I got the cops called on me for railfanning...

Hello KZbin! I am VERY new to this so forgive me if I make a moron out of myself. This is the story of how I got the cops called on me for railfanning. In the video you will see Suffolk County Police stopping to talk to me as well as LIRR Train 2740, led by DM30AC 521 and its badass K5LLA. If this video becomes popular, I will look into getting more editing software as this was done in iMovie on my phone at around 8:00 PM the same day. If you enjoy and want to see more, leave a like and a comment about what you wanna see or any suggestions that could make my content better. Have a good one!

[@RameshKSingh-gp2mx]

Imagine catching a rare train just to get cops called on you .

[@NorthmassRails]

That happened to me last week😑

[@Major_Tom98]

That happened to me in Clark, NJ back in 2017. Of course here comes NS 1070 leading a train and the cops show up as it’s approaching.

[@SirensAndAlarmsOfNorthernIL]

Ong fr that would suck. I would hate it if I were to catch a historic train passing and some Karen calls the police

[@aostlund27]

It's happened to me three times when I was filming in Convent Station. Funny thing was, instead of being NJ Transit police, it was Morris Township PD. After the third encounter, the same officer who came around a third time told me, "Oh, it's you again."

[@maxwilson7001]

Hahaha

[@aidanlutz8106]

I’m glad they do try and prevent these types of suicides from happening though.

[@Major_Tom98]

Bro no way. I had three separate cops approach me at Convent Station during a single railfan outing. They were all cool, but holy smokes, 3 times in one day is nuts.

[@SlapthePissouttayew]

A CSX crew called the police on a buddy of mine and myself one night while we were doing some night photography. We didn't get 'son of a bitch' mad at the responding officer. Even after he informed us how dangerous trains can be and how long it takes them to stop and all. Or when he casually asked "Where you guys work?" and we both told him "For the railroad. Not this one but another near by." He got this deflated look and said "Well, I just wasted that speech, didn't I?" "Yeah, pretty much." "Have a nice night." No harm, no foul.

[@kishascape]

CSX is all bitches for some reason I notice.

[@West_Coast_Mainline]

Norfolk Southern?

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

😂 That's perfect

[@ThatDiamondGuy1565]

Speech check succeeded.

[@TrainDude8901]

This is exactly why I stick to stations. I don't want people to think I want to die by getting hit by a Tri-Rail or Brightline train. It has happened too much in my area. I especially don't want the police called on me when I am staying 10 feet away from the tracks. Either way, this was a good story. I really hope people learn from this not to mess with trains.

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

Me who lives by a freight train only line: What stations

[@user-oo4yr1fx4l]

I would too but there are no stations locally. Unfortunately for me I do park across the street from tracks at best.

[@MrMaster767]

Good story. Back when I was new, it happened a few times to me. As long as you're honest and safe there's no problem.

[@DTD110865]

I've told this story before, but I was once approached by some LIRR workers at the Oyster Bay Yard who though I was taking pics of the station vicinity as part of a terrorist mission. Fortunately. I showed him a printout of the Wikipedia page of the station and explained my motives, and told him I understood why he was suspicious of me, and we were both cool with one another. The guy even drove me to the Theodore Roosevelt Park, so I could take some shots of the former roundhouse area.

[@MrMaster767]

@@DTD110865 Some people may ask you or won't care, but some others will throw a fit towards a Railfan since it is a world we live in. You're best approach is to be honest but also stand your ground and not let anyone intimidate you. In any public part of the MTA, everyone must be respectful to everyone since you're dealing with the riding public. If I'm asked, I state my intentions, minding my own business and continue. If someone has a problem with it, just go somewhere else. If you're threatened in any way, challenge them by getting their name or have them show their I.D and then leave. This is generally toward people that Work in the MTA. Not the Police

[@CaptainJoey63]

Head on over to Fan Railer's channel to see him get called a terrorist. It's pretty interesting.

[@apr859]

Link please

[@CaptainJoey63]

Southern Connecticut Railfan kzbin.info/www/bejne/Znmneph-a8dnosk

[@BobLesesChelinosTrains]

That conductor's name is Edward.

