crime

JR to press charges against train hobbyists for disrupting services

30 Comments

JR West Japan said Tuesday that it will file for damages with the Kashiwara Police Department in Osaka within the next few days after services were delayed due to a train hobbyist who unlawfully entered onto the tracks to take photos on Sunday.

In a statement to the media, JR said: "Although he is a train fan and probably meant no harm, his action severely affected our services and we feel it was a malicious thing to do."

Such a move by JR to file against train hobbyists -- who are becoming increasingly bold in their desire to get photos of oncoming trains -- would be unprecedented.

In the latest incident on Sunday, the man, who was not identified, walked onto the train tracks of the JR Kansai Line near Kawachi-Katakami station with a camera in hand. The driver of an express train spotted the man, and services along the line were temporarily delayed. No one was injured, but 19 trains were canceled while 26 others were delayed for up to 30 minutes. JR said the incident affected an estimated 13,000 people.

On that day, a group of around 50 train hobbyists had hired a special "tatami room train" Asuka, and had gathered at Kawachi-Katakami station to take photos. Station employees urged the photographers to move on but some refused, and police were dispatched to the location.

According to JR, the complaint will be submitted by the stationmaster. Because such incidents by train hobbyists are becoming a problem for JR throughout the region, the company said it has no choice but to take legal action.

© News reports

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

30 Comments
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lol, take that nerds

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They're not called train hobbyists. The official term is, "rail fan." Seriously.

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Like all hobbies there are people who really take it to the extreme and do bad things that put a bad face and make it harder for the rest of us.

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Although he probably meant no harm... we feel it was a malicious thing to do.”

What?

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Thanks for holding up the trains, dorks!

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get a girlfriend

I've got wife but cameras and lenses are just a little more expensive in some cases and taking photos is much more fun than arguing with selfish Japanese women ;-)

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I always smile the line of maniacs with tripods on the bridge near Ochanomizu station (I live near there). well, I like skiing, they like photos, no big deal. as long as they don't disturb others (like the dude in this story)

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Seriously why use police to disperse this crowd just throw a pair of 14 year old idols knickers in the opposite direction and watch these geeks fall on them like a pack of baying wolves.

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typical ME mentality here.

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I'm a rail fan, I've heard it all. "Get a girl friend" etc, some comments towards the general masses of fans, be it rail fans, star trek fans or fans of other things people might think is "geeky". Now this guy deserves what he gets, he went out of line, but I don't think everyone else should pay the price. Just like if one foreigner went out of line, he isn't representing all foreigner..

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Seriously stupid, but I guess you gotta set an example. I wonder what law he broke? I guess trespassing?

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Malice is the intent to do harm.

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Hwæt, why dinn't he use one of these?

http://bit.ly/2GXHa (500g of beautiful payload)

Revoke his nerd creds, while you're at it!

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Entering the tracks is, I would guess, trespassing, so the man should be prosecuted. It's a shame that these rail fans are getting out of hand. They should be grateful that Japan is so nice to rail fans: take pictures of trains in the US and see what happens.

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I think "dork" is the correct term to use with train-approaching-track-jumping rail fans...

http://laughingsquid.com/nerd-venn-diagram-geek-dork-or-dweeb/

I'd like to at least see the photos he got.

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He is quite likely being charged with willful obstruction of business.

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what a goose! There are too many people out there who take their passion to the nth degree!

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What happens when you take pictures of trains in the US? Both myself and my brother do it regulary while home. We do not however enter the right of ways nor interfere with operations.

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The758: I'll bite. What happens if you take pictures of trains in the US?

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bokudayo, the police harass them and order them to stop even if not on railroad property. It started with the paranoia over 911. Americans are becoming more and more paranoid year after year. About the fans, JR should just fine the fans and give them instruction in proper behavior. Maybe let them use not used parts of the system for a price. Passes to special viewing points where JR charges them and it would cause the hiring of special "helpers" or escorts for them. This would be a win win for all.

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YuriOtani...that would be such a great idea! Charge a fee for the rail fans who want to come and take pics....nice way to subsidize guardrails that really should be built on platforms to prevent knobheads like this guy from jumping down onto the tracks or drunk girls from wandering over the edge of the platform, etc., etc.

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The things most of these stories have in common is the clear lack of common sense a lot of people in this country seem to exhibit. Now you don't need JR staff to tell an adult not to stand on the tracks or disrupt service. It should be common sense.

So many times I have encountered people here who are so blinded by their hobby that they cannot see anything else. Obsessive behavior is a big problem in Japan. It breeds brain dead adults who stand on tracks trying to take photos, it breeds stalkers and it breeds these maniacs that confuse reality with anime.

Japan needs, let me say it more loudly, NEEDS!! more mental health care to cure these people and teach them that you can love something without becoming an rabid, blinded and obsessed otaku.

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Go nerds go !!!!!!!1

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Thats right, I love trains, but back in the USA with all it's "freedoms" if you have a camera, the police and security automatically think you are a terrorist. Same in the UK. Even though there is no law against taking photos police like to think there are.

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I'm a rail fan, I've heard it all. "Get a girl friend" etc, some comments towards the general masses of fans, be it rail fans, star trek fans or fans of other things people might think is "geeky". Now this guy deserves what he gets, he went out of line, but I don't think everyone else should pay the price. Just like if one foreigner went out of line, he isn't representing all foreigner..

I'm also a railfan (ferroequinoligist is the technical term) and I've seen clowns like this all over the world. Thankfully railfanning is in the national psyche in Japan; if this was the UK/US/Australia the authorities would impose some knee-jerk regulations that make it hell for the rest of us who do the right thing.

Oh and for those who want to call us 'dorks/nerds/dweebies' or whatever, go back and watch some sport.

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Ugh. I hate being delayed so much. 3 times I've been delayed on a train due to stupid people. This guy deserves punishment.

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What's with these idiots disrupting train services with impunity. I thought entering railroad tracks was illegal. Now it's time for the JR to start taking pictures. Of the idiots, and sue them in court.

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Look up the term "railfan" in Wiki and you're quickly treated to some of the nicknames that train engineers apply to these people. They obviously don't hold railfans in high esteem. "Foamers" (as in "foaming at the mouth") was a great one. :-)

I find it bizarre that someone who loves trains would intentionally step out onto the tracks and prevent those same trains from performing their duties. Perhaps this incident with knock some sense into these people.

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Train paparazzi, now there's a whole different breed of geeks!

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there are some wonderfully ancient trains still in service, in Japan, keen photographers are probably doing a public service in collecting photographs of them, as those trains are not likely to survive much longer.

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