Help needed desperately - Page 2

DWHonan · 03-05-2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Jackson

As for the NS 9729 pic, I was well away from the tracks on that pic. But again thanks for the concern, I will keep that in mind when trackside

Dude, gimme a break -- that's a very wide shot. There's just no way you were "well away from the tracks." Apparently you don't consider "too close" to be the same thing I do, so if you're going to continue going for shots like that... good luck and watch out for dragging tie-down straps.

stevenmwelch · 03-05-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWHonan

Dude, gimme a break -- that's a very wide shot. There's just no way you were "well away from the tracks." Apparently you don't consider "too close" to be the same thing I do, so if you're going to continue going for shots like that... good luck and watch out for dragging tie-down straps.

Agreed, way too close, and this is coming from someone who has hit trespassers before while on a train. 25 feet is the property line from the railhead.

Todd Jackson · 03-05-2009, 03:28 PM

OK, how about this one? Aside from the backlighting, what else is wrong?

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...&key=266351126

gbrozny · 03-05-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Jackson

OK, how about this one? Aside from the backlighting, what else is wrong?

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...&key=266351126

It is slightly leaning to the right. In a shot like this, your level reference is the lead engines nose door.

lock4244 · 03-05-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWHonan

Dude, gimme a break -- that's a very wide shot. There's just no way you were "well away from the tracks." Apparently you don't consider "too close" to be the same thing I do, so if you're going to continue going for shots like that... good luck and watch out for dragging tie-down straps.

Yes, it seems close, but no closer than standing on a typical station platform. Probably not a good idea, but nothing a commuter wouldn't do on an average day.

PhotoID: 213037
Photograph © Mike Lockwood

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...d=652383&key=0

Chase55671 · 03-05-2009, 09:04 PM

Hmm, I'm a fan of GIMP myself. Every photo of mine in the DB has been edited with GIMP. It's a pretty neat freeware to use.

I'd consider bumping up to a Canon XS/Nikon D40 in the future. I've got an XSi, and I love it. The SLR's are the way to go, I gurantee you'll never regret it.

Chase

stevenmwelch · 03-05-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lock4244

Yes, it seems close, but no closer than standing on a typical station platform. Probably not a good idea, but nothing a commuter wouldn't do on an average day.

It's just the fact he is trespassing, and if I were the crew, he would have been called in.

lock4244 · 03-05-2009, 09:59 PM

I don't know the area, but I'm guessing he's on a public road.

gbrozny · 03-05-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lock4244

I don't know the area, but I'm guessing he's on a public road.

There is a parking lot next to the CSX track, the pavement runs almost up to the signal for most of the lot. Then as you get closer to the grade crossing their is a big communications box, and behind that a couple poles and a billboard, my guess is he is standing next to the communications box, for me that is too close to comfort. I have something similar from that spot taken last year, I'm standing next to the box, but away from the track:

PhotoID: 217914
Photograph © Geoff Brozny

This is basically the gathering place for local railfans as well.

Todd Jackson · 03-06-2009, 02:34 AM

This just in from the Columbus Dispatch Newspaper
"Columbus police are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was hit by a train tonight on the Northwest Side.
The incident was reported shortly before 7:30 p.m., at the CSX railroad tracks just east of Kenny Road and south of Bethel Road. The tracks run behind the Fox & Hounds apartment complex, across from Weybridge Road.
No information about the person who died is available at this time."

When I first heard this news, I thought of this thread and felt the need to tell anyone that may have also heard it that it was, in fact, not me, standing too close to the tracks.

But all jokes aside, this is very sad, does anyone have any more info?

gbrozny · 03-06-2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Jackson

This just in from the Columbus Dispatch Newspaper
"Columbus police are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was hit by a train tonight on the Northwest Side.
The incident was reported shortly before 7:30 p.m., at the CSX railroad tracks just east of Kenny Road and south of Bethel Road. The tracks run behind the Fox & Hounds apartment complex, across from Weybridge Road.
No information about the person who died is available at this time."

When I first heard this news, I thought of this thread and felt the need to tell anyone that may have also heard it that it was, in fact, not me, standing too close to the tracks.

But all jokes aside, this is very sad, does anyone have any more info?

I'm glad that your OK.

You should consider joining the Central Ohio Railfan Yahoo group, someone there might post more info later, but so far what you posted above is all I have seen so far.

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/COHRailfan

Todd Jackson · 03-06-2009, 03:20 AM

Thanks Geoff, I'm already a member. That's actually where I first heard about it

CJ9553 · 03-06-2009, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenmwelch

Agreed, way too close, and this is coming from someone who has hit trespassers before while on a train. 25 feet is the property line from the railhead.

25 ft. away, like in these shots?

PhotoID: 266823
Photograph © Steven M. Welch

PhotoID: 259329
Photograph © Steven M. Welch

PhotoID: 266824
Photograph © Steven M. Welch

stevenmwelch · 03-06-2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ9553

25 ft. away, like in these shots?

