7j43kI don't have the proper rail map of LA to answer that, but I did find a news item saying that UP was considering moving some/all of their intermodal operation out of LA County. That can be done by moving this up to Oakland.
Sadly, a move to Oakland would just mean the problem moves, too.
York1 John
Euclid What I am asking is, what would have to be done in order to find a different routing for these trains, as U.P. has suggested may be their solution to the problem? Do they have alternate lines that are far away from this current hot spot? Would they have to modify alternate route lines?
What I am asking is, what would have to be done in order to find a different routing for these trains, as U.P. has suggested may be their solution to the problem? Do they have alternate lines that are far away from this current hot spot? Would they have to modify alternate route lines?
I don't have the proper rail map of LA to answer that, but I did find a news item saying that UP was considering moving some/all of their intermodal operation out of LA County.
That can be done by moving this up to Oakland.
Ed
Shadow the Cats owner The only thing that will stop these widespread theft rings is throwing them in prison and not allowing criminals to get away with crimes.
Very true for those cases where a container of a given item is targeted, but I suspect that what's going on in LA is more of a "smash and grab" thing, with many of the participants simply "hangers on," in it for the thrill or the possibility of acquiring something of value.
As one article pointed out, one item found discarded in the debris was an urn with someone's ashes.
Essentially, it's looting.
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...
Flintlock76 Euclid U.P. has said that if they cannot resolve this issue, they will pull their operations out of the affected area. What exactly would that entail? Certainly more supply chain disruptions until the "kinks" are worked out.
Euclid U.P. has said that if they cannot resolve this issue, they will pull their operations out of the affected area. What exactly would that entail?
U.P. has said that if they cannot resolve this issue, they will pull their operations out of the affected area. What exactly would that entail?
Certainly more supply chain disruptions until the "kinks" are worked out.
The most practical solution would seem to be to have enough police on site to continually arrest trespassers and take them to the DA. They may have to repeat that every day, but at least it would prevent the looting.
UPS uses a combination of bolt seals their called that as they require bolt cutters to remove them and case hardened padlocks. Yet if you watch the video you'll see even their containers and trailers are getting broken into. Short of using titanium for the locks these thieves have the ability to get into anything they want in a hurry. What needs to be done is start hammering these gangs under the RICO statue. The only thing that will stop these widespread theft rings is throwing them in prison and not allowing criminals to get away with crimes.
A federal court may just be the answer.
At any rate, and I'm not trying to be political here, considering the last discussion I figured one picture was worth 1,000 words.
Couldn't the containers have a heavy-duty combination lock of some kind rather than a flimsy car seal? Maybe I'm naive about this but there must be a way. Each container has it's related documents that would be emailed, right? And couldn't the combination (or whatever) go along with the document to the receiver?
Extending my previous post, if any federal laws appear to be being broken (interstate commerce, and all), the FBI could spend some time there. And again, the arrestees would come before a federal court.
I know that in another thread, it devolved into such a mess it was deleted.
Without saying anything political, here is a quote from the article that shows why this is such a problem:
“Criminals are caught and arrested … charges are reduced to a misdemeanor or petty offense, and the criminal is released after paying a nominal fine,” the company said in a letter dated Dec. 20, 2021. “These individuals are generally caught and released back onto the streets in less than twenty-four hours.” “Criminals boast to our officers that charges will be pled down to simple trespassing — which bears no serious consequence,” Union Pacific wrote. “Without any judicial deterrence or consequence, it is no surprise that over the past year UP has witnessed the significant increase in criminal rail theft described above.”
“Criminals are caught and arrested … charges are reduced to a misdemeanor or petty offense, and the criminal is released after paying a nominal fine,” the company said in a letter dated Dec. 20, 2021. “These individuals are generally caught and released back onto the streets in less than twenty-four hours.”
“Criminals boast to our officers that charges will be pled down to simple trespassing — which bears no serious consequence,” Union Pacific wrote. “Without any judicial deterrence or consequence, it is no surprise that over the past year UP has witnessed the significant increase in criminal rail theft described above.”
It appears railroad police MIGHT be able to enforce some federal laws. If the suspects are arrested for violating them, I expect they'd go through the federal system, not the local one.
Wonder if the old SP modified police train cars are still around?
The Union Pacific Police ride again! Look out, "Butch" and "Sundance!"
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/fairness-justice/legendary-union-pacific-railroad-police-arrive-in-the-wild-west-to-quell-train-robberies
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.