Spokker
Lead Service Attendant
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
- Messages
- 294
I post this here because it is the most active forum here. I am calling on all people who enjoy trains, whether you enjoy riding them, photographing them, or just looking at them, to join me in speaking out against the behavior displayed by the teenage railfans in connection with the Metrolink Chatsworth wreck.
In case you don't know, transcripts of text messages that the Metrolink engineer involved in the crash sent to teenage railfans have been released. They are abhorrent, and actually scare the pants off of me.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/arti.../n143746S07.DTL
Real people working real jobs are just trying to get to work or go home. Southern California's rail network is not a giant toy train set. It's a real, working railroad that helps people be productive.
I really hope that this is an isolated incident, but I can't help but be afraid that this is happening in corners of the country here and there. You always wonder how deep the problem goes, but you never know.
I was astonished about the text messaging allegations, and now I'm just mortified. I really don't know what else to say.
In case you don't know, transcripts of text messages that the Metrolink engineer involved in the crash sent to teenage railfans have been released. They are abhorrent, and actually scare the pants off of me.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/arti.../n143746S07.DTL
I am a commuter first, a Metrolink passenger first, and a train enthusiast second. Myself and thousands of other commuters just want to get to work or other destinations as quickly as possible. The behavior displayed by Sanchez was grossly irresponsible, but anyone who loves trains should understand to NOT RIDE ALONG IN A LOCOMOTIVE CAB EVEN IF OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY.Sanchez: I'm REALLY looking forward to getting you in the cab and showing you how to run a locomotive
Teen: (Oh my god) dude me too. Running a locomotive. Having all of that in the palms of my hands. Its a great feeling. And ill do it so good from all my practice on the simulator.
Real people working real jobs are just trying to get to work or go home. Southern California's rail network is not a giant toy train set. It's a real, working railroad that helps people be productive.
I really hope that this is an isolated incident, but I can't help but be afraid that this is happening in corners of the country here and there. You always wonder how deep the problem goes, but you never know.
I was astonished about the text messaging allegations, and now I'm just mortified. I really don't know what else to say.