QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion.
QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed. Ok. I wasn't for sure. Thanks anyway. Allan. Reply Edit richardy Member sinceDecember 2001 From: NE Oklahoma 287 posts Posted by richardy on Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:37 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken [ As far as these tracking programs that some of you have....they should be banned. Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you. It is kinda creepy when I have seen guys post ETD freqs. What kinda geek cares about the ETD freqs? And if you were in charge the USA would be a dictatorship? Reply paulstecyna21 Member sinceSeptember 2005 From: Willow Grove near NS tracks 158 posts Posted by paulstecyna21 on Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:40 AM that is interesting but the usa will not be dictatorship. http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/CW44AC/0001CSX-bc.jpg Reply richardy Member sinceDecember 2001 From: NE Oklahoma 287 posts Posted by richardy on Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:42 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem with railfans. Big problem with stupid statements. Very plainly put in my responses. Are you suggesting that I leave the forum? I have been around here a heck of alot longer than you. Be OK with me if you left and I have been here longer than you if that matters. Reply paulstecyna21 Member sinceSeptember 2005 From: Willow Grove near NS tracks 158 posts Posted by paulstecyna21 on Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:46 AM oh really mr. hody tody god like smarty pants you have to run for president http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/CW44AC/0001CSX-bc.jpg Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:58 AM Chad...fire up the popcorn machine... mike Reply Edit CopCarSS Member sinceAugust 2002 From: Turner Junction 3,076 posts Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:11 AM I think we should call this a Phoenix thread. It's certainly doing a decent job of rising up from its own ashes! -ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:16 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar "This is a free exchange of ideas and knowledge. I do not read this forum to be called stupid. I take offense to you calling me stupid or my ideas stupid." Read the first sentence of your first post again. You came off agressively and got treated with agression. Nobody said that you were stupid. I said that statement was stupid and I maintain that. Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Ironken, I can see where you are comming from. In my line of work untill cell phones got popular 2-way radios were the main communications. I always assumed conversations were being listened to by many ears anyway so conversations were always kept professional. Of couse there are not to many cable tech fans standing down the street with a scanner watching me work. If that were to happen I would get a little creeped out too I guess. As for the ATCS monitor you bring up an interesting point, is it hacking? Off the cuff I would say no, the signal is airborne and you are only receiving. If you were to transmitt data and interfear with operations I would say yes, and you would be guilty of interfearing with interstate commerce. And I'm sure that would be a felony at the least. But that is not the case. The ATCS monitor is a receiver only and CAN NOT IN ANY WAY CONTROLL THE RAILROADS TRACK OR SIGNALS, and the creator of the software made sure there is no way the program can be modified to do so. I wouldn't worry about this too much, ATCS monitor takes some skill and effort to set up and only the die hard railfan will bother. You need a specialy modified scanner, a computer with a certain type of sound card, the ATCS program, and the software that interpets the data into a track diagram. Then it will only work in areas that use that system. In my area the BNSF transcon, and mabee the surf line are the only places this will work. Oh, and yes there is an effort to outlaw the ATCS monitor. Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:18 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by the feed by the way one of the top pics of the day on railpics is a BNSF engineer taking picture back from the railfan taking a pic There is a whole thread on So Cal Railfan.net on "when railfans get fanned" with crews taking pictures of railfans. Reply tregurtha Member sinceApril 2004 104 posts Posted by tregurtha on Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:32 AM It's a fine line these days. I've found that if you're respectful of railroad property and respectful of law enforcement and are honest about simply being a railfan you don't have much of a problem. After the London subway bombings earlier this year, I was approached by the CN police at the diamond in Durand, Michigan. Usually not a copy there but it may have had something to do with the bombings. A lot of folks gather at the restored station there, but I happened to be the only person there that day. The cop asked what I was doing (I had a scanner and camera). I was honest, I said I was a railfan, I said I was respectful of railroad property and always stayed safe, and he's was cool with that. It seems to be a few bad eggs that cause the problems. Ross R. Reply canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:32 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas QUOTE: Originally posted by the feed by the way one of the top pics of the day on railpics is a BNSF engineer taking picture back from the railfan taking a pic There is a whole thread on So Cal Railfan.net on "when railfans get fanned" with crews taking pictures of railfans. Now thats funny., I dont care who you are...