To the fan I had arrested today...

[dharmon]

I say we let this fade to the back pages and go away.......Ed doesn't have a real big butt and it probably needs to heal a bit so he can drive to work still.

While I agree this should grace the pages of Trains...it should be at the discretion of his employer.........mean time, we can help to ease any heat on Ed by letting it go.

Dan

[CopCarSS]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

....sad for me because I now am the proud owner of a serious butt chewing by my boss over even mentioning it on a public forum.

Now that is just sad. In an instance like this, when the railfan was clearly at fault, all we can worry about is the railfan's right to sue the railroad. Man, I hope someday this country can screw its head back on properly and lose the cheesy lawsuits...

Chris
Denver, Co

[cpbloom]

I seem to remember a lot of topics here that talk about how law enforcement "harass" railfans when they should be trying to catch real criminals.

I could see a person with this mentality trespassing and there are a lot of people here that have that same mentality (although most wouldn't trespass), so in retrospect, I'm not surprised at all.

[Anonymous]

Dumb A$$ should have used a ZOOM LENS instead,DUU!
BNSFrailfan.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Thanks folks..
i know all of you are smart enough not to tresspass...we have had threads upon threads about it...and most of the people here are intelligent enough to do their fanning from a legal standpoint.

But all that said, what I would have wished for is any other conclusion to this besides what happened in the end.

My posting wasnt aimed at you folks, nor was it a attempt to garned praise...it was a outlet for my anger at being put in a position where there was no other choice.

Sad for the fan...(hush, Gabe!) because he now has a criminal record....sad for me because I now am the proud owner of a serious butt chewing by my boss over even mentioning it on a public forum.

He can stick it, but still, didnt need the hassle..

Point is, I wanted the "fan" to think, once he had calmed down, about what he was doing and where he was...

Hopefully if he reads it, instead of hearing it while he is trying to take pictures, well, maybe some of it will sink in.

Pleas, folks, dont play the guessing game about who it is...our Risk Management Officer has already warned me about ever even hinting at the persons name...think about it and you will all see why...

End result is we all lost....

All over some photos I would have gladly taken for him...

And so it goes....


Ed

MY [2c]? The person must not have been the brightest burning bulb on the block,...for not having the sense to take the break you tried to give him.

I think it's just a natural human tendancy to pu***he envelope, ...go somplace beyond where you know you should stop, ( 1. to get a better view, and 2. just to get away with it) And when you do, and someone makes their displeasure known,....I think that it would take a real fool not to see the blessing in being told to leave,....since the alternative would be to be told you have to stay (as in "detained").

I've only been asked to get off RR property twice in 48 years,...one of those just this past summer.

Did it make me angry? Well, sure in the "disappointed" sense, but I wasn't so stupid to not realize that following the guys pointing finger was my best bet at the time.. Considering the alternative.

Besides, I figured he was just doing what his job insisted he do,...to any outsider, I sure wasn't gonna take it personal.

What's amazing is the number of positive encounters I've racked up over the years, running into MOW workers, yard crews, engine crews waiting for relief, who were easily as "chatty" as I was,...of course I showed the common respect of behaving in a reasonably safe fashion,..not standing between the rails like some idiot waiting to get hit.

[cpbloom]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting we get in a public discussion about the perpetrator. I was just wondering if I was the only one wondering who done it . . . .

I gave most of us on here more credit than that.

Gabe

I can't believe anyone here would do something like this but I too am also curious as to who done it although its not killing me to know who so i'll just leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

Ed is the MAN!!! Plain and simple.
It's idiots like the *** he busted who gives railfans a bad name all over.
Railfans who act like that idiot <for lack of a better term.> don't deserve to be called "Railfans." and I hope I never meet such a careless, brainless moron like the dimwit Ed busted and arrested.

Ed, please keep us informed of how this digithead's case plays out. I hope he gets banned from trackside for good.

[gabe]

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting we get in a public discussion about the perpetrator. I was just wondering if I was the only one wondering who done it . . . .

I gave most of us on here more credit than that.

Gabe

[edblysard]

Thanks folks..
I know all of you are smart enough not to tresspass...we have had threads upon threads about it...and most of the people here are intelligent enough to do their fanning from a legal standpoint.

But all that said, what I would have wished for is any other conclusion to this besides what happened in the end.

My posting wasnt aimed at you folks, nor was it a attempt to garned praise...it was a outlet for my anger at being put in a position where there was no other choice.

Sad for the fan...(hush, Gabe[}:)]!) because he now has a criminal record....sad for me because I now am the proud owner of a serious butt chewing by my boss over even mentioning it on a public forum.

He can stick it, but still, didnt need the hassle..

