A Cobourg man found out the hard way that it’s best to stay off the railway tracks.
Forty-one-year-old Todd Penfold received a $125.00 ticket for having open liquor and an added $615.00 ticket under the Railway Safety Act.
Penfold spoke to Today’s Northumberland after receiving the tickets around 1 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2022.
Penfold said because the CN Rail tracks are a shortcut to where he lives, he usually walks beside the tracks on railway property.
“All I was doing was adding to my rock collection.”
Penfold said he’s found pieces of rock with copper, gold and crystal.
While along the tracks he looks for rocks that shine, then when he gets back to his residence, he’ll use a magnifying glass to determine if it is actual gold.
Cobourg Police actually witnessed a train pass by Penfold extremely close just east of Burnham Street on CN Rail lines.
Penfold said he understands police are trying to protect people who shouldn’t be near the railway tracks, but said, “that’s ridiculous.”
Even though police found a open bottle of alcohol, Penfold said he was “alert” and not impaired.
“I knew the train was coming. I knew which track it was on.”
Penfold said he’s on social assistance and isn’t sure how he’ll pay the fine.
CN Rail Media Relations, Jonathan Abecassis stated, “there is no gold to be found on CN property and there is no legitimate reason to be trespassing on railway tracks.”
Abaecassis stated that not only is it illegal, it is also dangerous to walk along or on railway tracks.
“In Canada and the United States, railways are private property and individuals trespassing on railway tracks or property can face arrest and receive fines. People could also lose their lives or a limb while trespassing.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
