The crowd was dedicated, and the patience paid off, as PM 1225 arrived before dark. NKP 765 can be seen to the right, and to the left is 1225 with a CSX diesel in front. Oh the memories!
Great photos, Jerry, and an even better description of a wonderful afternoon. However, with your photos trending towards lovely blondes and ladies in pink T-shirts, could one draw the conclusion that you are becoming a Dirty Old Man...? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I have no problems with railfans because I'm one myself, although they have to remember that there are laws about trespassing on railway land. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Couple of stories.... Was working as switchman/helper on a day job at Eola(IL) yard(BNSF-Aurora IL). We were putting together a HIGH priority road railer train. I was in the cab with the hogger to get any switches and to unlock the derail and main line switch when we had the train put together. We were putting the train together using the road engines. CRS what the lead loco was, I think an SD-40 in BN colors, but the trailing unit was a Santa Fe Dash-9 in warbonnet. A railfan was in an industry parking lot adjacent to the tracks and with no fence. He wanted to know if there was any way we could hostle the power to get the Sante Fe unit in the lead. If his price would have been right, we might have found a way! LOL Second one, and not funny a'tall... I was working as a rear collector(brakeman) on an afternoon commuter job,summertime, nice weather, on our last EB trip to Chicago Union Station, just after sunset so it was dark. We pulled into the Riverside(IL) station and I saw two shadowy forms in the darkness at the end of the platform, I then saw a blue LED penlight give me an "Apply Airbrakes" signal. I gave the front end a washout and watched as the two figures were walking toward the locomotive down on the ROW. Now I want to know whothehell is giving me a lantern signal and why are they going to the loco! I hailed them and asked what was up. Turns out it was a couple of the local "rocket scientists" who hang around the depot and they told me that they were told that the light signal they gave me meant that they did not want to board the train. I gave them some rather terse counsel and told them to NEVER give a signal to a train again. From my retired engineers viewpoint, I appreciated fans more when they were well clear of the train(freight trains sometimes have loose parts and pieces flapping in the wind), and when they maintained full control of their children. Most of the regular fans I knew by sight and by their vehicles. If I could accomodate them for a photo or a tip for a future photo op, I would do so. My philosophy is that the serious rail hobbyist IS a valuable asset to the working railroader. Just dont act like the first syllable of the word following valuable! CT Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I actually enjoy it when they get that close....I figure if I hit them, I am doing my part to cleanse the human gene pool of nitwits.... Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Darwin award winners? I always steer clear, when out 'fanning. I prefer to be up high, on a cut, or on a ridge across fromt he tracks, to bag shots unlike anyone has seen, like so: Most times the train crews don't see my firnd and I. But I usually wear a bright ballcap, bright colors on my clothes, and the obligatory camera tripod, scanner, and a small backpack for water, food, etc. I figure if what I'm doing is making me nervous, just imagine what the hogger feels! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Hey, We get 3 days off with pay.This little vaction also includes an all expence paid trips to the schrink & NJ Transit PD. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
See, and you guys thought it was no fun to hit people...best kept secret on the rails....you guys actually have targets on your backs and you don't even know it..... Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Thanks for the cool pictures. BTW, by "on a bridge" I was referring to standing on a bridge over the ROW to take pictures. I've been told engineers from areas where people throw rocks get nervous about that. The local rail fan list had an alert yesterday. Two kids were walking the James River Trestle near Roanoke and an Amtrak had to go into full emergency to keep from hitting them. No idea if police picked them up or if they just ran off...either way I can bet they won't do that again. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Hey, We get 3 days off with pay.This little vaction also includes an all expence paid trips to the schrink & NJ Transit PD. </font>[/QUOTE]3 days??? mate your in the wrong country, we get 2 weeks. Glad to say I haven't had one yet, gone past a fair few. got blocked by one on Christmas eve last yr. don't know why they call it the festive season we had 6 fatalities in December all suicides Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Hey, We get 3 days off with pay.This little vaction also includes an all expence paid trips to the schrink & NJ Transit PD. </font>[/QUOTE]3 days??? mate your in the wrong country, we get 2 weeks. Glad to say I haven't had one yet, gone past a fair few. got blocked by one on Christmas eve last yr. don't know why they call it the festive season we had 6 fatalities in December all suicides </font>[/QUOTE]In the Northern hemisphere the winter in general and around Christmas specifcaly is a high suicide time. It is attributed to the various byproducts of a lack of sun light and agravated by everyone being festive when they are lonely etc... In the Southern Hemisphere sunlight is not an issue but the rest migtht b Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBenee.
Hey Grey One, You hit the nail on the head.That's what they told us in class.Along with"it's not IF your going to hit someone,but when". Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
In my classes, they didn't really touch on the why's but we did get that not if but when bit. All they really said was the driver would loose the air, tell you that he might have hit someone, secure the train and have a look gor them, and if they are still alive render first aid. seriously the only useful thing in the first aid kit they game me would be the amputation bags. not that I'd be touching anything...... but if they are dead, back to the cab, confirm fatality and confer with Operations as to evacuation of passengers. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
actually I thought about this after I pressed send. Didn't mean to turn this topic into one about fatalities, but in a sense I hope railfans understand when train crews get narky about there presence, not so much we think your going to blow us up, but also for your own safety, as we aren't interested in seeing anyone get hosed off the front of the train. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Ouch...that is very descriptive. It makes one visualize a personal collision from a totally different perspective. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Ouch...that is very descriptive. It makes one visualize a personal collision from a totally different perspective. </font>[/QUOTE]And you guys think it's easy. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Hey, We're not allowed to leave the cab .It's the conductors job to go back & see what's up. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
that's right, you guys stay put and we get a peek, just stay on the radio and keep the train controllers (or Dispatchers over there) informed Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Ouch...that is very descriptive. It makes one visualize a personal collision from a totally different perspective. </font>[/QUOTE]ever swatted a mosquito??? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
