Railfanning, Homeland Security, and what we can and cannot do...

[mandelswamp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dep112362

*mandelswamp* I read your post, not sure what to think, sound like you know what your talking about, but like I said, I heard and read, where you cant take pic's in the NY subway, not planning on going to NY anytime soon, but just wondering why I keep hearing different things, Doug
P.S. I wish i could think of the right thing to say about the london bombing's, and all the rest of what's going on in our world, at least when I'm out taking RR pic's it's a great escape from the troubles of the world

As I mentioned in my original posting, the MTA was considering banning photos in the subways but the rules they adopted still explicitly permits it [see Section 1050.9 Resticted Areas and Activities, item c of the Rules of Conduct at http://www.mta.info/nyct/rules/rules.htm].

Here are just three examples of postings that forced the MTA NOT to ban photos:
http://www.misc-transport.com/americas/NYC_Transit_Photography_Ban_203806.html
and http://www.al-ollendorf.com/archive/000024.html, and http://artdc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=446. I first learned about the issue in a posting to this forum.

A Newsday June 24th article reported on the MTA imposing fines on certain subway riding behavior such as a $75 fine for riding between cars or jumping a turnstile because the MetroCard did not work. Details were at http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-nyfine244317150jun24,0,1493312.story but this page is no longer found.

[mandelswamp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dep112362
... I heard and read, where you cant take pic's in the NY subway, not planning on going to NY anytime soon, but just wondering why I keep hearing different things, Doug

Doug, the MTA considered banning photography in the subways but it reseived too much flak to institute such a ban. As I mentioned before, Section 1050.9 Restricted Areas and Activities, item C explicitly permits photography. Check out this section of the MTA's Rule of Conduct at http://www.mta.info/nyct/rules/rules.htm.

[Anonymous]

Has anybody actually read the law? What does it saY?

Sherman

[Murphy Siding]

EdBlysard: I've lost track of this thread, probably because I live in S.D. which is far , far away from any thoughts of terrorists. I'm glad to find out that Colin Powell is eligable to run for president. We've had a long run of professional politicians as our presidents, and a change of scenerey would be refreshing. I used to enjoy Pat Paulson's presidential "campaigns", and his classic slogan-"We've upped our standards,now up yours."

[edblysard]

Murphy,
Its just plain Ed...Blysard is the last name.
Would love to see him run, because I think he would do a fantastic job if elected.
It would also be interesting to see how Americans would react, and see if they would vote for him because of his ability, or against him based on the color of his skin.

Ed

[Anonymous]

So many are afraid to stand up for their basic rights. Where would we be today if the founders had not "stood up"? Life is what you make it, if you let them get away with this, then the next thing will be blindfolds for airline/Amtrak passengers!(we can't have them looking out the windows can we? they might report something to trains.com!)

[Anonymous]

Every week I read the Trains Newswire and can't help but wonder about all the incidents that we read about that could have been an act of terror.If we don't get the whole story on these incidents,we don't really know what could be going on with our railroads. It could be that the police know something we don't and are acting on their knowledge.I think we should be careful and persue our interests and at the same time be aware that something evil could be taking place to destroy the freedoms we enjoy now.

[trainboyH16-44]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChrisBARailfan

It is more than just the local police though. Just last night I was railfanning (without a camera) in a Kansas City park that overlooks the entrance to Union Station and the BNSF Transcon when a BNSF Police Officer informed me that I was now restricted from observing train movements by order of the DHS. I complied and left, but as I was leaving I was advised that I would be detained for questioning and possibly arrested if I was stopped again.

That's insane! If you're restricted from observing train movements, then grade crossings will have to be closely monitered for motorists that glance out the car window, webcams like the TRAINS.com one will have to be shut down, along with the railfan parks at Rochelle, Ill., and Flatonia, Texas, and also, all windows that face a rail line will have to be blocked off, and while you're at it, why not just bury all the railways underground?

I have never had any bad experiences with police, or railroaders of any sort. Maybe it's just that I live in a place where there have never really been any terrorist attacks (Calgary, alberta)(knock on wood) but I have always had a great time railfanning, on both public and private property (the latter when I convinced a train crew to let me into the cab of a local that was switching grain cars at the yard down the hill from my house, and took a picture of a pota***rain that was going by)
I have had one police-train experience, though. The train club I attend is in a baddish neighbourhood, and we have seen police raid several houses close by. One night, the police decided to check us out (A handful of men regularely meeting in a building with boarded up windows can look suspicious) A few officers came in, and quickly discovered what we were doing was prefectly legal. That's it for trouble with the law.
Matthew

[fidder56]

Hear much about what you can and can not do as a photographer. To read about your rights as a photographer down load a one page flyer at www.krages.com/phoright.htm This was written by a lawyer so I guess he knows what he is talking about. This is worth reading.

[Anonymous]

Very interesting. It's good to know how fundamental our rights are. It's sad to think that people are willing to abandon them rather than get hauteur from a cop.

[Anonymous]

Weather you like it or not. You can be sent to jail just for Railfanning. And you can thank Bu***oo for that. Railfanning days are over. Allan.

[Anonymous]

People can and do assert their rights every day, and if absolutely necessary file civil sanctions against ignorant and/or wayward cops. And THAT keeps our civil rights intact.

Allan, you speak for yourself when you declare a widespread and "feisty" hobby to be dead or obsolete. I railfan all the time and no civil authority has ever looked crooked at me.

Allen Smalling

[Anonymous]

The Police is right to stop picture taking of trains!!!!!!!!!!.
They should however also stop picture taking of:
Cars
Trucks
Ships
Airplanes
Towns
Farmland
Roads (including dust roads - of course-)
Waterways
Your wife
Your kids
Your cat
Your dog
Your bird
Your lanmower
Your house
Your etc. etc. (set in here what ever you want)

It should als be forbidden to come even close to railroad tracks
and all the above mentioned "subjects"

Got it where this craze can lead????????????.

Hope that all can come down to normal life.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

Weather you like it or not. You can be sent to jail just for Railfanning. And you can thank Bu***oo for that. Railfanning days are over. Allan.

Don't be ridiculous. I'm fixing to go railfanning this afternoon. If you don't hear from me, I'll be in the graybar hotel all weekend.

m