NO TRESSPASSING!

[Anonymous]

Hi it's me again. This story was posted today on MSNBC web site.
When will people learn?


Alaska Railroad reminds you: Please stay off tracks

Jeffrey Hope


Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 29 - Alaska Railroad officials say an Anchorage man was nearly hit by a train last weekend while trespassing on the tracks. As investigation into the incident continues, officials are trying to get the word out that even walking near railroad tracks is illegal.



Railroad officials asked us not to specify the exact location. It's a place south of Anchorage where hunters and fishermen routinely walk the tracks -- despite at least four "No trespassing" signs.
One of those was Conrad, a fisherman who wouldn't give his last name.
"Do you realize you're trespassing out here?" asks special agent Jim Adams as he drives a specially equipped vehicle down the tracks.
"Well, you know, I've been here since 1966 and we never had problems," Conrad responds.
"I understand, but you can't be here, sir," Adams says. He's trying to prevent another incident like the one last weekend when it was lucky two people weren't killed.
It's also illegal to walk within 100 feet on either side of the track.

Near this location, two fishermen were walking the tracks when they heard a train coming. One of the dogs with them ran to the tracks and sat down.
The dog wouldn't budge, so with the train coming closer and closer, his owner ran up and grabbed the dog's collar. But it was too late. The train's snow plow hit the dog and knocked both of them off their feet.
"The crew, as they go by, they look out and all they see is the man and the dog flying," says ARRC Chief Special Agent Dan Frerich. "At that point, they thought they had a fatality accident."
The dog was seriously injured. The men were not hurt, but officials say they will likely face trespassing charges.
"It is unlawful to hike on the Alaska Railroad tracks or be on the Alaska Railroad tracks. Our property extends 100 feet either side of the track," Frerich says.
Back on the tracks, special agent Adams is telling Conrad he'll only get a warning this time.
"How about two warnings?" Conrad asks in good humor.
"We don't give two," Adams answers politely. "We just don't want you to get run over, sir. It only takes once." The encounter ends amicably with the fisherman walking back down the tracks.
"Every year during hunting season, we start worrying," says railroad conductor Gerald Valinske.
Trespassers jeopardize more than just themselves, he says. When an engineer has to apply emergency brakes, there's always a possibility that the train could derail, and the unexpected braking can injure passengers.
"It just throws everybody into the tables and you can get hurt real bad," he says.
Adams says special agents and extra security guards will be out in force over the next few weeks as they try to keep others from breaking the law.
Trespassers can face up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.

[Anonymous]

Hi it's me again. This story was posted today on MSNBC web site.
When will people learn?


Alaska Railroad reminds you: Please stay off tracks

Jeffrey Hope


Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 29 - Alaska Railroad officials say an Anchorage man was nearly hit by a train last weekend while trespassing on the tracks. As investigation into the incident continues, officials are trying to get the word out that even walking near railroad tracks is illegal.



Railroad officials asked us not to specify the exact location. It's a place south of Anchorage where hunters and fishermen routinely walk the tracks -- despite at least four "No trespassing" signs.
One of those was Conrad, a fisherman who wouldn't give his last name.
"Do you realize you're trespassing out here?" asks special agent Jim Adams as he drives a specially equipped vehicle down the tracks.
"Well, you know, I've been here since 1966 and we never had problems," Conrad responds.
"I understand, but you can't be here, sir," Adams says. He's trying to prevent another incident like the one last weekend when it was lucky two people weren't killed.
It's also illegal to walk within 100 feet on either side of the track.

