Freight Train Riders of America

[ValleyX]

I agree with the others, arbfe, I have enjoyed reading your posts over time and would hate to see you go, one thread doesn't make up the entire forum, I sometimes read things on here I want to respond to but as a working rail, I think I might be taken the wrong way but sometimes things I read on here just make me think, why am I bothering with this. Then, I find an interesting thread that makes sense or is informative and I'm ok with it again.

As for empty hopper trains, yes, riding the rear end of those was always a adventure, so much slack in them and I've been on the rear end when they went into emergency myself. I could only imagine what riding the rear end of the autorack trains we run today might be like.

[edblysard]

arbfbe,
Hope, like big Z, you mean this thread...as noted, your posting are well writen, concise, worthwhile and enjoyable....
Stick around a while...

As far as I am concerned, if you come in my house uninvited, your fair game, other than that, we pay cops and state troopers to enforce our laws....joe citizen shouldn’t need a gun, out side of hunting and sport shooting, and if they chose, home defense.

Vigilantism has one major draw back....once you appoint yourself as the police, the court and jury all in one....who ends up policing you?

I had to carry a gun when I worked for the State of Texas, and I still have a concealed handgun license, as does my wife, who still works there....and I have never felt the need to carry that weapon outside the confines of my home since I left the AG's office.
It is not anywhere near as "fun" as some of you might think, in fact, it is a burden....it and the fact that one "wrong" decision with it can take a life, and nothing you can do will bring that life back.

TV and the movies aside, almost every cop I know never, ever wants to draw his weapon, quite a few make it their entire career and never fire a single shot, some manage to never take it out of their holster.

Dirty Harry is a myth, and if he was real, he would be sued, fired, and most likely be in prison himself.

Several years ago, I was forced to make a decision, one that resulted in me having to shoot and kill a young dope dealer who got apartment numbers confused, and was kicking in the wrong door, and shooting holes through it, thinking he was getting "even" with a buyer who ripped him off....sadly, he got the right building, but wrong apartment, mine.

So I live every day with the knowledge that, although I had no choice, a young man, some mother’s son, is dead by my hand.

I hope none of you every have to make any kind of decision anywhere near that.


Ed

[zardoz]

arbfbe-
I hope you are refering to this thread, and not the entire forum. Believe it or not, I would not like to see you go. You have posted many fine, intelligent, and thoughtful ideas on many threads.

Perhaps some of us that have a different viewpoint on this thread are a bit more jaded than you are, and do not see the world as civilized as you do.

I can agree to differ. Will you?

[samfp1943]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz

QUOTE: Originally posted by arbfbe

Oh my, I have so many better things to do with my time. The punks here and the hijacked threads are becoming unbearable. Sigh, so much potential so little value.

I think I will go saw some wood now.

Perhaps, as Bergie says, it is time to move on. My sympathies to many of you.

[zzz][zzz][zzz]

AMEN, AND THANKS!
Need to test the air, release the brakes and move on down the line.
Sam

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dirtyd79



Do you think those guys who went riding on the train cared about Ed's well being? Do you think they cared about Ed's Safety? No. So why should he extend the courtesy to them? It's time we quit coddling criminals.

The only problem with that philosophy is the vastly varying competancy of the public at large to make a determination of what constitutes "criminal"

In the scenario Ed outlines, it's pretty cut and dried. But in the many other instances that apply, I'm fairly glad that the average red blooded american does not have the legal authority to coronate himself judge, jury, and executioner

Too many vindictive nuts out there just waiting to be discovered.....[}:)]

[arbfbe]

Oh my, I have so many better things to do with my time. The punks here and the hijacked threads are becoming unbearable. Sigh, so much potential so little value.

I think I will go saw some wood now.

Perhaps, as Bergie says, it is time to move on. My sympathies to many of you.

