okay, I’m 12 years old and just about every day i walk down to the trax to watch a ES or local. So i’m sitting there with my scanner and some lady who lives across the trax calls csx on me and now i could have to pay a huge fine. Can csx fine me even though i never did anything??? to be honest with you all i should of told the lady to mind her own *** buisness. P.S. I never got near the trax about 50ft or so and there was no signs.
if people keep doin this no kids such as myself will ever enjoy trains like they used to.[:(]
I’m 13 and i love trains. I would of told her off too. In fact, you know what you should do? Take the bill to her and say “Take this and shove it” lol, that’ll shut her up[:P]
This is probably the same type of woman who calls the police almost every day with reports of people lurking outside her house,or space aliens trampling her rose bushes[:(!].
Well, from first hand knowledge here is my advice.
First. You have to know you are in the right. Meaning, You know you are not on private property, or have permission. You are with in the safe legal limits of the trains and yards.
Second: If she approaches you again, remain completly gentleman like and polite. “I am sorry Mam’, but it is my understanding that I am not breaking any rules, therefor, can be here if I so chose.” She will yell some threat about the police. Respond to something like… “Well, Mam’ if you insist. I am sorry if you feel that is needed. If you do, I will be right here for another half hour”
Most likely, that will roast her goat more than anything else. Old busy bodies love drama. Kill that, and they have nothing on you. Plus if the cops do show up, Same deal, be polite and nice as you can. Explain. “I am sorry officer that she called you guys out. She always threatens me with this and that. It hard to ernjoy wathcing trains with harrassing me. Sorry you got dragged into this too.” Cop will probably give her a lecture and you will make and important freind.[;)]
Good luck.
John k
Perfect!!! Just perfect.
No drama, no problem except for a few minutes of a cop’s time.
I never had a problem & Im 15
these are good suggestions. i worked for a railroad contractor for a while and know some of the safety rules. amtrakid you did good by staying 50 from the track, however if you are trackside again and that lady crosses the track you can get her for trespassing on railroad property-that might teach her to mind her own business.
however IF YOU have to cross the tracks for any reason do so at a grade crossing, if 1 is not within walking distance ease up to the tracks and LOOK BOTH ways just as you would crossing the street-DO NOT step on the head (top)of the rail as it is usually very slick walk carefully then repaet on the opposire side then walk a bit faster to clear the 50ft mark
just my pennies worth
tom
NO COMMIT ON THE SUBJECT BUT I WILL SAY ONE THING SHE IS VERY MEAN.
Amtrakid,If you were simply in the street,or on the property next to CSX property you have every right to stand there all day if you wish…If however you were on their property,you were tresspassing… Remember to Stay Off RR property and you should never have a problem…Did you happen to read the article in the current issue of Trains about the 2 guys in ,I believe it was Baltimore who were just standing on the platform taking pics and were asked to leave? They had to move to the street…Happy train watching,Videomaker,Texas
You did the right thing in NOT spouting off to her. Common courtesy will get you much farther in life than running your mouth. Good job! [8D]
As for the fine, I doubt they will pursue much with you because of your age. Have fun watching trains but, because of our legal liability mess and the knee jerk overreaction to 9-11 you need to do it from public right-of-way areas, not RR property. There are times, in certain areas, where you’ll be invited to watch or even take a tour of the engine. It’s not nearly as common now as it used to be. It does still happen though…
Continue on with your Railfanning. Don’t let some cheap Dog go on and snitch on you like that. What your doing is perfectly legal. Next time that she goes and does something like that,File a complaint on her for harrassment. I mean your only 12 for God sake! I mean let’s get real now. The woman was totaly wrong. You have the right to Railfan all you want! Now go and enjoy your Hobby! Don’t let some piece of trash go and tell you other wise.
BNSFrailfan.
Guys, I’m not sure exactly how this whole thing went down, but could it be that this local that this lady had concerns for a kid’s safety? I mean, we all know railroads aren’t the safest places for a kid to be around, right? I’m just wondering if that may have been her motivation. Then again, maybe she’s just one of those people that have to be causing problems, who knows. Either way, he handled it correctly by being respectful to her.
That has happened to me once before…Some dumb@$$ lady called the cops because I was at a museum on the switch engine they have. She said it was railroad property and i said no it isnt, it is a museum. So she called the cops, they came down and she got HER FAT @$$ hauled away in a police car becauseshe called the cops for a false alarm [:D]
GOOD!
Some woman did that except she called the police because somebody was fooling around with the locomotive; turns out it was the engineer doing a look over because the motors were acting strange.
Actually I made that up but with some of thease no-life folk who have nothing better to do, I wouldn’t be surprised.
I am 14 and love trains, real, and as well as modeling (every scale)My grandparents house is right near the NS mainline, and i always sit in the Weinstien Supply companys parking lot and watch the trains go by. I was sitting there one day, and an employee came out of the building, and i thought I was i trouble, but the guy said come back whenever you want. The thing is you should find a place where people would welcome you rather than tell you off. My friend Tom from my garden railroad club went on a road trip to colorado, and a guard blew him off, but then he went to another yard, and the guard actually told him to move up further. By the way, if yoou are interested in model railroading go to this site, and you can join this club. the best part is you don’t have to have a layout, and all we talk about is trains. We welcome members in the Pennsylvania area, and in other states, and we do train shows, and other things
sorry the site is called www.sepgrs.com
I had a simialar incident down by the BNSF line. I am 13 and suppose i looked supicious with my camera and all[:D] She asked me if was going to kill myself, i thought about saying, yes, want to come?, but then politeness got the better off me so i said, no mam i just like trains and she said, a little odd isnt it?, and then i showed her my North Shore Scenic Railroad hat and told her that i worked there and knew what i was doing. She “huffed” and walked away!!
Heck, i work on and around museum locomotives and it would be very embarrassing if somebody called the cops on me for doing my job!!