Join the discussion on the following article:
Officials: 13-year-old responsible for runaway freight car in New York
If I were his parents I be really mad, a 13 year old should know better. I say push charges.
Waiting for comment from reader (Mr Ried) who all but blamed the switching crew for this runaway.
No surprise. The railroads are one gigantic playground for American youths.
And if this car been carrying a volatile cargo, with people standing on the station platform? Or if this 13-year-old had still been aboard while it was moving? This 69-year-old, lifelong railfan admits to his share of adventures on railroad property as a boy, but climbing on and tampering with equipment was never among them. The railroad, like the sea, can be an unforgiving place if you don’t know its dangers. I don’t know if this boy considered himself a railfan or not, but here’s my plea to those who are young railfans: risking your arms, legs and life - or criminal charges - just isn’t worth it. Be safe! Enjoy the railroad from a respectful distance and come back to do it again another day.
Before all the hate mail starts on the kid who let fly the hopper car lets all remember we were probably all 13 yr olds playing around trains at one time. Just wanted to float that visual out there but I’m sure the powers to be will make him pay the rest of his life.
Ask yourself this question: What would happen to this delinquent if this were Singapore?
Well Dan I thank God every day I live in America and not Singapore. they would probably cut his hands off. We have to give him a little credit,he came forward to face the music and that showed some guts
No, the perp would not get his hands cut off in Singapore. Due to his young age he would likely receive the minimum sentence: 6 strokes of the infamous “Singapore Cane” , a 4-foot flexible rattan rod. Juveniles in the Singapore justice system who are “caned” seldom return. Once is enough, apparently. I wonder how much vandalism there is at the Singapore rail station & yard which are located on the north side of the bay.
I suppose the idea of tying him to the coupler of the Hickory Creek and drag him from Grand Central Terminal to Chicago wouldn’t past muster here. But the thought is comforting and he should know that there are many who would applaud such an event for the damage done to both the NYC steam locomotive and to Utica Union Station. Would explaining to him about private property, trespassing, and destruction costs, and injuries he could of inflicted by his action make an impression on him? Or his parents? No, boys will be boys is not an action that should be taken. Something more emphatic and hyped has to be done.
So maybe the 0-6-0 might get an operational restoration? Please? Pretty please?
Really Henry F. Sommers? It sure is a good thing that you were never a 13-year old boy.
The incident did not “affect” passenger service… !
“Federal Investigation” can be concluded very quickly. Take the kid out back, and beat his a** until he tells police how he cranked the handbrakes off. Case closed.
Scott Ferry, did you read my whole comment or just the opening sentence?
They just painted it last year - that is one of my train watching spots
Onieda County should, at the least bring suit to force the parents to pay for the station repairs. Then Mohawk Valley NRHS can have their turn.
I am sure that righteous indignation is fueling some of the previous comments…Face it the NYC Steamer #6721-MAY/ or Might possibly be the object of a campaign to repair the damage or renew the appearances…I would hope that a local effort is made in that direction…
As to the 13 year old- He is a MINOR who was involved in vandalism. Legal penalties will be a function of the local juvenile authorities, and possibly cause him do a modicum of Community Service; and then, at a future point, his record will be expunged.
Subrogation of the Parents for the expenses, and damages, done to the Display engine, and the Station? Probably will not happen,IMHO. Defense: ‘You cannot get blood out of a rock’ (?)
The kid was most likely in an unsupervised role at the time he preformed the vandalism. The damages will probably be, in the very least, in the thousands of dollars; or multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars. Insurance and likely; a Bond issue will be the resolution for the repair of the Utica RR Station, MY guess…
As to the NYC 6721 ? That one will be anyone’s guess as to that outcome.
A couple of the comments I see about beating the kid senseless are just sickening. You don’t abuse a child, no matter what they did. You must have real mental issues if you are willing to go that far with someone under the age of 18. That does not mean, however, that the kid should not face consequences for his actions, whether it be moderate criminal charges or a community service compromise. I believe there is too much of a generation gap between most responsible adults and today’s youth that are still under the age of 18. It is not just 21st Century culture’s fault, though. Most of the blame should be placed on the parents for not disciplining their kids enough and fully teaching them that there are consequences for making certain decisions in life. This kid should have known better not to trespass on railroad property and mess with operational railroad equipment, end of discussion! I am so sick of this “kids will be kids” mentality that is beginning to permeate our culture through the irresponsible adults that continue to set a terrible example for the next generation to follow after. I’m not saying that a few kids don’t rebel against authority even if their parents do try their best, but I am saying that in today’s world, it is so sad to see that too many parents do not take their responsibility seriously enough, and much of the next generation ends up paying the price for it. There are too many youths in this world today that have no respect for authority, whether it be parents, elderly folks in society who have life wisdom, law enforcement, teachers, coaches, or good bosses at the place of employment. Bottom line, this kid should have known better, and should have also found something more constructive to do with his time. Now we just have to sit back and let the criminal justice system do its job.
I live near Utica and drive truck for postal carrier right down the street and got a close look at the old girl and she looks like the frame took a bad hit. Maybe someone from Adirondack railway can post a comment on this