That was the initial response when Trains contacted numerous law enforcement agencies in Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, states and municipalities along the route of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014’s Great Race Across the Southwest now underway.
The world’s largest operating steam locomotive is not commanding the same level of law enforcement attention as it did when the massive 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive debuted in Wyoming and Utah in May.
Train-chasers in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas should expect to frequently encounter around U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Border Patrol vehicles and personnel that maintain a constant presence in the borderland.
“Speeding vehicles often signal drug and human smugglers,” said a former U.S. Border Patrol special agent.
When close to the border, there are multiple hidden ground and aerial surveillance devices. Train chasers should slow to a crawl when approaching and passing federal officers and vehicles.
Railroaders and law enforcement officers familiar with the area also warn train-chasers to start the day with a full tank of gas and to “drive on the tank’s top-half.”
Train-chasers in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas should also expect to frequently encounter around U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Border Patrol vehicles and personnel that maintain a constant presence in the region.
After an overnight stop in Lordsburg, N.M., this coming Saturday, No. 4014 enters Texas on Sunday, Oct. 20, continuing its journey through Deming on UP’s Sunset Route. After traveling through Texas, the locomotive will spend four days in Arkansas, including public display on Nov. 14 in North Little Rock. Both the North Little Rock Police Department and Arkansas State Police say they will respond to emerging events but do not have plans to assign personnel to follow the locomotive.
In the Lone Star State, Big Boy frequently will be accompanied by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, according to Lt. Elizabeth Carter, DPS Public Information Officer in El Paso.
“Our troopers will be around areas that are near train crossings and where tracks parallel roadways as a safety precaution,” Carter said.
Oklahoma, and Kansas highway patrol spokespersons have not responded to Trains inquiries concerning special enforcement plans.
Meanwhile, additional information has emerged about a six-vehicle collision occurring on Oct. 5 in isolated Iron County, Utah, as train-chasers in pursuit of videos and photographs tangled on a dusty road paralleling the Union Pacific main line. Speeds too high for the narrow roadway, tail-gating, distracted drivers, and dust from other vehicles obscuring visibility were all factors in a chain-reaction collision on the frontage road near the ghost town of Beryl.
This is the only known traffic accident associated with Big Boy’s travels. Multiple highway safety officials warn that no photograph or video is worth risking a property damage or personal injury motor vehicle accident.
UPDATE: Comments from a former border patrol agent and Texas Department of Public Safety representative. 2:17 p.m. Central time, Oct. 17, 2019.
Hope they were prepared for huge crowds. Talked to a cop with West Chicago PD and they were overwhelmed, had to get help from other nearby cities. UP had expected maybe 4,000 a day but it was about 15,000 a day, 45,000 for the weekend. I remember riding on UP #844 steam special in 2010 from Omaha to N. Platte and return by diesel. People were chasing along the adjoining road and cops were stopping many of them. One cop drove the speed limit and he had a huge backup behind him,, no one wanted to pass. We left them behind .
I live along the border, and it really isn’t all that. The article makes it sound like we’re constantly being stopped or searched, or that there are immigrants all over. I’ve been living here two years, and aside from an established border checkpoint, I’ve never been stopped or even slowed down by border activity. And I have yet to see one illegal, at least that was obvious. Don’t let the hype scare you if you want to railfan down here. Advice on water and a full tank of gas is sound, for sure.
One thing I realized when I saw the crowds around Big Boy is that people love trains. Not only us rail enthusiasts, but most people, and all ages. People were thrilled to see Big Boy, and the atmosphere was really joyful. The other thing I realized is that Big Boy runs like a Swiss watch. Watching him roll down the high Iron was majestic. Thanks to the UP for doing something really cool.
I do not understand the constant whining regarding the border. It is an international border, where, by law, we have the right to inspect anyone and anything regarding its lawful entrance into the USA. ICE and CBP also operated checkpoints at vital junctions near the border. If you have something to hide, do not go near the border. If you are afraid, as some in the media may have convinced you to be so, do not go near the border.
If you want to experience history, meet some nice folks, and are respectful of your surroundings, then go and enjoy. Obey the laws. Watch out for slower vehicles. Be alert to warning signs. Not to difficult to be a decent citizen.
I also posted on a few FB pages, that if you city boys decide to climb someone’s fences, you may wish to rethink that action. Down here in Texas, PRIVATE property means exactly that. Also, be aware of your surroundings, as there are some less desirables that traffic the border area. There are also many types and species of reptiles in their natural habitat.
Carry water, know your abilities, as Fall in Texas still means 90+ degrees in the desert.
With the current focus on illegal immigration and human trafficking, I would expect that a sudden appearance of numerous vehicles and people in an area will attract the interest of the locals and of law enforcement at many levels. Someone with less than honorable intentions may try to use the presents of those watching the train to hide their activities. If everyone knows what is happening and is prepared to deal with the situations that may arise, the likelihood things will become a large problem are reduced.
I worked in the Borderland as an engineer and railroad safety manager for nearly 10 years. This included responsibilities for a short line railroad headquartered in Deming. I also took time to record rail operations in this fascinating and sparsely-populated part of The Great American West. It truly is “long lens territory.”
I have nothing but the highest praise for the law enforcement officers I encountered. I think several here have considerably over-dramatized the legal risks of rail-fanning along the border. Legal and reasonable behavior and actions will be met with legal and reasonable responses from law enforcement.
This is true whether you are rail-fanning in Deming….or Roanoke… or Syracuse.
Art Miller is a little fuzzy on his geography of the Sunset Route. Big Boy will pass through Deming, New Mexico, before entering Texas and then will stop in El Paso, Texas, before proceeding east and north. There is a lot of mileage in New Mexico under surveillance by the Border Patrol, and Big Boy will be moving rapidly, creating many opportunities for incidents.
Vern
Big Boy’s appearance should not be any concern of law enforcement. I am appalled that this publication would contact civil authorities about such. I have no use for the police state.
You did the train spotters a favor. With law enforcement all spooled up on illegal immigration and the rampant traffic stops all over southern AZ and NM for immigration checks, it will be good for the spotters and law enforcement to be forewarned.
Trains has not yet covered the Big Boy Southern California excursions last weekend, were there any notable events on the rails or along the wayside. How many people rode the 2-day train/bus itinerary? Thanks
Mr. Pumphrey,
I would advise you to not touch another person and pull them back out of harms way, unless you wish to find yourself charged with simple assault or even worse at the wrong end of someones personal firearm. I would also advise against yelling, use a polite tone, but loud enough for them to hear you…if they don’t head your warning you’ve done your duty and should have clear conscience, also you will be a valuable witness that the person was completely negligent of their own accord.
P.S. – The slower speeds have nothing to do with chasers or people taking pictures, Ed Dickens himself said the 4014 runs the best at 45 mph, so that’s what they try to maintain the pace at.
The first step to ban ourselves is to prevent showing of videos taken between rails from the ballast. This is obvious evident of trespass and the UP should search out the photographer and make a public example of the arrest. Who wants to see the AH part of the train anyways (where poop used to fly) when it is so pretty above the track. What a waste of time. And that kind of trespass might give reason to cut the steam program, or only move the engine for display during night time, limiting the exposure.
Whatever happened to “take only pictures, leave only footprints”? It’s time to start policing our own. This reckless driving and other behavior cannot be tolerated if we as a community have any expectation of these trips continuing.
They are purposely running slower speeds to allow chasers to safely get ahead. No railroad (read that as litigiously gun shy corporation) is going to abide this notion that they’re running an attractive nuisance much longer. Put people in their place when you see them doing stupid things around the tracks, whether they are actual “railfans” or members of the daisy-picking general public.
Yell at them, physically pull them back out of the foul if needed, educate and make them aware of how badly they are screwing this up for anybody that comes out to enjoy these machines. We’ve already had the incident in Colorado that was senseless, there have been multiple close calls this trip. We can’t afford for this to keep happening over and over. Get your shit together foamers.
@Johnny J Hoffman: While I agree that a passing steam engine should be of no consequence to local law enforcement, the recent accident in Utah along with the recent enforcement activities in this area of the US, could lead to a larger number of problems.
No one has use for a police state, but unfortunately our national media has not covered the daily harassment of passing citizens in this area of the country. (The videos on Facebook and YT are plentiful)
And most law abiding citizens are baffled in the treatment they get even when simply following the laws and recognizing their rights. The recordings of regular everyday people simply exercising their rights with dire consequence with law enforcement are troubling. Much of it due to either poor training of the officers, less so with antagonistic behavior of the citizens.
The biggest issue in the area is unlawful detentions. For a railfan who simply wants to see Big Boy pass by with their grand kids, being unlawfully detained can cause fans to miss their rendezvous with some history.
I think that is something everyone wants to avoid.
Mister Pins:
I regret that such warning might be relevant in the 21st Century, in the United States of America. Sadly, they are. I will neither confirm nor deny any opinion which you might infer I might hold concerning the state of the Union, or the behaviour of the current government.
The above comments are genetic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Up the Revolution, down the British.
Huh? “Of no concern”? I can’t imagine what’s “appalling” about Trains contacting authorities regarding plans and potential concerns. We have a pic of a bunch of folks who evidently made some poor decisions, I’d say the state police and other departments should be concerned. I’m more concerned that so many don’t have any knowledge of the event.
Anna Harding – I thought you had confused Big Boy’s tour with someone’s experiences in Iran or Syria, but then I saw the last four words and took heart.