Has anyone ever been questioned about what they’re doing while train watching? I know that sometimes I fell like I’m being watched. Can you reccomend any places to avoid while train watching? I hate to feel suspicious when all I’m trying to do is see a few trains.
Willy
First of all Willy stay on public property like a park or a parking lot nearby.I have been told to be careful in photographing trains but most railroad workers are ok.
Always expect a train anywhere anytime also.
stay safe my young friend
joe
As Joe Koh said it as long as stay on public property there should be no problem with watching or photographing trains. I can only add you should be aware of your surroundings; if the area looks questionable it probably is. It is also well to avoid areas near military bases, defense plants, and commercial airports.
A good example I was in my old neighborhood today.Heard a Csx freight coming into town.Ran with camera to the corner.great shot of an sd40-2 at the point leading a mixed freight through town.Couldn’t get the other 4 trains I was mowing a former neighbor’s yard.
stay safe
joe
Tomorrow we are going to Fremont Nebraska to watch for trains. There is a certain spot where we like to wait and we have never had any trouble there. Still sometimes I just feel that maybe we shouldn’t be there. The location is an empty square section of land that looks like at one point it may have been a parking lot. It is next to a grade crossing and the small yard in Fremont. As I said there hasn’t been trouble and most traincrews wave when they see me. Still it just seems wrong sometimes. Considering how the area is set-up do you guys think that it is okay or should we find a new location? By the way: there is nothing that says we can’t park there, but there is nothing that says we can either.
Willy
all I can tell you is that if you take pics and leave footprints you should be ok.A guy I met in one spot parked right next to the tracks csx and the local police asked him to move. He did but he gave them a bunch of static.just mind your manners and this will help too.good luck
stay safe
Joe
Once had a city of Aurora cop stop by while we were on public property just to check things out with us…turns out he was a railfan also and we talked for about ninety minutes…he was really cool about the whole thing but I am sure he initially was checking us out and then got into conversation with us.
Much of it depends on where you are and how you behave. Most of the time I take my pictures from public crossings, station platforms, etc. The other times I’ll not push my luck and stay near the edge of the property. The handful of times that I’ve been approached by special agents, I’ve been politely asked to leave and they have been good enough to answer my questions about the property limit so I can avoid future problems.
Ok, I have no qualms about watching or pictures from public land. They ar there and I am here.
I would look at the word security from another point of view… occasionaly a train will be parked overnight it would not be hard for someone to make trouble with it. (terrorists etc) All I can say it they better not think about it. If they gas me and half of town, we will go to their paradise looking to throw them into the fires down below.
I’m happy to report that everything went fine. There was no trouble and the trains were great. All in all I saw 10 trains all moving down the main. Thanks everyone for your tips!
I’ve had the good fortune to meet the local trainmaster and sat in the middle of the road at a blocked crossing (no hassle from the cops - it’s a military installation and they were doubling out a trainload of military equipment) chatting with him for quite some time one day. Even got an invite to the local yard. I think some of the local crews have come to recognize my truck as well - red lights on my vehicle tend to lend an air of officialdom, so it’s less likely I’ll get hassled. MP’s might take offense, but I’ve got my ID’s.
If I know CSX is switching a military train or coal on the installation I’ll adjust my travels to I can check out the action.
All the more reason for railroad parks, as is being discussed elsewhere.
Has anyone ever been questioned about what they’re doing while train watching? I know that sometimes I fell like I’m being watched. Can you reccomend any places to avoid while train watching? I hate to feel suspicious when all I’m trying to do is see a few trains.
Willy
First of all Willy stay on public property like a park or a parking lot nearby.I have been told to be careful in photographing trains but most railroad workers are ok.
Always expect a train anywhere anytime also.
stay safe my young friend
joe
As Joe Koh said it as long as stay on public property there should be no problem with watching or photographing trains. I can only add you should be aware of your surroundings; if the area looks questionable it probably is. It is also well to avoid areas near military bases, defense plants, and commercial airports.
A good example I was in my old neighborhood today.Heard a Csx freight coming into town.Ran with camera to the corner.great shot of an sd40-2 at the point leading a mixed freight through town.Couldn’t get the other 4 trains I was mowing a former neighbor’s yard.
stay safe
joe
Tomorrow we are going to Fremont Nebraska to watch for trains. There is a certain spot where we like to wait and we have never had any trouble there. Still sometimes I just feel that maybe we shouldn’t be there. The location is an empty square section of land that looks like at one point it may have been a parking lot. It is next to a grade crossing and the small yard in Fremont. As I said there hasn’t been trouble and most traincrews wave when they see me. Still it just seems wrong sometimes. Considering how the area is set-up do you guys think that it is okay or should we find a new location? By the way: there is nothing that says we can’t park there, but there is nothing that says we can either.
Willy
all I can tell you is that if you take pics and leave footprints you should be ok.A guy I met in one spot parked right next to the tracks csx and the local police asked him to move. He did but he gave them a bunch of static.just mind your manners and this will help too.good luck
stay safe
Joe
Once had a city of Aurora cop stop by while we were on public property just to check things out with us…turns out he was a railfan also and we talked for about ninety minutes…he was really cool about the whole thing but I am sure he initially was checking us out and then got into conversation with us.
Much of it depends on where you are and how you behave. Most of the time I take my pictures from public crossings, station platforms, etc. The other times I’ll not push my luck and stay near the edge of the property. The handful of times that I’ve been approached by special agents, I’ve been politely asked to leave and they have been good enough to answer my questions about the property limit so I can avoid future problems.
Ok, I have no qualms about watching or pictures from public land. They ar there and I am here.
I would look at the word security from another point of view… occasionaly a train will be parked overnight it would not be hard for someone to make trouble with it. (terrorists etc) All I can say it they better not think about it. If they gas me and half of town, we will go to their paradise looking to throw them into the fires down below.