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

Happens quite frequently. It probably didn't hurt though.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

Rusty Tracks....

Yes that may be OK.... However. Look too at the growth of vegetation on the right of way. And at the crossing sign (if any) that may read "abandoned".

Tracks that look like this are OK.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Exactly! Nice photos too.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

You are absolutely correct about the damage caused to the engineers of the trains, those who are charged with investigating a fatality, and those who clean up the scene.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Actually there is something wrong with it. The tracks and the area around the tracks are owned by the individual railroads and as such are private property. When you are in those areas, you are trespassing.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

You can not really protect yourself from a drunk driver or the actions of someone who is drunk, but you can protect yourself from being hit by a train simply by staying off the tracks.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Actually the tracks at a crossing are not public property. They are owned by the individual railroads and are still private property. That is why trains have the right of way over the crossing (vehicles and pedestrians must clear the crossing to allow the trains to pass unimpeded) and why any needed repairs or improvements to the crossing are done by the railroad.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

HOT,

I agree with your warning and the comments that are attached to your post. There is an alternative to violating the property rights of the railroad. It has everything to do with the knowledge and training the photographer has at his/her disposal.

In today's technological age all aspiring photographers could take a few lessons from Hollywood in the film and television arts and sciences, it is called a 'Green Screen'.

You did not have to turn down the opportunity to photograph the Brother and Sister at the railroad tracks.
Consider this option. Discuss all the pertinent details with the subjects, determine the location of the proposed shooting, offer any alternative locations you may be aware of, and take the subjects out to the location for visual inspection and imaginative rehearsals of the captures.
On a scheduled day meet the subjects at your studio location, place both in the desired pose in front of a green screen. Make several potential photo captures in variously discussed poses. After the indoor shooting, if it is acceptable, take the subjects out to the desired location to observe you capturing the railroad track on an acceptable sunny, or overcast day. Returning to the studio, allow the subject to go on their way while you process the photographs.

Your task now is to screen out the green screen background and copy/paste (merge) the subjects onto the railroad photos for a single composite photograph. Once you get the knack of merging with the green screen you can apply any, or all the studio captures onto any of the outdoor photos.

For those photographers who are knowledgeable about railroad scenic locations and their photo equipment you can create some very dramatic captures. Many railroad tunnels lead into the tunnel on a gentle curve and may continue the curve within the tunnel. A model can be placed in front of a tunnel opening showing the curving tracks entering the tunnel, curving thru the tunnel and showing the light at the end of the tunnel. The model can be illuminated in studio to simulate daylight sun, and positions to provide a silhouette effect.

All of this can be done with thousands of venues with no one getting in a hazardous position. Knowing locations, photo equipment, and post processing can capture a moment in time without becoming an illegal statistic.

Michael G

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Here in central PA I see many "dead" tracks as there is no connection at either end. Just several hundred feet of track on an abandoned bed.

sleepy51 Loc: Makoshika Park--Montana

I don't think they would arrest them, but they would get a hefty fine. On another note, a Policeman could not go on Railroad property till a few years ago. The railroads had their own police to handle their own situations, but they decided they could cut back staff and save a few bucks, and cover alot more ground, so they asked for the help of all Law Officers, so now anyone with a Badge can write you a ticket ( yes even a Game Warden ). While working nights on the railroad, we had a shooter run into the rail yards, and the local police could not ensue till the BN officer arrived (because of train movement and safety reasons ).Even if you run, they might still catch you, all lead engines have built-in Cameras on them now (all class I railroads by law ). I have a retired cousin in Chicago that worked for the railroad retirement board, him and his wife were on lunch hour while waiting for flashing lights at a pedestrian crossing, the train went by so they took off walking before the lights quit. They were fined $500.00 each for leaving early, pretty costly lunch. It also makes it tuff to hunt out here, our farm was adjecent to the tracks, we hunted the right of ways all the time, walking the tracks, a game warden couldn't do anything. ( Times have changed )

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

If you think you don't take ANY drugs, you must be on drugs.

ralfstinson Loc: SF Bay Area

For a photographic forum, strange that no one has pointed this out! A large object at speed (train, landing 747, etc) will not appear to be going fast when it is. It is a form of optical illusion! You won't really notice the speed until it gets close, then it may be too late to move out of the way! As a photographer, you are responsible for your own safety, and the safety of anyone you are using as a model! When you have your eye up to the viewer, you have your vision impaired, and your other senses are being ignored. I won't take a step with the camera up to my face, and if there is any danger, I will have a safety spotter next to me, and their only job is safety! Ok - pain, but serious injury or death is a bigger pain.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

They did try that in the past. If they would ban alcohol we could all get rich bootlegging!

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Excellent observation, Hal......I hope she took heed in your warning!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Frankly, that's a very heartless thing to say, equivalent to stating that naive, inexperienced or mentally handicapped people deserve to die. Charles Darwin would surely turn in his grave if he heard his name associated with such an attitude on the value of human life.