HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Every year I read about photographers and models getting killed on rail road tracks, if you must do this, please find some dead tracks, there are plenty of them around. Last year I was asked to photograph two kids on a rail road bridge (brother and sister) I refused, I could have made plenty of money for the shoot, but I refused.

NAVASOTA, Texas (AP) The mother of a 19-year-old woman says her daughter was killed when she was struck by a train while having photos taken of her on the tracks in a bid to launch a modeling career.
Hakamie Stevenson said her daughter, Fredzania Thompson, attended Blinn College in Bryan but wanted to put her education on hold to begin modeling.
Authorities say Thompson was standing between two sets of tracks Friday in Navasota when a BNSF Railway train approached.
She moved out of the way of the train but was apparently unaware that a Union Pacific train was coming in the opposite direction on the other tracks and was struck.
The person who was taking photos of Thompson was not hurt.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Sad.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I was telling someone a few weeks ago its unlawful to walk on the railroad. She said they seldom use those tracks. I told her those rails are very clean. If they were that clean and not rusty they were used every day.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Thank you for reminding us once again about the horrible tragedies that can result from such action. We are constantly having to chase singles and couples from our small switching yard. One young man thought it would be romantic to propose between the tracks with an oncoming switcher illuminating his girls face. Fortunately the engineer was going very slow and was able to stop - within 10 feet of the love struck young man. Because the engineer was so shaken, the matter was taken seriously and the young lovers spent several hours in separate holding cells. As an EMT, I have had to help clean up one person versus train incident. The train won and was able to stop within ½ mile, spreading the losers remains along its route.

If I may, I would like to take issue with one thing you wrote. THERE ARE NO DEAD TRACKS! As long as there are tracks, they may be used, if only for storage; we use one such track to park a solidly built and well locked storage for maintenance-of-way tools and supplies. The appearance of a speeder or switcher may not be noticed. Even a handcar (yeah, the kind you "pump") weighs about 1000 pounds. I have seen them reach ~25 mph; people, you will NOT win the encounter!

OutBack Loc: North Central Florida

Indeed

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Thanks, Hal, for supporting this warning. Rails commonly in use can have oil and grease on them. Do not try to walk on a rail. The standard gauge is 4' 8½". Slip the wrong way and you can die.

OK, OK, two posts and I'll shut up. You may think I am maniacally fanatic about this; you're right! You'll never know how much until you pick up and bag a piece of human flesh with gloved hands.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

Are they arresting photographers for trespassing or suing them for putting the models in danger?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

In my area, they're being warned first, then ticketed. However, an egregious offense on the main lines (tunnels, bridges, over/underpasses, etc.) can result in hefty fines. If adults are taking pictures of minors, reckless endangerment charges can and will be filed. Major consists often have one or more RR police (borderless jurisdiction) aboard.

As to trespassing, that is generally a local and minor offense. What trips people up is violation of Federal Railroad Administration safety regulations. In our area, it's hard to enforce trespassing laws when the main lines cross a major pedestrian thoroughfare. Stopping in the middle of the tracks while drunk will result in some very discourteous treatment.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Sorry to be blunt but it's called a Darwin award, or cleansing the shallow end of the gene pool.

There are no valid excuses.

"There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves." - Will Rogers

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Exactly - and why would you sue the photographer? As sad as this case is, she should have stayed in school for obvious reasons. And someone should ask the photographer what he was thinking. There are so many stupid people out there, it is unbelievable. But then again, look how many people get killed from drunk driving.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Killed themselves from driving while drunk or killed by drivers that are drunk?

There may be a small difference...

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Both! Why are we worried about a few random incidents when Alcohol in involved in deaths DAILY.

I say ban Alcohol all together. Btw, I once read that the Kennedys get 1c for each bottle of alcohol that comes to the US of A. I am just the messenger, don't shoot me if the story is not true.

Sorry about the OT.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

So you don't distinguish between the perpetrator and the victim?

If not we should probably ban all vehicles, mobile phones, firearms, and lots of other things.
This discussion began about responsibility not about banning or controlling things.

Putting this in context, are you suggesting that banning trains would address the problem?

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Why waste your time, that is what they made vultures for.
Take down the warning signs and let the trains weed out the stupid ones.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

A point, but that doesn't help the engineers or those that clean up afterwards. There is often long lasting emotional damage even if there is nothing that one could do and one was not at fault.

A squish is still a squish....