A colleague of mine was visiting California last week and with the help of a local railfan obtained permission to (legally) walk along part of the track near Del Mar while it was closed for track work. After walking round one curve they saw some teenagers on the track ahead who ran away when seen. When they got up to that spot, they found this. They called the police immediately and gave a description of the offenders. Then they waited for an hour(!) for a patrol car to turn up before completing their walk. Lucky the line was closed that day! It shows how much it pays to keep your eyes open. Cheers David
not likely. you wouldn't believe the things I run over on a daily basis (spikes, rail anchors, refridgerators, washers and dryers, etc etc.) the only derailment on any of the lines I run that I can recall due to vandalism was in Bowling Green, Ky. when kids wedged crossties into the existing ties lengthwise. I think 3 engines and several auto racks turned over when the ties lifted the traction motors. the kids were caught when one's girlfriend "told on him".
:angry: This line through Del Mar is mostly passenger traffic, especially during daylight hours. With the Coasters (commuter trains) and Amtrak's San Diegans passing through at 50+ MPH, any derailment would have been ugly. Charge 'em with domestic terrorism I say. If they're minors, hold the parents responsible for not supervising their delinquents.
Unfortunately I think it's going to take an actual disaster before anybody is charged with terrorism for doing something like this. Cheers David
We hit a good a couple of good sized rock's around MP30-20 on the Oregon Trunk a couple of weeks ago, one of them accualy did lift the engine a bit and the second one took a small chunk out of the plow before denting the traction moter and causing our lead unit (a new ES44DC) to shut down. These were basketball size. Kevin
Absolutely. And, make them pay back every penny of any costs associated. No matter what the expense. Taking their money would get their attention! :thumbs_down: Boxcab E50
I hope the spying eyes from the FBI see that we are more about preventing issues like this than they seem to think. Good catch by your friend David.
That's because of laws put in place by bleeding hearts. Kids under 18 can get away with far too much. And they know it. So push the limits. :thumbs_down: Boxcab E50
What the heck would convince some Kids in Del Mar of all places to do something like this? I mean 1, It's a really high end neighborhood, so we're talking spoiled rich kid punks, not poor inner city thugs and 2, the line runs by housing , the beach. They could kill hundreds. I saw some of the trackwork going on a couple days ago. Was the line shut down completely that day? ugh, I'll chalk that up to another incidence of incredible stupidity on the part of San Diego. I swear, they are morons, I mean even beyond normal moronic railroad behavior. Their bus schedules and routes are retarded. The train schedule is insulting.