[@byronchavarria4954]

I Stand 2 Meters Away From The Train Crossing

[@nolantherailfan5048]

I found the time when that man called fan railer a terriost very funny because I don't think he doesn't know what a terriost is

[@republic_3348]

I got accused of committing suicide on the train tracks when I was rail fanning by an old lady. She began following me everywhere.

[@bleedee4003]

That old lady is stalking

[@FerragTheYoyleGuardian]

Maybe she cares about people's feelings

[@traincentral1940]

I encountered a very angry motorist while filming a train going through a PUBLIC railroad crossing today! He chose to think that I was taking pictures of him rather than the train directly in front of me! He tried giving chase afterwards, but fortunately I was able to make the getaway when he wasn't able to U-turn for 1/4 mi down the road and had to wait for oncoming traffic! I think he also called the cops on me, but I don't care. I was on a public sidewalk!

[@Aclr03]

This happened too me 3 times. 1st time I was filming a NJT train in Downtown Hammonton NJ and some older lady called the cops on me claiming I was gonna kms when really I was filming. 2nd time I was filming SRNJ in Hammonton and another lady called the police on me claiming I was gonna kms again. 3rd time I was filming CSAO in Winslow NJ. Some lady called the cops on me again. Claiming I was committing suicide again. Sadly in today's day and age no one has respect or know how to mind their own business with others. It will likely remain that way for years until people walk up and realize how their really fucking up...

[@ryanh4319]

Please upload regularly, I love the LIRR. I went there for spring break in March ( I live in Florida ) and I would always be starring at the trains through the windows of the car.

[@amjkodaz]

I've had this happen to me before, minus the heavy emergency presence. I was visiting the University of Michigan, and being the railfan I am, I decided to head over to the CN Flint Sub, which runs right through the heart of the campus. Not a minute after the train passed, an officer crossed the tracks and questioned me. Me and him were both being respectful as possible to each other, and he said that he had gotten a call from a lady who thought I was going to kill myself (despite literally having cameras with me, and the officer even knew the tip was a bit unnecessary). I called my mom for him, which she was over in the building a block away visiting the displays for the Odyssey tournament, and he was about as respectful as you would expect a mannered officer. He said that I was within a safe distance from the tracks and that he was just making sure I wasn't trying to jump in front of the trains. It wasn't his fault, he was just doing his job and investigating the case, and the lady who called me in I could understand was worried, but still failed to remember I have expensive equipment in my possession for filming. Sometimes people need to stop and think before calling in people for "possible suicide", and the officer in my case and yours was completely in the right to investigate the situation, and as well as the other crews that came in your story, but overall I feel like the person reporting it went too far.

[@danielgallagher9533]

The CN Flint Sub goes through Michigan State University in East Lansing not the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Suicides have been known to happen on those tracks so in reality the person that called didn't go too far.

[@Cnw8701]

You guys should be grateful some people still care; not a whole lot of cops or citizens care about anyone or anything anymore!

[@LIPDProductionsInc]

I've been debating about wearing a reflective vest to deter PD from thinking about stuff like this

[@LIPDProductionsInc]

And definitely sounded like a chill cop

[@AttallaRailFan]

I was giving one by RR MOW for My B-Day recently! I use it @ Night sometimes to prevent from getting hit along The Hwy., & people mistake me for actually Working for The Railroad too,lol! I have to quickly speak up, No I don't Work for Them, just a Hobby. The Rail-Crews see me with The Vest too & like it.

[@Major_Tom98]

You know, the same exact thing happened to me tonight. Someone called the cops on me because they thought I was trying to get hit by a train even though I was not even on the tracks let alone the ballast. I do have a CSX vest and this thought came to mind after the cops parted ways with me.

[@alvit123]

I hate People who call the police on Railfans 🤬

[@djmasterty2309]

Me too!

[@Flayvozi]

awesome video! its nice to know people are looking out for each other.

[@44VR1]

It always seems like most MTA/LIRR workers are very lenient with railfans filming them. But there seem to be some that think it's not ok. Great story and that is one badass K5LLA. I got called in at Port Jefferson once for filming a train entering the yard...

