A Related Rant
Just this morning I watched a train-related segment on a Discovery Channel show, "Really Big Things". It was all about GE's Evolution Series Locos. It's an entertaining show - due to the technical aspects, of course, but also the antics of the show's host (Matt Rogers, of American Idol infamy - actually a childhood friend of my wife, btw).
Anyway, it was something that host did which got my hackles up...the intro to the segment showed him walking and talking...guess where...right down the middle of the tracks! I was taught at a very early age to NEVER EVER walk down the tracks. I don't care what stupid things kids might do that we can chalk up to the naivete of youth, but this should never be one of them.
I've seen kids around here walking along the tracks of our local shortline - a railroad with a most unpredictable schedule, and one that uses cabeese due to the number of backing moves that must be performed. With the caboose leading the train, the train doesn't make as much noise! Much easier to be caught unawares that way.
And yesterday when I was out railfanning with my son on my shoulders (2-1/2) I had to stop and think twice about crossing the tracks. One, it would be trespassing - not that I've never done that before to pick up a souvenir (stealing RR property like tie plates or spikes), and two, it would be teaching him that it's okay because Daddy does it. I chose not to trespass, nor pick up any souvenirs that day. The kid is a sponge and would certainly pay more attention to my behavior than I give him credit.
When our kids see news reporters, perhaps the most often guilty of walking right down the middle of the track during a story, strolling along casually, calmly talking into the camera as if the tracks were a sidewalk, not a place where limbs or lives are lost, what message are they really receiving?
Perhaps one of the most effective 'stay-off-the-tracks' posters I've ever seen comes from Metrolink. It shows a young adult walking down the middle of the tracks wearing a walkman (probably would be an ipod these days...although the photo couldn't have been that old) with an F59PH coming up behind him in the haze. Gives me chills thinking about it. I guess that's the idea.
Thanks for listening to the rant. I'll step off my soapbox...for now.
Just this morning I watched a train-related segment on a Discovery Channel show, "Really Big Things". It was all about GE's Evolution Series Locos. It's an entertaining show - due to the technical aspects, of course, but also the antics of the show's host (Matt Rogers, of American Idol infamy - actually a childhood friend of my wife, btw).
Anyway, it was something that host did which got my hackles up...the intro to the segment showed him walking and talking...guess where...right down the middle of the tracks! I was taught at a very early age to NEVER EVER walk down the tracks. I don't care what stupid things kids might do that we can chalk up to the naivete of youth, but this should never be one of them.
I've seen kids around here walking along the tracks of our local shortline - a railroad with a most unpredictable schedule, and one that uses cabeese due to the number of backing moves that must be performed. With the caboose leading the train, the train doesn't make as much noise! Much easier to be caught unawares that way.
And yesterday when I was out railfanning with my son on my shoulders (2-1/2) I had to stop and think twice about crossing the tracks. One, it would be trespassing - not that I've never done that before to pick up a souvenir (stealing RR property like tie plates or spikes), and two, it would be teaching him that it's okay because Daddy does it. I chose not to trespass, nor pick up any souvenirs that day. The kid is a sponge and would certainly pay more attention to my behavior than I give him credit.
When our kids see news reporters, perhaps the most often guilty of walking right down the middle of the track during a story, strolling along casually, calmly talking into the camera as if the tracks were a sidewalk, not a place where limbs or lives are lost, what message are they really receiving?
Perhaps one of the most effective 'stay-off-the-tracks' posters I've ever seen comes from Metrolink. It shows a young adult walking down the middle of the tracks wearing a walkman (probably would be an ipod these days...although the photo couldn't have been that old) with an F59PH coming up behind him in the haze. Gives me chills thinking about it. I guess that's the idea.
Thanks for listening to the rant. I'll step off my soapbox...for now.