I was inspecting some ROW that had been bought by the local transit agency when a city officer came up and was a little agressive about being there. I had an ace in the hole. I was on the Board of Directors of the transit agency which owned the ROW and showed the officer my ID. He was apologetic and I thanked him for helping to protect the transit agency’s property. He was only doing his job as a neighbor had called about a “tresspasser”. This was before 9-11.
Ivisitthe Auburn,WA yard of BNSF regularly and have never been bothered. I’ve talked to some of the mow people and taken pictures. I’ve talked to the shuttle vehicle driver and he just waves when he see me. When I railfan on Stevens and Stampede Passes, most of the engineers and conductors are friendly and talkative. However, the other nite I chased a train on Stevens Pass in the middle of a rainy nite, catching it at 3 different places, and after the 3rd place the engineer let the dispatcher know that “a guy was “dogging” his train”. He had a very good description of my vehicle but not of my clothing. The dispatcher said he would look into it, but no one ever showed up.
Kingston Police would often come by (unless a complaint was made) but in other areas the police would get cerious to know what im doing… i’d say “I’m just waiting for a train” and they would go or ask for some ID other then that its nothin major for me.