Railroads to use drones???

[MassArt Images]

Here is an article for your perusal.

http://emailactivity1.ecn5.com/engin...ilID=249639132

[CSX1702]

Definitely interesting. I could see this as a use for keeping watch over high security trains or hazardous cargo trains. I do like the rule that they stay over their own infrastructure as well.

[miningcamper1]

Just saw this on Yahoo posted by "victoria":

I also don't understand how I was given a $2,000.00 fine, a year of probation and 100 hours of community service because I took a short cut and walked alongside (20 feet away from the actual tracks) a barely used set of railroad tracks for one block to get to the market to buy food for my children.

If this is true, welcome to the police state!

[CSX1702]

Originally Posted by miningcamper1

Just saw this on Yahoo posted by "victoria":

I also don't understand how I was given a $2,000.00 fine, a year of probation and 100 hours of community service because I took a short cut and walked alongside (20 feet away from the actual tracks) a barely used set of railroad tracks for one block to get to the market to buy food for my children.

If this is true, welcome to the police state!

You've got to be smarter than that.

[miningcamper1]

Originally Posted by CSX1702

You've got to be smarter than that.

She may have exaggerated, or left out other things she did wrong, but there ARE actual real-life horror stories, like the sex-on-the-beach couple in FL who could get 15 years and sex offender status for life, or teens prosecuted under the child porn laws for sexting.

And wasn't Steve Barry arrested for photographing from an Amtrak platform he had a right to be standing on?

Yet they obviously do poorly at catching the hordes of spray-paint vandals.

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by miningcamper1

She may have exaggerated, or left out other things she did wrong, but there ARE actual real-life horror stories, like the sex-on-the-beach couple in FL who could get 15 years and sex offender status for life, or teens prosecuted under the child porn laws for sexting.

And wasn't Steve Barry arrested for photographing from an Amtrak platform he had a right to be standing on?

Yet they obviously do poorly at catching the hordes of spray-paint vandals.

Not to mention the porn scene on the ballast along some UP tracks in California a few years back (to which I have all the stills). And yes, there was even a passing train! It's amazing what people can get away with and not be charged with anything, while something as simple as walking along the tracks for a brief moment can result in a huge fine and punishment.

[CSX1702]

It sounds extremely sketchy. $2,000, probation, community service because she walked 20 ft away from railroad tracks to go get her children food. Sounds like a sob story.

And if you truly do think we live in a police state I'm sorry that you have to live your life in fear everyday.

[miningcamper1]

Originally Posted by CSX1702

It sounds extremely sketchy. $2,000, probation, community service because she walked 20 ft away from railroad tracks to go get her children food. Sounds like a sob story.

And if you truly do think we live in a police state I'm sorry that you have to live your life in fear everyday.

Not wanting to be harassed while engaging in a constitutionally-protected activity is living in fear? There are good cops and bad cops. I've encountered both kinds, but too many of the latter. And the good ones ought to stop enabling the bad apples.

[CSX1702]

Btw, just had an interaction with my hometown cops tonight. I was sitting in a Dollar General parking lot waiting for a couple of NS southbounds and I knew I was going to draw the attention of the cops being it 11:30 at night. Sure enough one pulled up behind me, she came up and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was watching trains. She asked for my license and I gave it to her (Oh no! My rights!). She came back asked me to find somewhere else to watch so I left.

My rights have been infringed! I'm suing! What a terrible, terrible, police state this is!

[miningcamper1]

Poor example. You were on private property after business hours.

I was just thinking a couple hours ago that it's only lately we are warned to keep our hands in sight and be very, very careful when reaching for the ID that the cop just demanded (so as not to get shot dead).

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by CSX1702

Btw, just had an interaction with my hometown cops tonight. I was sitting in a Dollar General parking lot waiting for a couple of NS southbounds and I knew I was going to draw the attention of the cops being it 11:30 at night. Sure enough one pulled up behind me, she came up and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was watching trains. She asked for my license and I gave it to her (Oh no! My rights!). She came back asked me to find somewhere else to watch so I left.

My rights have been infringed! I'm suing! What a terrible, terrible, police state this is!

Why did she ask you to go somewhere else? Loitering?

[CSX1702]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Why did she ask you to go somewhere else? Loitering?

She said that they get calls about people in that lot. While I don't doubt that, she probably just didn't feel comfortable with me there.

[CSX1702]

Originally Posted by miningcamper1

Poor example. You were on private property after business hours.

I was just thinking a couple hours ago that it's only lately we are warned to keep our hands in sight and be very, very careful when reaching for the ID that the cop just demanded (so as not to get shot dead).

