http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,161773,00.html
In the wake of the London bombings the threat level for Mass Transit trains is being raised to Orange. It is a sad state of affairs that we live in now.
I saw that on the news this morning…terrible…
This makes it even more important for us to keep our eyes open. To quote Jim Wrinn’s closing line in the August Trains Editorial, “[we] can be another tool to help you keep America safe.”
dd
The “threat” level going to ‘orange’ certainly does not surprise me; actually I was expecting it to go to ‘red’.
Probably not a good day to go out for photos…
Probably a good precaution. Even in Ontario, the Solicitor General Monte Kwinter along with Security Preparation official David Fantino said today that the province was going to keep an eye out just in case. The Mayor of Toronto David Miller along with the TTC official Howard Moscoe were also particularly going to keep watch and will make sure all is in place should an incident happen here.
I also heard that Paul Martin has said at the G8 that Canada will help out if we are needed.
What, if any, impact do you think this will have on mass transit or even Amtrak ridership here in the US?
The easiest way to check that bbrant would be to look at mass transit ridership patterns before and after the bombings in Spain. If there wasn’t an effect after Spain I’d guess there probably won’t be an effect now.
from an Amtrak press release –
“Passengers are reminded to contact Amtrak police at (800) 331-0008 or to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.”
dd
I rode Amtrak right after it resumed service after 9/11 and I took along a 3x5 U.S. flag and pinned it up to the window in my sleeping compartment. So many people waved and even saluted as we rolled by. I wish I could go out and do the same thing today.
Good point. Hopefully there won’t be any negative impact. It’s unfortunate that events like today’s bombing, the bombings in Spain and 9/11 happen.
Well who knows Amtrak might end up installing metal detectors or something like that. I do know this for a fact, down at 30th Street Station here in Philly there is going to be Amtrak Police, Philly Cops, and Septa 's Transit Police prowling (spelling) up and down the station. I wouldn’t even be suprised if they closed of the side entrances to 30th Street’s yard today.
I wonder if being under code orenge is going to drasticly effect railfaning activities. I do know that over here in Philly it will because the city of Philadelphia is always so darn paranoid. Philly is so paraniod that if someone had a T bone collision on the main expressway into town don be suprised if it was shut down for two days, they’ll clam it to be a terrorist activity isn’t that sad.
Do Amtrak cars/locos have American flag decals, like airliners do?
I’ve seen some American Flag decals or stickers on some of Amtrak’s MOW equipment and on some on the cars and locomotives. I have yet to see one on a P42 though.
I most certainly know that Septa has at lest four American flag stickers on each of their Silverliner cars.
I am not sure if they have american flag decals on their cars and locos but I do know buses have them on their windows.
It’s really interesting that when there is a tragic event, all of a sudden there importance placed on securing this nation’s rail system and other transportation entities. I mean, if Amtrak folds, then we won’t have to worry about protecting it from terrorists! I worked in Amtrak’s Washington, DC terminal yard on 9/11. I don’t remember a single cop posted at the entrance to the yard nor patrolling the yard at any time. Even with the tragic events in London, there wasn’t a single cop posted at the entrance to the yard where I work now either. Yes, I believe we’re now living in uncertain times and the very act of going to work and coming home from has become something of a gauntlet. We’ll soon become a society of uptight paranoid people pointing out anyone we deem shady to the nearest cop we can find…if you can find one. If this is what it takes to awaken the public to the importance of Amtrak and any of the commuter railroads, then we are truely a society void of reality. Prayers and well wishes to the victims of London’s tragedy.
GLENN
A R E A L RAILROADER!!!
A R E A L AMTRAKER!!!
violence begets violence…an endless spiral in the abyss…
Or if you see ANY RAILFANS taking Photo’s of Trains…Call 911!
Allan.
This is sad.
But it would look nice if Amtrak painted some of there locos in red, white, and blue.
Or have another American Freedom Train.[:)]
C U L8TER!
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