[:D] Best Regards, Big John Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:45 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by tregurtha It's a fine line these days. I've found that if you're respectful of railroad property and respectful of law enforcement and are honest about simply being a railfan you don't have much of a problem. After the London subway bombings earlier this year, I was approached by the CN police at the diamond in Durand, Michigan. Usually not a copy there but it may have had something to do with the bombings. A lot of folks gather at the restored station there, but I happened to be the only person there that day. The cop asked what I was doing (I had a scanner and camera). I was honest, I said I was a railfan, I said I was respectful of railroad property and always stayed safe, and he's was cool with that. It seems to be a few bad eggs that cause the problems. Ross R. Good answer Ross. I guess from a railroad employee's perspective on that fine line is to err on the side of safety. I got to thinking about the guy from Boston. There are a mulititude of great sites for railfanning in Texas. Meridian isn't one of them. If I was working around there and had probably never seen a railfan, I might have gotten suspicious too. He was probably just that, a rail fan, but he shouldn't have lied in the first place. mike Reply Edit chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, December 15, 2005 11:18 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by canazar QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas QUOTE: Originally posted by the feed by the way one of the top pics of the day on railpics is a BNSF engineer taking picture back from the railfan taking a pic There is a whole thread on So Cal Railfan.net on "when railfans get fanned" with crews taking pictures of railfans. Now thats funny., I dont care who you are...[:D] Here is the link http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362 Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 15, 2005 11:25 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz So what is your point? Are we to be reassured because thisemployee was "on guard" (read paranoid). Or are we to be totally outraged because this "suspicious" person was found to be doing nothing more than having a hobby of 'recording' things. And now, because someone who obviously watches way too much news on the Fox channel, and is convinced that there is a swarm of terrorists just waiting to do damage in his little hick town in Texas, that he has been harrassed by not only two police departmentsand the railroad cops, but also he now has the 'attention' of the FBI. And he gets an AWARD for this?? The terrorists have won. We are now officially terrorzed. Of everything.....our shadows......ourselves......everyone. AMEN BRO what the big deal some wussy guy is scared of a camera and gets awarded i wish i was on a boxcar when he came down the tracks i would jump out yell SUPRISE & give him either a heart attack or a reson to call the cops[}:)][8D][:D] Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 15, 2005 11:33 AM [8D] i belive that you should be able to take pic of trains as long as your not to close to the tracks if you pullover to the side of the road and arenot blocking trafiick your cool but if your going to follow the train & take som pics let some one else drive Reply Edit chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, December 15, 2005 11:37 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by THEBREEZE2005NYTX [8D] i belive that you should be able to take pic of trains as long as your not to close to the tracks if you pullover to the side of the road and arenot blocking trafiick your cool but if your going to follow the train & take som pics let some one else drive AMEN !!! especially when chaseing steam.[;)] Reply techguy57 Member sinceAugust 2003 From: NW Chicago 591 posts Posted by techguy57 on Thursday, December 15, 2005 1:22 PM Okay, so let's agree that their isn't enough information to fully assess what happened. I'm sure that the authorities were acting in good faith for the welfare of the the railroad and their constituents. Mr. Strickland should be commended for his ability to recognize a potentially theatening situation and deal with it in the manner deemed appropriate by his company. But I have some concerns with some of the report: QUOTE: The suspect was questioned and it was then determined that he had been contacted earlier by local law enforcement agencies and that he was from the Boston area. While Boston is quite a distance from Texas, so what? Lots of people are from Boston, about 600,000 in Boston proper. Does this make any difference? QUOTE: After questioning him, agents verified his response with the agency. However, his responses were different from those given when previously contacted by local law enforcements. So they began a search of his vehicle and found several cameras, a scanner, a laptop and other recording equipment. Okay, so he changed his story. I agree that would make me a bit more suspicious. As for the items in the car, I often have these same items in my car everyday. I have a laptop with both an audio recording/editing program for work and photo editing program that will let me edit video. (Laptop and other recording equipment) I usually have a disposable camera in the care to take pics for insurance in case of an accident, and if I knew that I might get to see some trains, I'd probably have my scanner and my trusty old Minolta SLR with me ( several cameras, scanner) QUOTE: He was warned again that his observed behavior was suspicious in nature and he was told to stay away from BNSF property. He was also referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Homeland Security in Boston. This is what really gets me. Please tell me where, in this whole story, the