[Anonymous]

As for this English Common Law nonsense... Where are we? The United States of America in 2006 not England in the renaissance era. A guy breaks into your house he ain't gonna challenge you to a duel and demand satisfaction he's gonna blow your brains out and steal your stuff. Do you think he cares about your safety and well-being? I can assure you if he's breaking into your house or trespassing on your property he doesn't.

Do you think those guys who went riding on the train cared about Ed's well being? Do you think they cared about Ed's Safety? No. So why should he extend the courtesy to them? It's time we quit coddling criminals.

[coborn35]

With all this talk of tresspasing, its time to get out me old trusty sign.
"Trespassers will be shot, Survivors will be shot again"

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


Anti...I think an art deco train collection on a calandar would be a good seller...
You got any plans on giving it a try?

Seems like it would be a good idea, doesn't it?


Reminds me of the time back in 1973 that I was thinking they should do something like "America's top 40" except on TV, where people could see their favorite band playing the latest tunes, with impressionistic out takes, psychedelia, and hot babes. etc....but decided it was probably a dumb idea, that only I would wanna watch..... heh,

"vision" is nice, but ya gotta have the guts to go after it ...and money.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Christ...I was drinking coffee when I read that, Dan..I mean Lt. Dan....man this stuff burns your sinus...

Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by arbfbe


Well, you can add this to my profile, I do what Ed claims he does and have done it off and on since 1969.

Well I can vouch for what Ed does......we work on shrimp boats in the Gulf.......He refers to me as LT Dan....[:D]

That's what I'm here for......


Loootenant Dan

[chad thomas]

Sorry but if I catch someone up to no good tresspassing on my property they are going to get roughed up at a minimum. Actually it's happend to me several times and I havn't been sued yet.

[arbfbe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

Well then, Next time someone trespasses on my property I'll be shure to invite them in for tea and crumpets.............NOT.

No, you do not have to invite him in for tea and crumpets but you DO have to warn them about hidden tiger pits and have all caldrons of boiling oil and tar marked clearly and fenced to keep people at a safe distance and to deny them access to such hazards.

You can ask them to leave the property but if you break their arm while escorting them from the premisis you may get sued and lose.

[chad thomas]

Well then, Next time someone trespasses on my property I'll be shure to invite them in for tea and crumpets.............NOT.

[arbfbe]

When a visitor visits your property, this includes your home as well as a business, you have an obligation to work to insure their safety and well being. This responsibility extends to those you have invited as well as those that are not invited meaning trespassers. Eds actions were counter to his obligation to honor this responsibility. I believe this concept goes all the way back to English Common Law. Is it any wonder his employer's liability department chewed him out? I am suprised he did not get a thirty day time out for all this. The inside of a coal hopper is not a safe place to be when things get bounced around. There are no seats and restraining devices, there is no secure footing on the rounded tubs and the side stiffeners can cause death or serious injury if your body connects with one at speed. Ed's actions are indefensible in any regard. Perhaps if the yuppies or FTRA riders were shooting at him from the top chord of the car he could be justified in trying such maneuvers. I did not read that was the case.

Zardoz, I concur about the lack of caboose on today's trains. After about 6400' it is nearly impossible to control the slack at the rear of the train any more.

Vallye X, thanks for jogging my memory, I did see one instance where the engineer roughed up a conductor at the rear of the train. It also was unwarranted. A couple of my wildest rides in the caboose involved the engineer dumping the air on an mty coal train while it was stretched out to avoid a grade crossing collision and another when the knuckles slipped by on the rear half dozen cars and the front of the train stopped before the rear end did. Both were extremely rough and could have caused serious injury.

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

I would definitely be interested in one! Hate most of the calendars that are out there today! (ahem - except Kalmbach, of course!)

Suck up.[:D]

[Mookie]

I would definitely be interested in one! Hate most of the calendars that are out there today! (ahem - except Kalmbach, of course!)