[@atheman90]

@Melanie , they use both along with K5L and K5LA.

[@Larry_P]

I’m sorry to hear this has happen to you I am a railfanner of the Long Island Railroad to I’m was from Glen Cove NY I subbed keep up the good vids!

[@The13thSword]

Some Suggestions: 1. ALWAYS record ANY AND ALL interactions with police. You have a right to do so and it keeps everyone honest. It also provides a record in case anyone gets out of line, like trying to accuse a railfan of being a "terrorist". By all mean narrate when you record so you can state your intentions for the record, in case of any later questions. 2. ALWAYS record from public land or a public right of way, and ALWAYS do so safely. If you are on public property you have a right to be there, and you can legally record anything that is in plain sight. There are also no privacy concerns for anyone being recorded. If they do not want to be on camera, they are free to walk away. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you have no right to record them in a public space. 3. I suggest that if people being worried about you being a possible suicide, get a high visibility reflective vest to wear when you railfan. It wouldn't make sense that someone considering doing that, would be wearing such a thing, plus it will help keep you safer from vehicle traffic when you are on public right of ways.

[@MrMaster767]

Good suggestions but #3 bad idea. Wearing that could mistake you for an employee or even attract more attention.

[@The13thSword]

@@MrMaster767 Wearing that you could only be mistaken for an employee if you are on railroad property, which I never suggest you do. Always record from public right of way & do not trespass. If it does attract attention & someone wants to ask about it, the answer is personal safety. I don't see how anyone could find such an answer suspicious, unless they are paranoid about everything.

[@MrMaster767]

@@The13thSword Agreed. Already have seen someone do that. Case closed.

[@byronchavarria4954]

The Nassau County Police Came To Oyster Bay Station Because They Think I Was Tresspassing And Eating On The Platform Since They Saw My Ticket They Let Me Go Since I Was A Customer They Just Talk That’s It It Was The 3rd Time I Was Just 1 Meter Away From The Tracks

[@byronchavarria4954]

The13thSword The Glen Cove Police Always Patrol Sea Cliff Glen Street & Glen Cove

[@SanDiegoRailfanner500]

This same thing happened to me as well. People don’t need to assume the worst when they see someone close to train tracks.

LOL... sorry this happened. You dealt with this a lot better than I would have.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

One time my ex-girlfriend called the railroad police on me while I was railfanning on a public Amtrak station platform in Vancouver, Washington. The railroad police said that she called me in for "trespassing". I talked with them, and got everything sorted. Turns out my ex-girlfriend was trying to have me leave her territory.

[@110_Octane]

Women ☕

[@littlegp18]

Smart girl

[@gabrielquinones3343]

@@110_Octanewoman can be pains in the ass sometimes

[@johnuhelski8613]

I was in New York state last summer , just west of Weedsport , NY on the CSX , former NYC main line . Beautiful sunny Sunday , standing on an old overhead bridge , great elevation , nice curve lit perfect for the eastbound fleet heading into the sun. Suddenly THREE NY Patrol cars come up on me , they fly out of their squad cars , totally amped up coffee and of course donuts. They demand to know WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP HERE !!?? WE GOT A REPORT THAT SOMEBODY IS ON THE BRIDGE , READY TO JUMP !! WTAF , I think , these turds are mental . I explain that I am on a public roadway , one that was VERY lightly travelled BTW. And I am shooting train videos , thank you very much. Something I have done for decades. I could see the three just deflate as they asked about my rental car and bla ,bla, bla ... Missed two trains during this cluster , by the way. I believe these turds are simply bored of of their minds and enjoy causing a scene. I hate this NEW NORMAL.......

[@lilclacla1610]

Hey dont let this stop you from filming at rail road crossings those videos are the best

[@northtexasrailroadproduction1]

Usually I only get called on if I get cought close to the track and I’ve been railfanning for years. But it’s a good thing that the cops were making sure you were okay. But just respect them like you said and you will be good. Not that big of a deal.

