Large Scale Central

The cops are out

Prototypes
#1

Yep, big action last week on the CP system - CP Rail is one of my Google Alerts, need to know what’s happening - my friend Larry (works out of Revelstoke) was hanging out in all the usual places that are notorious. Handing out tickets at a brisk pace.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/121344959.html

Too bad I missed that; always enjoy seeing Yahoos getting nailed because they can’t read or are in too much of a hurry.

My secret recipe to video film as close as I often do: always get the clearance/permission ahead of time, always wear a high visibility vest and a day-glow hat. If necessay a hard hat and safety boots. And stay the hell out of the way, the camera will record without you sitting that close, that’s what tripods are for.

Otherwise use lots of ZOOM. :wink: :slight_smile:

#2

Hans,
We have an old UP Geep with a couple cars in tow that routinely patrols the rails around Spokane with Highway patrol cars.
It’s a sting that nabs drivers running around crossing arms or running flashing red signals.
Sneaky Bast%$^$%$#…

#3

John,

There are two ways to look at that.

a) The Railway Cops being on the job in some ways prevents the gene pool being cleaned up a bit more.

b) OTOH there’s always the hope that anyone with an IQ of 80 actually gets the message and starts acting accordingly.

From my perspective, too many of the Yahoos are responsible for all types of extra measures being taken. Having fewer of them around (see Point a) could have a beneficial effect.

Naturally as always strictly my opinion! :wink: :slight_smile:

#4

Why would anybody want to beat the train to the crossing?

It’s really hard to count the cars in the consist in the rear view mirror.

:lol:

#5

Heck, if I see a distant headlight when crossing tracks I’ve been known to make a U-turn and come back and wait for it !

#6

Most of the time if I see a train I try to drive slow enough to let the train get to the crossing first.
I have seen many idiots as railcrossings including a Garland TX fire department ambulance stopped on the ATSF tracks at a traffic light and when I was in high school the guys who hit the third locomotive, the train was a KATY freight so it wasn’t moving very fast.
Roger
Caddo Mills, TX

#7
Gary Buchanan said:
Heck, if I see a distant headlight when crossing tracks I've been known to make a U-turn and come back and wait for it !
:)
#8
Gary Buchanan said:
Heck, if I see a distant headlight when crossing tracks I've been known to make a U-turn and come back and wait for it !
Yep me too, but I hightail it to the next scenic photo/video spot. Around here that's usually within no more than 5 klicks.
#9

As an engineer for a mainline railroad, my suggestion has always been to replace the two ditchlights with surface to surface missile tubes. After the first few news reports of cars being blown off the face of the tracks, people might get the point that its dangerous to drive around gates.

Ironically, OLS has become the cause of the problem… so few car/train accidents occur anymore that most people figure there is no concern about beating the odds.

#10

Just another instance of “not soooooo smart, eh!?!”.

http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/news/Mission+train/4771190/story.html

#11

Jason, here is the solution. I work at Raytheon. We used this to get Saddam’s two princely sons with it years ago.
http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/itas/

#12

I think the railroad should implement the M.E.R.D. Magnetic Engagement Repelling Device.
Which repels object and bodies away from the tracks when trains approach these obstacles.
Of coarse the landing may be rough though.
David

#13
David Kapp said:
..... Of coarse the landing may be rough though. David
And hopefully in a drainage ditch with enough water to wake them PRONTO!
#14

Stupid comes in all sizes!

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110512/CGY_train_truck_110512/20110512/?hub=CalgaryHome

Any bets how many times that Yahoo used that same RR crossing before?