I found this on UP's website. I've never heard about anything like this before. Very interesting. "Officer on the Train" is part of the Operation Lifesaver program where police officers ride on trains to observe motorist behavior at highway-railroad grade crossings. If a motorist violates the grade crossing traffic laws, the police officer on the train radios to an officer near the crossing, who can issue the motorist a citation. Anybody hear about this before? "officer on a train" has gone through Council Bluffs, IA, Houston, TX, Cedar Rapids, IA, Superior, WI, and many other cities. Beware ------------------ Drew Wisconsin Central Ltd.
He must be in the head end how else can he see anything. At normal speed can he see the tag of the auto???? ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Chris, Good question. How they do it, I don't know. I'm not so sure if it's helping stop grade-crossing accidents anyway. I mean, sure, they may be able to fine a motorists who goes aorund the gates, but if the train's gonna hit a car, it's gonna hit a car. It's not gonna matter if they's an officer inside. I will do some more research on the topic. ------------------ Drew Wisconsin Central Ltd.
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA, July 11 -- Site of the first "officer on the train" program. Law enforcement representatives from Union Pacific Railroad and Oklahoma Highway Patrol today rode in the cab of a locomotive in the Muskogee area as part of a program called "Officer on the Train" and issued 10 citations and one warning to motorists for highway-railroad grade crossing violations. ---------------- It seems they're riding in a singal cab, proabbly going pretty slow so they have a better chance to see the license plate. I guess they radio to a nearby police car who issues the citation. This may make the motorists think twice next time before going around the gates. So maybe this will bring down the number of grade-crossing incidents. I hope it does, and I'll look foward to seeing the results after a year of this practice. ------------------ Drew Wisconsin Central Ltd.
Drew, The Union Pacific, in cooperation with Amtrak ran several officer on the trains in Manteca and surrinding areas. The areas included were the BNSF in Fresno,UP and BNSF in Stockton and UP through MAnteca
My guess is they have a cam corder on board for record. A paceing officer could be directed to the offender, or instand replay might show the license number to be radioed to the officers. Guessing because it is set up in areas known where this train will be traveling and at what schedule. Its a good idea. ------------------ Watash [This message has been edited by watash (edited 04 November 2000).]
They could also put up video cameras at specific grade crossings like CN did at the site of last years Amtrak collison outside Chicago. Word is, trucks still go around the gates at Burbonais, IL, so CN put up the camera. I suppose this method of an officer in the cab would probably save time and money. I wonder if they'll start the program up here in Milwaukee? ------------------ Drew WISCONSIN CENTRAL LTD.
Back in June, California Operation Lifesaver ran a similar set of specials in the Central Valley of California. The Special trains operated on both UP and BNSF lines in several towns, including Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield (I believe it operated in others as well, I just don't recall all of them). Local law enforcement would mobilize and follow the train as it moved through the towns, with officers on board the train. When an officer on the train observed an infraction, they would radio a vehicle ID and description to the following patrol units who would in turn pull over and cite the violator. After shooting the photo below of the BNSF special, I observed a Bakersfield P.D. officer with a vehicle pulled over next to a grade crossing. I only wish they would operate these specials more often, with more local promotion. ------------------ Kevin Stevens www.trainweb.org/KernJunction
Kevin, Thanks a lot. it seems a lot clearer now with your explenation and a picture. ------------------ Drew WISCONSIN CENTRAL LTD.
I work for a sheriff's office here in the great state of Oregon, and it baffles me as to how a law enforcement agency can spare the manpower to participate in a program like this. We're short handed enough that we have trouble answering all of the calls for service we get. And I haven't seen how people drive in other parts of the country, but I'm not aware of any problem we have with people driving around crossing gates and such. I've spent a good many hours near grade crossings in the last ten years or so, and I can only remember one time seeing somebody drive around lowered gates. And it seems like having unmarked cars set up near crossings would be more efficient than having one of us riding on the train. I suppose I should be thankful that we don't have the problem here, but I'm rather jealous of the officers that get to ride on trains where they do have the problem. ------------------ Mike Smith lcso_927@hotmail.com Eugene, Oregon LCSO's RailPics ~ License and registration please... "She's not really gone if her memory lives on in our hearts." Southern Pacific 1865-1996
They've done something like that here if i recall right... Of course i can't figure out either how they can justify an officer riding the train. Seems like a waste of manpower- but if it gets them away from the speed traps i'm all for it! Of course, the last time the UP and sheriffs office got together here, it resulted in the arrest of a train crew for blocking a crossing too long...
