With typical Swiss efficiency prisoners are transported between major cities in Switzerland in their very own “luxury train” The jail car was converted from an old push/pull driving trailer and is divided into several cells together with accommodation for the security guards. Until fairly recently prisoners were often transported in the caged off areas of parcels cars but human rights activists deemed this to be unsuitable so the Jail Train was introduced. The train is seen passing through the busy junction station of Olten between Zurich and Bern and is powered by an SBB Re4/4 electric loco. Because the jail car retains it’s driving cab it can be pushed or pulled by a suitable loco. John [ 10. April 2003, 20:24: Message edited by: John Whitby ]
Interesting. I'd never heard of this method. If I ever have an opportunity to railfan Swiss Railways, I certainly won't be doing it from that car! Boxcab E50
thats an interesting car. I believe in the old days over here in australia there were jail cars, i seem to recall seeing it on a train video somewhere. i dont think they transport prisoners by rail here anymore tho.
I'd prefer our convicts were on track gangs, not RIDING the rails. Now, what's the deal with the term "bluebirds"?
Blue Bird is a bus manufacturer, usually built on Ford or Chevy/GMC chassis's. http://www.blue-bird.com/
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........Mongo understand now................. Bluebird= bus Also: they make some awesome RVs!
"Jail Train" would make a good song title. "Bluebirds" have already been done lots in song. regards / Mike
This is fantastic - I now completely and totally understand what Howlin Wolf means when he sings: "Bluebird, Bluebird, take a message down south for me" - I thought he actually meant a bluebird - a bit like a carrier pigeon taking a message to someone; or was simply being allegorical - but he obviously means a Bluebird bus, maybe a bit like a Greyhound; obviously a form of transport much used by peripatetic negro migrants travelling to and from the Delta and Chicago
Here in the South, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad had a daycoach that was specially outfitted with removable steel bars. The bars could be removed when the car was needed for regular passenger service but usually the car was kept prepared for prisoner transport. In that role, it was used exclusively for the transport of federal prisoners to and from the federal penitentary at Atlanta, Georgia.
