I just read in the Newswire that CN is adopting a zero tolerance policy for tresspassers and CN police will be out in force to support the new policy. If you guys plan on railfanning the CN, you had better make sure you, your car, your camera and anything else are firmly on public ground when out railfanning.
Be safe out there!
BNSF has adopted that policy, too. They want you no more than 100 feet near any rails.
I tore up my watch and report card they gave me.
Any idea what prompted the added police patrols? I visit the CN diamond in Durand, Michigan periodically and it amazes me the number of people that cross the tracks–on bikes, with strollers, you name it. There’s a school nearby and in the afternoon there’s always groups of kids crossing the tracks and running around on them. Maybe not anymore…
Ross
Better to say, “firmly on ground not owned by the railroad”. There’s plenty of private land that’s owned by businesses to watch from up here in the Twin Cities, if you are considerate and ask permission.
First I have heard of this. I wonder what prompted it? Speaking of increased railroad police presence, I was out the other night, and noted an increased number of Indiana Harbor Belt police around CP LaGrange, and near Hanesworth Park in LaGrange Park. Seeing them around CP LaGrange is actually kind of routine, but seeing them sitting at Hanesworth Park is something new.
Well, I guess I will have to make sure that I am on non-railroad property when photographing.
As we have learned in the New York City area here, North Jersey to be exact, be on the lookout and don’t go on the railroad property. Though they might not want you near the tracks there’s not much they can do if you are on public property and just minding your own business. Since most of us respect the railroads and their properties we don’t have much trouble.
Two comments from my chat with the employee - he mentioned Homeland Security twice and asked if I would like it if someone came to my job and watched me? That brought a smile to my face, since I think I have heard it before - maybe on here? Guess he doesn’t watch Emergency Room and Cops - two that I can think of off the top of my head that are “watched” by the general public.
For Chicago area fans, the place to really watch out would be Broadway Street in Blue Island. I doubt that they could do much if you stay on the sidewalk, but one misstep…
Same at Griffith, Indiana.
I don’t know how they plan on enforcing it. It is hard enough to keep people out of yards let alone along a right of way somewhere. I’m not saying that they don’t mean what they say it just, I don’t see how they will be able to enforce it. If you think about it, if a crew see someone out trespassing and proceeds to call it in, by the time anyone get out there, who ever was there will be long gone.
thats just my opinion.
There are a few places here and there in Michigan where one can be 20 feet from the tracks and not be on the right of way.
The 100 feet most likely applies to places where there are switches, and most of the switches have been removed along the mainline in Michigan.
Andrew
The CN pretty laided back in the Upper part of Michigan, they let me and my family watch a few trains up close couple weekend ago at the yard in Gladstone
That’s the best route. Stay off the railroad’s property, and all arguments about what they can do to you, your camera, your car, etc. fall by the wayside.
Railroad cops and local gestapo types not withstanding, 100’ from the tracks is a nice distance for your own personal safety. That’s just barely over the length of a tri-level auto car.
I know for sure that if something falls off of a passing train, whether it be a chain, strap, piece of lumber, a box car door, truck spring, brake shoe, whatever…I’d like to be at least 100’ from it.
Anyway, the best photos generally seem to be the ones NOT taken close to the tracks.
It’s my impression that railroad rights-of-way can be up to 100 feet wide nevertheless staying at least 100’ from the nearest track is for one’s personal safety even though one might be on railroad property. Another tip is not to go too close to the crossing gate if you are the first car in line when the gate goes down.
I have no problem with the 100 foot rule. It was the “presentation” that irritated me.
It’s just the latest step as our fear based society slowly descends into the pit of paranoia.
A few months ago our local Gestapo detained a guy for a couple of hours while they investigated why he was taking pictures of tall buildings. Turned out to be a tourist. Think he will visit our fair city again?
There is a woman in my neighborhood who sits in her car on the street and watches her children at play, afraid to let them outdoors unsupervised, lest one of the predators is about.
Every shopping center has cameras covering every corner of their parking lots. Police use cameras to monitor city streets.
I personally think it’s disgusting.
At sporting events, fans who enter the field of play are subject to ejection from the ballpark. The same rules apply for railfans. I don’t think it matters if you are taking photos or not. Trespassing is trespassing. Stay in the bleachers and enjoy the game. If there are no good seats left then go find another game to watch. If you want special access, then ask for it. If you are that insistant on getting a good shot you might be surprised to find out that if you ask permission first then it might be granted.
Pete
Dumb question…how/who do you ask? I tried a few times in Fond Du Lac, WI for the CN and I always got the “stop bothering me, why are you doing it you *$&ing nut job?” reaction. Maybe I am just unlucky and get everyone on a bad day?
I find that if I can discreetly and unobtrusively approach a ‘rail’ away from the yard where he is less likely to be watched by his superior(s) s/he’s more likely to be at least polite in their responses to inquiries. That approach has gotten me some nice access, info, and pictures.
I usually don’t have problems near the CN in my area, but I don’t get too close (IMO) and always try to err on the side of caution anyway.
What about if your sitting at a passenger station? I go and watch trains with my sisters kid up at my towns passenger station on the BN racetrack