Point is, I wanted the "fan" to think, once he had calmed down, about what he was doing and where he was...

Hopefully if he reads it, instead of hearing it while he is trying to take pictures, well, maybe some of it will sink in.

Please, folks, dont play the guessing game about who it is...our Risk Management Officer (attorney)has already warned me about ever even hinting at the persons name...think about it and you will all see why...

End result is we all lost....

All over some photos I would have gladly taken for him...

And so it goes....


Ed

[Anonymous]

Good for you, Ed! Stick to your guns.

NARguy

[oskar]

Adrian it's Git-R-Done not Git-er-done

Ed you made the right desision and I am proud of it I would have done that too.

Corailfan is right post it on the MR forum too.



kevin

[adrianspeeder]

Hey Ed, Git-er-done

Adrianspeeder

[mustanggt]

What a stupida**[:(!]

[bobwilcox]

Ed-I would suggest the NS method-zero tolerance for tresspassing. Life is a lot simpler and safer for you and your fellows. Let's don't even go there about the EO, VCM,LPG,etc coming from along the Ship Channel.

[Anonymous]

Ed, you should also post this topic over on the MR forum for those that don't make it over here very often. I think you are pretty much preaching to the choir here (though we can always use a good reminder now and again), but I have a feeling that your words would probably do a lot of good on the other forum for those that don't get trackside often or at all.

All in all, great job, you offered him a way out and even to take the pictures for him. After that he really has no excuse what so ever and there was nothing much left for you to do.
[tup]

[edbenton]

Ed you did the right thing and have my full support. To the IDIOT who forgot all common sense you are lucky that you were not coupled in between 2 rail cars I hope the judge does throw the book at you maybe gives you a sentance of having to clean up after an animal get hits on the road. A deer make one hell of a bloody mess when hit by a truck just remember that could have been you instead.

[Anonymous]

Ed, I've always respected your posts and responses, and this one elevates my respect for you even more.

mike

[trainboyH16-44]

I would never trespass on a railroad yard. What, never? No, never. What, never? not even hardly ever! He never trespasses on a railroad yard. (From G+Ss H.M.S. Pinafore)
I once saw a CP Rail SD40-2 still with a large multimark (there are only 3 left) sitting 3 tracks away from the edge of CPs Alyth yard, but it was partly hidden by a pair of GP9us and an AC4400. I was very tempted to go a couple of tracks in, but I didn't, because "Any time is Train time". The most I've ever trespassed is in the middle of a long tangent, with a guarded crossing a few feet away, I took a quick look at how the mainline ballast was shaped. I hope that's not too bad? There were no trains within sight or earshot, or sensor range by the crossing.
Trainboy
Trainboy

[wabash1]

Ed

I have had railfans get behind the conductor ( Like he dont have enough to watch) to get the picture putting himself in harms way and the conductor for having to keep track of him but when the conductor is riding a shove move and the idiots jump up on the train. And get this i have had them crawl under the train while moving to get to the other side. i am seeing this and all i can do is big hole it to keep from killing them but at the same time slinging my guys off the cars. i have call the cops before not a problem dont let it bother you ed. You know who the nice ones are the ones you go out of the way for . then there are the ones like this guy. Yes they all pay for it at first but you will loosen up and let the good one back in. but never drop your gaurd again.

[SALfan]

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...

And now he has a new "girl"friend.[:D]

[CShaveRR]

Ed, your first post ought to be published verbatim in Trains, where everyone can see it!

I'm glad that, as a yard worker, I've not been in your position. And as a fan, I know I'd never be in his position.

Carl

[jchnhtfd]

Ed -- you did exactly right, and thank you for the posting. I hope that some of the other folks who have the same attitude as the jerk you nailed get the message.

Sadly, however, given the attitude, I'd be willing to bet they won't, and in time they will kill railfanning as it is known now.

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

I maybe visiting Houston someday with my family to visit friends. I wouldn't mind popping by for a visit but I can assure you I will be using commonsense rather than common arrogants.

I'll give you advanced warning though so you don't think I'm some loonie approaching for another futile confrontation.

Anyone . . . ?

[Junctionfan]

I maybe visiting Houston someday with my family to visit friends. I wouldn't mind popping by for a visit but I can assure you I will be using commonsense rather than common arrogants.

I'll give you advanced warning though so you don't think I'm some loonie approaching for another futile confrontation.

[gabe]

OK, am I the only one guessing by who hasn't responded who the idiot who walked on the tracks was? I feel like such a busy-body, but I can't resist (the urge to give him my card . . . just kidding, Ed).

Gabe

[CopCarSS]

Cheers, Ed. Hopefully the party in question has learned his lesson, and will avoid trespassing in the future. No wonder it's getting harder to get a wave from the crews when you have to deal with foamers like that!

