This should be fun...

[jettrainfan]

Well... by the name, you'd think their would be more "Action" with trains... i might drop by triskett to see how things go there.   

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,2291885

[richg]

Just a sign of the times. More modeling ideas for those who model present day Amtrak.

Rich

[jward]

they won't stop me from taking photos of trains.

[pcctrolleyII]

Its not going to stop for from taking pictures of trains neither i'll just do as i normally do. Stay away from going onto railroad property and stay on public.

[Doneldon]

There may be problems with photographing trains even while respecting private property.  The Department of Homeland Security has been increasing its attention on railroads as possible terrorist targets.  Accordingly, many hobbyists have been confronted by law enforcement, even while on public land or with a private property's owner's permission.  Railroad employees are instructed to report anyone they notice and to make a conscious effort to watch for photogs.  You're not going to do much of this without someone asking you what you are doing.

Don't get insulted or nasty if you experience this.  These folks are just doing their jobs, jobs which include protecting all of us.  So be polite, do what they ask and explain what you are up to.  If they say to go away, do it.  You can make lots of problems for yourself if you decide to get unpleasant or ignore lawful instructions.  Plus, doing that is just plain wrong.
                                                                                                                                                     -- D

[jettrainfan]

im practically known by the RTA cops, not exactly personally but they know me from where i stand. The 2 worse times was a Cleveland cop the first time they came in January of 2009 and a cop with a black car who kept going all over the place and every hour from 3-6 kept asking me when i was gonna leave. (http://media.merchantcircle.com/28059474/used%20police%20car_full.jpeg) They give me respect by not bothering me till the train has past and i return the favor so i should be fine.  

[pcctrolleyII]

At DonelDon


I've all ready had a run in this past weekend i knew he was just doing his job and i didn't get mad. I'd rather get stopped and asked for my ID then some else happen.

[jward]

this whole homeland security thing is rediculous, and doesn't stop anybody. if they truly wanted to cover their weak spots they'd be searching the container boxes that come in through our ports for example.

as an example of how rediculous the photo policies can be, you can take a photo of an amtrak train in the station, as long as you have a ticket and somebody is posed in front of the locomotive. and with camera phones everywhere do they really think they can stop people from taking photos? anybody hell bent on reconnaisance for evil purposes is going to want to be as discrete as possible, snap a couple of quick photos with their camera phone, and be on their way without anybody realizing they were there. they will NOT sit in one spot all afternoon with a cooler full of pop, some expensive camera equipment and a scanner, all in plain view......

[Colorado_Mac]

...You can make lots of problems for yourself if you decide to get unpleasant or ignore lawful instructions... 

My problem is with the UNLAWFUL instructions.

[jettrainfan]

No cops, not even the K-9 unita1 I think that this rail action gig was a bust...  

Update: as of 6:53, a cleveland cop parked for 15 minutes and left, not even saying hi.

[Doneldon]

The problem isn't so much with the trains themselves; it's the infrastructure.  Sure, blowing up a train full of people would be awful and get a lot of headlines, but what about blowing a bridge out from under a train which is carrying hazmat or radioactive waste?  Now that would be a disaster.  So you're more likely to have a confrontation out in the boonies while photographing a bridge or a dam than in town shooting pics of the Amtrak or commuter lines.  There are real risks here, although those of us who used to enjoy wide open access as long as we didn't pitch a tent between the rails in a busy yard may find today's cautious railroads to be a bit prissy.  I'm just sayin'...

                                                                                                                                                                            -- D

[jettrainfan]

As of 12:54, I finally found the true "rta cop". I was at triskett today because of my dad working till 3:30 and I figured it would pass the time. The cop and says "hey, got an I.d. on you?" Me "no" "why not?" "I'm only 14" "know your security number?" "...no" "birthday" I told him that one and asked me what I was doing. I said I was filming norfolk southern, and I've been coming for 2 years and have been asked a lot with no problem. He was shocked and lectured how it was rta's property and such. It wasn't till he got some info I had no warrents (Why would I have any???) That he calmed down and sounded a bit
embarresed. He told me aout 9.11 and suspsious bags and such, then said to call rta whenever I'm at one of their "stations". So, I'm hoping ill still be friends witht the other members of the rta cops. I think this one took it a little too far...  atleast he wasn't like the brook park cops where they say call them up or get out. And only 3 trains in 2 hours... what a bloody day   

[RAM]

Back in the late 40s early 50s when I was a teenager.  I would go anywhere in the railroad yards, and roundhouse and take pictures.  After serving in the navy and collage I moved to Kansas City in 57.  At that time I wanted to get some picture on some Santa Fe 3750 class 4-8-4s as well as an old Also passenger unit.  So I got me a clip board and went out into the yards and took pictures.  That trick would not work today.