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Caption: GO Transit's 300 series cabcars have quickly ingrained themselves into the system in the past few months. Like many recent additions to GO Transit, I am reluctantly learning to accept them as real. If anything though, the excessive white colour on the noses with the new paint scheme is what really puts the ugly out there. In the link below, you can see the original intended design for the new cabcars, which I personally didn't think was that bad.
http://www.railwaygazette.com/uploads/pics/tn_ca-gotransit-bombardier-bilevel-revised-impression.jpg
Rants aside, this is one of the many Toronto bound GO trains that is about to depart Clarkson. Although extremely difficult to see, three highball signals are visible in the distance. The signals are at Clarkson Road, Lorne Park Road and Port Credit interlocking respectively.
My intended purpose to railfan here was to catch CN 551 work Clarkson yard. However, I quickly learned over my scanner that the GO train's crew was not happy with my presence, and reported me to the RTC to have GO Transit police called. It was an annoying reminder that many GO train crews have been poorly educated on what railfans are, and why I generally avoid GO stations. I can recall several past incidents with GO employees, in which I've now been reported three times and briefly investigated once by the RCMP. I think I will return to avoiding GO stations for photography...
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Seriously Daniel? You have been reported by GO train crews to the RTC? Why would they question you unless you were doing something wrong? The RCMP too? If you were trespassing or doing something suspicious or unsafe then I would understand, but standing on a platform taking photos does NOT warrant this kind of abuse. I know we live in a different world since 9/11 and are paying a heavy price for someone elses paranoia! Sorry to hear about this problem. Yes i agree it might be best to stay off their property and take shots elsewhere.
Mostly just trying to let other railfans know to avoid it. None of the times I was trespassing, however, I know other railfans that have had the same problem. I noticed there are few station shots on here, and I can understand why. Lol. I rarely if ever have any problems with other railroads and police officers though. Seems to be just a GO thing.
Wow Daniel. Being from Clarkson I have rail fanned and taken photos there through out the Years without any problem whatsoever. Sad to hear you had problems there.
wear a blazor and hardhat next time…. “they” will be avoiding you
Well Daniel, like I said, if you being careless or unsafe I could understand their reaction, but this was not the case. That being said, it is their railroad and tracks and I guess they can do as they please. This is a post 9/11 world. Do you remember all the hassle Amtrak was giving railfans in some of the larger stations? In some parts of the Cajon Pass they put fences up for security.
On my railroad we are to report trespassers or anything we think is suspicious behaviour. I know you have been an upstanding railfan, but honestly there are some overzealous fans out there that spoil it for everyone. I have had to report them to the RTC on many ocassions.
From an engineers point of view, one of the worst things to happen is if someone dies under the wheels of your train. I know that all to well. Just always be safe.
Keep taking those pictures my friend as you are recording not only our love of trains, but our history as well!
Sounds like you just had a bad crew. Take a peak at this shot I got back in December: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=22529
Everyone in the cab is waving at us, almost every GO train we shot that day either gave us a wave or toot of their horn.
Nice shot Joe, but you were on public property where GO has no jursidiction.
Thanks for the comments. It certainly depends on the crew. I know three GO workers myself that are all very nice. Bridges are generally better shots though.
Too bad CN doesn’t run these trains like they used to. They know the difference. Next time GO Transit cops come, make sure a supervisor is with them. Works like a charm. Supervisors will hate rolling out, but they’d give the crew and the RTC a boatload of shit, since they too know the difference.
I once had that issue. Ticket Agent called the cops. Two cops came, knew the difference, looked at my photos and yelled at the ticket agent. It was not pretty. And there were people around when this was being done. I occasionally do it. Working graveyard doesn’t afford me that luxury anymore. There’s nothing they can do. You go to court, you’d win.
You’re on their property? Nothing they can do. If you paid your fare, nothing they can do.
GO Transit cops are very nice. So are the cops. Like I said, both know the difference.
@Driver8666. I can’t say i agree with your statement about how things would be different if CN was running the GO trains. I am sure it has nothing to do with who is operating the trains, but more about trespassing and a post 9/11 world where transportation hubs have been targets of terrorism.
Also GO supervisors have no jurisdiction over the RTC. The crew did what they are told to do. Period. We as rail fans may not like it, but it is the new reality.
You bought a ticket, nothing they can do? There is plenty they can do. A ticket gives you the authority to ride a train. Period.
Contrary to what you think, they and you can. Court case. Involve the legal system. Likely loss for them. Then the judge yells at them. I’ve been known to make asses out of people and sometimes an ass out of myself. But getting people to admit they made a mistake? Harder than you think. But thank God cops, GO Transit police and railroad police know the difference. The majority. They will avoid a court case at all costs. Just mention it. That works too. But that’s for the zealous people out there.
I had that problem with Amtrak trains. Crew calls the cops. Cop asked for my ID. I asked to see his Chief. He comes over and I talked with him. He knew the difference. His underling did not. See the difference? That stunt went up the Amtrak chain of command, since I knew someone that worked at Amtrak. They weren’t happy.
Train crews should be trained to know the damned f-ing difference. Ngineered does. At least not the zealous ones. Ngineered knows the difference between a safe area and a not safe area.
Training? In this case I disagree. The consensus with this photo strongly suggests disagreement.
