Tom Wrote:
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> The other day I stopped on a public street near a
> private firm that does locomotive repairs and has
> a number of engines parked out of doors. While I
> composed my shot with a long lens a private
> security guard drove out to the street and asked
> me not to take any pictures. I questioned his
> requests and he told me that his bosses have been
> instructed to chase any photogs away no matter
> what. The guy was nice about it so I did what he
> asked. At no time was I on or near the private
> property but did aim a camera at it. IS THIS
> ILLEGAL?? DID I ENTER THE PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH MY
> EYE THROUGH THE LENS?? IS THIS PRIVATE FIRM TRYING
> TO HIDE SOMETHING FROM THE FEDS?? COULD A HOBBY BE
> CONSIDERED CORPORATE SPYING?? I think I'm getting
> paranoid.......

Sounds like the length of time it took you was enough to draw their attention. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable reaction to me, but then again I don't take pictures of trains. A lot of facilities have similar policies regarding photography. Try hanging around a refinery, an airport or a port and see what happens. Union Pacific has an written policy that all employees are required to report persons on or near its properly, or acting suspiciously. It specifically includes the term "railfans" in the instructions. Every so often, someone will post here or on TO's about overheaing a radio converstaion from a train crew or MofW employee "reporting" them. Such is life.