Latest News: Threat no longer rumors.

[AntonioFP45]

It's likely many of us heard the latest "credible" intelligence reports that terrorists (cowards) have been working; planning to strike targets here in the U.S. soon. Supposedly members of cells are already on our soil and some are traveling with kids and women to better "blend in". Based on what happened in Spain, we must consider the harsh possibility that trains and stations are targets especially with the upcoming summer travel season.

We should not stop living, but make the extra effort to keep our personal "radar" and "sonar" working. Unfortunately railroad security people may become more aggressive towards railfans, but instead of being too defensive against some of the "overzealous" cops and barking "ACLU!", we should put ourselves in their shoes for a few seconds.

I'm not crying "doomsday" but am only suggesting that we not forget 9-11-01, as many people seem to have already!

[Anonymous]

Truthfully, I don't think anyone can forget 9-11. I think what has happened is that they have "cried wolf" to many times before. For me it is hard to decipher what truly is a threat or just an overanxious administration. I agree that security around any railroad is lax, to say the least. Amtrak has stepped up security lately, hopefully not to lately. The real reason i am not worried is where I live.
Andy

[Mookie]

I don't think the human psyche is geared to living in constant fear. Awareness, yes, but fear, no. Our young men especially have no fear of a rather large, heavy monster coming down the tracks at them. I think this ties into the 9/11 tragedy quite well. We are horrified for a time, but then we go back to living with only a small memory stored somewhere. This is as it should be. You can't live with paranoia or dread every day, or you would have to be heavily medicated.

You can't stop the sun from exploding, you can't stop a terrorist cell if they are determined to do damage. They are both too big and are both probably inevitable. I'm not resigned to the inevitable, but I am not going to panic everytime the color code rises a level. Since when have any politicians proven to be even close to predicting events. They are spitting in the wind just like the rest of us. Be aware and take certain precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. But live life with gusto - it is the only one you will ever have!

Mook

[JoeKoh]

thats why we need to oberserve trains more. the more of us looking the less likely they will hang around.
stay safe
joe

[tree68]

When someone high in the intelligence community suggested that terrorists might fly a plane into a skyscraper, the concept was dismissed out of hand. Then they did.

If you take a few moments to let your "evil" side come out and consider what "you" as a ''terrorist" could do to wreak havoc, it gets rather interesting. While it is good to consider what could happen, in reality, we probably won't know until it does. A single terrorist, or a small group, acting on orders that may have been issued months or even years ago, can have a huge impact.

In the meantime, be aware, and be aware that others are doing so, too, especially law enforcement and security types. The seemingly innocuous activity of sitting in a public parking lot watching the world go by may be viewed as a threat if the world going by includes anything that has been deemed vulnerable/valuable, and you may not even be aware that you are "suspect." Paranoia can introduce unplanned potential into common activities (you're waiting for the Mrs, but can see the airport glide path from were you are parked, and may even be watching the airplanes). If someone asks you what you're doing, be polite when you answer, and move on if so requested. Nothing like standing up for your rights from the wrong side of the steel bars.

[cherokee woman]

I agree with Mookie and Larry.

We CANNOT live our lives in fear. We just have to keep being AWARE of what is going on around us, and not become paranoid about everything. Just continue to live our lives to the fullest we can. And be careful and watchful to everything around us.

If a member of law enforcement stops you, just be completely honest and truthful. That's the only way to be.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Bravo gang!!! It is nice to see that there are still some Americans with common sense. I swear, the media and the government are polluting the minds of the people with all of this "Chicken Little" crap. I say,

Enjoy life, chase trains, and screw the terrorists!!

Larry makes a good point. I could dream up a thousand plans to do damage, the difference is, I don't want to do damage.[swg]

[bnsfkline]

Everyone, I am asking you to keep a vigilant eye out, as they may target railroads. That means our Railfan hobby must be taken to public grounds, and not on railroad porperty. TGhe local news here was saying anyone seen on railroad property here in St. Louis will be detaned untill the end of the summer. So go to public railroad watching locations like Altoona, Horseshoe Curve, Rochelle, Kirkwood Missouri, or any Amtrak station. I dont want anyone of us getting arrested for being on railroad property.........LONG LIVE THE RAILFAN!

[Anonymous]

I don't let this terror crap bother me,when I go railfanning on the weekends with my friends WE RAILFAN TOGETHER and don't worry about the little [censored] that goes around us.besides the news media talks too much crap so 90% of the time the tv just stays OFF."The truth is it's ok to be vijalent just don't over do it!" I never get bothered when im railfanning.

[Willy2]

I'm not going to let a lot of nutty terrorists stop me from watching trains. Train watching is one of my favorite hobbies and I have no urge to give it up. I think Joe may have a point. If there are more people viewing trains, it will be harder for terrorists to strike. I will never forget 9/11!

Willy

[rrnut282]

Every time we do something different or increase security so that it is harder for law-abiding citizens to move about freely, the terrorist have won. Destroying our way of life was the goal, not to do damage to infrastructure. Their fear is our culture is so dominate, that it will swallow up theirs, so they want to destroy or modify ours before it destroys them. So, to defeat the terrorists, do what you normally would do, as you would have done it before 9-11. Each time the threat level goes up and people change their habits the terrorist wins without lifting a finger!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Bravo gang!!! It is nice to see that there are still some Americans with common sense. I swear, the media and the government are polluting the minds of the people with all of this "Chicken Little" crap. I say,

Enjoy life, chase trains, and screw the terrorists!!

Larry makes a good point. I could dream up a thousand plans to do damage, the difference is, I don't want to do damage.[swg]

[#ditto]