DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

'Polar Express' train nearly misses striking photographer in Michigan

Micah Walker

Detroit Free Press USA TODAY NETWORK

When it comes to capturing a great photo, a rule of thumb is to get close to the subject.

But not so close that the photographer's life is at risk.

That's what happened to one photographer who was taking photos of the Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive the famous train used in the movie “Polar Express.” In a video posted to Facebook on Dec. 5 by the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office, a person is seen waiting for the train along with nine other people. While the rest of the onlookers are standing farther away, the photographer is only inches from the tracks. As the train travels toward the group, the photographer runs out of the way seconds before being struck. While the person was uninjured, the locomotive ripped the photographer's coat.

“We are very fortunate to have the legendary Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive here in Shiawassee County,” the sheriff's office said in the Facebook post. “This Christmas season, the 1225 will again be pulling coaches full of people to the 'North Pole'. Unfortunately, people don't always use good judgment when watching or photographing her along the way.

“In hopes of preventing a tragedy we ask that you watch the following video from Carland where a photographer's coat is actually ripped by the passing locomotive and remember trains overhang the tracks by at least 3 feet in both directions. For your safety, it is illegal

to be on the tracks unless you are at a designated crossing. Railroad tracks, trestles and yards are all private property where trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.”

The Pere Marquette 1225 is part of the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso. One of the institute's biggest events is its annual North Pole Express, as the Pere Marquette 1225 was featured in the popular Christmas movie, “The Polar Express.” The train rides run Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 21, and are a four-hour, round trip excursion from the Steam Railroading Institute to the nearby Village of Ashley's Country Christmas.

Passengers enjoy a one-hour train ride each way to and from Ashley, choosing one of five different classes of service. In Ashley, passengers disembark for a two-hour vintage-themed Christmas party.




The North Pole Express is among the year's biggest Steam Railroading Institute events. STEAM RAILROADING INSTITUTE

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Ahh yes, another potential Darwin Award winner!

BTW - Here is the link to a video of the incident.... https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/12/13/polar-express-train-nearly-runs-over-photographer-shiawassee-co/2637890001/

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I don't see any torn coat.

EoS_User Loc: Oshawa, Ontario Canada

If it nearly missed him, that would mean it did in fact hit him.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

So I take it the photographer was hit?

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I have always thought trains were nothing to be taken lightly. My thinking was reinforced back in the 70's when I did a coroner investigation of a person who was hit by a train and dragged for perhaps a mile before the train stopped. While walking back from the train along the tracks trying to find a body my partner and I found pieces of skull about the size of a thumbnail. That was the biggest size we found. Going farther, picking up pieces as we went we found a severed arm and then the entire body. I am not exaggerating that it appeared to be somewhat over 100 pounds of hamburger, unidentifiable as to whether male or female at the time, about 3:30 AM.

Another victim of a train in my personal experience was a well known kid in the area who had been arrested on at least one felony by me. One night he attempted to jump onto a moving train. He fell and his legs went under the wheels. Both legs amputated instantly above the ankle as I recall. I did not investigate that case.

Trains are nothing to play with but seem to be good object for people to prove their stupidity. Please be careful.

Dennis

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Today was the last train I believe. Tickets are usually sold out by June or July. I know that location.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I was there yesterday and last weekend, the Shiawase County Sheriffs are now there and have set up orange cones to keep all onlooker back thirty feet.
A favored background for the picture takers is the Carland elevator and about twenty minutes b4 the train came by they removed the one that was in view to a large ovation of cheers.
When I left I thanked both Deputies for their help as did many others. If they don’t keep the idiots at bay the train isn’t gonna make the run.

Edit: next Saturday is the last run this year, if you’re close enough it’s worth going.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

"Polar Express' train nearly runs over photographer in Shiawassee County". That title is just plain wrong! It should have read, "Stupid photographer nearly gets himself run over by the Polar Express Train while trying to get a photo of it". Don't blame the train; it is on tracks. Blamee the photographer for being so dumb to stand that close to the tracks.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I wish you could see me chuckling at your post. Don't you think the rest of us are quite capable of knowing that a train has no thought process, it is an inanimate object, so was not really trying to kill the photographer. The title is fine as is for any semi intelligent reader.

Have a wonderful day,

Dennis

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Actually if you read the title the train did hit the photographer.
It almost missed though.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I just now read the title. It says Nearly Misses. Isn't almost misses close to nearly misses. At this point what difference does it make. Am I missing something important? I also watched the video and did not see the train hit the photographer.

Dennis

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

If something nearly misses, it hit.
I nearly missed the target means I still hit it.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

It always takes one. The train has run this run for years. The people watching and taking pictures have had no restrictions. Now the police have to tell us what we can and can't do. I guess it tells us we don't have to be smart to take pictures. But, the smarter one can live to show them.