Post by Barry on Aug 23, 2007 21:56:56 GMT -5
This article was created by my friend Nick Harts from Railpictures.net
This didnt happen to me it happend to him today. I just want everyone to see this so everyone will know how close to an end our railfanning days are.
At about 5:00 P.M., today, my dad and I were raillfanning at a rural crossing, along the CSXT spur, in Channahon. The reason we were down there is because we saw a CSXT local working.
We got off of Interstate 55 and drove down a public road, to a public, ungated crossing. We legally pulled over, off the road. There were no signs that read "CSXT property." I took out my camera and took one picture. We then waited for the train to move up a bit, so we could get a better picture. The train didn't move. We continued to wait.
Minutes later, a security officer came by and told us that they're banning photography around that area. He said that the crew of the train called us in to security and said that we were "suspicious individuals taking pictures." I kindly told the officer that I am a railfan, whose hobby is taking pictures of trains. He didn't have any problem with that and was very nice about the situation, however, he told us that we weren't going to be able to stay there.
After we left, we figured that the whole situation was over. We came home and went on with the day like we always do. At about 7:00 P.M., tonight, my dad was home on the computer. The doorbell rang and he went downstairs to answer it. A Will County Sheriff's Deputy was standing at the door. He wanted to know if we were taking pictures today, along the CSXT in Channahon. My dad kindly told the deputy that we were and that he and his son enjoy trains as a hobby. He asked my dad if we took a picture of the train. My dad told him that we did and the deputy wanted to see the picture. My dad showed him the picture and the deputy took down the train engine number. My dad was told that the FBI may be interviewing us and that the location we were at was three miles away from a refinery. The deputy was also nice about the situation. He gave us a green card that read "Suspicious Person."
My mom and I were not home at the time and got home fifteen minutes after the deputy left our house. When we got home, my dad told us the story and I couldn't believe it.
I'm currently on the phone with a friend right now as I type this and he says "It seems that these police officers take their jobs way too seriously. Why don't they go after the real terrorists for a change?"
Just wanted to share our experience with all of you. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Take care.
Nick Hart
This didnt happen to me it happend to him today. I just want everyone to see this so everyone will know how close to an end our railfanning days are.
At about 5:00 P.M., today, my dad and I were raillfanning at a rural crossing, along the CSXT spur, in Channahon. The reason we were down there is because we saw a CSXT local working.
We got off of Interstate 55 and drove down a public road, to a public, ungated crossing. We legally pulled over, off the road. There were no signs that read "CSXT property." I took out my camera and took one picture. We then waited for the train to move up a bit, so we could get a better picture. The train didn't move. We continued to wait.
Minutes later, a security officer came by and told us that they're banning photography around that area. He said that the crew of the train called us in to security and said that we were "suspicious individuals taking pictures." I kindly told the officer that I am a railfan, whose hobby is taking pictures of trains. He didn't have any problem with that and was very nice about the situation, however, he told us that we weren't going to be able to stay there.
After we left, we figured that the whole situation was over. We came home and went on with the day like we always do. At about 7:00 P.M., tonight, my dad was home on the computer. The doorbell rang and he went downstairs to answer it. A Will County Sheriff's Deputy was standing at the door. He wanted to know if we were taking pictures today, along the CSXT in Channahon. My dad kindly told the deputy that we were and that he and his son enjoy trains as a hobby. He asked my dad if we took a picture of the train. My dad told him that we did and the deputy wanted to see the picture. My dad showed him the picture and the deputy took down the train engine number. My dad was told that the FBI may be interviewing us and that the location we were at was three miles away from a refinery. The deputy was also nice about the situation. He gave us a green card that read "Suspicious Person."
My mom and I were not home at the time and got home fifteen minutes after the deputy left our house. When we got home, my dad told us the story and I couldn't believe it.
I'm currently on the phone with a friend right now as I type this and he says "It seems that these police officers take their jobs way too seriously. Why don't they go after the real terrorists for a change?"
Just wanted to share our experience with all of you. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Take care.
Nick Hart