I was a little intrigued with the stories of the McKinley statues/memorials in Buffalo and Chicago being vandalized on Thanksgiving day....which coincidently also included a car ramming our replica fort commemorating the first European stronghold in the region.
The "Landback" movement I believe some are calling it?
To satisfy some here who complain the stories are from right-wing sources and therefore unreliable, here's a link to a completely unbiased (!) source with the basics of the story.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/train-shunt-washington.html
The facts, whether they are from a right-wing source or not, are that two women were arrested who were doing something that possibly could lead to injuries or death.
Right-wing, left-wing, or Martians reporting this, it doesn't matter. People doing this should have the book thrown at them.
York1 John
Just to bring this topic back into focus....My point was to note the potential that was being laid down by thuse two women. They were apparently spured to action by their anti-social affiliations(?). Their course of action was apparently,only partially thought out... I would doubt t they had ecer witnessed a train wreck up close(?).
Within the linked stories were some of the details as to what events had been found to have occured in the two counties (41 seperate events) of attempting to cause a derailment by establishing 'shunts'.
There were mentions of near-by grade crossings in the areas; and possibly, the possibility of causing a failure in a track circuit. Which mght cascade into a derailment, aided by a malfunction of a train's PTC (?).
Not to mention that local police, and railroad police, were watching the areas by placing game cameras around. Actions which would preclude local railfans from their normal activities(?); and practicing caution around those railroads. In strange times, one needs a healthy dose of situational awareness.
BaltACDEven when making a maximum non-emergency application - sometimes the train has other ideas with a 'kicker'. The 'kicker' can also happen with a minimum reduction too. That is one reason the carriers are emphasizing the use of Dynamic Braking.
Dynamic forces can play hell with trains if the train makeup isn't great.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Paul Milenkovic charlie hebdo One of those web blogs is ultra right wing. The other features info on spouses ofBiden appointees. I would suggest both are biased and likely unreliable sources of information, as opposed to rightist disinformation. If progressive citations are condemned as too political, then ditto for the rightist posts. The sources are indeed suspect. They spell braking as "breaking." Those so-called journalists are loosers.
charlie hebdo One of those web blogs is ultra right wing. The other features info on spouses ofBiden appointees. I would suggest both are biased and likely unreliable sources of information, as opposed to rightist disinformation. If progressive citations are condemned as too political, then ditto for the rightist posts.
One of those web blogs is ultra right wing. The other features info on spouses ofBiden appointees. I would suggest both are biased and likely unreliable sources of information, as opposed to rightist disinformation. If progressive citations are condemned as too political, then ditto for the rightist posts.
The sources are indeed suspect. They spell braking as "breaking." Those so-called journalists are loosers.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
zugmann Shadow the Cats owner Signal prior was green crew thinks this one also will be green. Instead it drops in front of them to RED crew throws out the anchor and prays that the train stays on the tracks. Yeah, no, that's not how you would handle that. Nice little bit of fear mongering, though.
Shadow the Cats owner Signal prior was green crew thinks this one also will be green. Instead it drops in front of them to RED crew throws out the anchor and prays that the train stays on the tracks.
Yeah, no, that's not how you would handle that.
Nice little bit of fear mongering, though.
Even when making a maximum non-emergency application - sometimes the train has other ideas with a 'kicker'. The 'kicker' can also happen with a minimum reduction too. That is one reason the carriers are emphasizing the use of Dynamic Braking.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Shadow the Cats ownerSignal prior was green crew thinks this one also will be green. Instead it drops in front of them to RED crew throws out the anchor and prays that the train stays on the tracks.
n012944 Euclid Why would shunting the rails cause the train to go into emergency braking? It is not that hard to figure out.
Euclid Why would shunting the rails cause the train to go into emergency braking?
Why would shunting the rails cause the train to go into emergency braking?
It is not that hard to figure out.
Euc is displaying his lack of comprehension of the comments he has made in other threads.
