Ok here is the Question…a little background first…before the wee Chessie Fan came along when I would get the urge to watch trains I would find a good spot to park the car and go to the bushes of the carshop and peek thru the bushes or sneak around to catch pictures of the trains…Now that Ive got the wee one in tow (he is 6) what can I do to insure that we dont have to do a peek &dash …can I go to the carshop and ask to take pictures ? Do I need to make an appointment? that are the propper steps to take so that we can do this on a regular basis… Any input will help…just stumped about the legal way to do this.[:)]
Thanks Chessie13
Get ahold of the operations staff (usually includes Security), and ask them what they will allow you to do. Then, if you think it will help, ask to meet them and introduce yourself and the wee one. That’ll break the ice, and set you up for many weeks of uninterrupted fun (minus a few spot check-ups by security staff, maybe).
If my suggestions are impractical due to distances, and if the Company ops staff are not helpful, your recourse is the local police. They’ll tell you what you have the right to do.
Ask the staff for permission to tour the area. The worst they can do is say no. If you find the highest person, you may get bonuses. Like, when the Loram grinding train came to Sykeville, the Crew Chief let me in the cab. It was fun, you can see pictures of it at www.freewebs.com/trainfreak409.
It never hurts to ask.
~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~
Bottom line: you can eyeball and/or take pictures from anywhere on public property. If questioned by PROPER authority state your intersts. Having a tyke along should greatly reduce any suspicions. Ufortunately the same tyke will greatly complicate getting permission to roam RR property. Even RRs willing to allow access (w/ signiture on release form) would be hesitant about grammer school age tykes.
I just find a public city street,county road or a minor state highway and park out of the way and railfan…I also use a restaurant or store’s parking lot if I can after getting permission.In other words why play peek a boo though the bushes?
Looky here…At Bellevue there are several places to observe NS’s Bellevue yards including a county road that ends by Ranger Tower.By going to the RR YMCA you can view the hump action.All one needs is to scout around and find a nice spot.
Now due to todays crazy lawsuits I truly doubt you get any type of permission to trespass on a major railroad…A short line usually gives you a pass AFTER you sign a release form releasing them form any injuries or death.
When i am railfaning and i got to go i will hit the bushes.
Some rail shops/yard might allow public access, but may require steel toed boots, hard hats and sometimes safety goggles and high visibility vests. No doubt overkill, but they are trying to protect themselves. So this could rule out allowing children.
Bob Boudreau
Maybe I’m lucky I got to keep my hard hat, steel toed boots and safety glasses when I retired (personal items, the company didn’t want them back). How about a long lens and a tripod? That’s why I bought a digital camera with a 10X optical zoom and a 3X digital zoom over that (equivalent to about 300mm & 1000 mm on a 35 mm SLR).
After being invited to see 2816 last year, CPR wanted me to bring steel toed & soled footwear & they supplied the visibility vest & safety glasses.
I still have them as they didn’t want them back.
I didn’t push my luck, I stayed in the employee parking lot in Toronto Yard which was amazing as there as an almost steady parade of locomotives coming & going at a slow speed right by me.
When I asked about being able to come back, they were hesitant about it but gave me the proper protocol to ask for the yard master before coming onto the property for permission.
Gordon
Q.E.D.