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"Railfan" Steals a train in Long Island

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Posted by chad thomas on Saturday, April 9, 2005 3:13 PM
Want some cheese with that wine ?
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Posted by mustanggt on Saturday, April 9, 2005 1:12 PM
QUOTE: Please, give me a break today. I don't need to hear how he has some disorder and that gives him the right to break the law. If he's that bad someone should've been watching him. He's just a criminal to me


Nobody said he had a right to break the law.
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 9, 2005 11:43 AM
Please, give me a break today. I don't need to hear how he has some disorder and that gives him the right to break the law. If he's that bad someone should've been watching him. He's just a criminal to me.[8D][:o)]
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Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, April 9, 2005 10:39 AM
Great responses! (Some a bit too "heavy" - the guy's a nut case .... go with it!...)

Anyway, how far and just where did this guy think he was going to go? It's not as if you could "head for the hills" then "lay low" for awhile until the day came to take the train out for a run .........

Every now and then one of these characters comes out of the woodwork to put a smile on my face. Kind of reminds me of a character we had around here sometime back who went into a bank, handed the teller his MASK instead of the note! Go figure!

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by Junctionfan on Thursday, April 7, 2005 7:57 PM
Just don't back the train into the harbor like I did. Coal goes in boat, Bethgons stay on track-I think I've got it now......
Andrew
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:49 PM
i always get the need to take a train but i derail msts alot so i wont try it....
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Posted by mustanggt on Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:38 PM
QUOTE: Someone ought to put that guy in Train Lockdown for life. I think if this freak decides to steal more trains this country would really be screwed


yeah your really funny man, sure he should be hospitalized, but don't call him a freak.

I have Aspergers syndrome. I've been called a freak, retard, phsyco, everything. I don't need jerks like you putting down people with mental disorders.

Dave
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Posted by Sterling1 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:37 PM
Someone ought to put that guy in Train Lockdown for life. I think if this freak decides to steal more trains this country would really be screwed . . .
"There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.]
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Posted by coborn35 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:27 PM
I just want to know why this guy never went to Modoc!!!
Seriously, about the SDMACS, You do not know how many times I have felt that feeling[:D]

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Posted by MP57313 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:59 PM
Thanks LC. The rest of the story sounds familiar now. At least he pled guilty.

This is in contrast with a non-rail case in So Cal, where a Cal Tech student charged with vandalizing SUVs tried to avoid punishment/sentencing by blaming it on Asperger's syndrome. Compassion for the mentally ill decreases if the illness is used to shield such people from responsibility for their actions.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:47 PM
N.Y. man sentenced in train theft attempt
(The Associated Press circulated the following article on April 7.)

NEW YORK -- A man obsessed with trains was sentenced Wednesday to up to three years in prison for trying to steal a Long Island Railroad locomotive.

Darius McCollum, 39, pleaded guilty in February to attempted grand larceny. The charge stemmed from his 20th arrest for illegally posing as a subway motorman and other transit workers.

Wearing an orange reflector vest and hard hat, McCollum entered an LIRR yard last year posing as a safety consultant and asked representatives of a locomotive company how to operate a new type of engine, prosecutors said.

McCollum left the train yard when his identity was questioned. He later was found with stolen keys, including one for the new locomotive, prosecutors said.

Supporters of McCollum have claimed his obsession stems from Asperger's syndrome, a social disorder similar to autism. He first made headlines at age 15 when he commandeered a subway train.


Thursday, April 07, 2005

From BLET Site


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Posted by Junctionfan on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:35 PM
To bad he wasn't a graduate of an engineer school; then he could have got a job doing what he wanted to do plus get paid to do it.

Me personally; if I really want to drive a train; I run Trainz or I will attempt to find Microsoft Train Simulator......oh well.
Andrew
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Posted by MP57313 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by TrummyandElla
No, Darius McCollum is not a "nut," "lunatic fringe," or something of that sort. He has Asperger's Syndrome, a disorder on the autism spectrum.

This Asperger's syndrome gets the 'credit' for some mighty odd behavior. "Lunatic Fringe" might be a bit strong but "Nut" definitely fits, though it would be considered rude by the mental health pros.

I did not realize the news item was covering the sentencing for an incident that happened some time back. It was on this morning's KNX 1070am news (when they run the netwrok news on the hour). I just searched the www.knx1070.com site but there is no link to this story...