An "expensive model collector"
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
Shadow the Cats owner You have an oil by rail train moving at track speed comes up to a signal that they shunted. Signal prior was green crew thinks this one also will be green. Instead it drops in front of them to RED crew throws out the anchor and prays that the train stays on the tracks. We have seen in the past what happens to Bakken shale crude oil what happens when it derails. Lord help the area if instead of oil it was a manifest train with cholrine and a couple tankers full of hydrocholric acid. Why if those mixed you get mustard gas which is considered by international treaty a WMD. That is why these charges are considered terrorism.
You have an oil by rail train moving at track speed comes up to a signal that they shunted. Signal prior was green crew thinks this one also will be green. Instead it drops in front of them to RED crew throws out the anchor and prays that the train stays on the tracks. We have seen in the past what happens to Bakken shale crude oil what happens when it derails. Lord help the area if instead of oil it was a manifest train with cholrine and a couple tankers full of hydrocholric acid. Why if those mixed you get mustard gas which is considered by international treaty a WMD. That is why these charges are considered terrorism.
CMStPnP Euclid Why would shunting the rails cause vehicles to try to cross the track unaware that a train was coming? Wouldn't shunting the rails activate the crossing signals? Why would shunting the rails cause the train to go into emergency braking? Even though it is basic electronics. Don't you think a specific answer to this question in a public forum would be rather irresponsible?
Euclid Why would shunting the rails cause vehicles to try to cross the track unaware that a train was coming? Wouldn't shunting the rails activate the crossing signals? Why would shunting the rails cause the train to go into emergency braking?
Even though it is basic electronics. Don't you think a specific answer to this question in a public forum would be rather irresponsible?
No, it is basic public information, and it is already in the news story. And my question was rhetorical. Shunting the rails would activate the crossing signals. And activating the signals would not cause vehicle drivers to become unaware of a train coming because their whole point of activation is make drivers aware of a train coming.
Overall, my point is that the story gives no indication of how any of this could accomplish terrorism. But it certainly would be a crime.
CMStPnP Overmod Way to go, entitled self-qualified Wet'suwet'en sympathizers! And way to go, triggered media, in providing a nifty set of details for wannabe copycats to cause trouble for railroads everywhere! Um the how-to details were included in the NTSB safety report on the signal maintainer that forgot to remove the shunt in Illiniois leading to a Amtrak collision with a passenger car. The details were rather specific as well. You can google the word "electrical shunt" and figure it out with the diagrams provided.
Overmod Way to go, entitled self-qualified Wet'suwet'en sympathizers! And way to go, triggered media, in providing a nifty set of details for wannabe copycats to cause trouble for railroads everywhere!
Way to go, entitled self-qualified Wet'suwet'en sympathizers!
And way to go, triggered media, in providing a nifty set of details for wannabe copycats to cause trouble for railroads everywhere!
Um the how-to details were included in the NTSB safety report on the signal maintainer that forgot to remove the shunt in Illiniois leading to a Amtrak collision with a passenger car. The details were rather specific as well. You can google the word "electrical shunt" and figure it out with the diagrams provided.
That was a jumper in a signal cabinet that he forgot to remove. A shunt drops a signal relay. A jumper is used to keep a relay energized, even though the track circuit is being shunted. There are legitimate reasons to use jumpers, none of which applied in the McLean, IL situation.
EuclidWhy would shunting the rails cause vehicles to try to cross the track unaware that a train was coming? Wouldn't shunting the rails activate the crossing signals? Why would shunting the rails cause the train to go into emergency braking?
samfp1943On the night of October 11, 2020, multiple shunts were placed in three different locations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The shunts triggered an automatic breaking system on a train that was transporting hazardous and combustible material. The emergency breaking then caused a portion of the train to decouple from the engine. Decoupling has the potential to cause a derailment—in this case—of tanker cars of flammable gas in a residential area.."
That's the real issue, not so much what shunts might to to grade crossing protection, although an incident or accident there would be serious enough.
I'm guessing shunts could cause a problem with trackside signals as well, although the professional railroaders here would have to sound off on that possibility. I'll admit I don't know much on that subject.
EuclidWhy would shunting the rails cause vehicles to try to cross the track unaware that a train was coming? Wouldn't shunting the rails activate the crossing signals?