Near this location, two fishermen were walking the tracks when they heard a train coming. One of the dogs with them ran to the tracks and sat down.
The dog wouldn't budge, so with the train coming closer and closer, his owner ran up and grabbed the dog's collar. But it was too late. The train's snow plow hit the dog and knocked both of them off their feet.
"The crew, as they go by, they look out and all they see is the man and the dog flying," says ARRC Chief Special Agent Dan Frerich. "At that point, they thought they had a fatality accident."
The dog was seriously injured. The men were not hurt, but officials say they will likely face trespassing charges.
"It is unlawful to hike on the Alaska Railroad tracks or be on the Alaska Railroad tracks. Our property extends 100 feet either side of the track," Frerich says.
Back on the tracks, special agent Adams is telling Conrad he'll only get a warning this time.
"How about two warnings?" Conrad asks in good humor.
"We don't give two," Adams answers politely. "We just don't want you to get run over, sir. It only takes once." The encounter ends amicably with the fisherman walking back down the tracks.
"Every year during hunting season, we start worrying," says railroad conductor Gerald Valinske.
Trespassers jeopardize more than just themselves, he says. When an engineer has to apply emergency brakes, there's always a possibility that the train could derail, and the unexpected braking can injure passengers.
"It just throws everybody into the tables and you can get hurt real bad," he says.
Adams says special agents and extra security guards will be out in force over the next few weeks as they try to keep others from breaking the law.
Trespassers can face up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.

[Anonymous]

100 feet? Thats a bit odd i dont see why they will yell at you if you are that far away from the tracks. It sounds pretty stupid to me. But i can see the point they are trying to get across here.

[Anonymous]

100 feet? Thats a bit odd i dont see why they will yell at you if you are that far away from the tracks. It sounds pretty stupid to me. But i can see the point they are trying to get across here.

[jchnhtfd]

Trust me guys... there are very few things that can ruin your day faster than to be sitting in the front office and see some [deleted] walking on the tracks ahead of you... remember, folks, these things simply can't stop that fast.

Folks trying to beat the train at RR crossings are another one -- but you rarely even have time to be terrified before you either hit them or don't. D___ hard to turn a train.

[jchnhtfd]

Trust me guys... there are very few things that can ruin your day faster than to be sitting in the front office and see some [deleted] walking on the tracks ahead of you... remember, folks, these things simply can't stop that fast.

Folks trying to beat the train at RR crossings are another one -- but you rarely even have time to be terrified before you either hit them or don't. D___ hard to turn a train.

[joseph2]

100 feet is a wide right of way.How is the hunting and fishing up there?

[joseph2]

100 feet is a wide right of way.How is the hunting and fishing up there?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joseph2

100 feet is a wide right of way.How is the hunting and fishing up there?

Fishing is still pretty good, hunting too. You can win a lot of money ($4000 or so)if you catch a big fish.... it's pretty fun.[:)][:)][8D][8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joseph2

100 feet is a wide right of way.How is the hunting and fishing up there?

Fishing is still pretty good, hunting too. You can win a lot of money ($4000 or so)if you catch a big fish.... it's pretty fun.[:)][:)][8D][8D]

[Anonymous]

Hi All, think for a minute about the length of one freight car, or a railroad passenger car. Now add 7 or 8 more cars to that. (Should a train be a freight you might add 75 or more to the first total.) Now think what happens should this train derail. Do you want to be within 100 feet? The rule may seem harsh but it really is for your protection. I read an article recently (about the S F in Texas back in F unit days) where there was a derailment. One of the men responding to the derailment when he arrived ordered everyone back 5 miles in every direction. So is 100 feet that bad. Should there be a derailment if the railcar doesn't get you the chemicals could. With some of the items they carry there might not even be an odor or evidence of danger.

Now in your defense if no one ever tells you about the dangers how would you ever know? When I was a teenage I ran the tracks almost daily. No one ever told me not to. Thankfully nothing bad ever happened. We always have the attitude that bad things always happen to "other" people. Not necessarily so.

Now there are always people who know the rules and who do know better. They still choose to not follow the rules. That is why we have rules enforcement ie police, game wardens, etc.

The railroad tracks are exactly that -- the railroad's tracks. The land surrounding the tracks (the right of way) also belong to the railroad. We protect what we own with doors, locks, etc. The railroad can't lock the right of way or the tracks. All they can do is post a sign, and try to educate the public through programs.

I hope this helps someone understand the "why" and also the danger surrounding the tracks. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Hi All, think for a minute about the length of one freight car, or a railroad passenger car. Now add 7 or 8 more cars to that. (Should a train be a freight you might add 75 or more to the first total.) Now think what happens should this train derail. Do you want to be within 100 feet? The rule may seem harsh but it really is for your protection. I read an article recently (about the S F in Texas back in F unit days) where there was a derailment. One of the men responding to the derailment when he arrived ordered everyone back 5 miles in every direction. So is 100 feet that bad. Should there be a derailment if the railcar doesn't get you the chemicals could. With some of the items they carry there might not even be an odor or evidence of danger.

