Eastern Railroad Discussion > What's wrong with this picture?

This is a copy of the June picture in the Berlin (PA) Area Historical Society 2019 calendar. 

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This is a picture taken in 2009.

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All of us are aware that those folks, especially up on the railroad bridge, are trespassers and are in danger of being killed.  They absolutely do not belong there period and in today's world the CSX Police as well as the local police (sheriff) would be arresting all of them anywhere on that right-of-way.  Of course in today's world if one of those trespassers were to get hurt or worse killed, there are many shyster lawyers ready to pursue litigation for their families, even knowing that these victims were trespassing.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

I couldn't find any threats or pictures in the archives, but I VERY distinctly remember a couple of threads and a number of pretty blatant pictures of somebody with a tape measure checking the superelevation on the curve at Mance.

I'll sit here and listen to the crickets chirp while I wait for you to explain why that's okay.

Posted from Android

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

We were all kids at one point but- stupid is as stupid does !

Mike Bannon
St Catharines, ON

cinder Wrote:
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> This is a copy of the June picture in the Berlin
> (PA) Area Historical Society 2019 calendar.

Considering that appears to be a pre-August 1984 photo, and I could be in that photo, I'd say it's now a piece of history, and of a more tolerant time on the railroad.
It was a much easier place to access back then, the flood of 8/1984 took out the western access by vehicle, and by the 1990s, the eastern access was gated, making it a PITA to get in there. Enforcement really picked up after 1999, with more gates and aggressive special agents.
When I stayed at Earl Cummins former place in Fairhope during its last years, he told me about CSX and PSP running "sting" operations using hy-rails, and their effectiveness.
Anyone that goes there now is deserving of the $250 it will cost.

In the old days, there was stupid antics, but I do not recall fatalities at the swimming hole itself. There was injuries from falls, and once a moped was mangled by a eastbound.
Roadjob has related some tales here on TO  about this spot while riding the Sand Patch helpers during this time period. 

The picture is perfectly fine.

cinder Wrote:
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> This is a copy of the June picture in the Berlin
> (PA) Area Historical Society 2019 calendar. 

Posted from iPhone

Yes to see people on the track is a bit concerning, but those were much different times...

One thing in the photo is that they did appear to have "lookouts" at each end of the bridge watching the railroad and looking for oncoming trains...   So at least they were a little self/safety concious in that regard.   You don't see any standing on the track with headphones on (and yes, Walkmans existed by then).

Given the same freedom today you would have 10 kids standing or sitting on the track, all wearing earbuds and looking at their smarter-than-them phones, every one expecting any train would stop for them (thus none looking out for approaching trains) and within a few hours you would have one of the idiots killed and somebody trying to sue the railroad.

Oh I see what's wrong, No "boom box" portable stereo or guy playing guitar down on the rocks near the river.

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/19 09:43 by RailRat.

cinder Wrote:
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> This is a picture taken in 2009.


And how did you get that picture without trespassing yourself? The crickets are still chirping.

Posted from Android

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

Actually I believe you could hike in (like the kids did) and not "trespass".



ALCO630 Wrote:
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> cinder Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is a picture taken in 2009.
>
>
> And how did you get that picture without
> trespassing yourself? The crickets are still
> chirping.
>
> Posted from Android

No cell phones? :D

cinder Wrote:
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> This is a copy of the June picture in the Berlin
> (PA) Area Historical Society 2019 calendar. 

CGTower Wrote:
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> Actually I believe you could hike in (like the
> kids did) and not "trespass".
>
>
>
> ALCO630 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > cinder Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > This is a picture taken in 2009.
> >
> >
> > And how did you get that picture without
> > trespassing yourself? The crickets are still
> > chirping.
> >
> > Posted from Android


Not from the West end you can't.

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

Better write them all tickets then...

Think its time to let it go...they're all in their 50's now!

ALCO630 Wrote:
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> CGTower Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Actually I believe you could hike in (like the
> > kids did) and not "trespass".
> >
> >
> >
> > ALCO630 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > cinder Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > This is a picture taken in 2009.
> > >
> > >
> > > And how did you get that picture without
> > > trespassing yourself? The crickets are still
> > > chirping.
> > >
> > > Posted from Android
>
>
> Not from the West end you can't.

> Given the same freedom today you would have 10
> kids standing or sitting on the track, all wearing
> earbuds and looking at their smarter-than-them
> phones, every one expecting any train would stop
> for them (thus none looking out for approaching
> trains) and within a few hours you would have one
> of the idiots killed and somebody trying to sue
> the railroad.

I myself am in the early part of the millennial generation. I am NOT proud of it. 

I love trains in so many ways, and create artistic renditions of them. However, I respect all railroads' property, rules and my own safety. This definintion above (very accurate - sadly) makes me feel trapped and alone, having to be labled within that common culture.

Matthew



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/19 10:10 by Cumberland.

There is graffiti on the bridge--the bridge requires a repaint!

Did the auto rack clip the inside of the tunnel?? Looks awfully close..  In 84 I was happily handling the Ford Honda Izusu multi-level fleet.. thats whats wrong with the photo.  That job went to TTX..and I went on to handle scheduling coal trains for a utility,, and was happy again. 
good photo Cinder.
it was the times when the RR cops like the Library lady on Seinfel. "nobody knew her, nobody cared about her and the less we saw of her the better". BookMan. 
now the problem is the land owners.. Just asking to take a photo gets you a warning shot. times have changed..  see you in october.
dave j
 

ALCO630 Wrote:
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> And how did you get that picture without
> trespassing yourself? The crickets are still
> chirping.

Maybe becauseit is a picture from a calendar and not the poster's picture.

TAW

TAW Wrote:
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> ALCO630 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > And how did you get that picture without
> > trespassing yourself? The crickets are still
> > chirping.
>
> Maybe becauseit is a picture from a calendar and
> not the poster's picture.
>
> TAW

I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that the picture of the girl jumping into the water is not from a calendar, wouldn't you think?

Posted from Android

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

Picture is outstanding! So much to like:

Freshly painted caboose, a caboose, graffiti free boxcar, Chessie logos, kids enjoying an awesome swimming hole, conductor hanging out the window enjoying the ride. A simpler time well documented. Well done.

Posted from Android