perpetrator in question did anything more than change his story to the authorities. So what, he lied? Do you see anyone locking Clinton or Bush up for lies they've told? While I agree it is not the smartest move to change your story to the cops, so far as I can tell that is all he did. No where in this whole story does it say that he was tresspassing or on private property. No where in this story does it say he did anything to threaten the safety of the railroad employees or himself. No where does it say he failed to cooperate with the authorites. All it says is he was acting suspicious. For that he was referred to Homeland Security, and I presume he will be monitored. As Sarah (CSXrules4eva) says : "they can not JUST assume that he is a criminal. " I think that BNSF did what they felt was right, that the authorities did what they felt was right and that perhaps this fellow did what he thought was right. The story, at best, insinuates that there was some illegal, or at least, some questionable activity occuring here, but there is nothing said of pending charges against this person. Perhaps BNSF is not in the habit of divulging this information for their own legal reasons. Regardless, based on the lack of information I find it difficult to know who was in the right and who was in the wrong. There is just not enough information. What concerns me most is that based on the information in the story, I could go to railfanning at Eola Yard, tell a lie and be considered suspicious by Homeland Security. I enjoy railfanning and continue to enjoy it, but I have to admit this story is going to make me really paranoid next time I'm trackside. I wonder if the local authorities would consider that paranoia suspicious? Mike techguy "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever." - Anonymous Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, December 15, 2005 2:08 PM Unfortunately in these situations you have to lawyer up to defend yourself. I myself don't need a 4 figure lawyer fee everytime I have to defend myself (not that I've had to yet). Mabee we need some sort of railfan harrasment insureance and keep a lawyer that specializes in this sort of thing on retainer.[;)] Hey Gabe, hows your current job working out? [(-D] Reply vsmith Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Smoggy L.A. 10,743 posts Posted by vsmith on Thursday, December 15, 2005 3:12 PM Still say this guy got himself into trouble, if each time he was questioned , he had simply said, "name is so and so, I'm a railfan on vacation from Boston, just wanted to take some pics, I'm a visitor and unfamiliar with this lines schedules so I use the scanner to know where the train will be so I can be there get a picture of it" simple, be honest, dont act like a jerk, and for goodness sakes dont lie or change your story because you think you have some inherent right to stand on someone elses private property to take pictures. As for the guy who got the award, I'm still at a loss as to why people are upset that he was doing what he was told to do. So he gets a gold star on the fridge, big deal. Any heavy industry should be wary if for nothing else their own liability. After having a train here intentionally derailed by a teenage vandal recently, I'm glad someones keeping an eye out for possible troublemakers. Better safe than a toxic cloud of chlorine pouring thru my backyard.[;)] Have fun with your trains Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 15, 2005 3:33 PM The Railroad was very safe..........That's until the Railfan showed up. Allan. Reply Edit espeefoamer Member sinceNovember 2003 From: West Coast 4,122 posts Posted by espeefoamer on Thursday, December 15, 2005 3:42 PM We'd better watch out for those railfans. Everybody knows they're crazy and no one knows what they're liable to do. The Art Bell Conspiricy Squad.[alien] Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 16, 2005 5:48 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by richardy QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem with railfans. Big problem with stupid statements. Very plainly put in my responses. Are you suggesting that I leave the forum? I have been around here a heck of alot longer than you. Be OK with me if you left and I have been here longer than you if that matters. Well Rich, I'm not goin anywhere unless you go and cry to the man. Wouldn't hurt my felings if you dropped outta here either. Do ya wanna start a little cyber flame war? Pretty fun to pop off on the computer from the comfort of your home. Try reading who the post is directed to....sure enough....not you. I guess that reading is not a qualification that big wheel broadcast engineers are required to posess.........Your turn. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 16, 2005 5:57 PM And the Flame wars continue! Allan. Reply Edit dharmon Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Bottom Left Corner, USA 3,420 posts Posted by dharmon on Friday, December 16, 2005 6:44 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed. Tom is correct. If you broadcast it in the airwaves it is fair game to listen. If you tamper with the signal ie MIJI (Meacon, intrusion, jam or interference) then you are commiting a crime. The best defense is encryption. As far as trying to break encryption....I would suppose it would come down to who's you are trying to break and for what purpose. Dan Reply techguy57 Member sinceAugust 2003 From: NW Chicago 591 posts Posted by techguy57 on Friday, December 16, 2005 7:06 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed. Tom is correct. If you broadcast it in the airwaves it is fair game to listen. If you tamper with the signal ie MIJI (Meacon, intrusion, jam or interference) then you are commiting a crime. The best defense is encryption. As far as trying to break encryption....I would