Just got this news bulletin, courtesy KTVU Channel 2 Oakland:
"US Says Al-Qaida Discussed Plan To Derail Trains
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice stressing security
on U.S. railways – an alert prompted, according to a U.S. law enforcement
source, by information gleaned from this week’s raid on Osama bin Laden’s
Pakistani compound.
MORE DETAILS: http://www.ktvu.com/tu/5YsOGAK1m.html "
In other words, they will chase the visible railfans away from all strategic railroad areas, in order that Al-Qaida can work undisturbed by observers. Expect more counter-productive security theatre…
John
While the notice didn’t mention any specific plans to derail trains the possibility such an operation might be carried out cannot be ignored. According to a news broadcast that I heard security around all modes of trainsportation is being ramped up due to the death of Osama bin Laden, and this is to be expected. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that the questioning of railfans watching or photographing trains from public property has been recently ramped up.
John, respectfully, I don’t follow your reasoning. Are railfans currently allowed in ‘strategic railroad areas’? If they chase away people with cameras, would they not chase away those without cameras? How would they know whom to chase away at all? And if the news is legitimate, and the plan worth publicizing at all, why would it follow that increasing vigilance and security measures for traveler safety would be counter-productive? Would it be reasonable, in view of the public announcement, that the authorities state they intend to take no more notice or measures, despite the news?
Crandell
sure we got to keep vigilant but, Derailing a train may or may not cause casualties, but then if we worry about train derailments we better watch for profesional truck drivers, they seem to derail way more trains due to stupidity, than El Quaida can do with planning.
Here’s another article on the topic:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42922557/ns/world_news-death_of_bin_laden/?gt1=43001
As much as I’ve criticized the harassing of railfans that follow the rules, I appreciate why railroad brass and train crews have been and will be even more edgy. Add to that; the jerks today that play “chicken” with trains, commit suicide, throw objects at trains, and vandalize them with graffitti have made things so much more difficult for train crews, rail security, and us as railfans. Hard sign of the times.
Amazes me how just a couple of decades ago it was so easy to walk into just about any SCL rail yard in central or western Florida with a camera and usually be greeted with a smile or conversation by train crews.
The terrorists learned years ago that they don’t need to actually attack us. All they have to do is talk about attacking us and then sit back in the safety of their home country and watch us destroy our own economy in our hysterical over reaction to the supposed threat.
Well said. Let’s hope they continue that strategy rather than actually killing people.
Wrong,
Amtrak wants the support of the “Railfan”.
Amtrak has appealed for your help. They want you to become another set of “Eyes and Ears” to “Observe and Report” to them. Amtrak Police are in charge of Amtrak Security and cooperate with DHS.
Starting in mid April a new program called “Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security” was started. Why not sign up and download your personal numbered ID Card and the 800 number for reporting what you see? Use the Amtrak link below
Or better yet, let’s hope they have an Enlightenment, and realize that we are all children of the Supreme Being (if any), and that by working together we could accomplish so much more than we will if we continue to hate.
I think if you are a rail fan doing rail fan things you will be ok. The railroaders and rail police know who we are and that we are just there to take a photo and watch the trains. Now the local police, that may be a different story. Just use common sense and stay off rail road property and all should be ok.
The reasoning is simple… there are not enough people employed by the RRs or Homeland Security to watch all the track, all the time… so they are randomly watching random places where they can, when they can.
They see a railfan, investigate them minimally, i.e.; ask for identification, take some quick notes, and then tell them to skedaddle. Then they leave to go look someplace else, leaving that spot with no one watching it, neither the railfan nor the enforcement personnel. The terrorist then has a place they can do some dirty deed. with less chance of being seen because the enforcement personnel cannot be at that place all the time and the railfan has been ordered away.
On the other side of the coin, if the railfan was not there to raise suspicion the enforcement personnel would not have needed to stop to investigate and might be able to
Yep. Rod Serling was right in the “Monsters Are Due On Maple Street” episode of The Twilight Zone. In that episode, aliens were invading Earth, but rather than take over the planet, they just stirred up fear and panic, causing the people of the neighborhood in the show to destroy themselves.
Kevin
Crandell:
To follow up Semper’s response, consider a major photogenic bridge. You may have noticed that they are commonly included in photos. The railfan is typically somewhat away from the bridge, not trespassing on railroad property and often fairly visible. While he waits for a train to arrive the railfan will be somewhat bored and looking around, and especially at the bridge structure, for anything to catch his or her interest. Suspicious human activity around the bridge will certainly attract attention.
Meanwhile the law enforcement officer drives by and hassles the innocent railfan. Will the officer EVER bother looking closely at the more distant bridge or track - I very much doubt it. Non-railroad police in general have no idea of what to look for on the rail infrastructure anyway.
Incre
So if I understand the logic of some Bin Laden when confronted with several Navy Seals in his bedroom quickly entered “trains” in his laptop to take away priveledges (Not rights) from US citizens. You will not find me trackside for awhile. I dislike having guns pointed at me and justifiably in my opinion until this sorts out.
You’ll find me trackside.
shrugs
Don’t you work for the RR zugmann? [:)]
Umm… I guess my new answer should be “that information is classified”.
Zug,
When confronted by someone with a weapon I don’t get mad. I shoot back.
Everyone take a deep breath. As far as I can tell no one has been harassed at this point. If a threat is made it makes sense to be more vigilant. That doesn’t automatically mean there will be problems.