I'd want to see a copy of the ticket/ citation before putting too much stock into such a report.
Now, for example - I wonder what section of the state's vehicle code was cited ? The one prohibiting speeding on a public highway ? Doesn't something seem a little bit wrong there, sport ?
Or, even if it was a village/ town ordinance - what was specified for the location ? Unless it was right along a road or at a grade crossing - then the ''middle of Farmer Jones' field'' ? Would the officer even know about the railroad's MP system and numbering ? I hope the engineer had the sense to not enlighten him . . . most places, that would be good grounds to get the citation dismissed.
Also, since that would be a traffic-type violation - did he ask the engineer for his driver's license ? Did the engineer provide it ? Since that might then lead to 'points' against his D/L as well as the usual fine - so how does the engineer's Brotherhood feel about this ? Will they come to his defense, too ?
What was entered for the license plate number and state of registration of the 'vehicle' ? Was the registration card and proof of insurance requested ? If Illinois has mandatory vehicle mechanical inspections - here in Pennsylvania, it's annually, but I understand that there isn't any such thing in both Florida and Arizona, for example - was the locomotive cited for not complying with that as well ? What if it was a 'run-through' or 'pooled power' locomotive that was leading ? ''Naw, officer, this here's a BNSF train on these here UP tracks.''
Did this make the local newspapers or TV news shows at all ? I'm inclined to think that something like this would be newsworthy in any little 'burg like that.
With all due respect to you and your nephew, this sounds more like an 'urban legend', and/ or 'cop humor' and pulling your leg, to me.
One oddball situation where it might have some validity is 'street running', where the tracks are in the middle of an actual paved and traveled street or highway. I believe that legally, the Federal 'pre-emption doctrine' noted above would technically apply and 'trump' the local ordinances; but practically, the local speed limit would be a good idea to adhere to - otherwise, we could have a train at say, 35 MPH 'tailgating' and rear-ending a tractor-trailer or school bus traveling at the posted maximum of 25 MPH . . . yeah, right . . .
- Paul North.
"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
