UP Trainman shot by Robber

[Anonymous]

From UTU Site: www.utu.org

Railroad employee shot in holdup

TEXARKANA, Ark. - A Union Pacific employee is recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg after he was shot during an attempted aggravated robbery early Tuesday (Oct. 12), according to the Texarkana Gazette.
The 36-year-old railroad employee, whose name was not released, was checking the brakes on a rail car about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Ninth and Broad streets in Texarkana, Ark., when a man with a gun demanded money from him, said Cpl. Bart Veal, spokesman for the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department.

"He told the man that he did not have any money and heard a gunshot. He soon realized that he had been shot in the left leg," Veal said.

The victim, who told police he did not know where the suspect went after the shooting, began to crawl to his truck where other employees found him.

He was taken to Wadley Regional Medical Center where he remained in good condition late Tuesday.

The victim was unable to provide police with a detailed description of the suspect, Veal said.

On Tuesday afternoon, detectives were looking for people who might have been in the area at the time.

"They are out interviewing any possible witnesses," Veal said.

Union Pacific Railroad police will also be investigating the crime, said Mark Davis, a spokesman for Union Pacific.

"Railroad police can investigate and make arrests if needed. Because we are federally mandated to transport goods, some cases, depending on the circumstances, could be a federal offense," he said.

Davis said random violence against railroad employees does not happen frequently.

"Railroad employees are like family. They (railroad police) will work hard with the local authorities to solve this," he said.

Anyone who has any information about the crime is asked to call the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department at 903-798-3130 or CrimeStoppers at 903-793-7867 (STOP).

(This item appeared in the Texarkana Gazette Oct. 14, 2004)

October 14, 2004

[Junctionfan]

The robber is a swine and I hope he gets shot in the leg and than he can feel what it's like. If he wants money, he should work for a living and stop endangering the lives of real human beings who actually want to make an honest living.

People like that should be battered stupid by an angry mob of hard working people.

Sorry for my violent outburst but hearing about jerks like that really p's me off.

[Mookie]

Some years back, they had someone taking potshots at the cabs of engines. It never ends, unfortunately. Unbelievable!

[csxengineer98]

this is a good example of why railroaders should be able to carry side arms...pilots are alowed to carry them now... so why not railroaders for self defence!!!!!
csx engineer

[Junctionfan]

Railroaders shouldn't have to protect themselves or feel the need to for just working a train. I guess this shouldn't suprise me too much since the world is going to hell in a hand basket.

I hope either Kerry or Bush will invest in some money to protect the railroad workers against thease animals.

Railroaders are just people who work their butts off usually to support a family. You folk have dangerous commodities and often work in dangerous situations just to make a buck or two. You don't need some jerks shooting you for whatever money you get to take home to your families.

[csxns]

Truck drivers carry guns also.

[mloik]

QUOTE:
Davis said random violence against railroad employees does not happen frequently.

Is this true? Rail lines run through some pretty sketchy areas, and I would guess that employees run into some unsavory characters rather often.

Any thoughts or stories from the professional railroaders?

[88gta350]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

this is a good example of why railroaders should be able to carry side arms...pilots are alowed to carry them now... so why not railroaders for self defence!!!!!
csx engineer

Anyone can carry a gun as long as their state permits it and they have the required permit. I imagine the railroad would frown on the pratice though. Hell, 7-11 employees probably have more firepower than most third world countries..... everyone has a right to defend themselves.

[Anonymous]

It a "blanking shame" (I got another word but can't use it in the forum) somebody can't even work on their job without being robbed. Too bad he couldn't have gotten a description of that A-hole.

Larry

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

this is a good example of why railroaders should be able to carry side arms...pilots are alowed to carry them now... so why not railroaders for self defence!!!!!
csx engineer

Anyone can carry a gun as long as their state permits it and they have the required permit. I imagine the railroad would frown on the pratice though. Hell, 7-11 employees probably have more firepower than most third world countries..... everyone has a right to defend themselves.

well.... that maybe ture about the right to carry permits...but you are wrong about railroad workers being able to carry firearms... we are not alowed to have or carry firearms or any wepons of any kind on comp. proporty..that means you cant even pull into the parking lot of the yard office with an achory bow in a rackin the back window of your pickup truck becouse you plan on going hunting when your shift is over!!!!... .... you can be subject to major disaplanary investigation!!!!!
csx engineer

[JoeKoh]

Sorry to hear about this.hope they catch the moron.
stay safe
Joe

[Junctionfan]

Maybe the railroad should fence up their lines in high-crime areas.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Maybe the railroad should fence up their lines in high-crime areas.

wont do any good...places that railroads have put up chain link fences to keep tresspassers out...have had holes cut in them... or the people just clime over them... so whats the point...save the money and hope for the best..or spend the money that is just going to be a waste in the end
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

CSX Engineer is absolutely correct. I know someone who was disciplined for having a shotgun in his truck parked on the property (hunting gun).