Now in your defense if no one ever tells you about the dangers how would you ever know? When I was a teenage I ran the tracks almost daily. No one ever told me not to. Thankfully nothing bad ever happened. We always have the attitude that bad things always happen to "other" people. Not necessarily so.

Now there are always people who know the rules and who do know better. They still choose to not follow the rules. That is why we have rules enforcement ie police, game wardens, etc.

The railroad tracks are exactly that -- the railroad's tracks. The land surrounding the tracks (the right of way) also belong to the railroad. We protect what we own with doors, locks, etc. The railroad can't lock the right of way or the tracks. All they can do is post a sign, and try to educate the public through programs.

I hope this helps someone understand the "why" and also the danger surrounding the tracks. [;)]

[Anonymous]

A while back, a local retail chain sent out a catalog which contained a lot of pictures of their models standing and sitting on railroad tracks. The very shiny rails gave evidence to the fact that they were shooting on an active line. Several photos, which I found most offensive, were taken on a bridge, with one models foot between the running rail and the guard rail. I took the time to write a letter to the advertising dept of the retailer and explained what I thought were some very significant errors in judgement. I asked if they knew that they were trespassing. I asked how they would feel if someone from the RR trespassed on the store's property to take advertising photos for the RR. I asked if they realized the danger of the things that they were doing. I asked if they thought that this depicted proper examples of behavior to children that would see their catalog. I actually got a nice reply letter back where they acknowledged my concerns and in which they indicated that they would be having a conversation with the person that sets up sites for photo shoots. I guess sometimes it a pays to point out tresspassing.

[Anonymous]

A while back, a local retail chain sent out a catalog which contained a lot of pictures of their models standing and sitting on railroad tracks. The very shiny rails gave evidence to the fact that they were shooting on an active line. Several photos, which I found most offensive, were taken on a bridge, with one models foot between the running rail and the guard rail. I took the time to write a letter to the advertising dept of the retailer and explained what I thought were some very significant errors in judgement. I asked if they knew that they were trespassing. I asked how they would feel if someone from the RR trespassed on the store's property to take advertising photos for the RR. I asked if they realized the danger of the things that they were doing. I asked if they thought that this depicted proper examples of behavior to children that would see their catalog. I actually got a nice reply letter back where they acknowledged my concerns and in which they indicated that they would be having a conversation with the person that sets up sites for photo shoots. I guess sometimes it a pays to point out tresspassing.

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dblstack

A while back, a local retail chain sent out a catalog which contained a lot of pictures of their models standing and sitting on railroad tracks.

This reminds me of a CD I have. I got it out to listen to it for the first time in several months the other day. There is a photo on the inside of the cover which shows the members of the band standing on some tracks (not rusty ones). Two members of the band are a married couple, and they have their two or three year old kid with them.

When I got the CD a couple years ago I thought nothing of the picture. Now after being on this forum for a couple months, I was thinking "What on earth are you people thinking, teaching your kid to stand on tracks like that?!"

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dblstack

A while back, a local retail chain sent out a catalog which contained a lot of pictures of their models standing and sitting on railroad tracks.

This reminds me of a CD I have. I got it out to listen to it for the first time in several months the other day. There is a photo on the inside of the cover which shows the members of the band standing on some tracks (not rusty ones). Two members of the band are a married couple, and they have their two or three year old kid with them.

When I got the CD a couple years ago I thought nothing of the picture. Now after being on this forum for a couple months, I was thinking "What on earth are you people thinking, teaching your kid to stand on tracks like that?!"

--Nora

[wabash1]

the other reason for not being beside a track when a train is going by is that the stuff that can fly off of the car. spings and brake shoes do come off these cars . I know everyone has seen brake shoes and springs laying track side. there are other things that come flying off these cars to. 2x4s from empty boxcars.etc. i wont go into the list of things totaly, but when these fly they dont care who they hit or what they hit. it is better to just stay away . if i could get away with it i wouldnt even be on the engine when at a meet in the siding. if they derail i will be the first one at the scean something i rather not do..

