I am usually on the MR Forum but I decided to stop over here and ask a few questions
There has been a lot of arguing over where and how you can watch trains (picture video etc) so I want to know where I am safe to legally watch the trains without getting in trouble with the railraod or the cops.???[?]
Another question. Scanner’s how much do they run$$$ and what are the frequencies used by railroads? I think my grandfather has one somewhere but I don’t remember. I hear so much about them and I wanted to try using one sometime.
OK last question. This has nothing to do about^^^^ but is Union Pacific making a George Bush paint scheme for an engine. Please don’t start a political view argument!LOL
Taking your questions in order, with short, sweet answers:
Stay off private property. This includes railroad property. This doesn’t assure that you won’t be bothered, but if you are, act civilly.
Check at Radio Shack. I can’t quote a price, because they’ve probably gone down in price since I spent a little over $100 for mine. Railroads use specific channels in the 160-162 mhz range.
Union Pacific seems to believe a roadway’s pavement edge is where their property begins. The next time I’m questioned, I plan on respectfully inquiring WHO paid for the dirt edge grading, taxpayers or stockholders. That should make any Special Agent think!
O.K., [8]I’ll send some ca***o start your defense fund.[}:)] Be glad you aren’t in the paranoia[V] capital of the nation, the northeast corridor, [:(]all the way from Richmond, VA to Boston![V] UP had not changed at all! [:(!] They were harrassing railfans from 1940(and perhaps before that) on. But, if you have the resources, go for it.[:D] By the way very few Special Agents give a [censored] about the real property line! They want you to GO AWAY,[:(!]and not return during their shift![:(!]
Don’t forget, in most states it is illegal to have a scanner in a car. There’s some paranoid excuse about using them to evade law enforcement. [}:)] The only police frequencies I have on my scanner is the RR police.[:-^] No, sir, I didn’t know you were coming. I’m just leaving.
If your local Radio Shack store does not stock scanners, you can order one from Radio Shack online. That is what I did about six or seven months ago. I got a 200 channel scanner for somewhere between 100 and 200 bucks. The Radio Shack model that I bought is the PRO-82. This scanner uses four AA batteries. I would recommend that you also purchase a couple packs of nickel-cadmium batteries, they are re-chargable.
I too, would discourage trespassing on railroad property or private property otherwise for getting pictures of locomotives or anything else. If you must, then get your shots quickly and then get your butt off the property, and FAST! If you can get pictures from a safe and out of the way location, well and good. I have done a fair amount of railroad photography from the 10th street overpass which crosses the BNSF yard in my home town, and there are other public-access points in which I would not be in the way.
Someone needs to get an American flag, fold it into a rope, and hang a Special Agent in a courtroom. Is this the land of the free, or the land of the tyrants? Railroads are a disgrace to America, and should be exposed as such.