[edblysard]

Ed Benton,
Dont remember, but then again, I am a switchman...I mean shrimper....so the grey matter aint as good as it used to be...any hints might jog the old brain some...when and where?

Anti...I think an art deco train collection on a calandar would be a good seller...
You got any plans on giving it a try?

Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by bigedd

Just kidding.
Ed I met you a few years ago I was down in your neck of the woods
inspecting some railcars that were for sale.
Next time I am out your way I will look you up.

ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Ok Anti - I loved VSmith's monster engine he had on his signature for awhile, now I am intrigued by yours.

Can you give me any background on it? I love art deco and this intrigues me.

Mook

Well, I'm pleased that you found it interesting.

Nothing really all that cerebral about it. I was burnt out on the animated toys , and decided it was time for a change.

Came upon it while googling images for some other train subject, and like you, it caught my attention.

The original was about twice the size as the image used here, and the placard on the nose of the unit reads 'equity line' for reasons I have no idea.

The Graphic concept would make a neat idea for a caladar though, wouldn't it?

[Anonymous]

Just kidding.
Ed I met you a few years ago I was down in your neck of the woods
inspecting some railcars that were for sale.
Next time I am out your way I will look you up.

ed

[Anonymous]

Cabin boy Ed

WOW

[chad thomas]

[:O] Ed, Does this mean you're not really a rail? All your tales and anticdotes are made up? Boy you shure had me fooled. You must put a lot of effort into makeing up these tall tales. Who knew? All along Ed has been a closet troll.[B)][;)]

[edblysard]

Christ...I was drinking coffee when I read that, Dan..I mean Lt. Dan....man this stuff burns your sinus...

Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by arbfbe


Well, you can add this to my profile, I do what Ed claims he does and have done it off and on since 1969.

Well I can vouch for what Ed does......we work on shrimp boats in the Gulf.......He refers to me as LT Dan....[:D]

[Mookie]

Ok Anti - I loved VSmith's monster engine he had on his signature for awhile, now I am intrigued by yours.

Can you give me any background on it? I love art deco and this intrigues me.

Mook

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by coborn35

So what do you have to worry about on the high iron? hobo's? gangs? animals?

LOL! Running over Idiots with camera's spewing distorted interpretations of "private property" law, is my bet... Especially after you've got the train washed and clean...[}:)]

[coborn35]

So what do you have to worry about on the high iron? hobo's? gangs? animals?

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by arbfbe


Well, you can add this to my profile, I do what Ed claims he does and have done it off and on since 1969.

Well I can vouch for what Ed does......we work on shrimp boats in the Gulf.......He refers to me as LT Dan....[:D]

[edblysard]

My bad, I had his name wrong.
here are a few links...
http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial2/railroad/

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/publications/chaparral/chap0899.pdf

http://www5.cnn.com/2003/LAW/06/08/railroad.killer/

He used the trains as a way to escape and move place to place.

The first link has a lot of information, most quite accurate.

Ed

and no, carrying a gun is not allowed by GCOR...

[coborn35]

I have a question. Who is this Railroad Killer? I am consdiering working for the railroad in a few years but now I hear about these dangerous hobo's? I mean, Im pretty well built now and sure I will be able to overpower a couple of bums, including using an airhose or lantern etc, but how dangerous really are they? Did this railroa killer kill railroaders? Also, I am going to obtain a concealed weapons license when I am 18-21, whichever the age limit is, but you cant bring them on the rails can you?

[edblysard]

Hey guys...
Ya know, arbfbe is entitled to his opinion, even if you don’t agree with it.
If he is offended, Ok, not that big a deal to me, and my invite to him and you guys still stands.

So, if we have to argue, then let’s argue the point of weather the FTRA is or is not real, not weather we like his opinion of how I handled a few dummies.

For my 2cents, I don’t think they are what the story claims, I rather agree with the AntiGates, they are using the camera as an opportunity to make themselves appear "more bad" than they really are.

Ed