The following message was posted on trainorders by Union Pacific's PR Director. I feel that the message speaks volumes to the changes that affect the hobby of Railfanning in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. >>In view of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, security on the railroad has been tightened. This includes restricting access to our facilities to employees only and those who have business reasons to be on the property. I would also request those who have been posting train movements on this and other boards to cease doing so. I have supported some of our employees in the past for posting train movements as it helped me, but in view of the current circumstances, I have to remind UP employees of company policy not to post company information on the internet or to participate in chat groups, leaving such dissemination to only those authorized to speak for the company. Thanks John Bromley, Union Pacific Public Affairs Be aware that situations where you used to be ignored or told to move on may now be met with citations or arrests. I'm not trying to create a panic, only to alert everyone to be much more aware to the heightened sense of security while you are out trackside. As always, be safe and be alert.
Rwemeber. while he has complete control over UP employees he has no control over you. Feel Free to post HOWEVER Use comon sense when posting about movements -Dont post Military Movements -Dont post Haz-Mat Shipments (IE Nuke Waste,ect) -Dont post Pax Specals And it might be better to post about other trains AFTER they have came not before. Trackside. Dont go near tunnels, bridges or other major RR structures, You will most likely get a citation while STILL ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. If on a usual location not near any important structures and a cop does ask questions, follow everything he or she says and be kind. Now is not the time to argue about public property or not. Regardless the possiblity of a terroist using RR messageboards is highly unlikely, but they also said the same thing about aircraft before Sept 11 The odds might be 1 and a Million, but you still have that "1" chance that it could happen.
I have been reading this type of post here and on other boards. Why do passenger specials have to be kept secret? What is the difference between, say a UP E9 pulling some cars and the Sunset Limited? More civilians use Amtrak. What makes the UP train so special? Also, what problem comes from posting about a certain loco or such on a standard train movement that is coming? Say I post a Kodachrome SD9 will come on train XYZ from West Colton to LA. Tons of trains ply that route each day. I saw 6 Tuesday just driving to and from Pomona from Industry and was by the tracks for about 15 minutes each way. Not trying to flame, but trying to figure out waht makes reporting passenger specials or regular trains so threatening.
I really dont know I really feel split in these current times I feel it important to keep everything quite and all. but I also feel it is important to excersise my First Amendment Rights. There is no easy answer. and flame wars (like that ones currently taking place at Trainorders.) only push us farther from a answer.
I don't normally hit the UP board but this topic has been brought up all over recently. First some comments. Anybody who has been in the military, worked for the Federal Government or has had business dealings with the Federal Government, has had some type of security briefing. True, you would think that posting something innocent like a different roadname engine on your favorite rr's mainline, would not have any consequences. Most of the time this could be true. What if this engine was on the point of a train carrying some special cargo, unknown to you. Well if the bad guys knew that a special cargo was on this particular train, you just gave away it's position. The bad guys don't need the whole story at once, just bits and pieces so they can do their planning. Something may not happen right away with your information you gave, but it could be a small piece here and there that could have devastating effects. One only has to look at all the planning that went on for the WTC disaster. The recent information on the news is that the knives were planted ahead of time for certain seats on the aircraft involved and others that were grounded. As for passenger specials or even Amtrak. Well the bad guys don't discriminate against civilians do they? A passenger train derailment certainly grabs more headlines than a freight train derailment. Can you imagine the fear that would come about if that happened? People would be afraid to go anywhere. You only have to think a couple of minutes to imagine different scenarios. Also, that special may be a troop movement. As for railfanning. Be extra careful. In these times a person standing trackside with a camera is going to get a lot more attention than it used to. You are no longer some "strange duck" but instead you are a potential terrorist and heaven forbid if a train runs into trouble in that same location within few days that you were trackside. So if you do go trackside, take a friend or two, or your kids, bring some railfan and model railroad magazines, and any pictures of your layout if you got any. It would make it easier to explain your presence to the authorities who are asking you what you are doing. Face it, the WTC tragedy has changed our lives. There are a lot more fearful people out there. As Franklin Roosevelt said..."We have nothing to fear, but fear itself", we should try to keep our lives as normal as possible, but we should be more aware of others. If you see something strange trackside, you should report it too, it might help to take pictures of it too. Sorry for the long sermon. [ 27 September 2001: Message edited by: ajy6b ] [ 27 September 2001: Message edited by: ajy6b ]</p>
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Kevin Stevens: The following message was posted on trainorders by Union Pacific's PR Director. I feel that the message speaks volumes to the changes that affect the hobby of Railfanning in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. >>In view of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, security on the railroad has been tightened. This includes restricting access to our facilities to employees only and those who have business reasons to be on the property. I would also request those who have been posting train movements on this and other boards to cease doing so. I have supported some of our employees in the past for posting train movements as it helped me, but in view of the current circumstances, I have to remind UP employees of company policy not to post company information on the internet or to participate in chat groups, leaving such dissemination to only those authorized to speak for the company. Thanks John Bromley, Union Pacific Public Affairs Be aware that situations where you used to be ignored or told to move on may now be met with citations or arrests. I'm not trying to create a panic, only to alert everyone to be much more aware to the heightened sense of security while you are out trackside. As always, be safe and be alert.<hr></blockquote> [ 02 October 2001: Message edited by: Roger H ]</p>
For the time being and the safety of are railroad worker, I feel that we should follow this advise. Besides giving out that information could put are miltary service personal at risk. To are men and women in uniform good luck and god speed..
