Trains.com

Who Has the Guts to Standup for America?

6861 views
151 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 9:25 PM
It can be better than the Sunday funnies at times.
[tup]
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Friday, October 28, 2005 9:20 PM
Yup, Isn't the internet entertaining.[;)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 9:16 PM
Has this nonsense really gone on for 89 posts and 5 whole pages? Add another post count to my name. Oh, another bag of popcorn please.
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Friday, October 28, 2005 9:13 PM
[alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien]

[alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien]

[alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien]

[alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien] [alien]

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 9:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas



I think disinformation central, um I mean spbecial, or whatever is star chaseing somewhere in cyberspace,


  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Friday, October 28, 2005 8:46 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan.

By the way. Where is SPBED? He's always spilling his 2 cented mind on things like this. He seems to know everything around here,LOL. Allan.


I think disinformation central, um I mean spbecial, or whatever is star chaseing somewhere in cyberspace, in an endless search for someone that is willing to actually look at his website. But I could be wrong.[;)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 8:33 PM
By the way. Where is SPBED? He's always spilling his 2 cented mind on things like this. He seems to know everything around here,LOL. Allan.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, October 28, 2005 8:00 PM
[2c] On the subject:

I stood up for America for a 32 year military career. Somehow I missed the real enemy, I guess ........
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Friday, October 28, 2005 6:11 PM
Since when does hating the railroads equal standing up for America? I stand up for America,and I like the railroads,well,maybe not the UP...[;)]
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Friday, October 28, 2005 5:01 PM
You can say till your blue in the face, but that dosent necessarly make it true.
Cities and counties have, for decades, encroaced on RR property in the construction of "public" roads...even if the taxpayers paid for it dosnt make it taxpayer property.
If your foolish enough to use taxpayers money to build a swiming pool in my back yard, then, regardless of who paid for it, its my pool!

PS, we need an address for the driver of the concrete truck.

Ed
QUOTE: Originally posted by K. P. Harrier

Clarification of 10-28-05 also repeated on page 1:

“RAILROADS ARE LYING, ABUSIVE TYRANTS TOWARD RAILFANS.”

I say the unpaved SLANTED edges of public roadways were paid for by taxpayers, and as such are NOT railroad liability properties. The roadway may sit on railroad property, but an easement was granted. Thus the public has a right to park off the pavement on the slanted edge. Right? Some railroads don’t think so.

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 4:03 PM
"They may be a sworn officer, real police is a very loose term, but they work for a private company not a government entity. Their power off the railroad property in my state is limited except for investigative power of a crime that was commited on railroad property (i.e. they cannot make a traffic stop on a public street and issue a traffic citation with possibly the exception of a grade crossing violation which usually is on railroad property). Of the cases where I have knowledge the special agents always had the local police with them when they made an arrest off railroad property. The jurisdiction of the railroad police is generally the railroad property."

A railroad cop's status really depends on the state they are operating in. In Arizona, for example, I believe that peace officers not only must be sworn, but ALEOAC certified (which means they went through an academy.) ALEOAC certification gives a peace officer the right to enforce the law anywhere in the state of Arizona... except for the Indian reservations. In effect, this means a BNSF cop can make an arrest on "public property" if he sees a violation of state law occurring. It's different in Alabama; there is no question that an NS or CSX police officer can make arrests on railroad property, but they must have juristictional agreements with local counties or municipalities to do law enforcement off railroad property. (As a certified deputy, I recently had to be "resworn" to do traffic control and security for an Auburn football game- my law enforcement authority was limited to that county juristiction for a very limited time.)

To add misery to heartache, there is provision for private citizens to make arrests. Private citizens are also not bound by constitutional guarantees concerning evidence. This is how store employees (known as "loss prevention agents") tackle shoplifters leaving a store; it's also how bounty hunters get to kick down doors and enter houses without a search warrant. And this was in effect before 9/11...

It is always easy to blame the government for stopping you from doing fooli***hings. It's not so easy to realize that the Constitution regulates the actions of your government... not your fellow citizens.

Be nice to each other and pass the popcorn.

Erik




  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Friday, October 28, 2005 3:41 PM
Well Larry, At the rate we've been selling popcorn out of the machine mabee we can afford to expand into the Kettle corn market too. [;)]
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, October 28, 2005 3:30 PM
Is it too late for some popcorn and a cold soda? I'm kind of partial to that kettle corn stuff, and Vernors Ginger Ale will do just fine.