suppose it would come down to who's you are trying to break and for what purpose. Dan Correct...almost. Some states still have specific laws against scanners limiting who, when and where they can be legally used. As the technology changes sodoes the legislation and things are gradually easing off scanner usage. I know this after getting a warning about from an officer in Michigan that it was illegal to operate the scanner in my car. There is a ton of info at the following link, including tables about halfway down the page that list statutes for specific states: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm It is interesting reading and evident that they are most worried about people using scanners to commit crimes. Mike techguy "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever." - Anonymous Reply richardy Member sinceDecember 2001 From: NE Oklahoma 287 posts Posted by richardy on Saturday, December 17, 2005 12:19 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by techguy57 QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed. Tom is correct. If you broadcast it in the airwaves it is fair game to listen. If you tamper with the signal ie MIJI (Meacon, intrusion, jam or interference) then you are commiting a crime. The best defense is encryption. As far as trying to break encryption....I would suppose it would come down to who's you are trying to break and for what purpose. Dan Correct...almost. Some states still have specific laws against scanners limiting who, when and where they can be legally used. As the technology changes sodoes the legislation and things are gradually easing off scanner usage. I know this after getting a warning about from an officer in Michigan that it was illegal to operate the scanner in my car. There is a ton of info at the following link, including tables about halfway down the page that list statutes for specific states: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm It is interesting reading and evident that they are most worried about people using scanners to commit crimes. Mike If they ban scanners in all states, as ironken prefers, the criminals would still have receivers of some kind if they needed to monitor communications for their purpose. It seems the fact that scanners are illegal during the commission of a bigger crime would not matter to them. So banning scanners just removes another harmless hobby from the innocent people. Reply richardy Member sinceDecember 2001 From: NE Oklahoma 287 posts Posted by richardy on Saturday, December 17, 2005 12:21 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken QUOTE: Originally posted by richardy QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem with railfans. Big problem with stupid statements. Very plainly put in my responses. Are you suggesting that I leave the forum? I have been around here a heck of alot longer than you. Be OK with me if you left and I have been here longer than you if that matters. Well Rich, I'm not goin anywhere unless you go and cry to the man. Wouldn't hurt my felings if you dropped outta here either. Do ya wanna start a little cyber flame war? Pretty fun to pop off on the computer from the comfort of your home. Try reading who the post is directed to....sure enough....not you. I guess that reading is not a qualification that big wheel broadcast engineers are required to posess.........Your turn. Just stating my opinion, what you do with it is up to you. Reply 12345 Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed.
Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken [ As far as these tracking programs that some of you have....they should be banned. Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you. It is kinda creepy when I have seen guys post ETD freqs. What kinda geek cares about the ETD freqs?
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem with railfans. Big problem with stupid statements. Very plainly put in my responses. Are you suggesting that I leave the forum? I have been around here a heck of alot longer than you.
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar "This is a free exchange of ideas and knowledge. I do not read this forum to be called stupid. I take offense to you calling me stupid or my ideas stupid." Read the first sentence of your first post again. You came off agressively and got treated with agression. Nobody said that you were stupid. I said that statement was stupid and I maintain that. Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion.
QUOTE: Originally posted by the feed by the way one of the top pics of the day on railpics is a BNSF engineer taking picture back from the railfan taking a pic
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas QUOTE: Originally posted by the feed by the way one of the top pics of the day on railpics is a BNSF engineer taking picture back from the railfan taking a pic There is a whole thread on So Cal Railfan.net on "when railfans get fanned" with crews taking pictures of railfans.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
QUOTE: Originally posted by tregurtha It's a fine line these days. I've found that if you're respectful of railroad property and respectful of law enforcement and are honest about simply being a railfan you don't have much of a problem. After the London subway bombings earlier this year, I was approached by the CN police at the diamond in Durand, Michigan. Usually not a copy there but it may have had something to do with the bombings. A lot of folks gather at the restored station there, but I happened to be the only person there that day. The cop asked what I was doing (I had a scanner and camera). I was honest, I said I was a railfan, I said I was respectful of railroad property and always stayed safe, and he's was cool with that. It seems to be a few bad eggs that cause the problems. Ross R.