I hate to always play devil's advocate to your responses, but I did some research on this subject to offer some more in-depth information on the subject: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LCSO_927: I work for a sheriff's office here in the great state of Oregon, and it baffles me as to how a law enforcement agency can spare the manpower to participate in a program like this. We're short handed enough that we have trouble answering all of the calls for service we get.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I understand your statement, as my county (Kern) is about twice the size of Lane County in both size (8,073 sq. mi. vs. 4,620) and population (648,000 vs. 315,700), and our Sheriff's Department is also constantly short-handed and spread very thin. They probably wouldn't be able to spare the manpower for this as well. If I recall correctly, these officer on a train specials were manned by local City (Bakersfield) Police and the California Highway Patrol. As far as I know, because of the more narrow scope of these agencies jurisdictions, they do not have the manpower shortages of the County Sheriff's Office. This is probably a similar situation in Oregon. Also, this is a one day event here, and I'm sure that most officers involved are either working overtime or they are non-patrol management officers who are not usually working the streets. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> And I haven't seen how people drive in other parts of the country, but I'm not aware of any problem we have with people driving around crossing gates and such. I've spent a good many hours near grade crossings in the last ten years or so, and I can only remember one time seeing somebody drive around lowered gates.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This is a much more severe problem in California than it is in Oregon, as it is a primarily Urban problem. These specials are usually only operated in Urban areas, so in your county it would likely only happen in the Eugene/Springfield area. For comparison's sake, the population of the Bakersfield area is over 300,000 compared to about 182,000 for Eugene/Springfield. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> And it seems like having unmarked cars set up near crossings would be more efficient than having one of us riding on the train.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>While you are probably right on this one, remember that these specials are done for public awareness. Also riding the trains are local media, and the event ends up on all the local news programs and newspapers. Visibility is an important part of these programs. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> I suppose I should be thankful that we don't have the problem here, but I'm rather jealous of the officers that get to ride on trains where they do have the problem. [/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I hope you don't think that these cops riding the trains are regular street cops. Be assured that they aren't pulled from regular duty for these events. They are usually high ranking management types who probably haven't worked the streets for years. I hope you understand my response was meant to be constructive, and to offer a broader view of this program. I mean absolutely no disrespect by my statements. By the way, I have the greatest of respect for those like you who work in all public safety occupations. As a fellow public servant (I am employed by the County of Kern), I truly appreciate your service to your County and your Community. ------------------ Kevin Stevens www.trainweb.org/KernJunction [This message has been edited by Kevin Stevens (edited 29 November 2000).]
Thanks for the concise comments, Kevin. I wish the program every success. We here in England, cannot understand the mentality of those who would violate grade crossing safety. To us, it is pretty obvious that the train will always win in any collision! But all of our tracks and crossings have always been fenced, so we have never had the chance to get into bad habits. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
It unfortunately that some of us americans aren't perfect and suddenly become stupid to out run a 100 car train a that;'s cruising at 55 mph. ------------------ Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
hmmmm.do any of you know the fine for running aroung the gates and getting caught is?$500.we have a form on the engine that we fill out and also report what we saw to our dispatchers and then the railroad and i think state police go and pay the nice person a visit and then charge them $500 for the nice visit.i personally dont think it is enough if the person who did it has anyone else especially kids in the car.personally i think they should be brought up on attempted murder charges.think about it if i am close enough to the car to get its liscense plate number the car was to close to being in front of me.and after demolishing a 1984 ford crown victoria at 46 mph,i got a little more upset about the subject.if you dont ride trains everyday you dont know how many lives about end each day because people arre in too much of a hurry to wait a few minutes for a train to pass.my wife and i were comming home from her parents house the other night when we stopped for a train.i timed it and we waited a total of 56 seconds.i then explained to my wife that people die every day so they dont have to wait 56 seconds.now it really ticks me off when the poeple who do this have kids in the car with them.any way enogh ranting about this. i think it is great that the police are riding trains to witness idiots doing this and hope they catch everyone who does it.because if they dont maybe and unfortunately i might,and that isnt very pretty,not to mention what train crew members go through after hitting someone. ------------------ ed pinkley home of the pinkley taurus
Thank you for your front line perspective, Ed. My son's godfather is a 20+ year SP/UP veteran engineer out of Bakersfield, and having heard many of his recounts of accidents and near misses he has been involved in is never any fun at all. Railroad employees have the right to "rant" about this issue any time they feel like it, as it has an impact on their daily life. ------------------ Kevin Stevens www.trainweb.org/KernJunction
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kevin Stevens: I hope you understand my response was meant to be constructive, and to offer a broader view of this program. I mean absolutely no disrespect by my statements. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> No offense taken, you make some excellent points. I do, however, question if the officers used in these programs are really all that high ranking. Certainly it could be different across the country, but when we do PR type details around here, it's usually a patrol deputy that does it. My other point is that the Oregon State Police is spread even more thin than the sheriff's office right now, so they would be even less likely to participate in this kind of program. Not like California where you see a CHP officer every five miles. And thanks to our, pathetic, useless governor's new budget, Oregon is soon to have 157 fewer troopers on the road. (the moral of the story is vote Republican) ------------------ Mike Smith lcso_927@hotmail.com Eugene, Oregon LCSO's RailPics ~ License and registration please... "She's not really gone if her memory lives on in our hearts." Southern Pacific 1865-1996
609 Less Grade Crossings!!! 609 grade crossings have been closed or put under contract to close this year by BNSF. The closure of more than 600 grade crossings in a single year is believed to be a first in the railroad industry. This might just help ---Full story at BNSF forum. thread name: "-609" ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