[@LDMTheTrainspotter]

I film trains here in Scotland and I have been doing so for years and never once did I have the police coming to see me however i did have a concerned driver wanting to make sure I was Ok a few years back and I told them I was fine and it was happy days. At the end of the day the police just wanna know that your safe. hope that never happens to you again

[@southmassrailfan]

This only happened once and my friend knows police officers (because his dad is one) and thankfully the female cop that came was one of my friend’s friend. So everything was cleared up quickly.

[@Major_Tom98]

The same exact thing just happened to me today. Someone called the cops on me because they thought I was “sitting on the tracks” trying to get hit by a train. Not even close. I told the officer I come to the spot often to take pictures and videos of trains and that I was NOT sitting on the tracks. I never sit in the gauge EVER. The officer was chill and I totally get he was just doing his job, but then again I’ve been going to that spot for years and it was really the first time someone called the cops on me just for railfanning.

[@HunterWilliams-le9bk]

That happened to me before, almost a year ago.

[@FreedomtowerStudios]

One hell of a story, sorry that happened to you! I just subscribed!

[@centerbeamgamingandtrains7451]

This happens to me when I was railfanning the NS Chicago district in Indiana and someone was worried about me and called the cops which was just retarded and they drove by like 5 times and asked me once if I was okay. Like mind your own damn business

[@Railfan-Travis7043]

It happened to me as well but it only happened once.

[@F40M07]

Clip start 1:23

[@SouthernArkansasTrains]

We usually stick to public places near the railroad we only had it happen once but it was reasonable why because the place where we were filming was a dangerous backroad lol.

[@sroevukasroevuka]

I had a ns officer roll up to me when i was railfanning i was told som.eone was con cerned i was going to hurt myself. The lady officer was real nice and said i was fine just please stay 10 feet away from the track and off the railroad property. I told her no problem have a nice day and i appreciate you for what you do. She gave me an ns keychain which i tbought was cool. If your respectful to them normalky they are respectful to you.

[@OhioRiverSubdivision-hs5xr]

Well, if you railfan enough it’s bound to happen

[@jamesengley1766]

Love the vids dude keep up the great work🚂

[@alexschmollinger6576]

You have a Full Right to Go Railfanning in America 🇺🇸 Keep up the Railfanning I'm a Railfan myself 😁😁💓💓💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@consolidatedrailcorporation]

50 feet on each side of the tracks is the railroads property

[@lowellvillerailfanproductions]

Ik how you feel Ive had a similar experience with this

[@verifyinfieldpodcast]

wear a protective/reflective vest, that might indicate that you are doing something like filming

[@TJSTrains]

I know how you feel, when I’m waiting at a crossing and everyone that passes looks at me, also I don’t know what they were thinking an abundance would do if you just got hit by a TRAIN

[@Yoshiperales1717]

I had the same happened to me before

[@KHYIPHOTOS]

W cop for letting film

[@jamesengley1766]

Rail lovers for life🚂🚂🚂🚀🚀🚀❤️

[@railfanner3764]

Totally

[@bangstar_media]

People freak out in that area.

[@Cnw8701]

Normally when I'm out railfanning at a crossing, I just stay in my car, wait for the gates to lower, and wait for the train to pass as if I were a normal driver. I had one minor incident where a crew member of a stopped train that was about 3 feet from the crossing wagged his finger at me after he saw another guy in front of go around the gates saying: "Don't do it". I gave him a nod and a thumbs up and he then proceeded to blast his insanely loud and amazing K3LA. Hey, I'll wait for you to pass! That's what I'm here for! Lol

[@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial]

I tell you what, this is what pisses me off about American Karens. The police officer didn't do anything wrong, as she was doing her job. But to the individual who called the cops on you, you make me SICK.

[@GoodChannel08]

That happened to me.

[@lancomedic]

I'm not sure why people would think you were trying to jump in front of the train if you were standing there with your camera equipment. If anything I looked like a geek with my cameras and monopod when I used to film trains. Also in 40 years as a paramedic I have never been dispatched to a "potential" suicide. It's always been after the fact.

