While both are talented rail photographers, it is a shame that Drew Jackish felt attacked on this forum and likely decided that if he was being heckled and unappreciated he would go elsewhere. Drew was entitled to his opinions even if some did not agree with him.

James A. Speaker on the other hand is a true menace, to his own safety, the railroads' negative opinions about railroad photographers/fans, and to the railroads. It would be best if he was just encouraged to stay away from the railroads. Unfortunately to some degree Mr. Speaker cannot help himself, as he is autistic. A mental health professional who worked with autistics for over 30 years, who as a railfan, observed Mr. Speaker in action, commented that "autistics can be highly manipulative." The character Dustin Hoffman played in the movie "Rain Man" was autistic, although Mr. Speaker is somewhat higher functioning. He does know right from wrong, but chooses to do things "his way," often on impulse, regardless of the consequences, or what he has been asked or repeatedly told. Frequently these actions are taken at the risk of his own safety, and frequently bothering other people.

Does tripping along, in a busy railroad yard, wearing headphones, or earplugs, listening to a recording of "Jingle Bells," walking on tracks and ballast with untied tennis shoes sound safe to you? That is Jim Speaker. Does climbing high tension towers for photos sound safe? Does heading for Donner Pass in only sneakers and a windbreaker, in March, sound like a good idea? That is also Mr. Speaker. Ask Mr. Speaker about just about any town, with a railroad, in the Western United States, he can tell you how law enforcement field interviewed him, and a few times arrested him. At least twice he was turned back at the Canadian Border by Canadian and U.S. Authorities when they ran his record. Ask Mr. Speaker about the vandalism he has done to railroad property, and bragged about.

Ask him about the time he was on the old Santa Fe Surf Line, when challenged by authorities for climbing Santa Fe signals, he ran, leaving behind a briefcase. A briefcase a bomb squad was called to detonate, containing only an old tape recorder and paper. Ask him about the trespassing citation, and fine, mailed to him by CSX, for being caught on video in one of their intermodal facilities.

Mr. Speaker and his parents were visited at home, in the early 90's, by railroad special agents. It was explained to them that Mr. Speaker needed to stay away from railroad property, and not make threats of vandalism. The Speakers were also specifically asked to not allow him to call train dispatchers and other railroad employees at work. Some autistics have demonstrated telephone "skills," and in Jim Speaker's case, he has the ability to discover unlisted numbers, then repeatedly make a pest of himself. These phone calls consisted of asking inane, often irrelevant questions. Often he was not capable of understanding the answers, thereby prompting repeated nuisance calls. Amtrak and others have long since blocked his phone. Needless to say the home visit by the special agents did not have a lasting effect. Being a particularly manipulative autistic Mr. Speaker prefers to ignore that and similar episodes in his life. His father passed away years ago, and his mother has always had "a bolt loose." Therefore there is little control over where Speaker goes or what he does. Most law enforcement agencies and courts let him go, possibly regarding him as "harmless," in comparison to criminals they normally deal with. However, closer to the truth is he would cost money to feed, jail, etc., while awaiting trial, all expenses of which would be borne by whatever "lucky" jurisdiction held onto him, and he would be unlikely to pay any fines levied. Therefore he is normally field interviewed, warned, and sent on down the road, to become someone else's problem.

So that he does not become your problem, if you encounter him, encourage safe behavior, although he often pretends not to undertand, and will argue, or continue asking inane questions. Be prepared to call law enforcement. If he latches onto you, he can be like the dog that wants to hump your leg. Friendly but a nusiance. Just ask a few well known railroad photographers, railroaders and certain editors, who have encountered him.