Railroad Police & Law Enforcment

[Anonymous]

I've been trying to research Railroad Police and the only railroad that I can find equipment for is the Southern Pacific Railroad Police.  I have talked to a UP Police Officer, but I have not seen anything on other Railroad Police.  Also any history like the Wells Fargo and/ or Pinkertons would be nice.  I would like to add railroad police to my layout when I get it built and want to see what would be appropriate for planning it.  The Railroads in the area are BNSF, Amtrak, UP, and from the "Fallen Flags" MOPAC, Frisco, Burlington.  I would like to hear about any railroad though.

[wjstix]

Not sure if this helps but....

1. In the U.K., one of the railways had locomotives lettered "RAILWAY POLICE" in rather large lettering. Sometimes they have railway policemen on them, sometimes they're just hauling trains with a regular crew, but apparently the sight of them is enough to scare some badguys away either way.

2. By state law here in Minnesota, a conductor on a train has the same power to arrest as does a sheriff of the county the train is in. So if someone breaks the law on a train in Minnesota (or within sight of the conductor, even if it's off the train), the conductor can take him into custody until the suspect can be turned over to the authorities.  

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Rolling stock lettered specifically for use by special agents is quite rare.  They didn't even have marked squad cars until recently.  The cars, which can be sedans or SUV's, are often lettered in a style similar to municipal police departments.

[Icemanmike]

Yea I would say the same here in Milwaukee. I have NEVER seen anything marked RR police......however if you ever seen a CP cop, you woul swear that you just been found by the fbi!!:busted:

[PBenham]

Rolling stock lettered specifically for use by special agents is quite rare.  They didn't even have marked squad cars until recently.  The cars, which can be sedans or SUV's, are often lettered in a style similar to municipal police departments.

In these parts (Mudville, USA) CSX has a marked Chevy Yukon, but NS' vehicles aren't marked. Conrail had a marked car that was assigned to operation lifesaver. The Concops called it the circus wagon, but it was equipped quite well. How many police cars do you know of that have air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, reclining seats. I'd say not very many!

As to how they get along with the local departments, it depends. The railroad cops and the Buffalo PD are NOT friendly between each other, unless they are being good cop/bad cop then all bets are off. The indivdual cops make all the difference between a cop and acop!

[Anonymous]

Down in the San Joaquin valley I've seen white SUV's (usually Tahoes') with the UP shield in the middle with 'Railroad' over the top of the shield and 'Police' under the shield.  They have standard police light bars on the units. 

[cprted]

Are these the sort of images you're looking for?
As for the previous comment regarding police cars without A/C, AM/FM, reclining seats, I've never been in a police that hasn't had these things. The new dodge police packages even come with a CD player.

[Anonymous]

We would process some ex-police vehicles from time to time and they are nicely done. Some of the units like the new Dodge Chargers equipped for flight above 150 mph are really really really NOICE.

Me thinks the standard crappy crown victoria that requires training on how to floor it at 0 mph has those awful bucket seats and lots of floor space for all of that heavy radio stuff.

[jeremygharrison]

Not sure if this helps but....

1. In the U.K., one of the railways had locomotives lettered "RAILWAY POLICE" in rather large lettering. Sometimes they have railway policemen on them, sometimes they're just hauling trains with a regular crew, but apparently the sight of them is enough to scare some badguys away either way.

A couple of British Locos have been painted in 'Police' livery, just like police cars, AIUI principally for advertising/promotional purposed - they appeared in a a couple of TV commercials.

I don't believe they were ever used by the British Transport Police - who did however use 'ordinary' trains (unmarked - described as 'Q-trains') on anti-vandal patrols - they would stop and the police jump out when vandals (who would have scattered or acted innocent on sight of a normal police car) were spotted.

BTP have police cars which are painted in normal British police car style. 

 

But for different look at Police and Railways (and a bit of light relief), take a look at http://www.geocities.com/ferroaficionadosar/comic2.htm (from Argentina) - I assume its a city rather than a railway policeman.

Jeremy     

 

 

[DSchmitt]

 

Here is a History 

http://www.therailroadpolice.com/history/

[Anonymous]

I love the photos and the history from all of you.  It wasn't quite what I wanted, but it went in a good direction.  It may change how and what I do on the layout. 

[Anonymous]

The UP Special Agents in my area drive around in unmarked vehicles with interior LED strobes. A few are solide black Ford Expeditions, Chevy Impala(teh suXXor), CVPIs, and a few white Ford F250 Supercrew 4x4s. I dont understand how they think nobody will notice them in those vehicles, to me, being around Law Enforcement all my life, it screams "I is a PO-lice mans, I am here to oppress and kee da man down!".:D

There is a newb though. I've never met him, just waved. He drives areound a fully marked Ford Explorer with external LED lightbar and smaller strobes. It says on the side, "UP Railroad Grade Crossing Police". I am a bit puzzled at this one, but okie dokie.

As for UP SAs and their firearms, they tend to go with Glock(meaning they have no taste). To be more specific, Glock G22s and G23s, in .40S&W, are the most common. The duty round is the 180gr Remington Golden Sabre. I have seen a couple of old timers packing S&W revolvers chambered in .357mag, but who knows if .357mag is in there, they may have .38specs in there instead, I would. I've heard a few pack SIG Sauers(thats what I like to hear) in various calibers, but have never seen one with a SIG. UP may very well be a BYOG type dept. BYOG = Bring Your Own Gun.

BNSF SAs, if thats what they want to be called carry Glocks as well. I have only met 4 in my time. Two had Glock 22s(.40S&W), one had a Springfield XD(also in .40S&W), and the other, a very high ranking SA, had a Kimber CDP 1911 (Goverment) in (.45acp). I have no clue what the duty ammo is.

[Anonymous]

To be honest, the very last thing I would worry about when it comes to duty ammo, is KE. I'd be far more concerned with the bullets ability to penetrate deeply and expand robustly, through not only soft tissue, but soft tissue that may be behind barriers. Barriers defeating, is extremely important. Bad guys dont typically stand out in the open and let you shoot at them, and if they do, they're ijits. Most bad guys tend to look for cover, and thats why defeating barriers is so crucial.

Not to mention the limited KE that is involved with pistol ammo expends itself, once the bullet has been fired, as heat, and not much of it. Might I suggest www.tacticalforums.com for more info.

I apologize about the thread hijack.

Im the one that accidently took us into the ammo area, I apologize. I have a habit of saying stuff people dont visit in threads.

[Icemanmike]

I never thought so much info on this topic would have been addressed! Cool info guys!!

[DMUinCT]

In this part of the country, Police walk the station platforms and watch by survaillance cameras.  Locomotives all have raidios, engineer's cell phones.  They see someone on railroad property or near the tracks, they call it in and a Railroad Police car will investigate (Amtrak, MBTA, or CSX).  All work crews have a radio, anyone on railroad property has Safety Training, security has become "tight".   This requires a well trained Police force. that can operate safely around moving trains.