[wabash1]

the other reason for not being beside a track when a train is going by is that the stuff that can fly off of the car. spings and brake shoes do come off these cars . I know everyone has seen brake shoes and springs laying track side. there are other things that come flying off these cars to. 2x4s from empty boxcars.etc. i wont go into the list of things totaly, but when these fly they dont care who they hit or what they hit. it is better to just stay away . if i could get away with it i wouldnt even be on the engine when at a meet in the siding. if they derail i will be the first one at the scean something i rather not do..

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

the other reason for not being beside a track when a train is going by is that the stuff that can fly off of the car. spings and brake shoes do come off these cars . I know everyone has seen brake shoes and springs laying track side. there are other things that come flying off these cars to. 2x4s from empty boxcars.etc. i wont go into the list of things totaly, but when these fly they dont care who they hit or what they hit. it is better to just stay away . if i could get away with it i wouldnt even be on the engine when at a meet in the siding. if they derail i will be the first one at the scean something i rather not do..

Wabash good comments. I have read articles where items were sticking out from a railcar. These items had not fallen off but were protruding outward like a knight 's (in shinning armor) lance, and with the same deadly effect. In one article, the lance, struck an engine killing one of the crew and derailing one or both trains.

Given some of the stories I have read 100 feet might not even be safe.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

the other reason for not being beside a track when a train is going by is that the stuff that can fly off of the car. spings and brake shoes do come off these cars . I know everyone has seen brake shoes and springs laying track side. there are other things that come flying off these cars to. 2x4s from empty boxcars.etc. i wont go into the list of things totaly, but when these fly they dont care who they hit or what they hit. it is better to just stay away . if i could get away with it i wouldnt even be on the engine when at a meet in the siding. if they derail i will be the first one at the scean something i rather not do..

Wabash good comments. I have read articles where items were sticking out from a railcar. These items had not fallen off but were protruding outward like a knight 's (in shinning armor) lance, and with the same deadly effect. In one article, the lance, struck an engine killing one of the crew and derailing one or both trains.

Given some of the stories I have read 100 feet might not even be safe.

[vsmith]

Back when ol' Misery, I mean Missouri would past his rants here I would always counter with a little fact that happens down here with all to common regularity (about once a year).

Joggers/walkers that are running/jogging/walking ON the tracks (not next to them) while WEARING HEADPHONES usually with the volumn so high it drowns out all outside distractions, you know, cars, signals, TRAINHORNS.

these Darwin Award winners get splattered form behind and then their families try to sue even though there are "no trespassing" sign and increasingly fenced off ROWs so the only way onto tracks is at grade crossings where you have to walk past the signs.

[vsmith]

Back when ol' Misery, I mean Missouri would past his rants here I would always counter with a little fact that happens down here with all to common regularity (about once a year).

Joggers/walkers that are running/jogging/walking ON the tracks (not next to them) while WEARING HEADPHONES usually with the volumn so high it drowns out all outside distractions, you know, cars, signals, TRAINHORNS.

these Darwin Award winners get splattered form behind and then their families try to sue even though there are "no trespassing" sign and increasingly fenced off ROWs so the only way onto tracks is at grade crossings where you have to walk past the signs.

[Anonymous]

Guy's your forgetting something important here. Some of the best Rabbit hunting spots I have are along railroad track's. Sorry, 100 ft. rule, I plan on breaking.
TIM A.

[Anonymous]

Guy's your forgetting something important here. Some of the best Rabbit hunting spots I have are along railroad track's. Sorry, 100 ft. rule, I plan on breaking.
TIM A.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



Now there are always people who know the rules and who do know better. They still choose to not follow the rules. That is why we have rules enforcement ie police, game wardens, etc.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



Now there are always people who know the rules and who do know better. They still choose to not follow the rules. That is why we have rules enforcement ie police, game wardens, etc.

