QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken csmith, wasn't you at all. I just get a little burned up when some railfans act like it is their Constitutional right to come on the property, etc. If you like railfanning, cool. But Fort Worth can give a rip if they p.o. some railfans. Some guys are cool, don't trespass and in some cases have given guys rides back to the head end. I have on a few occasions B.S.ed with some railfans and had fun doing it. Some of the cats on this forum get a little millitant about the hobby and need to put into perspective. It's other peoples equipment and property and unless thay are off of the property, they are at the compnaies/employees mercy.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken No problem here. Everythings cool in Chinatown. I got my hairs up at a couple of these posts that are crap.
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.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken Yep, without foamers, the BNSF wouldn't exist and I would be out of a job. A great big thank you to all of the railfans that secure my job.........
QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken QUOTE: Originally posted by ChrisBARailfan Originally posted by ironken Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you. You know what, if your operations and conversations were that important I think the railroads would spring for 800 Mhz encrypted trunk frequencies like the police and other law enforcement agencies use. You know what, that was a stupid statement! If our conversations are so unimportant as you elude to, then riddle me this. Why do you guys listen to them? The conversations are important to the safe movement of freight. Ever heard of Hazmat? You are from KCMO. I know it well. Put some hazmat on the ground near Kemper or in a more residential area and see what happens. Reply Edit selector Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: Vancouver Island, BC 23,330 posts Posted by selector on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 3:19 PM At least one response above suggests that the security folks are ***ed. They are ***ed if they do their job, and ***ed if they fail. Can't win with some people.[V] Reply canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 3:07 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXrules4eva Given this information I would say that that report about this situatio needs to be more specific and needs to actually explain to the readers why they dertermined this "observer's" behavior to be suspisious. "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. 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" Again, I dont think it was his track side behavoir that caused him to be singled out.. All though one could assume he had to be either in a wrong place or behaving in a way that caused him to be notcied in the first place, but will skip that part and stick to the facts, or what we have from the article..... The biggest thing that will tick off or tip off (however you want to look at it) an officer is lie. When I volunteered with the Sherrifs office here in Arizona, you lie, regardless of how small or trival it may appear, they will be on you like flies on[censored]. I'd pry into you like trying to open a frozen door. Why? Well if you just lied now... what else have you lied about? What are you hiding? Why are you really here? Even if he was being perfectly normal and in public land, you goof like that, the cops ought to kick you out and make you move on. How can you not blame the officers? How can you trust an individual after he screws up his story? I have been spotted and talked to lots of times and NEVER had a problem. LIke Chad Thomas said, Just keep it Cool. "Here is my stuff, here is why I am here. What can I say officer, I dig the trains man. its cheaper than golf ya know"? Yes, it is a different age and we have to be aware of that and play by the rules. If we do, I see no reason why it still wont be "like the good 'ole days". Maybe people have had different expeirences, maybe I have been lucky, maybe I was just nicer than you, maybe I am out west and the attitude is different. What ever the case, I have never had a problem and nothing but the best treatment from guys, who considering are working, given to me. Best Regards John k 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 Wednesday, December 14, 2005 2:36 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken 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. That is what we are instructed to do! He did what he is paid for and he was rewarded for it! It's not paranoia. Besides, your foamer buddy gave conflicting answers....there is where the problem lies. He could have simply said, "I'm a railbuff.....blah....blah." As far as pictures, stay off of the property and I won't report foamers. 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? Take your pictures and leave it at that. [:(!] And that is all I do: I take one camera (my 20 year old Nikon FM2) with film, sit and wait for the train, take a few photos, and leave. Once in a while I will see a rail employee who actually seems more friendly then not, and that is all. That is all that is necessary. Reply Edit ChrisBARailfan Member sinceApril 2005 From: Kansas City, MO 100 posts Posted by ChrisBARailfan on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 2:17 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by ironken Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you. You know what, if your operations and conversations were that important I think the railroads would spring for 800 Mhz encrypted trunk frequencies like the police and other law enforcement agencies use. Reply CSXrules4eva Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Louisville, KY 1,345 posts Posted by CSXrules4eva on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 2:12 PM I do wonder what kind odf suspisious activity was this "observer" engaging in by taking pictures or filming trains? The report failed to mention his behavior, was it erratic, was it nutty, did he start acting like a fool, was he tresspassing, was he throuwing things, was he dressed in all black, or maybe he had a former Soviet Union battle uniform on? All the report said was that he was acting suspisious, well tell me what does that mean? Another thing the report said was that he had recording equipment and such in his car. well, I hate to say this but that doesn't make him a terrorist or anything to that effect, he may be a psychotic railfan but, they can not JUST