Fences are useless. Many conductors I know have been known to carry an airbrake wrench in bad areas.

LC

[Junctionfan]

I fear for you guys, what is the answer?

[Anonymous]

bullet proof vests maybe??

[miniwyo]

Maybe run some voltage through that fence and see how well it works!! And if the RR doesn't want to allow employees to carry sidearms, then maybe they should equip them with a tazer gun or pepper spray.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

CSX Engineer is absolutely correct. I know someone who was disciplined for having a shotgun in his truck parked on the property (hunting gun).

Fences are useless. Many conductors I know have been known to carry an airbrake wrench in bad areas.LC

Limited Clear, CSX Engineer

Just my opinion, but::........................

I think I know why railroad management doesn't want crews carrying weapons. As I've stated before, I worked 15 years for a transit company. Whenever the time came for the Union and Mangement to negotiate a new Wage contract, feelings of hostility soared on both sides! I was a union rep myself for about 1 1/2 years. On several occasions the tension got hot enough where there was fear that someone might go "Postal" and start pumping bullets so around 1987 management slammed down the hammer about personal weapons. Anyone caught could be terminated and arrested! [:0][B)] Before that the rule had been lightly enforced.

Based on what I've read on railroads, the atmosphere seems similar to the one I experienced. It's sad, but that's why rather than you guys are not being allowed to protect yourselves and are expected to use your radios and duck for cover. Management doesn't want to take a chance on Railroad personnel going into "Dirty Harry" mode. Add to that there's also likely the fear that if a railroader does shoot a bad guy in protecting himself, somehow that "moron" would find a "law twisting lawyer" and sue the railroad.

It is a frustrating situation.

[Anonymous]

Hope the robber gets one in the head- "that 'll learn him"

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

Anyone can carry a gun as long as their state permits it and they have the required permit. I imagine the railroad would frown on the pratice though. Hell, 7-11 employees probably have more firepower than most third world countries..... everyone has a right to defend themselves.

HA! LOL! its most likely true- Imagine a tank hiding behind the sotre, and comes crashing through when ther's a hold up!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

this is a good example of why railroaders should be able to carry side arms...pilots are alowed to carry them now... so why not railroaders for self defence!!!!!
csx engineer

Anyone can carry a gun as long as their state permits it and they have the required permit. I imagine the railroad would frown on the pratice though. Hell, 7-11 employees probably have more firepower than most third world countries..... everyone has a right to defend themselves.

well.... that maybe ture about the right to carry permits...but you are wrong about railroad workers being able to carry firearms... we are not alowed to have or carry firearms or any wepons of any kind on comp. proporty..that means you cant even pull into the parking lot of the yard office with an achory bow in a rackin the back window of your pickup truck becouse you plan on going hunting when your shift is over!!!!... .... you can be subject to major disaplanary investigation!!!!!
csx engineer

I don't think it's so bad that the railroad doesn't allow employees to carry guns. Come on now, things like this can happen anywhere to anyone. If it keeps happening in certain area than that's an exception, but because some crazy speed-tweaking idiot in texarkana thinks he's going to come upon a goldmine by robbing a railworker (last time I checked they weren't pulling in the million$), I don't think that's much reason to arm the populace. Next thing you know, some poor hobo's going to get popped because he approached a brakeman in the dark to ask for directions and the brakemen panicked. Guns? Not always such a good idea.

[rambo1]

I feel sorry for the poor man just earning a living .But remember there is a time he will beg in front of his maker for mercy. rambo1............

[rambo1]

The robber will pay. What goes around comes around. rambo1........

[ericsp]

On a somewhat related note, some driver somewhere assualt a conductor a few years ago because the train was blocking the crossing. I don't remember if they train went into emergency, it stopped for some reason and someone messed with the anglecock, or if he went back to break the train at the crossing. When he went back, a motorist who was waiting at the crossing attacked him.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

CSX Engineer is absolutely correct. I know someone who was disciplined for having a shotgun in his truck parked on the property (hunting gun).

Fences are useless. Many conductors I know have been known to carry an airbrake wrench in bad areas.LC

Limited Clear, CSX Engineer

Just my opinion, but::........................

I think I know why railroad management doesn't want crews carrying weapons. As I've stated before, I worked 15 years for a transit company. Whenever the time came for the Union and Mangement to negotiate a new Wage contract, feelings of hostility soared on both sides! I was a union rep myself for about 1 1/2 years. On several occasions the tension got hot enough where there was fear that someone might go "Postal" and start pumping bullets so around 1987 management slammed down the hammer about personal weapons. Anyone caught could be terminated and arrested! [:0][B)] Before that the rule had been lightly enforced.

