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A Few Words On Trains and Photography
Feb 21, 2022 09:57:52 #
Reading many of the above.
Bottom line: Each one of us has the responsibility for our individual safety and survival, despite who owns what and whatever right of way. There is no way around it other than death. And then it is no excuse.
I sat in a interurban size streetcar that slid 20 feet on some frozen leaves on the rail. The emergency brakes were applied, which broke the little friction between the wheels and the rails. Our speed at the time, about a 300 feet per hour (approx.). Fortunately the four passengers were seated in the streetcar so no one was injured or discomforted. The barn door on the other hand did suffer serious damage. The forward pole was bent out of shape. It did shut down the line for a few days until repairs could be made to the door. Having an air horn was to "yell" at people to "get out of the way." Could not be applied at the above issue.
FWIW. In instances like the above, the best way to mitigate the results is to switch the motors into reverse briefly. It, however does not work well when there are more than one car, like a train, being affected. Many derailments are the result of the motive power being braked hard suddenly. Tractor-trailers are good examples when the tractor is braked while the trailer is not.
Bottom line: Each one of us has the responsibility for our individual safety and survival, despite who owns what and whatever right of way. There is no way around it other than death. And then it is no excuse.
I sat in a interurban size streetcar that slid 20 feet on some frozen leaves on the rail. The emergency brakes were applied, which broke the little friction between the wheels and the rails. Our speed at the time, about a 300 feet per hour (approx.). Fortunately the four passengers were seated in the streetcar so no one was injured or discomforted. The barn door on the other hand did suffer serious damage. The forward pole was bent out of shape. It did shut down the line for a few days until repairs could be made to the door. Having an air horn was to "yell" at people to "get out of the way." Could not be applied at the above issue.
FWIW. In instances like the above, the best way to mitigate the results is to switch the motors into reverse briefly. It, however does not work well when there are more than one car, like a train, being affected. Many derailments are the result of the motive power being braked hard suddenly. Tractor-trailers are good examples when the tractor is braked while the trailer is not.
Feb 21, 2022 10:03:11 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
I'm fine with reminding photographers to be cautious around trains and not trespassing in say a rail yard, but the point is that is just not the common scenario for rail crossing accidents or trains striking pedestrians.
The first photographer I really took notice of as a youth was O. Winston Link, so I have a deep admiration for the tradition of great railway photography.
The first photographer I really took notice of as a youth was O. Winston Link, so I have a deep admiration for the tradition of great railway photography.
Those great railway shots I remember were in coordination ,with permission and under the supervision of the railroad, quite a different story, to unauthorized and illegal shots.
Cheers
Feb 21, 2022 10:53:17 #
dougbev3
Loc: Pueblo, Colorado
I worked for the Santa Fe RR - BNSF for 40 years as a Conductor. Whenever there was a incident on my train , I was the one who had to start the process of getting the facts. At first , the railroad would try to help people or their families with the bills that came. When I retired , they went after the people who trespassed, wanting every dime that they cost the RR time . Crew time, track inspectors time, signal inspectors time, any one who they had to pay as well as the delay to the frieght. This will add up to more than most people have insurance for and could break you for the rest of your life. So is it or will it be worth it. Take pictures from a safe distance, but don't get on the right of way. Even if that train derailed and you were killed, you had no right to be there.
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Feb 21, 2022 10:57:05 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
When have you heard about a photographer being hit by a train vs. some idiot trying to drive around the gates (if present) or getting hung up on the tracks after trying to beat the train?
Several years ago a woman trying to video a steam engine was struck while STANDING on the end of the ties. There was video of the incident from a helicopter above that showed the woman never moved while looking through her phone until she was struck.
I worked for a railroad for 18 years and worked a number of incidents where a person or car was struck by a train. I came to the conclusion it was a matter of 'Social Darwinism' at work. If you have any doubts about how often people or cars are struck my train, go to the Operation Lifesaver website, www.oli.org. When I started with Operation Lifesaver 30 years ago, the average was a person or vehicle being hit in this country every 90 minutes. We've raised the average up to every 3 hours now.... That's progress!
Feb 21, 2022 11:02:24 #
User ID wrote:
You don’t need to physically mark the center between the rails. You just figger it’s ~2.5ft further than the nearest rail.
The problem is that ~ symbol you used. Plus or minus isn't close enough when you're trying to locate the edge of the right of way. Suppose an owner wants to build a new CMU block wall fifteen feet high hard up against the RR right of way and you guesstimate where the R/W line is +/- a couple of inches. Then a few years later another surveyor on an adjacent property discovers the new wall is encroaching 2" into the RR R/W. You would be liable as the surveyor for the cost of demolition and re-building of the wall. That's why we measure the center of both tracks in several places and draw the best line or curve we can possibly can for the centerline then go from there to establish the R/W line. In absolute honesty we often staked the line a couple of tenths (of a foot) off the R/W line to account for slopiness on the part of the guy that lays out the wall for the contractor.
Feb 21, 2022 11:05:43 #
"Mass in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an opposite or equal force". A car or truck hit by a train is not equal to the mass of a hundred car train going 30-mph and it takes a lot of work to get the scratches and blood off of the train.😜
Feb 21, 2022 11:06:35 #
I was surprised to see how many UHH members have worked on a railroad. So, although most of you already know this, I just want to point out to any newcomers that UHH does have a Train Section.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-131-1.html
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https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-131-1.html
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Feb 21, 2022 11:06:37 #
That should be obvious to everyone at a very young age and taught to children by their parents. However, not the parents who are too impatient and try to beat the train at a crossing.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting.
Feb 21, 2022 11:11:27 #
kenArchi
Loc: Seal Beach, CA
I see all this stuff on YouTube. It's insane. It's amazes me how trucks and cars really get stuck on RR tracks.
Some stuff it looks like they purposely set up the accidents.
And people tacking pictures of fast moving trains, and even push each other out of the way to get the shot!
Are there lots of lawsuits against the trains?
#$%/_^<>*%÷×÷$^_????
And those trains in India, stuffed with people, hanging on the sides, on top and even underneath.
I no longer drink coffee when I watch this stuff.
Some stuff it looks like they purposely set up the accidents.
And people tacking pictures of fast moving trains, and even push each other out of the way to get the shot!
Are there lots of lawsuits against the trains?
#$%/_^<>*%÷×÷$^_????
And those trains in India, stuffed with people, hanging on the sides, on top and even underneath.
I no longer drink coffee when I watch this stuff.
Feb 21, 2022 11:26:05 #
robertjerl wrote:
Photographers who shoot from active railroad tracks are in the running for the annual Darwin Award.
Feb 21, 2022 12:25:42 #
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Feb 21, 2022 12:31:26 #
Feb 21, 2022 12:35:11 #
Mac wrote:
I am a retired railroad worker. I worked on the th... (show quote)
Re: #1. Is there a certain amount of terrain around the rails that are train property. IOW, is there a designated area amount or RR right away. Just curious, as I don’t want to be trespassing.
Feb 21, 2022 12:41:04 #
Feb 21, 2022 13:03:01 #
Mac wrote:
I am a retired railroad worker. I worked on the th... (show quote)
Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for all this new and formerly secret information. And I always thought it was my right to cross in front of a train anytime I want.
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