LarryWhistling
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...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: NE Oklahoma
  • 287 posts
Posted by richardy on Friday, October 28, 2005 3:27 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by oltmannd

BNSF Railfan-

RR police are REAL police! They can arrest you.





They may be a sworn officer, real police is a very loose term, but they work for a private company not a government entity. Their power off the railroad property in my state is limited except for investigative power of a crime that was commited on railroad property (i.e. they cannot make a traffic stop on a public street and issue a traffic citation with possibly the exception of a grade crossing violation which usually is on railroad property). Of the cases where I have knowledge the special agents always had the local police with them when they made an arrest off railroad property. The jurisdiction of the railroad police is generally the railroad property.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 3:19 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by oltmannd

BNSF Railfan-

RR police are REAL police! They can arrest you.

What exactly is "permission to tresspass"? If you have permission, it's no longer tresspassing, is it?



Ok ok your right. Sorry about that oltmannd. I was wrong.
Allan.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Friday, October 28, 2005 2:47 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by PBenham

The point is that there are railroad employees that do not like having railfans[:(!] around when they are at work. They hate their jobs[xx(], hate their employer[xx(], and they hate [V] you, too!
O.K, you may be correct to a degree, but isn't this the exception rather than the norm??????? I'm 42 years old, railfanned a lot in my younger years and had only one "negative" experience with a yard master (who was just doing his job).


QUOTE: ........... also hate their jobs, hate their employer, and hate ANYONE that interrupts their chowing down on a doughnut, drinking coffee,smoking, and behaves outside their sphere of understanding, which is pathetically tiny.[V]
- Hmmm. I don't know guy, but in many cases a railfan's attitude and demeanor has a significant bearing on how he will be treated by railroad employees. It seems like the majority of the time a railfan that stays cool headed and shows good manners fares out O.K when challenged by employees or police.

QUOTE: Well, this is a fight that cannot be won, gang, unless there is a 100% united front that will let the major carriers know that they need to have us on their side[^] NOT fighting them.
- We have to face reality here. Class 1 and Regional railroads are Busineses trying to make a profit, reduce expenses, and avoid lawsuits. Excet for trespassing, we don't play a major part in their plans. That's the cold reality. Most of us are aware of this and are not bothered by it. Unless (I hope it doesn't happen) terrorists start blowing up or derailing trains left and right, the rail industry is not going to pay us much attention. Doesn't seem to bother most railfans. Don't forget that over the past two decades, a few railfans that chose to criminally trespass or harass railroaders have made it harder for the rest of us that use good sense when near railroad property.

QUOTE: [V] A way to protest: write your member of the house and your senators and tell them that you want to have Amtrak de-funded, and have the railroads restore ALL pre-Amtrak trains, at 100% of all costs on their own! Then we'll see...
- Amigo...think realistically........that will NEVER happen. Amtrak was created because the railroads wanted to dump passenger service. Except for Southern, passenger trains were impacting profits significantly by the late 1960s after the mails were transferred to airplanes (courtesy of Lyndon Johnson and his allies in the air industry)

If Amtrak were defunded.......so what for the railroads. Top managers would likely celebrate quietly! One of their biggest liability weights would be gone. A significant number of senators support the freight railroads and are not going to vote for sandbagging the railroads with the ENORMOUS liability involved with taking over passenger service again.

Not happening........unless it's on a model railroad.

Stay cool, use common sense and courtesy when challenged. Don't start shouting "It's my constitutional right, yada, yada, yada......... The 1970s and 80s are gone. We're in a tougher, much less friendlier world now. What you've been complaining about is simply a reaction of regular human beings to this colder world where people are often rude and nice guys get sued.

One of my favorite quotes dealing with life came from Clint Eastwood in the movie "Heartbreak Ridge". It was: " ANALYZE, ADAPT, and OVERCOME!" This actually works. You over come with good common sense and thinking.

Peace.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Friday, October 28, 2005 2:46 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

QUOTE: Originally posted by BudKarr

This cannot be a for real question. Tell me it was only devised as a way to run up some numbers.

BK (add one for me!)


Bud,

Actually it's just a ploy of the popcorn cartel to increase the demand for their product before they radically cut supply and rake in the dough for the overpriced stock they selectively release to the high demand market. Before you know it, you'll be seeing commercials advertising that "Popcorn is Forever," and your significant other will demand popcorn on all significant occasions.

Sure glad I bought a lot of stock in Orville Redenbocker! Mwu ha ha ha ha[}:)]


Dang it Chris. You told him, now we are going to have to kill him.[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Friday, October 28, 2005 2:44 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BudKarr

This cannot be a for real question. Tell me it was only devised as a way to run up some numbers.

