Sorry if you get this more than once, but I felt it worthy to be shared.
Just in case one of our list members know who this was, or who was there.
Dave
In a message dated 11/20/2002 8:26:41 PM Central Standard Time,
ccprr@p... writes:
>I am currently seeking the help of railfans who hang out at the
>Rochelle Railroad park in helping me identify and individual who went
>a little far and attempted to vandalize and injury myself and my
>conductor last Wednesday, Nov. 13th.
>
>I was working an eastbound stack train that had pulled into Global
>Three to set out some cars. When we had completed our work, we
>proceeded out the east end of the Global Three towards the BNSF
>diamonds.
>
>However we were unable to proceed east on account of a westbound BNSF
>train. As I crept towards the diamonds however, I noticed and
>individual running across our mainline tracks in order to get a shot
>of the westbound BNSF train.
>
>By the time the westbound had cleared, we were about 500' from the
>diamonds when this same individual, seeing my train approaching goes
>running back across our mainline, stumbling and almost tripping on
>the tracks.
>
>When we received our clear indication to proceed I eased the train
>forward and observed that the same reckless individual was now
>standing on the BNSF tracks in order to get more pictures.
>
>Don't get me wrong here gang, I have no problem with railfans getting
>as many shots as they like, however running across mainline tracks
>and nearly injuring yourself doing it is another matter.
>
>Asides from just down right trespassing, it adds a black eye to rest
>of the railfans at Rochelle, who are more than happy standing on the
>viewing platform, or in the parking lot, safely away from the tracks
>to view trains and shoot pictures.
>
>As we went by this individual, I opened my window and yelled at him
>to "Get off the tracks now!" as it appeared this guy was destined to
>hurt himself.
>
>I further noticed three other railfans at the park, one was inside
>the shelter and the other two fans were watching this from the
>parking lot.
>
>Now, I did not use abusive or foul language at this guy, I just felt
>this person needed a scolding for his actions.
>
>Well, apparently, this guy must have become of little unbalanced at
>this point. As were heading east towards DeKalb a short time later, I
>noticed a vehicle stop abruptly at the Nelson Road grade crossing.
>
>It turned out this individual had driven from Rochelle to DeKalb and
>was going to give a piece of his mind. As we rolled up to the
>crossing, this guy got out of his car, ran towards the crossing and
>starting jumping up and down and screaming and flipping me the bird.
>
>His final act was to heave a large rock at my side window, which
>fortunately missed and his the side of the engine. After we passed
>the crossing, this guy runs back to his car and speeds away from the
>grade crossing, southbound on Nelson Road.
>
>Mind you, this individual did all of this at Nelson Road in full view
>of three other motorists that were stopped at the road crossing.
>
>I immediately rang up the dispatcher and reported the incident and
>gave a description of the individual and his car, a white male, 30-35
>years of age, with black shaggy hair, wearing glasses, a black
>sweatshirt, dark jeans and gym shoes. I also relayed additional
>information via my cell phone to the dispatcher and police as I had
>observed this guy with a pocket scanner on his possession.
>
>He was driving what I believe to have been a beige or light tan, 4-
>door sedan, either a late model Buick or Dodge. I remembered this
>vehicle because this individual was also at the Depot Avenue grade
>crossing at Dixon, IL. earlier in the day when we went by and I
>remembered the vehicle parked next to the tracks on the south side.
>
>If any of you saw this individual at Rochelle or even at DeKalb, or
>have any information regarding this person, please e-mail with the
>information, or contact the UP Police with this information at 1-800-
>UPRRCOP, (1-800-877-7267).
>
>Hopefully the authorities can talk to this guy and get him some help
>before he hurts himself or another rail crew.
>
>Thank You.
>
>Tom H.
>UPRR Engineer
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