This past Sunday, I was riding in a Superliner I sleeper roomette on #14, the northbound Coast Starlight just north of San Luis Obispo. The conductor had announced we had taken a siding for a UP freight that should be passing to our left. I got my digital camera out only to be frustrated that the batteries were dying.
The freight passed us with what appeared to be an SD70M on point, a BNSF SD40-2 in the middle, and some UP SD as the third unit. The train was mostly auto carriers but did include some tank cars and a few covered hoppers.
As I watched it pass, my eyes suddenly saw a man laying on top of one of the covered hoppers. I literally did a double-take: but I saw what I saw. He went by so fast but appeared to have dark hair and was laying face forward, holding on to some grabrails at the front part of the roof of the hopper.
I figured he was probably a joyrider but nowadays you cannot take chances. It is incumbent upon all of us to report this type of activity since in my opinion (as someone who used to work for the Pentagon) railroads are wide open targets.
So I got UP’s phone number in Omaha from my cell provider. I pressed 0 for an emergency and got some switchboard operator in their critical incident (or some other such name) center. I told him what I had seen and tried to describe where I was. We got cut off and I could not get ahold of Omaha–mountains were foiling my cell reception. So I found my car attendant, told him to get ahold of our conductor (who presumably could radio Omaha dispatch) and tell him what I had seen.
I tried Omaha again and got ahold of the same guy. The man seemed to know instinctively what freight I had seen and said it was a BNSF train! He said I should call BNSF about it.
I got the number for BNSF in Fort Worth and bypassed their phone menu to get to BNSF Police. I talked with a female BNSF officer and told her what I saw. She was completely confused and had never heard of San Luis Obispo. She sa
If they are stupid enough to hop a freight, or any train for that matter, that deserve every rule in the book that can be thrown at them. Not only are they endangering their own lives but the lives of others who may have to rescue them.
Don’t think for a minute that a railroader would turn their head for such nonsense. It is not one bit funny. They may be out for a joy ride or they could be trying to steal items from the train. Either way, I say, put them where they belong, and that is NOT on the train.
JHH I totally agree. it’s not a prank or a stunt and the public and railfans should report these incidents immediately. My point of the post though was not the act but the response. I would have hoped the railroads in question would be quicker to react then bouncing the problem back and forth between UP and BNSF.
E-O, this is a BIT different than playing ding and dive. The big problem, after the potential for terrorism (and more likely), in this country is the potential of lawsuits. Even though this rider was a prime candidate for a Darwin Award, had he been seriously injured or killed, he or his survivors would sue BNSF or UP for big bucks because he was killed or injured on their property.
Since all you are so eager to put him in the prison, why do you keep mentioning that he could be hurt? Are you saying you are concerned for his wellbeing? That can’t be true, otherwise you wouldn’t want to put him in prison.
I mean either you care for him, or you want to punish him. I’m not sure which is it the case here.
And as for terrorism, well, every age has its boogie men, 60’s had reds, 2000’s have terrorists. Every citizen of the western world is in many times more danger of being attacked by a local criminal than being hurt by a terrorist. Sure terrorism happens these days, but other crimes are 1000 times more frequent. It’s just that terrorism gets more publicity.
And as for lawsuits. I think the railroad company would easily defend itself, because only a moron would sue the railroad for getting injured after willingly climbing on cars. It is clear as a day that it’s his own fault because he is stupid
It would be a much better world if people went to so much trouble to do something pleasant to another man, instead of something that simply confirms ones beliefs about what should and what should not be.
Why not concentrate on that which is positive instead of that which is negative.
If you go and search for rotten, you’ll find rotten. If you go and search for beautifull, you’ll find beautifull.
I’d rather spend my day enjoying the nature and trains, than forcing laws on people.
BNSF4ever: You, my friend, did the right thing. Had I been in your situation, I would have done the same thing. This act of trespassing may be more common than most realize. Afterall, how do the panhandlers go from city to city? I’ve heard more than one story of a homeless man hopping a train and/or following the tracks to the next large city, once he wore out his welcome at the previous city.
E-O: It is humanly possible to be concerned about safety, but still want to punish at the same time. I hope and pray your parents cared about your safety but still punished you when you acted wrongly. As for the terrorism remark…These people could easily have been terrorists. They could have more easily been local idiots looking for a thrill, so they planned on uncoupling a car in the middle of the train, or opening a hopper hatch and throwing a match or other item in.
And I never played Ring and Run, as a child or teenager. Civilized youth are also possible…
I’m inclined to agree with E-O here, although his history may be somewhat awry.
In the 20’s and 30’s the equivalent of this post may have been made by a vigilant observer concerned that the IWW were mobilising.
I accept that your primary gripe is an apparent inability of the various Railroad officials to acknowledge your concerns, and I don’t feel qualified to comment on that.
I’m sure that as soon as Stephenson turned his back on The Rocket some indigents tried to climb aboard illegally. It just happens. For those with a less developed code of propriety, shall we say, hopping a freight is a natural option.
If you need a bibliography - Allsop, “Hard Travellin’ ( The story of the Migrant Worker )” - Pimlico 1967.
America has been worried about Communism since pre WW1. I was alluding to your suggestion that “Reds” were a 1960’s phenomenon.
You have (unless you’re under 16) lived under Communism. Railroads are an interest but my primary love is international politics so I write the above with a sense of profound awe.
Well, from this side of the pond it seems that the US cant tell the difference between vandalism and terrorism so will you please please get real.
I was working on the railways over here at the hight of the IRA campain and lost a very close workmate who was killed by them for just doing his job but we dont and still dont (remember 7/7) run about like headless chickens terrorising and harrassing railfans
If some bozo decides to trespass onto RR property and gets hurt by either a passing train or even worse, riding on a freight train then the company should prosecute to the full for damage and delay and if they cant play, stick them in the slammer.
It seems the cops (localand RR plus immigration officials) are hell bent on hassling railfans as they are easy targets yet if there is someone suspicious, they look the other way because it means they have to actually have to do something.
So before you go around saying “what does a limey know”, i’m an extremely well travelled US citizen who has chosen to live in England because i’m sick of the US phobia that “someone is out to get them”
People should not trespass on a freight train, and especially not while moving whomever they are, whether transients, railfans, or terrorists.
The railroad police forces must react quicker to reports of these kinds of situations.
Freight trains are wide open targets for any level of mischief up to and including attack.
I am sorry but I have no sympathy for a thrillseeker or transient looking for a free ride. And it has nothing to do with being out to get anyone. It has everything to do with being vigilent.