I would not try to dehumanize the guy but trying to drive a locomotive off the end of the rails such a distance is not the action of a rational human being.
It's "fun" to belittle those who we do not see eye to eye with, makes us feel more certain of our own views, and our own place in life. I get caught up in it myself, and usually regret it later.
And the engineer in this little episode certainly appears to have made a number of miscalculations, either as a result of fear, lapse of judgement, or perhaps some more organic disability that we know nothing about. Still, I always try to understand the position of the other guy. I may not agree with it, but that alone does not automatially disqualify his POV.
As dead as that harbor looks today (I once lived within 5 miles of this location, and the apparent dormancy evident from the aerials appears unusual to me) I have to wonder if the arrival of such a big ship may have been sufficiently unique to this man's normal daily routine that it may have "spooked" him in some way.
I'm not offering this in any manner intended to legitimize or forgive his actions. It's just to me there appears to be parts of this story not being shared with us. Yes, I'd like to see him given a soap box to elaborate on what threat he believed he was rising in opposition to. Unfortunately I am sure that will not be allowed to happen.
It could be as simple that his job was being phased out due to reduction in port activity, and he is going "rogue" in protest. That would be more understandable than the story we have been spoon fed. Sorry if my attempt at objectivity offends any of the fist pounding law an order types who want only to see the perp dehumanized and prosecuted.
Convicted OneLooking the whole area over on google satellite view, there seems to be an awful lot of empty asphalt , and dormant cranes, with few international freight sized ships in port. Most of what I do see appears to be auto import cars sitting in lots. Has this port suffered serious decline in it's service? Maybe this guy was bored to death?
Has this port suffered serious decline in it's service? Maybe this guy was bored to death?
Understand that the mental midget at the controls go no closer than 250 yards from his intended target. Guess he didn't have much experience on how locomotives operate when not on the proper railroad tracks.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Looking the whole area over on google satellite view, there seems to be an awful lot of empty asphalt , and dormant cranes, with few international freight sized ships in port. Most of what I do see appears to be auto import cars sitting in lots.
Dimitri- we have a little problem. It seems that one of our train engineers went crazy in the head and tried to sink a ship. Of course I'm glad to speak to you, Dimitri. (Dimitri hangs up)
Paul_D_North_Jr Murphy Siding And don't forget fluoridation and messing with our precious bodily fluids. How many people here will get that reference? - PDN.
Murphy Siding And don't forget fluoridation and messing with our precious bodily fluids.
How many people here will get that reference?
- PDN.
One of Stanley Kubrick's best films.
Murphy SidingIt looks like the chained link fences saved the day. The first one slowed it down, the second one stopped it.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
seppburgh2 When locomotives attack: "ramming the locomotive through two barriers at the end of tracks Tuesday and coming to rest in a gravel lot about 250 yards from the hospital ship, according to the Department of Justice. Nobody was injured. A nearby California Highway Patrol officer witnessed the crash. The officer reported seeing “the train smash into a concrete barrier at the end of the track, smash into a steel barrier, smash into a chain-link fence, slide through a parking lot, slide across another lot filled with gravel, and smash into a second chain-link fence.” https://nypost.com/2020/04/01/engineer-derailed-train-near-usns-mercy-over-conspiracy-theory/?utm_campaign=iosapp I give the engineer the Speed Racer award for the distance covered. But a question, since this was a deliberate act by an employee, not an accident or oops, will the RR insurance carrier cover the clean-up and maybe a totaled locomotive?
When locomotives attack:
"ramming the locomotive through two barriers at the end of tracks Tuesday and coming to rest in a gravel lot about 250 yards from the hospital ship, according to the Department of Justice.
Nobody was injured. A nearby California Highway Patrol officer witnessed the crash.
The officer reported seeing “the train smash into a concrete barrier at the end of the track, smash into a steel barrier, smash into a chain-link fence, slide through a parking lot, slide across another lot filled with gravel, and smash into a second chain-link fence.”
https://nypost.com/2020/04/01/engineer-derailed-train-near-usns-mercy-over-conspiracy-theory/?utm_campaign=iosapp
I give the engineer the Speed Racer award for the distance covered. But a question, since this was a deliberate act by an employee, not an accident or oops, will the RR insurance carrier cover the clean-up and maybe a totaled locomotive?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
tree68 54light15 Just how far off the end of the rails did the locomotive get? NDG's post (second in the thread) had several views. He definitely covered some ground... Looks like got bogged down in the dirt and couldn't get back on the pavement.
54light15 Just how far off the end of the rails did the locomotive get?
NDG's post (second in the thread) had several views. He definitely covered some ground... Looks like got bogged down in the dirt and couldn't get back on the pavement.
Paul_D_North_JrHow many people here will get that reference?
What does the "D." stand for?
seppburgh2But a question, since this was a deliberate act by an employee, not an accident or oops, will the RR insurance carrier cover the clean-up and maybe a totaled locomotive?
