Once again this issue has reared its ugly head. I am told that there was a "foamer" in the area who was talking to the trains, usually at night. He
said he had permission from "so 'n so" to talk on the road channel. He apparently did it when Sou 630 came to town a few weeks ago. A few of the train crews *know* this guy and use his first name when he comes on the air. I don't know HOW they caught him, but the railroad cops heard(?) it, or there was someone on the steam train that didn't like it--dunno----but he was paid a "visit" at his home and warned not to do it again.
Let me emphasize: it doesn't matter WHO you think you are, unless you are an employee engaged in actual railroad work, you have NO business whatsover yapping on railroad frequencies! NONE! I can't believe that rail buffs and "foamers" become so wrought up over this stuff they actually believe they have some "connection" to the railroad, or an "employee" by virtue of giving an employee a lift, or something. I mean, you've REALLY got to be seriously dillusional (Mental case) to believe you can do this!!!!!!!
A rail foamer can get into trouble in several ways over this:
1. The obvious one is being turned in by an employee for it.
2. You can get in trouble for violating the union scope rules and causing a "time claim" which costs the railroad money and could get YOU sued in a civil action
3. By creating confusion, even wrecks, by transmitting confusing and unlawful instructions to a train: YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, NO MATTER *WHAT* YOU READ IN THOSE FAN MAGAZINES, and you are not qualified on the Rules.
4. By violating FRA safety and operating rules in the use of a unauthorized communications device.
5. By using uncertified equipment, often amateur radio equipment, to transmit on Part 90 (commercial) frequencies.
6. Any one of these, or any combination in tandem with each other.
Each of these transgressions can net you many THOUSANDS of $$$ in fines and even JAIL time. The railroad is NOT *your* toy. It has some fascinating and fun aspects, which attracts rail buffs and always has. But it is, when it comes down to it-------NONE OF YOUR BEESWAX, unless you are a stockholder!
And I must admit, while visiting Spencer recently, I saw some people whom I'd call..............well, *strange*! And you have to wonder if anyone of these were likely to go "over the top" with their hobby. I'm talking about the overboard ones, the ones with the striped overalls and Kromer caps covered with patches, fake pocket watches, red bandanas, scanners, and LOADED with cameras!
Some of them had a really strange look in their eye! LOL! For one thing, NOBODY ever dresses that way anymore, and if an employee showed up with the striped stuff on, he'd be LAUGHED off the RoW!
Railfanning is, of course, fun, and there's nothing wrong with it, But stay OFF the RR property, and OFF the company radio; you do NOT belong there!!!!!!!!
GF