Might be in training but here’s something I learned:
When the rules conflict with common sense, common sense shall prevail. Common sense used here? Nope. Not for the crew and the RTC.
You see where this is going? The crew and RTC should have more training. Either that or a smack upside the head. The photographer has already made an ass out of the RTC and the crew, by posting the picture that shows him standing in a SAFE area.
Sorry Driver8666 you are wrong. The crew and the RTC did exactly what they are supposed to do! You experience with Amtrak means nothing and just because you think that you would win in court dies NPT mean you would. These are VERY different times we live in.
In all due respect, the comments on here from my fellow railfans about how this all turned out does not take away from the reailty of what happened in Daniel’s case.
Do you really think the courts have time to worry about a photographer? We have bigger things to think about in our country.
Highly unlikely anyone at Amtrak management really cared or made a big deal of your incident.
Trains crews should be trained to know the f-ing difference? Who are you to say how crews and RTC’s should be trained.
I will take my 35 years of railroading over your armchair ignorance anyday!
The photographer did a great job capturing the moment, but far from making an ass out of the crew or RTC.
When the rules conflict with common sense? Rules are rules. Period.
If I see anyone doing anything stupid or unsafe to get “the shot”(yes there are stupid railfans out there)I would immediately call the RTC and report them. Period!!
I still see nothing wrong. Check your private inbox.
Sure we live in different times, but the fact that Daniel has been questioned numerous times for a lawful activity or should I say taking a photograph that we all agree is lawful, even though I spoiled the mood (and I do apologize) raises the case of possible harassment, and a possible infringing on one’s rights. That’s my view. The RCMP investigation was overboard.
GO Transit should know the difference. If they don’t, one of these days, that difference will come whether they like it or not. And that difference will end up costing them money.
You have your view and I have mine. You keep going on about rights, lawsuits and how someday it will cost them money. Unless you are the Amazing Kreskin, you or no one else can possible know the outcome of anything judicial. Since no case like this has been brought before the court, your point is moot. This subject was covered in TRAINS magazine ages ago. I encourage my fellow train lovers to keep on taking these amazing shots, just do it safely and respect the property of the railroad.
And ngineered4u, you have my respect. In more ways than one. It just dawned on me this could’ve been hashed out elsewhere. So, once again, my apologies to everyone if I spoiled the mood. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated. And thank you for knowing the difference.
Driver8666, my apologies to you too. You are indeed correct that this is not the forum to air our differences. This is a place to share our love of trains. Hopefully we have not spoiled it for everyone else. I look forward to future pictures and posts from you!
I’m glad you err’d your differences. Can I ask, after the fact, how long you were on GO station property? Anytime i’ve shot on the Clarkson platform was when I saw Railserve working the Yard or CN switching there too. But it was get in get out. There’s lots of shots up here on the Brantford platform with no apparent hassle. Maybe because the CN crew is there and you’ve got to know them? As much as I like Daniel’s shots.. the Toronto Port Lands are great! But maybe at night time there’s a little more concern? Just putting it out there? Keep shooting.. well… take those lovely shots.
I had seen it was getting a little out of hand. This is far from a schoolyard fight. We aren’t here to scare people off. I have lots of respect for ngineered4u and I’m never going to deny that. As you can see, this is neither the time nor place to air what went on.
A simple apology from both sides and you move on to better things. I made a mistake by carrying on here. And I admitted it. But now, me and ngineered4u have resolved those differences.
Now about those lights, they are keeping me up at work. Switch them off for Pete’s sake. Lol. Yes I work overnights. Not near where the photo was taken.
When I see Driver8666 out taking pictures,I won’t call the RTC. I’ll invite him up in the cab for a photo op.
Hahahaha. In a good way. I’m laughing. In a very good way.
I would be very pleased to take you up on that invite. For sure.
Woah! What happened in the comments section? Lol. I apologize, I probably shouldn’t have brought it up. I was there for about a half hour. It does seem to be night time is the biggest issue, which unfortunately is when I like railfanning the most. Nonetheless, I will carry on now. Lol.
Daniel, don’t you dare stop taking your pictures. The exchange between Driver8666 and I was out of line and should not have been posted here. It was a difference of opinion that should have been aired somewhere else. Its all good now as we are best buds
Stay the course and keep up the good work.
The photos you capture are in a moment and time that few of us get to see, including this guy who has done enough “night work” in my 35 years on the job. I may not get to the waterfront or Guildwood anymore, but I am sure glad you are there recording these moments in railroading!
I work nights. The upside of that is that I only work 20 minutes away from where I live on the TTC. And I don’t have to deal with all the crazy people during the day. And free run of the place. The bad side is that for me, it wreaks havoc on your social life, in my sense. The only day off I have to do anything all day is Friday. I have Thursday after 8am, all day Friday and Saturday up to 3pm off, the latter being I need to sleep to report to work for midnight. This is where my last post came from saying the lights are too bright
. Just to spin a little humour into it.
Daniel: Me and ngineered4u did settle our differences. All we need is to toast it with coffee. Or Pop. No drinking. lol. We have agreed, as you can see that both of us were out of line and that was supposed to be taken somewhere else.
About your photo it’s excellent. It’s an excellent photo that captures what few of us see, especially at night.
Gotta keep drinking that extra strong coffee. lol.