Someone tell me why railfans still get treated like we are doing something wrong. I know since 9/11 that a lot has changed as far as security and other issues, but I still think that we are a railroads best friend. I’ve been run off by railroad employees as well as local police for wanting to take photos. [:0]
I’m sure others have experienced problems also. I just move on even though I wasn’t on their property. There are some places that I never have issues with, but not many. Please share any stories you might have.[:)]
Sounds like we got another foamer.
I use the line “Hey, i like your diesel. Wanna trade?”
Usually gets a laugh and a peek in the cab.
Adrianspeeder
It seems like there has been several threads on this forum regarding this. Some people tell stories like yours. Others say they never have a problem. I guess it just depends on the RR management, RR workers, local police, or how the local citizens react to seeing someone looking at trains (some person driving by might report you) at a particular location.
Like I’ve said before, I report people if they do something wrong, like steal or trespass, for taking photos, no way!!!
I am not saying all railroaders would do this, but I am sure some would. All of my encounters with railroaders have been pleasant and I have never been told to leave by anyone.
Take a look around at this world friend, almost nobody has respect for their fellow humans. It’s a rough place!!!
Randy
The recent release of several photos taken by terrorists of American landmarks isn’t going to make life any easier for the rail photographer. In the words of Buffalo Springfield: “Paranoia strikes deep…”
Along the lines of a paraphrase I posted in another thread (“Stay there and let them wonder if you’re guilty, or run and erase all doubt.”), one might do well to be VERY conspicuous when railfanning. Of course, if somebody has decided you’re guilty, it won’t make any difference what you’re doing, but if you railfan openly, then at least it should be apparent to rational people that you have nothing to hide.
As has also been discussed, if challenged, stay calm and explain your actions. Show your log, some pictures you’ve taken, or whatever. If the local cop understands what you’re doing, you’re less likely to get hassled again. Challenge them back, and you may end up explaining the hobby to a judge…
Geez, I hate cell phones sometimes - John B. Goodcitizen sees something ‘suspicious’ and cops and firefighters are out chasing down the paperboy or a backyard barbeque.
If all else fails, move on as already suggested, or call it a day.
I’ve never been told to leave, or to not take photos, but I’m sure that it does happen sometimes.
No comment!
Railfans get no respect because of the nitwit behavior of a few, although security concerns have a lot to do with it too.
I have either been lucky or doing something right;, but that depends but so far nobody has challenged me when I have been out photographing trains. Yesterday (August 8) I went down to Orange, Va on the ex Southern.s Washington - Atlanta line, and, I waited right behind the police statiion to photgragraph the Cardinal passing through At no time was I hassled,. or
told to leave, but then again I was on public property
I understand NJ transit has been giving railroad photographers a hard time eventhough they were on public property, so much so that a group of railfans in New Jersey is trying to get the ACLU to take up the check.
I take pictures of both “active” and abandoned railroads, and have run into minor issues. In June I was in the mall parking lot at what used to be RF&P’s Potomac Yard, in Virginia. I took a couple pictures of the CSX line and Metro Rail route, but most pictures were of the approach bridges at what used to be the north end of the yard. Some guy on a bike started circling around where I was, and got on his cell phone. When I tried to go over to talk to him he bailed.
Just last weekend I was in San Bernardino, following the remnants of the Pacific Electric lines (there still are a few traces). I parked next to an abandoned mall, but in the few minutes I was away a security guard came by and told me to leave (the parking lot did not have any signs saying I couldn’t park there). I explained what I was doing and then left…
I do “railfan in plain sight” and have a car with a personalized RR plate [tip-off - foamer?]
but cooperate with guards etc.
If there are guard stations near where I want to take pictures I go ask the guards on duty first. Usually they are ok about it, but one guy said it was ok so long as I “made it quick”
I live in Toronto and quite often I nip into the Macmillan Yard to take some shots. I stay in one spot and no one seems to take issue with this, which I appreciate. They just drive right past me with sometimes a honk of the horn to disrupt my video-taping (and a laugh within the cab of the truck)
The only time I got run off was when I got close to the Diesel Shop. It was quick and painless.
I plan on working as a customs officer so depending where I am assigned I may see trains constantly. Plus I would imagine that if the railroads know I am a customs officer, they may not be so suspicious of me. But for so far, I have had no problems; mind you I haven’t tried to railfan KCS.
Tracy
First welcome to the forums. take pics leave footprints.If asked whats going on just mind your manners.sometimes its about attitude.
stay safe
Joe
Even the Mookie and the driver were approached by the police - finally! Been waiting a long time for this.
Sunday morning about 7 am - sitting in Millie reading the Sunday funnies. Two nice young police officers pulled up to see if we were ok. (actually, they probably thought we were nuts, but we were enjoying the sunrise and the funnies and the trains!) They were very gracious when the driver said he was helping his wife pursue her hobby of trainwatching. The one closest to us said he enjoyed watching trains also! Maybe, maybe not. But it was nice of them to see if we needed help and they left us to our train watching.
Police go by all the time, but usually don’t even glance our way. 'Course, it is usually a little later in the day!
Mook
That’s when all the morons come out mookie!
Be safe!
I have licence plates that say “BNSF” even though I live in Blair,Ne…What a Joke! I wanted them to say BNSF railfan. But you can ONLY have 7 letters on your plate.[banghead]
P.S. HAVE A NICE DAY!
I’ve been semi-hassled,and run off from various places over the years,but I think the most memorable,was here in Louisville several years ago. CW & I were sitting in the car on a public street and a Southern RY (before NS) officer came over to the car and wanted to know what we were doing. So we did the best thing we could do then;leave.[:)]
Interesting thread. This topic seems to be the mainstay of many discussion groups.
I have never been approached or asked what/why I was photographing trains. I have been trackside along the NEC here in Attleboro, MA. Also in Fostoria, Ohio and many hotspots in Chicago area.
I am always polite when dealing with railroad staff or the local police if needed be. In fact many times when railfanning Palmer MA over the years the local PD has asked if I had seen a suspect they were looking for.
I also have an ace up my sleeve when dealing with the local constabulary, I work in law enforcement so they usually start talking shop and leave me along.
My advise to all is simple, be polite answer the questions, they can ask you for your name and ID. Just keep the attitude in check and you should be ok, unless of a trespass or other dangerous act.
Regards
Frank San Severino
CP 198 Amtrak NEC
Attleboro, MA
hey next time through fostoria or deshler email me[:)]
stay safe
joe
I regularly parked on the gravel at the junction between the Birmingham Line and the Chattanooga line in Austell, Georgia. Not only did the local cops take no notice (as they frequently rolled past on the roads), the NS police only stopped to chat. (I suppose it helped that I was wearing a Waffle House shirt and was known to many of the boys…)
One thing about NJT: We had either NJT or Amtrak police start to run us off the platform at Newark Station in the early 1970s, with the ‘you need a permit, private property’ argument. Turns out the problem was that private detectives were photographing people on the sly, and when the rail folks allow this they can be sued for invasion of privacy (as it’s not a full ‘public place’). Once the cops realized we were high-school railfans, they let us stay… but did keep a more careful eye on what we were doing…
My guess is that there’s some sort of enforcement blitz, perhaps involving CYA for the next time something goes BOOM unexpectedly, along similar lines. It probably doesn’t help that northern New Jersey gets its share of pilfering, trespassing railfans (probably eager to sue if they slip while on the ROW?)
I grew up being from northern New Jersey and so cannot be blamed for any perceived regional bias.