[@CaptainJoey63]

Well all I had was a cell phone at the time (still don’t have anything else lol) so maybe I wasn’t being obvious enough

[@lancomedic]

@@CaptainJoey63 Maybe we ought to wear yellow vests that say foamer on the back.

[@AGM-TRAINS]

It’s funny I went to Mill Neck around a year ago on the Oyster Bay branch and the old station is now half post office/police station. Cop saw me out there with the tripod and goes “it’s a nice shot”

[@broyofroyo1207]

4 years old= Captain Joey63

[@NS_1073]

Oh wow! I didn’t know that following what the cops say is something that a 4 year old would do!

[@videomaker133]

Same happened to me one day!

[@randomtransitadventures]

CFRC (SunRail,CSX, Amtrak silver service) is anti-railfan bc there's no good shots on the line and i have to film at stations and you are not allowed to bc its "harming the value of the station" and the "tranquility" like, there's a loud ahh locomotive right there and you don't seem to mind. also one station master thought i was doin something sus bc i had a scanner and sunrail engineers are the NICEST people you will ever meet. One even let me tour both of the cabs (locomotive and cab car)

[@blickfang3751]

keep rail fanning dude

[@fmartino100]

I guess it's hard to tell the nuts from the normal people, for an ambulance to show up it sounds like someone dropped a dime.

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

One time I was railfanning and just when the train was approaching (this was before the gates activated) some guy pulled up, filpped me off, and then pulled over on the side of the road after crossing the tracks. I thought he was gonna get out of his car and try to fight or something so i was ready for something to happen but the dickhead then got back on the road and drove off. Admittedly, I was in Nampa, which is known to be the 'ghetto' of the Treasure Valley, but it sure as hell isn't as bad as other parts of the country... Just be careful out there my guy

[@TexasSpecial91]

ALWAYS film your interactions with the police.

[@emergencyresponsevideosand4423]

Idea, you should consider fire buffing like me. I never had the cops called on me. Cuz im not close to the railroad. nice video btw

[@lucasluke4]

i like how nice the cop was to let u get the train before he spoke more to you

[@F40M07]

That’s bullcrap.

[@Terk131]

I was watching this and thought Damn that looks like a Suffolk County car and then saw the LIRR.. I am originally from Northport.

[@codyrapp7253]

I had a similar situation last year but I'm still aloud to be at my railroad crossing and I've never had to deal with the cops and they still go past my crossing they just smile and wave and that's it sometimes they say hi but it's all good now.

[@VoyagerVentures]

Had the cops called on me at least twice. They told me that I was trespassing on BNSF property but they said they were cool with me recording and all that as long as I wasn't doing stupid shit like walking on the tracks and what not.

[@Ray-dt7wo]

You did an excellent job explaining yourself thank you dude

[@user-oo4yr1fx4l]

Oh man I know this all or very well myself. I had to go to the highest main boss ranking officer to get all my complaints all flushed out and dismissed..Fustrating I get it totally..

[@burklander3338]

One thing about a video is that there should be something on the video, not just a black screen. You should show something, anything for to see

[@RailfanUS]

This happend to me at Hollywood ave

[@Tokax]

BRO THE AFTER STORY IS CRAZY LOL AN AMBULANCE LOL

[@TravisCyprien]

Basically your were perfectly fine where you were taking video. That’s just people not minding their own business. Even though I see that they are worried which is great but blowing it out of proportion with having a lot of responders is totally unnecessary. But you were 10-15ft away from the tracks. Gosh that horn on that Locomotive was clean though. Sounds amazing. But yeah just be safe out there man. I work for BNSF down here in the South in Texas.

[@GamingWithJazz]

I saw this and I am like "railfanning is not illegal (as long as you're not trespassing), why did they call the cops on him" until I heard the cop say something about unaliving. Typcally a railfan will have their phone/tablet/camera etc with them.. hello? Typically I am making my way and the gates lower. Or I see the train(I look both ways like when I cross the street and I'd see the train), pull over and get out of the car when the signal activates. (I railfan more freights than passengers.)

[@AndrewStandley-bp2lx]

Who keeps calling?