assume that he is a criminal. If they really wanted to find out maybe they should of ran his plates if they thought is behavior was so "suspisious". Given this information I would say that that report about this situatio needs to be more specific and needs to actually explain to the readers why they dertermined this "observer's" behavior to be suspisious. LORD HELP US ALL TO BE ORIGINAL AND NOT CRISPY!!! please? Sarah J.M. Warner conductor CSX Reply StillGrande Member sinceSeptember 2003 From: Alexandria, VA 847 posts Posted by StillGrande on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:49 PM You know, it never ceases to amaze me that I can go down to Andrews Air Force Base, you know, where they keep Air Force One) and take pictures of planes landing all day long (shoot, once a year they actually INVITE the public onto the base to wander around and take a look at the pretty planes) or go over to a park just north or south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, right across the river from the WHITE HOUSE) and photograph planes all day long (probably not alone either) taking off or landing so close you can almost touch them, and never be harassed or questioned by any of the various DC based law enforcement agencies (there are a bunch). But someone in Podunk Nowhere points a camera at a train while on vacation and all heck breaks loose. Shoot, the guy should have said he wasn't taking pictures of trains but of all the illegals on the train and was going to send the photos to the IRS to show that the BNSF is supporting illegal immigration and providing free transportation to them. He should have claimed he was with the Minute men (he was from Boston, right?). Then someone would have given HIM an award. Dewey "Facts are meaningless; you can use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true! Facts, schmacks!" - Homer Simpson "The problem is there are so many stupid people and nothing eats them." Reply scotttmason Member sinceFebruary 2002 From: within earshot of CP 64 posts Posted by scotttmason on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:30 PM The guy is a jerk. Anyone shooting private property, wherever it is, should go out of their way to cooperate with employees or security. When taking photos of people, they should ask permission first when possible. I would be concerned if some guy pulled out a camera and started shooting pics of me while I was working. Or the guy shooting pictures of my kids the other day - coulda' been some nut, but atleast he introduced himself, told me what he was doing, asked me if it was ok to take pictures. Steam operations expect throngs of photographers trackside, but current operations have every right to be suspect of some guy circling their equipment. His being there requires that the crew to keep track of his location (for his safety) and what he's doing (taking pictures? collecting loose spikes? tampering with equipment?) until he leaves. Fans should take the same courtesy photojournalists do not trespassing on private property, asking permission when possible, answer questions, and leave when asked to. The guy is a jerk. Got my own basement now; benchwork done but no trains, yet. Reply canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:27 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by csmith9474 I guess as long as you are not one of these idiots that jump in the middle of a ROW with a camera, and stay off of railroad property unless you have permission from the railroad, you should be OK, right? I guess having a scanner is a bit overboard, but to each their own. There are all kinds of people that use scanners to monitor police, aviation, NASCAR, etc. Well, I thogut useing a scanner was abit too much. But then I realised with a 5 year old hangin on your hip, it is nice to know when that train is coming. It cuts down on these kinda of conversations.... "When's the train coming Dad?" "Oh it will be here soon." 3 minutes laters.. "When is it coming Dad? "Soon." Repeat until train arrives. [8D] 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 Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:21 PM What really frosts me is when I post the best, I mean the BEST post I've ever posted, and for some reason it doesn't go through and ends up God knows where in cyperspace. So I'll try it again.... First of all, Meridian is a really nice town in Central Texas about 30 miles northwest of Waco. It is deifinately not a HICK town. They have tv's there and telelphones and they wear shoes to school. The BNSF line is not really very interesting there, not too many trains go through on a daily basis. The guy told a lie. He was from Boston. I don't think they see many liars from Boston wandering around in Bosque County. And one thing that hasn't been mentioned, Meridian is pretty close to Crawford, where President Bush has his ranch. So if someone from Boston is checking out a lightly used rail about twenty or so miles from the presidents ranch, and lies about it, what would you think if you were a peace officer? I'll bet everyone from Hamilton to Waco is on the lookout for just this sort of behavior. Things ain't always like they seem at first glance. mike Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:20 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN God dang fricken overreactive people...wait till I get my hands around their throats. I guess that I'm one of those overactive people. My throats right here. Reply Edit csmith9474 Member sinceApril 2005 From: Colorado Springs, CO 3,590 posts Posted by csmith9474 on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:16 PM I guess as long as you are not one of these idiots that jump in the middle of a ROW with a camera, and stay off of railroad property unless you have permission from the railroad, you should be OK, right? I guess having a scanner is a bit overboard, but to each their own. There are all kinds of people that use scanners to monitor police, aviation, NASCAR, etc. Smitty Reply canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:04 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas . The way I look at it, it pays to keep your cool. Exactly.