For those of you that missed it, read http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34175338/ns/world_news-europe
Do you think that this will have any impact on us here?
I would think that the main impact would be some increased focus on railroad related security issues…O.C that could mean more headaches for Railfans in some places.
You know instead of making it more headaches for us I wish that they would actually enlist railfans in helping with security. The fact is that while some railfans may do stupid things that jeopardize their personal safety on the railroad, if someone is a railfan they in no way mean any kind of harm to the railroad. There are a lot more of us than there are police or train crews - and yeah we’re all over the place when it comes to railroads.
I’m also a pilot and in general aviation that’s the way it works - we don’t discourage airport watchers or people with an interest, in fact, we invite them in and make them part of our community - and if something is “off” with someone and they are up to no good you can tell right away, and then report it. I think if that kind of reporting spirit was built with railfans it would be great for us because it would mean less hassles and more access, and it would be great for security too because there would be a lot more eyes out there looking for funny business.
I just don’t want an after an event like this for more people to look at us as part of the “problem”, because really we can be part of the solution.