BK (add one for me!)


Bud,

Actually it's just a ploy of the popcorn cartel to increase the demand for their product before they radically cut supply and rake in the dough for the overpriced stock they selectively release to the high demand market. Before you know it, you'll be seeing commercials advertising that "Popcorn is Forever," and your significant other will demand popcorn on all significant occasions.

Sure glad I bought a lot of stock in Orville Redenbocker! Mwu ha ha ha ha[}:)]

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Alberta's Canadian Rockies
  • 331 posts
Posted by BudKarr on Friday, October 28, 2005 2:21 PM
This cannot be a for real question. Tell me it was only devised as a way to run up some numbers.

BK (add one for me!)
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Sulzerland, UK
  • 337 posts
Posted by Simon Reed on Friday, October 28, 2005 1:24 PM
KP Harrier - why don't you suggest to George W. that your railroads have been infiltrated by Iraqis/Iranians and they're after your oil.

You'll have them illegally invaded in no time....
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Friday, October 28, 2005 1:21 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Murphy,
No, darn it!

Dan, I think it would be a waste of bronze...maybe something cheaper, like concrete.

Ed


ED and Dan:

I'll pay for the truck, where do you want the concrete?

Always wanted to get into the Mafia business.......[}:)][:D]

Randy

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Friday, October 28, 2005 1:20 PM
Well the way I see it just because the road has an easement to CROSS the tracks that doesn't give you the right to loiter there. My company has easements all over (Cable TV) and I can go anywhere we have an easement to work on the cable when need be but that does not give me the right to hang out on someone elses land just cause we have an easement.
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Friday, October 28, 2005 1:13 PM
Someone needs a new hobby! Maybe an entire life.....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Friday, October 28, 2005 1:11 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by K. P. Harrier

Clarification of 10-28-05 also repeated on page 1:

“RAILROADS ARE LYING, ABUSIVE TYRANTS TOWARD RAILFANS.”

I say the unpaved SLANTED edges of public roadways were paid for by taxpayers, and as such are NOT railroad liability properties. The roadway may sit on railroad property, but an easement was granted. Thus the public has a right to park off the pavement on the slanted edge. Right?



Is the area posted "No Parking?"
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 7,968 posts
Posted by K. P. Harrier on Friday, October 28, 2005 1:04 PM
Clarification of 10-28-05 also repeated on page 1:

“RAILROADS ARE LYING, ABUSIVE TYRANTS TOWARD RAILFANS.”

I say the unpaved SLANTED edges of public roadways were paid for by taxpayers, and as such are NOT railroad liability properties. The roadway may sit on railroad property, but an easement was granted. Thus the public has a right to park off the pavement on the slanted edge. Right? Some railroads don’t think so.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Friday, October 28, 2005 12:52 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Murphy,
No, darn it!

Dan, I think it would be a waste of bronze...maybe something cheaper, like concrete.

Ed


I thought from the way you had worded that sentence that it might be one in the same. It was probably someone of the same ilk.[;)] YES!!! I did it!!! I used *ILK* in a sentence!![;)]


Should be ilk season in a few days anyway....if you got the proper tags...
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Friday, October 28, 2005 12:40 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Murphy,
No, darn it!

Dan, I think it would be a waste of bronze...maybe something cheaper, like concrete.

Ed


I thought from the way you had worded that sentence that it might be one in the same. It was probably someone of the same ilk.[;)] YES!!! I did it!!! I used *ILK* in a sentence!![;)]

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Friday, October 28, 2005 12:34 PM
Murphy,
No, darn it!

Dan, I think it would be a waste of bronze...maybe something cheaper, like concrete.

Ed

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Friday, October 28, 2005 12:32 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Wow, Jump jet jr.
When I get to work Saturday, I will talk to my abusive and tyrannical bosses, and see if we can reverse this horrid trend in pestering rail fans....
In the meantime, if we erect a plaque on the site of your last arrest, would that help any?
Ed


Ed: Is this the railfan that you had to have arrested?


Maybe instead of a plaque...just bronze KP......
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Friday, October 28, 2005 12:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Wow, Jump jet jr.
When I get to work Saturday, I will talk to my abusive and tyrannical bosses, and see if we can reverse this horrid trend in pestering rail fans....
In the meantime, if we erect a plaque on the site of your last arrest, would that help any?
Ed


Ed: Is this the railfan that you had to have arrested?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy