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| Pulled post
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9917 |
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| Author: | Erik Ledbetter [ Mon Jun 07, 2004 8:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Pulled post |
I have removed a one-sentence post, that was signed with a pseudonym, that cast doubt on the safe operating practices of a well-known steam tourist operater. If someone wants to make a constructive criticism of a steam operation based on personal observation, with dates and details supplied so that readers have a basis on which to judge the resonableness and seriousness of the assertion, feel free. However, we will not serve as a forum for drive-by allegations, put forward anonymously, without supporting evidence or detail. eledbetter@rypn.org |
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| Author: | Jonas Steamdoctor [ Mon Jun 07, 2004 8:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Pulled post |
I understand your reasoning for pulling that post, Erik. I did read it before it was deleted, and I can attest to the fact that operator in question bears some responsibility for the information conveyed in the post. I, too, was there yesterday and observed the same conditions on the engine. It goes to show that the tourist railroad industry still has both ameteurs and professionals at play. Even with CFR 49 Part 230 in place, I'm still convinced that one of these operations is going to blow an engine up sooner or later because of ignorance, or a cocky attitude at play. All it will take is one major incident to shut everybody down for good. It is only a matter of time before the show is over for good. > I have removed a one-sentence post, that was > signed with a pseudonym, that cast doubt on > the safe operating practices of a well-known > steam tourist operater. > If someone wants to make a constructive > criticism of a steam operation based on > personal observation, with dates and details > supplied so that readers have a basis on > which to judge the resonableness and > seriousness of the assertion, feel free. > However, we will not serve as a forum for > drive-by allegations, put forward > anonymously, without supporting evidence or > detail. |
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| Author: | Erik Ledbetter [ Mon Jun 07, 2004 9:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Pulled post |
We are willing to hear reasoned public criticism of operators in our industry on this forum. But if someone wants to make a a serious allegation of unsafe operating practices, they are going to have to stand behind it with facts, dates, and hard information. I may also require that they use their real name--we allow pseudonyms, but we're not an anoymous tip line--in order to make statements of such significance, it would be best if an identifiable person stood behind them. We can't do it through innuendo. If anyone observes a practice in our industry that they feel represents a clear and present danger to public safety, I would encourage them to contact the regional office of the FRA or other appropriate regulatory authorities and make their concerns known. If you are really worried, do the responsible thing and get the competent regulator involved. eledbetter@rypn.org |
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| Author: | Randy Gustafson [ Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Pulled post |
I've only ever had one instance in 15 years where I 'walked in' on an unsafe tourist operation by request of a concerned individual; severe enough in CFR issues that I actually felt compelled to report it and it was a group decision to do so. I had everything backed up with photos, witnesses and documentation. When it was reported, I was immediately notified of legal action against me personally and my firm at that time. Upon their review of my documentation and evidence, the operator immediately addressed the issues mentioned and dropped the legal action; but it was effectively their last season on that property. I just want to emphasize that we 'may' all walk into situations at various points, and as professionals feel compelled to take action for the public and the profession we love. Think hard, document even harder, and if there is a way to resolve the safety issues with less collateral damage it's the best way to go. In retrospect I felt I had no choice, but it was by far one of the most difficult and least pleasant situations I've been involved in. randygustafson@stoneconsulting.com |
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| Author: | EDM [ Tue Jun 08, 2004 10:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Pulled post |
> I have removed a one-sentence post, that was > signed with a pseudonym, that cast doubt on > the safe operating practices of a well-known > steam tourist operater. > If someone wants to make a constructive > criticism of a steam operation based on > personal observation, with dates and details > supplied so that readers have a basis on > which to judge the resonableness and > seriousness of the assertion, feel free. > However, we will not serve as a forum for > drive-by allegations, put forward > anonymously, without supporting evidence or > detail. Erik, I don't recall the post, but it sounds like you acted in a responsable manner. I was involved in a contract switching operation some twenty years ago. The plant we were switching got into some financial trouble, our contract was cancelled, and the plant eventually shut down a year or so later. One of the less responsable magazines printed an item, without consulting with us, that claimed we had lost our contract due to "repeated safety violations". Nothing could be further from the truth! The magazine repeatedly refused to print an appropriate retraction. I was the junior member of the group, but my partners were both former trainmaster and road foreman types from some of Conrail's predecessor roads. I'm convinced that this bad publicity made it difficult for us to get another contract switching operation; a very lucrative opportunity evaporated almost overnight. There were also several shortlines we were looking at, none of which we got, and my partners almost had to restart their careers from scratch. Bottom line is this; be careful what you write, because it may turn out to be very damaging to someone's business or career. Pulling that post was a good call- edm5970@earthlink.net |
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| Author: | Ted Miles [ Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Pulled post |
Erik, I think you did the right thing! I am seeing an increasing number of posts that are not signed with real names. I do sign my name to what I write and I have permission to use a computer that is not mine to do it. Ted Miles ted_miles@nps.gov |
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