I am speculating, but after sitting at the activated crossing for 5 minutes with no train appearing, an imprudent motorist might assume it's safe to proceed?
Well. I don't know what to say.
I'm not sure if these two entitled, self-absorbed, spoiled brats need to do some serious jail time or just need a good spanking.
Thank God they haven't killed anyone with their foolishness.
samfp1943FTA:"...“On 10 occasions, shunts were placed in areas that disrupt the crossing guards where the tracks cross streets, so vehicles could have tried to cross the tracks unaware of the oncoming train. On the night of October 11, 2020, multiple shunts were placed in three different locations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The shunts triggered an automatic breaking system on a train that was transporting hazardous and combustible material. The emergency breaking then caused a portion of the train to decouple from the engine. Decoupling has the potential to cause a derailment—in this case—of tanker cars of flammable gas in a residential area.."
Why would shunting the rails cause vehicles to try to cross the track unaware that a train was coming? Wouldn't shunting the rails activate the crossing signals?
Aren't these the same type people which just a couple months ago one of our resident loose-cannons was insisting that we must embrace as 'the grandma next door', until such time as they actually are convicted?
tree68 Overmod And way to go, triggered media, in providing a nifty set of details for wannabe copycats to cause trouble for railroads everywhere! Like the atom bomb, I'm sure the instructions are available on-line somewhere. If they're trying to get rid of the tracks, I know of some people who were successful here... Just need some money with which to buy some political influence...
Overmod And way to go, triggered media, in providing a nifty set of details for wannabe copycats to cause trouble for railroads everywhere!
Like the atom bomb, I'm sure the instructions are available on-line somewhere.
If they're trying to get rid of the tracks, I know of some people who were successful here... Just need some money with which to buy some political influence...
OvermodAnd way to go, triggered media, in providing a nifty set of details for wannabe copycats to cause trouble for railroads everywhere!
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...
Found the following referenced article(s) on a news aggregator's[Revolver.com]. That I sometimes follow. The BNSF involvment was what caught my interest.
The subjects were apparently members of the group [ANTIFA(?)]. Were caught on the BNSF line in Whatcom Cnty. placing a 'shunt' on the track.
See article linked[HEAVY.com.] author [ Jessica McBride ]
@ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/bnsf-track-in-whatcom-skagit-counties-offered-primo-target-for-terrorist-attacks/ar-BB1bxdFo
FTA:"...“On 10 occasions, shunts were placed in areas that disrupt the crossing guards where the tracks cross streets, so vehicles could have tried to cross the tracks unaware of the oncoming train. On the night of October 11, 2020, multiple shunts were placed in three different locations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The shunts triggered an automatic breaking system on a train that was transporting hazardous and combustible material. The emergency breaking then caused a portion of the train to decouple from the engine. Decoupling has the potential to cause a derailment—in this case—of tanker cars of flammable gas in a residential area.."
Then this second article [by Richard Moorhead ] appeared in the site; 'Big League Politics'] with more infiormation on the arrests of the two women.
See linked @ https://bigleaguepolitics.com/antifa-linked-washington-women-former-democrat-organizer-charged-with-terrorist-attack-in-train-derailment-plot/
FTA:"...A railroad safety deputy chief describes witnessing the two women placing the shunt device on railroad tracks by use of a game camera on November 28th. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies were alerted, and when the two women were found at the scene, they claimed they were merely looking for lost keys. However, authorities determined Reiche was in “possession of a brown paper bag that contained rubber gloves, a piece of black insulated copper wire, and a Makita Drill with a wheel-shaped wire brush attachment in the chuck.” The same wire had been used in previous shunting devices. A shunt was ultimately discovered near where the two women were confronted by sheriff’s deputies..."
Between the two articles the authorities list some 41 incidents of attempted railroad sabotage.
Too date most of the press reportage has been surrounding the events(protests?) regarding incidents in the portland and Seattle areas...without mentioning of any sabotage attempts on the rail net through those areas.
The two linked articles prvide a lot more detailed information; particularly, regarding the politics of the two women.
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