He showed me how to get to the Eastside of yard next to the fueling tracks on public property. Very cool to do! (PS- Also let me know next time JAIL) To Whoever this was I hope you understand the BAD REP. you give all railfans who do this the RIGHT WAY and the SAFE WAY!!!

[Anonymous]

Great job Ed
It's j-off's like him that are ruining railfanning for the rest of us.
For most of us here railfanning and photography is the closest we'll ever get to satisfy our 'lust' of all things RR.
Unfortunately, he will probably just get his hands slapped and be free to jeapordise further. I'm not in favor of legislation that reduces our ability to do what we love to do but d**s like this need to be brought to terms.
He gave up his rights as soon as he trespassed- send in the Judge.
What an idiot.

[dharmon]

Thanks Ed...I spent all afternoon down at Central Booking........I did meet a new friend though...we've got matching half heart tatoos now.....[:0]

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Thanks Ed...I spent all afternoon down at Central Booking........I did meet a new friend though...we've got matching half heart tatoos now.....[:0]

Was he by any chance a crazy guy Ed found in a boxcar (possibly with shackles)?

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Thanks Ed...I spent all afternoon down at Central Booking........I did meet a new friend though...we've got matching half heart tatoos now.....[:0]

Was he by any chance a crazy guy Ed found in a boxcar (possibly with shackles)?

Nah....my guess is that detective_kissmydunkirkfinder22 is a ward of a state instution for habitual internet loonies again........they give him meds for about 30 days then let him back on the streets again.

Anyway Jorge is about 300 lbs, hairy and has a gentleness that belies his size...

[miniwyo]

ED- Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I have no fear and don't think twice about kicking somone out of the pool when they have pushed me far enough. I call security and they escort them out. We even had a guy we asked to leave and wouldnt so we had him arrested for trespassing. I filed a report and everything.

[ajmiller]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Thanks Ed...I spent all afternoon down at Central Booking........I did meet a new friend though...we've got matching half heart tatoos now.....[:0]

Was he by any chance a crazy guy Ed found in a boxcar (possibly with shackles)?

Nah....my guess is that detective_kissmydunkirkfinder22 is a ward of a state instution for habitual internet loonies again........they give him meds for about 30 days then let him back on the streets again.

Anyway Jorge is about 300 lbs, hairy and has a gentleness that belies his size...

Wow, half a day in jail and already with tatoos!

And I'll bet you were playing hard-to-get too....

[canazar]

Well, Ed, that sucks he put you in those postions

Stop work, that much longer to get home.

Put you and your crew in jeapordy. God help him if one of your crew got hurt or killed trying to get him out of there.

And he put you in a bad spot becuase he dragged in your personal life with work. I hope he doesnt say a word on here.. He will get flamed so bad, his key board will melt.

If it means anything, I would have stoned [}:)]his***with ballast then when he finally got out of the tracks would have beat him with his camera, duck taped him to the fence so everyone else could pop him one in the head.

Sorry if my knee jerk response is so neagtive[:(!], but I am just so sick [banghead]of hearing about the few screwing it up for the rest of the good guys that know how to respect and appricate.

Thanks for doing what you did Ed and alsothank you for knowing that he is one of the few [censored]s muckin it up.

Good luck with you.

Warm Regards[:D]
John K

[dwRavenstar]

New employees in our extrusion plant run through a four day safety training program before ever entering the floor. Outside contractors must complete a two day safety orientation before ever coming inside. Visitors, ie customers, who have reason for a personal visit must undergo several hours of safety training and even then may venture no where in the plant without a proper escort.

The idea of someone just wandering around a rail yard uninvited and with no advance training is an accident looking for a place to happen. Glad you caught up with him and got him out of there before one of your guys got hurt. Guess I'm glad he got 86'ed before he got himself hurt or killed as well. With luck he'll learn the lesson and start playing by the rules.

Dave (dwRavenstar)