[ironhorseman]

"Second Verse, Same As The First..."
-Herman's Hermits

100ft right-of-way? Must only be in Alaska. Around here in town the the houses that sit along side the right of way are less than 100ft, maybe less than 70ft. The home owner's fences butt up against the RR property. The depot's platform is right next to the tracks, about 10ft. And the trains travel 50mph through town. Out in the country the barbed wire fences are less than 50ft from the rails. Some roads parallel the tracks less than 50ft. away. And the speed limit for trains in the country is higher: 60-70mph.

I suggest we issue 100ft tape measure to every human being on the planet, all 6 billion+. That way if there's ever even a remote possiblity that they might someday be anywhere near some RR tracks then they can measure off the distance so they know to be safe. Also we'll include classes on tape meaure use and general RR safety. Then we can bulldoze all houses and building within 100ft on either side of the tracks.

Seriously, has anyone heard of the 100ft rule before reading this thread? My guess is a majority will say no and an even greater majority won't even read this thread. Even still an even greater majority won't even visit this fourm or website and will remain completely unknowledgable of this "new found" law.

I tied to get the point across earlier this month with my "STAY OFF THE TRACKS POST." I engaged those teenagers that were sitting between the rails as a fast freight was less than a mile away. That kid saw the train, was looking right at it, and laughing. They saw me coming and run away. They knew they had been caught doing wrong and therefore had a guilty conscious. I still followed them and told them dangers anyway without degrading them or humilating them. Who knows, maybe my intervention will lead to prevention of a future incident. Or maybe not. It was still worth it. They probably told all their friends later that some geek was giving them a geeky lecture on stupid geeky RR safety. They'll laugh now but the next time they see a train or some tracks they'll remember what I told them. They'll remember how they got spotted by someone the next time they read or hear about a person getting hit by train while being on the tracks. They'll remember the next time they see a public service annoucment on TV about RR safety. Hopefully they will tell all their friends. Maybe they'll all flock the RR tracks to see this RR geek. Good, that way I can spread the message about safety even more.

The best place not to see a train is from between the rails.

[ironhorseman]

"Second Verse, Same As The First..."
-Herman's Hermits

100ft right-of-way? Must only be in Alaska. Around here in town the the houses that sit along side the right of way are less than 100ft, maybe less than 70ft. The home owner's fences butt up against the RR property. The depot's platform is right next to the tracks, about 10ft. And the trains travel 50mph through town. Out in the country the barbed wire fences are less than 50ft from the rails. Some roads parallel the tracks less than 50ft. away. And the speed limit for trains in the country is higher: 60-70mph.

I suggest we issue 100ft tape measure to every human being on the planet, all 6 billion+. That way if there's ever even a remote possiblity that they might someday be anywhere near some RR tracks then they can measure off the distance so they know to be safe. Also we'll include classes on tape meaure use and general RR safety. Then we can bulldoze all houses and building within 100ft on either side of the tracks.

Seriously, has anyone heard of the 100ft rule before reading this thread? My guess is a majority will say no and an even greater majority won't even read this thread. Even still an even greater majority won't even visit this fourm or website and will remain completely unknowledgable of this "new found" law.

I tied to get the point across earlier this month with my "STAY OFF THE TRACKS POST." I engaged those teenagers that were sitting between the rails as a fast freight was less than a mile away. That kid saw the train, was looking right at it, and laughing. They saw me coming and run away. They knew they had been caught doing wrong and therefore had a guilty conscious. I still followed them and told them dangers anyway without degrading them or humilating them. Who knows, maybe my intervention will lead to prevention of a future incident. Or maybe not. It was still worth it. They probably told all their friends later that some geek was giving them a geeky lecture on stupid geeky RR safety. They'll laugh now but the next time they see a train or some tracks they'll remember what I told them. They'll remember how they got spotted by someone the next time they read or hear about a person getting hit by train while being on the tracks. They'll remember the next time they see a public service annoucment on TV about RR safety. Hopefully they will tell all their friends. Maybe they'll all flock the RR tracks to see this RR geek. Good, that way I can spread the message about safety even more.

The best place not to see a train is from between the rails.

[David3]

When will people learn that railroads put them NO TRESSPASSING signs up for a reason, I hate those morons that just don't listen to what anybody tells them[:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]

[David3]

When will people learn that railroads put them NO TRESSPASSING signs up for a reason, I hate those morons that just don't listen to what anybody tells them[:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]