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Posted by oskar on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:05 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFGP38

Oh please! You know ALL OF YOU have said to your self.............."Gee the foreman aint around the next crew hasnt arrived" when that coal train with 4 shiny SD-70's tie up in remote place. [C):-)] [oX)]

I wonder if he will blame it on the movie End Of the Line. [D)]




Are you kidding....I think about it every time I see a train standing still.[:p][8D]

It's a darn good thing that I dont have a reverser handle.[:-,]



I do but I am not that stupid to steal it.


kevin
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Posted by edblysard on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:56 PM
Fantastic....
Some one read all the info before posting....

Ed

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Posted by espeefoamer on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:46 PM
Does this mean I can steal a train and get away with it if I claim to have some kind of mental disease?
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:40 PM
First off, I'm in no way condoning his actions -- fortunately, no one was injured by them.

But . . .

No, Darius McCollum is not a "nut," "lunatic fringe," or something of that sort. He has Asperger's Syndrome, a disorder on the autism spectrum.

So before we all get too harsh in our judgments, consider that fact, and take a look at the Autism Society of America website: www.autism-society.org. And, by the way, April is National Autism Awareness Month.

I'll climb off the soapbox now, change into my flame-resistant underwear, and return us to our regularly-scheduled programming.

TrummyandElla
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Posted by adrianspeeder on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:29 PM
Isn't this the reason UP wasn't onboard with microsoft back in development of MicrosoftTrain Simulator? Didn't really want to teach people how to run trains.

Adrianspeeder

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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:20 PM
Hey!

I remember this guy!

If it's the same guy, years back he was the teen or young adult that took a New York subway train "for a cruise" with passengers. He operated the train at the proper speeds, made the station stops and no one suspected anything for a while. He was apprehended and arrested. Scary, considering how someone with basic knowledge easily commandeered a train! Some of you might remember better details of that incident.

So he's getting "up to" 3 years. No ill will towards him, as I've had fantasies of running a locomotive, but there's a line you just don't cross!

I had such an opportunity, and I admit I thought about it! Back in 1981, Amtrak parked a test train of an F40 and 3 new Amfleet II coaches at Tampa Union Station for a week. At night when the station was closed........there wasn't a soul around!!! Top it off, the Key (reverse lever) was left in the F40 and the cab door was open!! (Yes, I checked!) Talk about opportunity!

I settled for taking photos.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:16 PM
That just takes joyriding to the next level. I can't say that doing something like this has ever crossed my mind, but now[}:)].....just how long was the guy sentenced for, I would have to do a quick cost-benefit analysis[:-^] ??
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Posted by arbfbe on Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:10 PM
It would seem like it might be time for the railroads to install swipe card readers with passwords to all locomotives to enable operations. All engineers need some sort of ID card so it can't be too hard to add a magnetic stripe to one of those to activate the units.

Alan
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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, April 7, 2005 12:22 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by thebreeze05

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

When I finally got on it, I wouldn't have a clue what to do next! But maybe those nice young thangs that work on them would show me?
sure why not
Ah Breeze, you are too easy! [:D]

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 12:15 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

When I finally got on it, I wouldn't have a clue what to do next! But maybe those nice young thangs that work on them would show me?
sure why not
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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:25 AM
When I finally got on it, I wouldn't have a clue what to do next! But maybe those nice young thangs that work on them would show me?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by spbed on Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:22 AM
OK that makes perfect sense & why nothing was in todays newspaper.[:o)][:D]

Originally posted by CShaveRR
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:17 AM
[8D] as many time as i have sat in the middle of no where ive been tempted to take the train to its next stop and leave it for the next crew but then theres the problem with all the cars leave em behind take the locos to the yard via nearest liquor store (wander if its a roll thru) that would be cool[8D]
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Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:10 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFGP38

Oh please! You know ALL OF YOU have said to your self.............."Gee the foreman aint around the next crew hasnt arrived" when that coal train with 4 shiny SD-70's tie up in remote place. [C):-)] [oX)]

I wonder if he will blame it on the movie End Of the Line. [D)]




Are you kidding....I think about it every time I see a train standing still.[:p][8D]

It's a darn good thing that I dont have a reverser handle.[:-,]
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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, April 7, 2005 11:00 AM
This attempt to steal the locomotive took place some time last year--the reason it came up now is because he was just sentenced. Here's a link:

http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=20513

Carl

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 10:50 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFGP38

Oh please! You know ALL OF YOU have said to your self.............."Gee the foreman aint around the next crew hasnt arrived" when that coal train with 4 shiny SD-70's tie up in remote place. [C):-)] [oX)]

At least kinda guilty.....[;)]

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