It all depends on what the insurance policy (contract) says. Major railroads have policies that have very high deductibles. They just have to cover the first $1 million, or more, loss by themselves. The policies also have a limit. The railroads just can't buy enough insurance to cover potential liabilities on potential losses from carrying things the government forces them to cary. Such as chlorine.
So it really all depends on whether the coverage included or excluded employee sabotage. I don't know the provisions of the PHL policy as to deductibles or employee sabotage.
You cant fight in here- this is the war room.
35 million dead- tops. Take my word for it.
Purity of essence???
Murphy SidingAnd don't forget fluoridation and messing with our precious bodily fluids.
Loved the aerial photography (even if it was 'photoshopped' as it was back in the day).
caldreamer I am VERY suprised that they did not charge him with domestic terrorism. He deserves to be locked up in ADX Florence for the rest of his life.
I am VERY suprised that they did not charge him with domestic terrorism. He deserves to be locked up in ADX Florence for the rest of his life.
seppburgh2When locomotives attack: "ramming the locomotive through two barriers at the end of tracks Tuesday and coming to rest in a gravel lot about 250 yards from the hospital ship, according to the Department of Justice. Nobody was injured. A nearby California Highway Patrol officer witnessed the crash. The officer reported seeing “the train smash into a concrete barrier at the end of the track, smash into a steel barrier, smash into a chain-link fence, slide through a parking lot, slide across another lot filled with gravel, and smash into a second chain-link fence.” https://nypost.com/2020/04/01/engineer-derailed-train-near-usns-mercy-over-conspiracy-theory/?utm_campaign=iosapp I give the engineer the Speed Racer award for the distance covered. But a question, since this was a deliberate act by an employee, not an accident or oops, will the RR insurance carrier cover the clean-up and maybe a totaled locomotive?
Maybe he thought he was the Captian of ship sent to Alang, India to be cut up on the beach and he was trying his best to beach the ship (locomotive).
Locomotive is far from totaled and will probably be back at work by the end of the month.
The insurance company for the carrier will have to settle the claims against the carrier - the insurance company may initiate a suit against the Engineer to recover what the had to spend to cover the damages (no blood from mental turnips).
54light15Just how far off the end of the rails did the locomotive get?
Just how far off the end of the rails did the locomotive get? What measurement? To sink a ship with a train would take some doing but I did see a submarine torpedo a truck. Of course it was in a movie, but what the hey. Operation Petticoat with Cary Grant and Tony (Yonda lies da castle of my fadda) Curtis.
caldreamer Actually, ADX Florence is one of two federal supermax prisions. The other is in Marion Indiana. Colorado would have no say if he was sent there. ADX Florence has far more dangerous prisoners than him. For example, Ted Kosinski the Unibomber, Shiek Kalid Mohammid who planned the first World Trade Cneter Bombing, and Terry Nichols who was one of the Oklahoma City bombers. Need I say more?
Actually, ADX Florence is one of two federal supermax prisions. The other is in Marion Indiana. Colorado would have no say if he was sent there. ADX Florence has far more dangerous prisoners than him. For example, Ted Kosinski the Unibomber, Shiek Kalid Mohammid who planned the first World Trade Cneter Bombing, and Terry Nichols who was one of the Oklahoma City bombers. Need I say more?
Murphy Siding Overmod You forgot the silvery, silvery tinfoil. And the red mercury. And the shackles. So many, many shackles... And don't forget fluoridation and messing with our precious bodily fluids.
Overmod You forgot the silvery, silvery tinfoil. And the red mercury. And the shackles. So many, many shackles...
You forgot the silvery, silvery tinfoil. And the red mercury.
And the shackles. So many, many shackles...
And don't forget fluoridation and messing with our precious bodily fluids.
Look at the reception these healthcare workers received in India(just can't help some people):
https://imgur.com/gallery/urGRyFr
I guess that's one way to keep the pandemic out of the ol' neighborhood?
caldreamer He deserves to be locked up in ADX Florence for the rest of his life.
He deserves to be locked up in ADX Florence for the rest of his life.
As usual, wheel stops and a ballast pile don't stop much. ( a Hayes WK or WH would have been more effective - even though they usually become victims of blind shoves which wasn't the case here, and distance was a friend.)
The Anacostia folks probably want to dig a hole and crawl into it about now.
I've heard of people going off the rails, but this is ridiculous.
Good shot of the engine in better times:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2700836
Backshop White ships, black helicopters...it's all the same...
White ships, black helicopters...it's all the same...
REX84 (look it up). Real exercise, but the conspiracy theories it has spawned are truly entertaining.
I saw one video of a fellow walking around a single head searchlight RR signal, talking about how it was somehow linked to satellites (actually would be true today) and would be used to guide the trains of white boxcars with shackles to the internment camps...
When I posted a comment on the video that it was just a standard RR signal, he took the post down...
Johnny
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.