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File under: All Good Things Must Come To An End
Well, I decided to stop off at the Loop to take a few pix before I headed home to La La Land, and guess what, I was run off by the rail police! The guy was real nice, and I asked him why it is suddenly a problem for rail fans to hang out there. After he figured out I wasn't a real threat he explained that there have been many instances of theft, vandalism, and attempts to derail trains. How times change. I've been going to the Loop off and on for over 18 years taking pictures of trains and making audio recordings and this is the first time I have ever seen a rail cop. I even got a cab ride on a work train many, many years ago. Not any more! Oh well, glad I have all the pix that I do, these may be the last!
10 comments from 9 users
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posted by
sunshine
on Mar 29, 2007 at 09:45 PM
Yea, I know theft has become a real problem lately... I used to go down there a lot with an old friend - another photographer - who passed away a few years ago. Maybe you knew him? Frank Richter? Anyways, you get a whole new perspective up close. I imagine there is a safety issue for them too, to have people on railroad property if you got squished by a train... but it's a shame you got run off. I've enjoyed your pictures.
posted by
Sparks
on Mar 30, 2007 at 08:06 AM
aww man... Sorry to hear that Greg. I'm glad you got some great pictures before they kicked you off though. There are many train buffs that are going to be disapointed as well I bet.
posted by
scottso
on Mar 30, 2007 at 10:02 AM
What a bummer. :( Isn't the loop like a major tourist attraction here? It can't be an uncommon site to see people taking pictures there. Strange that they suddenly are running people off. There's even a sign on the 58 that says Tehachapi Loop!
posted by
GregL
on Mar 30, 2007 at 10:39 AM
They don't mind folks being up on the hill where the historical marker is, but they don't want them to be down by the tracks. That's where most of the real rail fans go, though.
posted by
jer72
on Mar 30, 2007 at 10:46 AM
I figured it would happen sooner or later. I remember reading and hearing about the problems that have started to happen around the tracks so I knew something was going to have to change. On Holloween I saw a RR police car at a house in town. It was a first for me and on top of that it was a K9 unit. posted by
doesnotgetit
on Mar 30, 2007 at 06:58 PM
There has been a rash of thefts from trains lately. Their MO is to stop the train by placing something on the tracks, then while the trail is stopped, they open box cars and toss items off until the train starts to move again. They then pick the stuff up and high tail it out if there . It has been happening more in the less populated areas i.e.- between Keene and Caliente. The Railroad has increased Police presence in the area. One of their officers lives here in Tehachapi. They have gone to marked cars- for a long time their cars were unmarked. So, Greg, I'm glad you had a good contact with the officer and understand their plight.
posted by
TK
on Apr 2, 2007 at 06:45 PM
That's too bad. I have had several visitors through the years who were overjoyed to get up-close photos of the Loop. I don't like stopping on the hill. There isn't enough space to feel safe from the drivers, especially with small children or elderly standing out there to look.
posted by
thmazing
on Apr 7, 2007 at 09:38 PM
.What lens effect is that with the pics in the slideshow? posted by
GregL
on Apr 7, 2007 at 10:32 PM
It's an SLR lens with a graduated blur effect. Gives a nice motion blur and out of focus effects. On very wide shots it gives an illusion of almost being a toy or model picture. http://www.lensbabies.com/ I have the Lensbaby 2.0, the 0.6x wide angle converter, and the 1.6x telephoto converter. Just now getting used to them, I like it so far, pretty fun. I've added some more pix to the slideshow with that effect. posted by
anonymous
on May 19, 2007 at 08:48 AM
Blame it on Halls. He must have the railroad police on his payroll also.
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