BNSF Investigating Tampering of Rail Lines in Southwest WA

[Trackside]

I wonder who in SW Washington would want to try and shut down the RR? Cough*Longshoremen*Cough.....

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_dd0cca0a-e885-11e0-a1b1-001cc4c03286.html

 

[BN 4246]

Personally, I find it verrrrryyy eeeenteresting that the vast majority of people I talk to have something negative to say about the longshoremen. Can you say "monopoly?"

 

[robjacox]

Stuff like that makes me so proud to be a union member! And I'm not going to automatically accuse them of being guilty. Even the activities at the port were disgusting.

If any members are found guilty of this wouldn't it be nice for the sentence to be expulsion from there union membership/jobs? Not mandated by the union (like they'd do that!), but by the courts.

At least in my trade the only way we can guarantee we have work is to ensure the highest quality work and at competitive rates.

Rob Jacox
Local 290 (plumbers and) Steamfitters
Bend, OR

 

[Jon Bentz]

Had an interesting experience while in Vader last Friday. The Coast Starlight sailed through with an FRA inspection car on the rear. About 15 minutes later a BNSF track inspector showed up wanting to know what we were doing. The FRA crew phoned us in as suspicious. The track inspector was a really nice guy and we talked for 20 minutes or so. Apparently BNSF is really sensitive to anyone around the property with all of the labor troubles in Longview. Just a heads up if anyone is headed south to watch trains.

 

[Trackside]

Interesting that they sent a track inspector out to check you guys out. Suppose he was just the closest, but seems like it would be more appropriate for a member of law enforcement. Glad to hear he was a nice guy, I've found track inspectors/signal maintainers to be real nice people.

As far as the longshoremen I'd like to think it was nothing too, but they've proved to be a real violent group not afraid to take the law in there own hands, and seeing how they have already openly sabotaged railroad equipment, and then on another occasion blocked a grain train in the last few weeks it seems to me that they reasonably are at least a person of interest.

 

[mrbbq]

BNSF Track Tampering

This really pisses me off. While many people suspect members from a certain union, it could also be tweekers wanting to get metal for recycling and support their meth habits. (Remember what happened to CSX tracks not too long ago).

As a railfan, my biggest fear will be the crackdown on anyone close to BNSF, UP, P&W tracks. . As railfans, we share a responsibility (IMHO) to help safeguard the railroads, and report any suspicious activity. I recently joined BNSF's United for Rail Security group. If I'm ever stopped or questioned, I can at least present that to the authorties and hopefully demonstrate that I am all for the welfare of the railroad and it's property.

If it is the union members who are behind these actions, it is blatantly WRONG to be taking their frustrations out on a third party, that has NOTHING to do with the situation in Longview. Those train folk are simply doing their jobs.

I hope that law enforcement will be able to find out who's responsible, apprehend them, and that the district attorney will throw the book at the scoundrals. In the meantime, let's all do what we can to be extra eyes and ears for the folks who help us enjoy our hobby of railfanning.

 

[SP&SFan]

My take on yesterday's events...

This really pisses me off. While many people suspect members from a certain union, it could also be tweekers wanting to get metal for recycling and support their meth habits. (Remember what happened to CSX tracks not too long ago).

As a railfan, my biggest fear will be the crackdown on anyone close to BNSF, UP, P&W tracks. . As railfans, we share a responsibility (IMHO) to help safeguard the railroads, and report any suspicious activity. I recently joined BNSF's United for Rail Security group. If I'm ever stopped or questioned, I can at least present that to the authorties and hopefully demonstrate that I am all for the welfare of the railroad and it's property.

If it is the union members who are behind these actions, it is blatantly WRONG to be taking their frustrations out on a third party, that has NOTHING to do with the situation in Longview. Those train folk are simply doing their jobs.

I hope that law enforcement will be able to find out who's responsible, apprehend them, and that the district attorney will throw the book at the scoundrals. In the meantime, let's all do what we can to be extra eyes and ears for the folks who help us enjoy our hobby of railfanning.

-All,

I happened to be taking a day trip to Seattle for a couple of hours.. While I was not too terribelly delayed in my journey yesterday, there some paying passengers that were visibily upset at why Amtrak was late leaving Portland going north on Amtrak #516 & 508.. I feel bad for the station agent(s) and conductor/AC's on both trains.. I know that there was at least one person being called in while I was on the train listening to Centralia South take a description of the person of interest. BNSF did have MOW crews out yesterday, so I would imagine that a track inspector or two might be asked to check out any person of interest..

My take is that whoever is responsible for this should pay for their actions..


SP&SFan

 

[RoadRailer]

For those who are part of the BNSF Citizens for Rail Security or the Friends of the BNSF, you probably have already seen this:

http://www.locophotos.com/examples/BNSF.pdf

Also of note was some interesting action in the Pasco yard this evening. I spotted an WB grainer heading into the yard led by BNSF 5268/4546/648. Following right beside it the entire time was a BNSF Agent in his Explorer. As I headed down towards the service area to get some pictures, I saw several Pasco PD units in the surrounding neighborhood.
I chatted with the Agent (as he ran my plate ) if this was in regards to the incident on the westside, but he wasn't divulging any information.
The train headed into the grain yard where I left it, and the security escort, for the evening. A contact within BNSF agreed that this must be Bound for Longview as some point.

 

[auburnrails]

Did we ever hear what exactly was tampered with on the tracks, or was it kept private for security reasons?

-Dave

 

[Stan Lytle]

I've never heard anything about what type(s) of track tampering was done. I suspect it's not going to be mentioned to prevent copy cat acts of vandalism. I did find some related articles:

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_115be12a-ea3d-11e0-a4af-001cc4c002e0.html

http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=1503

BNSF has offered up to $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of anyone involved in the track tampering.

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_97de47b6-e96a-11e0-a7ba-001cc4c03286.html

 

[ANDREWAMTRAK]

Supposedly it was just a bunch of Yellow/red and red flags placed all over the place.

 

[espee4441]

Remember Wellington! Every side has its dirty part to play, and I'm not condoning the sabotage, but fair is fair.

 

[auburnrails]

I'm not condoning the sabotage, but.

Well, if you're not condoning the sabotage, I'm not clear on what the "but" is for?

-Dave

 

[espee4441]

Simple enough, Dave. Either both sides get the blame for their vicious acts, or it all goes unnoticed. I'm not trying to start anything here, just trying to show that all sides do stupid, self-centered maneuvers in their quest to get or keep what they think is theirs.

BNSF and its predecessors have done some wildly stupid things in the past, so why should anyone be surprised that a union and its workers would do the same? I hope for all our sakes that calmer heads prevail and a workable solution presents itself, people have kids to feed.