[@3985uprr]

I had some old guy at Bayport think I was going to commit suicide. They asked me if I was OK and I told him I’m fine I’m fine I’m fine I’m just watching the train and he looked at me like I had three heads.

[@Don10003]

Same thing happened to me

[@Bhil3]

I once had a cop come and check me out to make sure I wasn’t planning “suicide by train”

[@Blank53689]

That LIRR Horn Is Different To A Different Horns Like SD70ACE And A Switcher Engine

[@chesapeakerailphotography]

Im sorry this happened to you but this is why I don't railfan the NEC right down the street from my house because the police have a hangout right there and I don't want them thinking I'm going to do anything wrong.

[@nolantherailfan5048]

That happened to me once it was a usual afternoon and after school I went to the near by railroad tracks to go railfanning and after a train passed a cop came up to me and asked if i was ok and I said I'm fine I'm just railfanning

[@gtasandman]

as annoying it that was to go through im kinda glad people are still concerned for others to even call never know what some people are going through. i know its an older videos so dont have any suggestions that arent already present.

[@banditmikey9185]

Don't worry about the cops film from where you want more people will watch with cops involved

[@MapleManYT]

This is good, i mean, it may be against the rules a bit but if its not dangerous its not so bad as long as you/they know what they/you’re doing

[@skylandersgeek7122]

People are idiots for calling police on railfans

[@jackaljackal6234]

🦀

[@Realohiorailroadproductions]

Same thing just happened to me today

[@BLMCFR]

I had police want to arrest me for being a "Terrorist." I literally began to laugh but quickly became calm. Yes, I literally thought it was funny that someone would call me in for taking video of trains. Jason, can't remember his last name, keeps getting hassled for recording trains. Some people need to get a life and stop causing problems for us that just want to record trains. I was doing it to document the history of railroads in the region - Southwest Pa in Westmoreland County and surrounding counties. Don't take it personal. Don't let it ruin your method or locations you want to record.

[@NC_YT_123]

Same thing happened to me Somebody thought I was going to commit suicide and immediately called local police

[@Foofrarf23]

No reason to call the cops on him, if you see someone with a camera/ stand they're usually railfans. He's well outside of the right of way too.

[@727.chasse]

Welcome to the club bud

[@TexansRailfan]

That’s sucks, nice horn on that guy tho

[@P25AES]

People need to mind their own damn business.

[@frankgrimesification]

I don't see what the big deal was--they were just doing there jobs and didn't seem like they giving you a hard time for what you were doing.

[@Drewmeetsworld6969]

Welcome to Long Island. Most Suffolk county residents have so much money they've become uneducated. OOF

[@dontlookback3549]

too many times the "fan" deserved getting busted

[@TRSubProductions]

Well the guy that called the cop did good in case you were going to jump on the train, but he just didn't know, so he did it for safety. but you well handle it, it happened to me to, i wasn't recording but a cop goes to the place i wanted to see the train and calmely said i was just railfanning and he could watch me from behind to be sure i wasn't going to jump on the train, but still. it suck

[@RajSachdeva]

You can send all these good cops to NY. They can fight real crimes in Subway

[@john1703]

Perhaps you should consider on whose property you are standing. Technically, you might be trespassing on the railway. They do not want to have to clear up after incidents.

[@izukufan6667]

Anyway that's a sad story I'm sorry about to hear that, who called the police on you it was a person or it was a conductor

[@brianberthold3118]

ROFL that cop just committed a crime!!!!! going though RR gates wile active

[@iLoVeSD70Ace35]

It infuriates me when police do this. Even on public property you have to watch your back these days. And btw that was stupid to stop recording, especially if they ended up overstepping their authority like some cops do.

[@ClariNerd]

*all

[@ldrrlocalrailfan1536]

Wow

[@marcleslac2413]

Captainjoey it can be worse, simple railways was harassed by a karen train conductor. I caused a train to be delayed because one train crew member litteraly walked over to the car i was on to tell me no pets allowed what the animal i had was a service dog for me because i am mentally handicapped.

[@tomservo5007]

you gotta dress like a hobo, people don't care if a hobo jumps in front of a train