Based on what I've read on railroads, the atmosphere seems similar to the one I experienced. It's sad, but that's why rather than you guys are not being allowed to protect yourselves and are expected to use your radios and duck for cover. Management doesn't want to take a chance on Railroad personnel going into "Dirty Harry" mode. Add to that there's also likely the fear that if a railroader does shoot a bad guy in protecting himself, somehow that "moron" would find a "law twisting lawyer" and sue the railroad.

It is a frustrating situation.

a pissed of railroader that wants to go postal can just go home and get his wepon ...its not like you have to go past a mega secertiry checkpoints to get to the yard offices..... so that argument in my oppion donst hold much water....
crews should be alowed to carry guns...... bottom line...
csx engineer

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joeyalone

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

this is a good example of why railroaders should be able to carry side arms...pilots are alowed to carry them now... so why not railroaders for self defence!!!!!
csx engineer

Anyone can carry a gun as long as their state permits it and they have the required permit. I imagine the railroad would frown on the pratice though. Hell, 7-11 employees probably have more firepower than most third world countries..... everyone has a right to defend themselves.

well.... that maybe ture about the right to carry permits...but you are wrong about railroad workers being able to carry firearms... we are not alowed to have or carry firearms or any wepons of any kind on comp. proporty..that means you cant even pull into the parking lot of the yard office with an achory bow in a rackin the back window of your pickup truck becouse you plan on going hunting when your shift is over!!!!... .... you can be subject to major disaplanary investigation!!!!!
csx engineer

I don't think it's so bad that the railroad doesn't allow employees to carry guns. Come on now, things like this can happen anywhere to anyone. If it keeps happening in certain area than that's an exception, but because some crazy speed-tweaking idiot in texarkana thinks he's going to come upon a goldmine by robbing a railworker (last time I checked they weren't pulling in the million$), I don't think that's much reason to arm the populace. Next thing you know, some poor hobo's going to get popped because he approached a brakeman in the dark to ask for directions and the brakemen panicked. Guns? Not always such a good idea.

crimes aginst railroaders are random violance crimes..... mostly drug uses and homeless people needing cash fast.... yes we dont carry alot of cash..but some cash is better then none when your strung out and trying to get your next fix..... also...alot of times people are shot becouse they dotn have anything to give the robbor..so he gets pissed and pulls the triger....alot of times people change their minds when they see what it is like to be looking down the other end of the barrowl..... as far as your hobo theroy... alot of crimilans take flight on rails...remember a few years ago about that killer that rode the rails....killing people....
sounds to me like your one of the anti gun people anyways... so no matter what argument i make you wont beliive it...you belive that the cops will save us all... which is bull.... arming people to protect themselfs when the cops arent around is the best way to stay safe!!!!!!!
when the law abiding people are not alowed to have guns...the only ones with the guns will be thecriminals.....chilling thought
csx engineer

[Junctionfan]

I don't mind arming the employees too much as long as they get monthly psychological testing, federal registration for the weapon and is a member in good standing of the NRA.

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

this is a good example of why railroaders should be able to carry side arms...pilots are alowed to carry them now... so why not railroaders for self defence!!!!!
csx engineer

Hey man I agree with ya, I think railroaders sould be allowed to carry firearms as well. Come on now, if someone comes up to me w/ a firearm and I'm just minding my busness connecting air brake lines or something I would want to be able to wip out my 45 or my Kimber 9mm. But I think the closest thing I could do is wip out is a poket knife or hope he doesn't shoot me. :( It seems to me as if many people don't care about the well being of railroaders compared to truckers, or pilots. WHATS UP WIT THAT??????

[Anonymous]

i just started using a brake stick a few weeks ago. the lite weight makes it a great thing to have in a tight spot. in my opinion, i think the general public sorta dislikes us. they think we get paid millions of dollars to ride up and down the tracks making noise and blocking crossings when we feel like it. im always thinking that one day some pissed off *** is gonna get tired of waiting on me to clear the crossing and get out and come at me. i have a right to defend myself, and since they don't want us carrying guns, i'm gonna make full use of anything i can pick up. as far as the bosses not knowing that some of us do carry, what they don't know could save one of our lives. i had rather have a gun and not need it, than to need one and not have it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by blaze

i just started using a brake stick a few weeks ago. the lite weight makes it a great thing to have in a tight spot. in my opinion, i think the general public sorta dislikes us. they think we get paid millions of dollars to ride up and down the tracks making noise and blocking crossings when we feel like it. im always thinking that one day some pissed off *** is gonna get tired of waiting on me to clear the crossing and get out and come at me. i have a right to defend myself, and since they don't want us carrying guns, i'm gonna make full use of anything i can pick up. as far as the bosses not knowing that some of us do carry, what they don't know could save one of our lives. i had rather have a gun and not need it, than to need one and not have it.

The scary thing is Blaze you are pretty close to the opinion of the average idiot on the street. They really think we get overpaid for doing next to nothing. Of course they are in their comfortable homes at 70 dry degrees at 3 am when we are out in a freezing sleet walking two miles for a bad detector...

LC