Chris
Denver, CO

[Anonymous]

Ed, I was on the platform at 30St. Station in Phila. Taking pictures for the Amtrak contest. This PIG and I do mean PIG comes down and gave me a hard time for nothing.
There was no danger and I did not do anything but take pictures. Some PIGS just like to give some people a hard time. You were a policeman doing your job. This was a PIG.

[JoeKoh]

Ed
you did what you had to do some people have deaf ears.there was a couple in deshler that walked on a train bridge over a creek right in front of a train that was waiting for the east west main to clear.Im like how stupid are these kids.turns out they were older than me. I give you a high five and matt gives you a low five(for now).
STAY SAFE
Joe

[daveklepper]

Ed, I think you got the response already on this thread, and the guy knows you did him a great favor and bears you no illwill. I wish everyone could behave both like a gentlemen and a concerned citizen like you. You are terrific.

I have always followed railroaders' instructions when railfanning, whether they were operating people or security people/

On one of my visits to South Africa, this one under the old regime, my host arranged to take me to the Praetoria Capitol Park Engine Sheds, now the center for a steam historicy operation that is quite popular and was reported in TRAINS, but then a real operating steam locomotive repair and maintenance and operation facility. The Shed Forman said: I'll show you around, but sorry no pictures. I immediately put my Leica back into my pocket. He explained operations very thoroughly, and then we came to a 4-8-0 painted blue and white as well as black. He said: "That is the locomotive that switches the Blue Train." (The Blue Train itself, which I rode, was electric for most of its journey and diesel for the rest.) He continued: "I'll allow you to take a picture of that engine." "I said could you stand next to the cab steps so I'll also have a picture of you and I'll send you a print." After that, he said: "Take all the pictures you want!"

About fifteen minutes later, after I'd run out of film just before a Rhodesian Garratt arrived (talking about luck, the only Garratt I ever saw up close and I'm out of film!), he said I have to move that locomotive (the Blue 4-8-0, pardon in South Africa it is a 2-4-0), would you like to run it? So, for the only time in my life I actually got to run a steam locomotive, under continual guidance of course! And no more that about 4mph. Still, I did actually use the throttle, the screw reverse handle (a rotary motion), and the vacuum brake.

[Anonymous]

More power to you, Ed, as you did exactly the right thing! BTW, you asked whether that "Constitution-spouting" jerk had any common sense. Unfortunately, I tend to believe that "common sense" has been pretty well bred out of much of our "dumbed-down" population, due to a combination of our now atrocious, tenure-protected, lazy school personnel, the over-reliance by the "Darwin Award winners" upon the supposed protection of the "nanny state", and the overly-litigious nature of our modern society managing to convince these nincompoops that they can get away with anything if they just have a "good" attorney.
It reminds me of something that I witnessed back around 1995, shortly before I had to temporarily drop out of the workforce due to cancer diagnosis and long-term nasty chemotherapy regimen. At the time, I was doing a special job for my then boss on my supposed "day off" meeting with a representative of the Navy/Marine Joint Legal Office at the northernmost gate of Camp Pendleton (near the San Diego County/Orange County boundary line) to be escorted into the base to serve some legal papers upon a Marine dependent who was part of a major fraud case.
After I had completed my job and left the base, I decided to do a little railfanning and headed to a nearby park in south San Clemente with beautiful views overlooking the tracks and the ocean, hoping to see a few of that afternoon's parade of Amtrak San Diegans (now Pacific Surfliners), Metrolink commuters, and BNSF freights.
Looking down at the tracks from the short bluff at the park, I spotted a couple of college-aged surfers playing "chicken" with the trains. I yelled down at them how dangerous that was, and advised them to back away from the ROW and to give these 90 mph trains a wide berth, otherwise they would be looking at trespassing and endangerment charges. One of the little snots yelled up quite a few epithets, and said that his daddy was a powerful attorney who would "sue the s**t out of anyone f*****g with him".
I used the payphone at the park to call the Sheriffs who do the policing in that area under contract. The Deputies came and arrested the two creeps, and took my statement since I readily agreed to testify against them. Between that day and the day of their court appearance, the one little jackass's slimeball scumbag attorney/daddy managed to bribe someone in the County Clerk/Recorder's Office to give out my home phone number, and subsequently began a campaign of telephone harassment to try to get me to recant what I had seen. He also threatened my then boss that he would use his "influence" to badly affect us. My boss wound up having to file a number of complaints against that crooked Shylock on our behalf.
The two college-boys were found guilty, but they received such a ridiculously light "slap on the wrist", that I seriously doubt that either of them really learned anything from it, especially since their wealthy daddy's paid both of their fines. [:(!]