QUOTE: Originally posted by canazar QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas QUOTE: Originally posted by the feed by the way one of the top pics of the day on railpics is a BNSF engineer taking picture back from the railfan taking a pic There is a whole thread on So Cal Railfan.net on "when railfans get fanned" with crews taking pictures of railfans. Now thats funny., I dont care who you are...[:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz So what is your point? Are we to be reassured because thisemployee was "on guard" (read paranoid). Or are we to be totally outraged because this "suspicious" person was found to be doing nothing more than having a hobby of 'recording' things. And now, because someone who obviously watches way too much news on the Fox channel, and is convinced that there is a swarm of terrorists just waiting to do damage in his little hick town in Texas, that he has been harrassed by not only two police departmentsand the railroad cops, but also he now has the 'attention' of the FBI. And he gets an AWARD for this?? The terrorists have won. We are now officially terrorzed. Of everything.....our shadows......ourselves......everyone.
QUOTE: Originally posted by THEBREEZE2005NYTX [8D] i belive that you should be able to take pic of trains as long as your not to close to the tracks if you pullover to the side of the road and arenot blocking trafiick your cool but if your going to follow the train & take som pics let some one else drive
QUOTE: The suspect was questioned and it was then determined that he had been contacted earlier by local law enforcement agencies and that he was from the Boston area.
QUOTE: After questioning him, agents verified his response with the agency. However, his responses were different from those given when previously contacted by local law enforcements. So they began a search of his vehicle and found several cameras, a scanner, a laptop and other recording equipment.
QUOTE: He was warned again that his observed behavior was suspicious in nature and he was told to stay away from BNSF property. He was also referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Homeland Security in Boston.
Have fun with your trains
QUOTE: Originally posted by richardy QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem with railfans. Big problem with stupid statements. Very plainly put in my responses. Are you suggesting that I leave the forum? I have been around here a heck of alot longer than you. Be OK with me if you left and I have been here longer than you if that matters.
QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed.
QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed. Tom is correct. If you broadcast it in the airwaves it is fair game to listen. If you tamper with the signal ie MIJI (Meacon, intrusion, jam or interference) then you are commiting a crime. The best defense is encryption. As far as trying to break encryption....I would suppose it would come down to who's you are trying to break and for what purpose. Dan
QUOTE: Originally posted by techguy57 QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken by ChrisBar Chad, You make a good point on the scanner thing if you are a bit time railfan and want to have a heads up for a shot. The thought behind the scanner thing is purely because I thought it was a little creepy. As far as the train tracking set-up that is out there. I still think that software and system is borderline hacking into the RR's signal system, just my opinion. Isn't there a law stateing that anyone who is caught doing this will go to Prison? Allan. Allen, if you mean the scanner thing, that would probably come under an old FCC regulation stating that anything broadcast into the public airways is public domain and anyone can receive and listen to or watch it. Haven't heard that this was ever changed. Tom is correct. If you broadcast it in the airwaves it is fair game to listen. If you tamper with the signal ie MIJI (Meacon, intrusion, jam or interference) then you are commiting a crime. The best defense is encryption. As far as trying to break encryption....I would suppose it would come down to who's you are trying to break and for what purpose. Dan Correct...almost. Some states still have specific laws against scanners limiting who, when and where they can be legally used. As the technology changes sodoes the legislation and things are gradually easing off scanner usage. I know this after getting a warning about from an officer in Michigan that it was illegal to operate the scanner in my car. There is a ton of info at the following link, including tables about halfway down the page that list statutes for specific states: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm It is interesting reading and evident that they are most worried about people using scanners to commit crimes. Mike
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken QUOTE: Originally posted by richardy QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem with railfans. Big problem with stupid statements. Very plainly put in my responses. Are you suggesting that I leave the forum? I have been around here a heck of alot longer than you. Be OK with me if you left and I have been here longer than you if that matters. Well Rich, I'm not goin anywhere unless you go and cry to the man. Wouldn't hurt my felings if you dropped outta here either. Do ya wanna start a little cyber flame war? Pretty fun to pop off on the computer from the comfort of your home. Try reading who the post is directed to....sure enough....not you. I guess that reading is not a qualification that big wheel broadcast engineers are required to posess.........Your turn.
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