The spikes hold down metal plates that bind the rails to wooden ties underneath.
"If a sufficient number of spikes are removed in a contained location, there's the potential for the rail to shift, which would lead to disastrous results and train derailment," said Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Steve Kulm.
Metra discovered the missing spikes on Monday and notified police and federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, which investigates threats to planes and trains.
The FBI said it was conducting a criminal investigation into "sabotage." FBI spokesman Ross Rice said agents were checking for possible connections to a domestic violence case involving a Metra engineer.
The affected tracks carry three commuter lines, including the Metra Electric Line to University Park and Blue Island, with around 40,000 riders daily, and the South Shore Line to Michigan City and South Bend, Ind.
12 spikes eh ... wow I guess the FBI would rule every foot of track in CN's network sabotage
10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ...
No kidding! I used to live in Balcones Woods, in Austin TX right near the UP track (former MOPAC) and a busy track too. Lots of kids played around it and I used to walk over and watch trains sometimes. Let me tell you - half the total spikes were pulled out about an inch and maybe 5% were missing totally. I tried to kick them back in but once the spikes are worked out of their holes they can't just be pushed in. There were (probably still are) spikes laying around all over the place and one 7 year old boy my daughter knew had at least a hundred he picked up or maybe just pulled out with his fingers.
I haven't been there for a few years but unless the ties are concrete now (UP has replaced a lot of the wood ones) I bet the situation's the same. Same houses, same tracks, lots of kids. It's actually a really nice neighborhood and I loved living there. Good neighbors, lots of trains, what else could you want?
And this has anything to do with taking pictures of trains how? Did a railfan manage to get a photo of the perpetrators while doing this?
ndbprr wrote:FBI Investigating Train Track 'Sabotage'Thursday September 27, 8:24 am ET FBI Investigating Suspected 'Sabotage' of Commuter Train Tracks in Chicago
This sounds to me more like juvenile vandalism than anti-American terrorism. If they catch the people who did it, I doubt they're going to look like they're trying to blend in with the average railfan taking pictures. Actually, except for the fact that a railfan might have taken a pic of the people removing the ties, I don't see a connection between this vandalism and railfans taking pictures of trains from public areas like parks, sidewalks, streets etc.??
ndbprr wrote:Generally the people who claim their rights are being violated when they are told to move on don't understand that there are people out there doing harm or trying to. Obviously those people try to blend in and appear to be joe average. several people have taken an attitude that it is a "Right" to take pictures. It is not in my opinion. It is a "priveledge". These disucssions are numerous on the boards.
So let's see.
Because some people vandalized railroad property in a way that could injury or death, the rest of should not be allowed near railroads.
Along that line I guess we should all stop getting on airplanes because some nutcases flew some into the Twin Towers and Pentagon.
I guess we should stop driving cars because bank robbers use them for getaways.
And we better stay off boats since there are pirates using them for hijacking on the high seas.
Are bicycles still ok?
Freedom of the press, speech, etc don't mean much if we have to give up our rights whenever some vandal, nutcase, etc does something or might do something.
If we don't defend and insist on our rights we won't have them very long. And yes walking on public property and taking pictures is a right to be defended.
Paul
ndbprr wrote:Generally the people who claim their rights are being violated when they are told to move on don't understand that there are people out there doing harm or trying to.
So what? That and $2.00 will get you on the subway. The illegal actions of others don't remove a person's right to engage in legal behavior.
There was a Supreme court decision which stated that citizen had no obligation to figure their taxes in a way that was most beneficial to the government. Consequently, by that line of reasoning, I have no obligation to modify or curtail my lawful activities in order to make law enforcement's job easier. If they don't like my exercising my rights, if it make it too hard for them, then they can quit and find a job that more in keeping with their diminished capacity.
ndbprr wrote: Obviously those people try to blend in and appear to be joe average. several people have taken an attitude that it is a "Right" to take pictures. It is not in my opinion. It is a "priveledge". These disucssions are numerous on the boards.
Taking photographs is a first ammendment right.
Those were some very savvy writers to protect a right that wasn't even invented until at least 60 years later.
Freedom of expression, duh!
ndbprr wrote:Taking photographs is a first ammendment right.Those were some very savvy writers to protect a right that wasn't even invented until at least 60 years later.
I don't see a connection between this vandalism and railfans taking pictures of trains from public areas like parks, sidewalks, streets etc.??
I agree totally with the above rebuttal statement. I think the title to this thread and the vandalism article initial post make no sense and seem to be a forced false notion that I don't buy into. It isn't logical at all.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983