[^] 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 csmith9474 Member sinceApril 2005 From: Colorado Springs, CO 3,590 posts Posted by csmith9474 on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:53 PM Who knows if he actually did give conflicting statements. I know a bit about law enforcement agencies and how they handle the transfer of info amongst themselves. It isn't always dependable. Besides, they had to justify this officer's actions somehow. Smitty Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:32 PM I myself have had kinda the opposite experience myself. Before 911 my run ins with the law dogs and RR employees were not all that pleasent. They wern't nessasarily bad either. More like a nusance. Since 911 though the few run ins I have had were rather pleasant. One incident were I got caught where I wasn't suppose to be (wasn't posted though) the officer gave me permission to stay where I was at as long as I didn't do anything stupid. The way I look at it, it pays to keep your cool. Reply canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:15 PM Wow.... I read the article and thoguh nothing of it. Then I read some of the posts, "the terrorists are winning, we are loseing our freedoms" Blah blah blah. Personally I think the guy shold get an award. Alot of things to think aboutt in this. 1 Think of it from the railraods veiw. There is no other industry that is as important that is so vunerable to attack. Think of it, thousands upon thousands of miles of track with no way to guard it. If I worked for RR I would be a bit edgy too. 2. Any one who works for the RR knows about railfans and foamers. Since the first tracks were laid, someone was there to watch. They know about us. Considering all the times I have had interaction with crews or RR folks, it has been quite pleasent. 3. I think the reason he got booted was most likely cause he was a butthead. I have seen some of the attitudes come across the board here, and even in person watching other rail fans get roosted right in front of me cause they had have an attitude. Also, if you read the article, is quite obivous why he got nailed, he lied. I know from personal expeirence, the biggest tip off is when someone is not honest. Its game over. This guy shot himself in the foot. 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 coborn35 Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Duluth,Minnesota,USA 4,015 posts Posted by coborn35 on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:15 PM I dont think that we should stop railfanning. However, if we are worried about getting in trouble for nothing, may I say that country backroads are a railfans best friend. I primarily do my railfanning in areas' where the only employees I will see are crewmembers of trains. Based on my knowledge, the horn blowers and switch throwers are USUALLY more tolerent of railfans. Where would I rather railfan? Barstow or Saunders Junction? Saunders, 60 trains a day, and it is secluded. Not, (im gonna get kidnapped) secluded, but there are no-non crewmembers in the area. Barstow I believe is more mainstream and will most likely have more police. Even someone did call the police, I doubt nary a cop would know where Saunders is! I dont think terrorists have won, because after all, I am typing this. Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..." The Missabe Road: Safety First Reply joegreen Member sinceApril 2004 From: Illinois 484 posts Posted by joegreen on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:12 PM I'll still railfan no matter how many times cops will tell me not to, after all what are they going to do............send me to jail. So far I havn't been stopped. I live near the CNIC Freeport yard and the Police's gas station is down by the yard. They see railfans down there and they don't do anything. www.12ozprophet.com Reply UPTRAIN Member sinceJune 2002 From: Independence, MO 1,570 posts Posted by UPTRAIN on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:03 PM God dang fricken overreactive people...wait till I get my hands around their throats. Pump Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 11:55 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. That is what we are instructed to do! He did what he is paid for and he was rewarded for it! It's not paranoia. Besides, your foamer buddy gave conflicting answers....there is where the problem lies. He could have simply said, "I'm a railbuff.....blah....blah." As far as pictures, stay off of the property and I won't report foamers. 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? Take your pictures and leave it at that. Reply Edit 12345 Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » 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 More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
QUOTE: Originally posted by ChrisBARailfan Originally posted by ironken Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you. You know what, if your operations and conversations were that important I think the railroads would spring for 800 Mhz encrypted trunk frequencies like the police and other law enforcement agencies use.
Originally posted by ironken Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you.
QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXrules4eva Given this information I would say that that report about this situatio needs to be more specific and needs to actually explain to the readers why they dertermined this "observer's" behavior to be suspisious.
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 ironken 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. That is what we are instructed to do! He did what he is paid for and he was rewarded for it! It's not paranoia. Besides, your foamer buddy gave conflicting answers....there is where the problem lies. He could have simply said, "I'm a railbuff.....blah....blah." As far as pictures, stay off of the property and I won't report foamers. 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? Take your pictures and leave it at that.
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 ironken Scanners should be banned as well. Our conversations and operations have no concern to you.
QUOTE: Originally posted by csmith9474 I guess as long as you are not one of these idiots that jump in the middle of a ROW with a camera, and stay off of railroad property unless you have permission from the railroad, you should be OK, right? I guess having a scanner is a bit overboard, but to each their own. There are all kinds of people that use scanners to monitor police, aviation, NASCAR, etc.
QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN God dang fricken overreactive people...wait till I get my hands around their throats.
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas . The way I look at it, it pays to keep your cool.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
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