PhotoID: 266823
Photograph © Steven M. Welch

Standing on the grade crossing sir, that is not trespassing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ9553

PhotoID: 259329
Photograph © Steven M. Welch

A quick call to the dispatcher asking if I had anything coming and if I could check it out for a few really helps someone out. Also helps that your house is on the right a few feet away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ9553

PhotoID: 266824
Photograph © Steven M. Welch

Again, on the grade crossing. OBVIOUSLY someone has never heard of the words "ZOOM LENS"

Nice try to get me, but it's ending up to be a FAIL.

Ween · 03-06-2009, 05:44 AM

Alright, give Todd a break. Here's a shot that was taken by a younger version of me where I was waaaaaaay too close to the tracks (but it's from a grade crossing, so I guess I wasn't trespassing, eh, Steven?):

http://paulhamus.rrpicturearchives.n....aspx?id=61391

Ween · 03-06-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Standing on the grade crossing sir, that is not trespassing.

Yes, but were you inside the crossing gates? Ooooohhhh...

stevenmwelch · 03-06-2009, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ween

Yes, but were you inside the crossing gates? Ooooohhhh...

Nope.

Standing right beside them outside of em.

Ween · 03-06-2009, 06:00 AM

Mmm hmm....I guess they put those position light signals farther away from the tracks than the crossing gates? FAIL!!!

stevenmwelch · 03-06-2009, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ween

Mmm hmm....I guess they put those position light signals farther away from the tracks than the crossing gates? FAIL!!!

No comment.

WisconsinCentral · 03-06-2009, 09:32 PM

"Standing on the grade crossing sir, that is not trespassing."

Your totally 100 % completely WRONG. If being on a grade crossing isn't trespassing, than why do people who get hit by trains get tagged with trespassing? They were on the grade crossing, right? I got talked to by a BNSF special agent for walking in front of gates when they started to activate (the train was a good 15 cars away, going about 5MPH) right as I was walking over them. That was my warning for trespassing, so indeed you are trespassing when the grade crossing is being used by the railroad.

Alec(FAIL!)

dejv · 03-06-2009, 10:40 PM

Todd and others:
Property, laws and such stuff aside, bare minimum is to stand at least two feet from loading gauge - but just in case you are 1000 % sure you won't trip, get sucked by pressure changes or fall into the profile due to other reasons. The number isn't a typo, it's a factor of safety. If you can avoid it, however, stand far enough from the track so you couldn't fall into the profile even if something goes wrong. You can soften this rule a bit if you stand in line with a signal pole, catenary support, crossing sign, etc. and you can hold it or lean on it. But always think about safety first and avoid pushing your luck. Not sure if you're not too close to the tracks? Take another step away...

Speaking as somebody who's done some work in operating track, including measurements which needed hammering two feet long pegs into ballast.

TheRoadForeman · 03-07-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejv

Todd and others:
Property, laws and such stuff aside, bare minimum is to stand at least two feet from loading gauge - but just in case you are 1000 % sure you won't trip, get sucked by pressure changes or fall into the profile due to other reasons. The number isn't a typo, it's a factor of safety. If you can avoid it, however, stand far enough from the track so you couldn't fall into the profile even if something goes wrong. You can soften this rule a bit if you stand in line with a signal pole, catenary support, crossing sign, etc. and you can hold it or lean on it. But always think about safety first and avoid pushing your luck. Not sure if you're not too close to the tracks? Take another step away...

Speaking as somebody who's done some work in operating track, including measurements which needed hammering two feet long pegs into ballast.

Sorry, the measurements you provide still indicate trespassing....

DWHonan · 03-07-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejv

bare minimum is to stand at least two feet from loading gauge

I wouldn't be caught dead standing two feet from the near rail while shooting a train. I'd be dead.

Chase55671 · 03-07-2009, 02:25 AM

Two feet is pretty crazy. If that were to derail, you'd become a tiny smudge on the ballast. I usually try to stay away from the tracks a good bit, I'd prefer not to get on the crews bad side. Besides, if you're shooting extremely close to the tracks, the photo usually looks pretty "in your face" in my opinion. The closest I get to the tracks is usually whenever I shoot my wedgies, and even at that, I'm usually a good 30-40 feet from the tracks, but still on railroad property.

As long as you stay out of the way, and aren't violating any safety hazards, I'd imagine you're fine. I'm not saying I condone trespassing, all I'm saying is, you should know your limits.

Chase

TheRoadForeman · 03-07-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase55671

Two feet is pretty crazy. If that were to derail, you'd become a tiny smudge on the ballast. I usually try to stay away from the tracks a good bit, I'd prefer not to get on the crews bad side. Besides, if you're shooting extremely close to the tracks, the photo usually looks pretty "in your face" in my opinion. The closest I get to the tracks is usually whenever I shoot my wedgies, and even at that, I'm usually a good 30-40 feet from the tracks, but still on railroad property.

As long as you stay out of the way, and aren't violating any safety hazards, I'd imagine you're fine. I'm not saying I condone trespassing, all I'm saying is, you should know your limits.

Chase

Lets put it more firm, if you are caught on my railroads property ( without permission ), expect to be " Cuffed and Stuffed ". We do not tollerate these acts for obvious reasons. If you want to take pictures on our property, just ask! Some in the past think it is their god given right to walk all over and photo everything on private property! I practice what I preach, I do not trespass to take photos.