Or don't act like a nervous moron and antagonize them.

[miningcamper1]

You defend cops, I defend the Bill of Rights (all of them, not just the 2nd), which limit the power of government. My opinion of cops is formed by reading about cops, observing cops, and (unfortunately) cops in the family (two of whom were caught and punished for their criminality).

However, this conversation is more appropriate for Yahoo or Disqus. Bye!

[troy12n]

Trespassing laws on something like a railroad ROW are a farce... what I say to you people defending the police on this: GTFO...

How about you get off your donut eating asses and go out and fight some real crime you cowards...

And the prosecutor deserves some blame on this too, need some numbers to meet your quota while you plea bargain with 20 repeat offenders who are back out on the street slinging rock?

The legal system is such a fucking sham

[CSX1702]

Originally Posted by troy12n

Trespassing laws on something like a railroad ROW are a farce.

Seriously, Troy? We should let people wonder around on railroad property?

[CSX1702]

Originally Posted by troy12n

How about you get off your donut eating asses and go out and fight some real crime you cowards...

For all that is holy, I hope you are trolling. If not, you should try some of your own advice.


And go ahead and say that I don't give a fuck about the bill of rights because I support police. It doesn't make it true.

[ChrisPaul3]

lol Well this took a turn! I'd prefer that people are kept away from railroad tracks as a matter of safety more than anything else. It's amazing how many people walk between the rails, get a horn blown at them and then give a look like "hey train, what the hell are YOU doing here?".

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by CSX1702

For all that is holy, I hope you are trolling. If not, you should try some of your own advice.


And go ahead and say that I don't give a fuck about the bill of rights because I support police. It doesn't make it true.

Actually, most people I know who support the Bill of Rights and the Constitution also support the police, so you're ok.

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by ChrisPaul3

lol Well this took a turn! I'd prefer that people are kept away from railroad tracks as a matter of safety more than anything else. It's amazing how many people walk between the rails, get a horn blown at them and then give a look like "hey train, what the hell are YOU doing here?".

People should stay off roadways as a matter of safety, too. But yet, every day, millions of people walk along them and cross them safely.

[Mgoldman]

Originally Posted by JimThias

It's amazing what people can get away with and not be charged with anything, while something as simple as walking along the tracks for a brief moment can result in a huge fine and punishment.

Yup! I've seen people who were not railfans nor photographers at locations that I'd have been both tempted and envious to be at.

I remember being told the horror stories of what life was like in other countries yet now understand those stories are told about us.

You think Obama would grant amnesty for trespassing violations deemed too harsh? He has done so for crack addicts - oddly, even those who had been caught selling drugs and in possession of fire arm at the time. Go chief.

/Mitch

[ChrisPaul3]

Originally Posted by JimThias

People should stay off roadways as a matter of safety, too. But yet, every day, millions of people walk along them and cross them safely.

True but the general public, and I mean GENERAL public are much more aware of how traffic on a roadway works vs rail traffic. Some people seem oblivious to the fact that Railroads still exist. Also, people cross through trains with their bikes and stuff. I'm not talking about a train tied down in a siding somewhere, I'm talking about trains that just pulled in for a crew change while 5,000 feet back people are crawling under and over cars to get through. There is a blatant complacency on the part of the public when it comes to how dangerous that equipment is. An Engineer and Conductor can't see that far back, and if they do run somebody over they are none the wiser. I'm willing to bet those same people are more cautious when approaching traffic on a street than they are crossing through an idling freight train.

Yup! I've seen people who were not railfans nor photographers at locations that I'd have been both tempted and envious to be at.

I remember being told the horror stories of what life was like in other countries yet now understand those stories are told about us.

You think Obama would grant amnesty for trespassing violations deemed too harsh? He has done so for crack addicts - oddly, even those who had been caught selling drugs and in possession of fire arm at the time. Go chief.

Mitch, considering Obama has at least gotten the ship pointed back in the right direction in spite of a Congress and political opposition that is hell bent on obstructing ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING he tries to accomplish, I'd say he certainly doesn't deserve half of the criticism he receives on a regular basis. It's almost as if there is something about him that people hate, something about the way he looks....oh what is it? I can't quite put my finger on it. Alas, maybe we should keep politics OUT of the discussion?

[CSX1702]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Actually, most people I know who support the Bill of Rights and the Constitution also support the police, so you're ok.

Holy thread revival. Lol. But I appreciate that, sir.

Originally Posted by ChrisPaul3

lol Well this took a turn!

I let my temper get the best of me a lot. Lol.