RailRoadFan.com

Elkhart City and NS Railroad police took part in a "Railroad Trespass Abatement Program" last week, patrolling the tracks for trespassers. 43 warnings were issued, and 9 people were arrested.
http://wsbt.com/news/local/elkhart-prog ... -railroads

Anyone who has ever spent any time at the train station in Elkhart has seen people routinely crossing the tracks west of the station and the museum. It had always surprised me that NS Police never really seemed to care to do anything about it.

There's a big difference between locals looking and briefly crossing railroad tracks, and kids or foamers playing or wandering along the tracks. Many times, a railroad track divides a community, and it makes no sense to walk several blocks or more to a crossing just to get to the other side.Just my opinion.

I feel the same as hoborich but I'm told that according to the railroad police statistics they all pose an equal danger threat of injury and therefore are treated the same.

hoborich wrote:There's a big difference between locals looking and briefly crossing railroad tracks, and kids or foamers playing or wandering along the tracks. Many times, a railroad track divides a community, and it makes no sense to walk several blocks or more to a crossing just to get to the other side.Just my opinion.

The city has given the residents of the old roundhouse area until August 31st to pack up and move on. I am surprised that NS Police are not better patrolling the "crossing" at 6th St. Perhaps when the woods is emptied there will be less people to catch.

The rebuild of CP 421 should also affect trespassers as the interlocking is expanded west. Walking through the middle of an interlocking will attract more attention than crossing tracks outside of an interlocking.

NS and city police have cracked down before ... the closed crossing east of Main and the tracks near Concord Mall see their fair share of trespassers and enforcement. The City of Goshen has their own problems due to closing crossings on the north side. Perhaps after a few dozen arrests and fines people will get the hint and stay off the tracks. Until it is time for the next crackdown.

If it isn't a legal crossing then crossing is illegal. It doesn't matter to me if one lives near the tracks or visiting from afar. Don't trespass.