Hi everybody,
Before you all get in a uproar, I am posting this in hopes of preventing anyone from getting into a sticky situation. As of today, all PTRA Police, all Port of Houston Police, all Houston Police Dept. officers and all officers of the Harris County Sherrif’s office were issued standing orders to arrest anyone on railroad property, regardless of what railroad, who can not or refuses to show a legimate ID, with photograph, that identifies them as a railroad employee. Adults are to be processed, minors are to be detained untill a guardian is present to accept custody of said minor. Our police, (PTRA) sat in on all of our job briefings today, and informed us of this. They advised us if we know any railrans, to please explain to them that they should excerise caution when doing so, and at all time stay off of railroad property. They are quite familar with most of the fans around here, and are advising them of the same. They have no leeway in who they are required to arrest. If you are on property, and dont work here, you will be arrested, period. They were issued strict instructions by the FBI, and the homeland security detail here at the Port of Houston to arrest any non-employee on property, period. Now, although this applies only to the Port of Houston, as far as I know, I would suggest to all that they carry a photo Id, your state drivers liecense should suffice, and have a contact who you can call just in case. I would also like to advise you to excerise extreme caution around yards, bridges, and any chemical plants. If you are stopped or approached by any railroad’s police officer, expect at the least to be questioned, in detail.
This advice comes from the top cop here at the Port of Houston, and he suggested that such instructions would be issued to most railroad’s police depts, but especialy those near or serving major ports and chemical complexes nationwide.
I am not trying to scare you guys away, most of you should know I like railfans, just giving you a heads up to be prepaire
You lucky dog, you…
Dont know what they have been told. If you have the division super’s card, call and ask. I did notice our cops beings cool about it, they havent given a hard time to any known fans, as long as they stay off the property. Although, we are surrounded on three side by major public roads, and most of the train watchers can park in an industries parking lot and watch. Maby a little pro active work, next time you see one of the rr cops, flag them down and ask them if where you are is ok with them? Puts them on the spot, if they say yes, then they shouldnt be able to hassle you later, if no, well, ask them where you can go. You would be surprised at how well they know the right of way, they may even give you a tip or two…
Stay Frosty,
Ed
Thanks for the heads up. The railroad that I work for, however, doesn’t issue photo ID’s. Looks like we should. Stay safe and thanks again.
emory
We got the full blown deal. And our new ones, due this month, have a magnetic encoding in them, and our locomotives will be equiped with a scanner, like the ones at gas pumps. Untill the engineer inserts his card, and leaves it in the slot, the motor will not move. It will not accept a switchmans card, only engineers. Some of the industries we serve are going to install this device at their gates, so they can record who on the railroad crew opened their gates to pull or spot cars. Oh, and our locomotives are getting a simple gps system, with data feedback, so if one does move without the cards ok, it can be remotely shut down, or if it becomes active when it shouldnt, like when someone hijacks or steals a locomotive, our security guys can shut it down.
James Bond watch out!!!
Stay Frosty,
Ed
You guys down at the Port have gone all out–but then again you have to. Stay safe down there.
emory
You too, thanks,
Ed
Ed
I work for the ns and rules state that i cant tell you what is going on here nation wide. but it is in the best intrest of the railfan to stay away from the rails. not just in the city but in the burbs to. The police are serous about this. And i would venture to say that most class 1 roads are doing the same. To put it bluntly if you normaly see someone like maintance crews or switchers rr cops and the routine has changed or they become scarice, then you should to. In short it sont matter who you are you will be arrested and detained. Treated like a criminal and spend time in the grey bar motel. just a friendly warning. the cops mean buisness.
That they most certinly do…
Stay Frosty
Ed
We have a standing GBO issued to each crew to keep a lookout for trespassers and people hanging around the tracks, in particular near bridges and tunnels. I only wished that management would come through with that 50 caliber machine gun mounted on the short hood that I requested months ago. ( Kidding)
Change that 50 to a 20mm you’ll get more range and better knock down,we too have been “offically” advised to report anyone on or near the property, In the past nothing was said if
a hobo was discovered, now they want to know about it, also “kids” playing near the tracks…call it in. jackflash
Reminds me of visiting eastern europe years ago- you could be arrested for looking at trains. the Greek’s arrested some Brit’s last year for plane spotting. Are we going down that path? I KNOW that this has a serious side, and we need to be alert, but the Bush/Ascroft/Ridge crowd are getting carried away with themselves.
Well,I dare the cops to say anything to me for railfaning…They do they will be in deep trouble…You see I can sit on my front porch and watch NS all day long…I live 5 houses down from the Sandusky line and have a nice view of the passing trains.
Thanks guys for the heads up…
Wow, this really bums me out! I have not been trackside for a couple of months now due to the cold, but have been itching to go “fanning” once teh weather warms up. We (a bunch of us for about ten years now) have been going near the BNSF main in Eola, but have been careful to park only on city streets, but I must admit we get pretty close to the tracks (I’d guess about fifty feet or so), any thoughts on whether this will cause any problems. The railroad crews, local guys and the police (I even have the business card of the BNSF division police supervisor in my wallet) know all of us by sight and have never given any of us “regulars” any hassle at all, they are a pretty good group of people and almost all wave at us as they drive by. Thoughts?
what is the railroad right-of-way on either side of the track? How many feet on either side (a Class 1 railroad thru public territory)
Depends on the road, but a safe bet would be to assume 50’. Not only should that keep yuo off property, it should keep you in a safe zone, away from debris, hanging chains, shifted loads
Ed
Hi Larry,
How is the wreck clean up going? I understand that some trailers were blown into the Sandusky Bay during the storm last week.
Greg - Cleveland
I would pay to see that…Oh nevermind I might get aressted 
Icemanmike2 Milwaukee
Well I guess this is a sobering wakeup call to all of us! Our lil RR family just might be a target to terrorist. I agree with Ed, If in doubt ask! Most people in the RR family would be more then happy to keep us out of cuffs and off of there property. Although that bridge thing kinda sucks. Realisicly, of your on a overpass (for a road) what could anyone say? I dont think its too unusual for someone to stop and watch a train. Well unless your in a tanker truck!
Icemanmike2-Milwaukee
HI
Ever since I can remember the sound of a train always caught my attention.I have always followed trains motto"take pictures leave footprints".I have found most railroad people to be friendly and just doing their jobs.CSX has also been put on high alert.As a railfan I feel it is an obligation to watch out for those employees because they have families too. I’ve seen rail defects and called them in and I’ve brought a conductor and engineer breakfast because they were stuck outside of a yard due to frozen brakes on another train.this should just be a common sense thing take pictures leave footprints.around here there are plenty of public places to take pictures of trains.
thank you
Joe