ABCNews.com – Terror Trains?

LAST EDITED ON Sep-08-04 AT 08:54 PM (EDT)

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/US/terror_trains040908-1.htmlI understand perfectly the need to be vigilant post-9/11, but my first thought seeing this headline was "Oh, fer cryin' out loud...." My favorite part is when they mention "banning or restricting" movement of certain chemicals....wonder what those same people would say if the segments of the economy that depended on efficient movement of those chemicals started suffering as a result of not getting their raw materials in a timely manner?Mr. F

"I drank WHAT??" --Socrates

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RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Eryk, Sep-08-04, 10:07 PM, (1) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Mr Fuzzums, Sep-08-04, 10:42 PM, (2) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Eryk, Sep-08-04, 11:04 PM, (3) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, bnsfrr, Sep-08-04, 11:54 PM, (4) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Mr Fuzzums, Sep-08-04, 11:55 PM, (5) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, smallspy, Sep-09-04, 01:36 AM, (6) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, SuperbirdVH, Sep-09-04, 03:40 PM, (7) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Jonatan, Sep-09-04, 04:22 PM, (8) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, runaway_b_unit, Sep-09-04, 04:28 PM, (9) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, rpicardi1, Sep-09-04, 10:35 PM, (10) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Eryk, Sep-10-04, 01:38 AM, (11) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, rpicardi1, Sep-10-04, 06:29 PM, (12) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Eryk, Sep-10-04, 09:01 PM, (13) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, jeffrofish, Sep-13-04, 09:33 PM, (14) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, edwardk, Sep-14-04, 02:23 PM, (15) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Mr Fuzzums, Sep-14-04, 06:33 PM, (16) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, CGW409, Sep-14-04, 08:37 PM, (17) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, erniep, Sep-14-04, 09:07 PM, (18) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, GrandTrunkFan, Sep-14-04, 10:35 PM, (19) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, runaway_b_unit, Sep-14-04, 11:06 PM, (20) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, John 136 6000 GO, Sep-15-04, 11:31 PM, (21) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, lnghairedwizard, Sep-16-04, 07:25 PM, (22) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Eryk, Sep-16-04, 09:42 PM, (23) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, shadowr434, Sep-19-04, 10:12 PM, (24) RE: ABCNews.com----Terror Trains??, Mr Fuzzums, Sep-19-04, 11:48 PM, (25)

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We'd be letting the terrorists win, our economy would be doomed. And obviously if anyone saw a nut with a armfull of C-4 frantically dashing towards a chem car, the'd do the american thing.

Eryk

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-08-04 AT 10:43 PM (EDT)

I find it especially interesting that all the scary quotes come from "security consultants".....you don't suppose they'd have a vested interest in spreading as much FUD as possible about trains, do you? And ABCNews acting like they made this shocking discovery----"Why, just two weeks ago, we watched a train of chemical tank cars sit outside our window!!!!" <gasp> OMG, it's Special Investigative Report time, there are FREIGHT TRAINS outside our door (film at 11)!!!!!!!!! The DC councilwoman's quote is good for a laugh too--"This is a no-brainer. There is no need for these cars to be coming through our city." Yeah, right on, what she said----I mean dagnabit, we can't have all of this COMMERCE passing through here, someone's got to do something about this! Mr. F

"I drank WHAT??" --Socrates

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Hahaha, exactly, just publicising off anything scary and attention grabbing. And what is it for, Ratings. Plus all there doing now is Giving terrorists Ideas (don't think the avarage terrorist would know this anyway, would probably bomb a molasses car for all he knows)

Eryk

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Be afraid, be afraid, don't live your life, don't stand up for your rights, and don’t enjoy your freedom. Then you're "safe"

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Okay, I've figured it out.....I'm going to become a security consultant myself. By my reckoning, a terrorist anywhere in the US could take just 5 seconds to strap some plastic explosive and a simple detonator to a dog (especially those annoying little yippy ones) and set them loose on poor unsuspecting suburbanites!!! And worse, there are dogs all over the place! Why, just the other week there was one that sat outside my window for a full 45 minutes! I mean, it would have taken someone just seconds to strap a brick of C4 to little Fido and then oh, the horror!! We must take immediate additional steps to ban or reduce the movement of household pets! Leash laws are not enough, people!!! Oh yeah, and ban photography of them too--them terrorists are crafty when it comes to scoping out targets that way. Mr. F

"I drank WHAT??" --Socrates

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And somehow trucks are any safer???Why doesn't the US ban them from city centers too?How about panel/cargo vans? If I'm not mistaken, one was used in the Oaklahoma City bombing...:rolleyes:It's stories like this that make me want to kick anyone associated with the media in the nuts. Repeatedly. How's that for a story?DanAbsolute power corrupts absolutely.

www.greatlakesrail.com

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>And somehow trucks are any safer???
>
I STRONGLY agree with you there. Truck stops could be prime for that. On the PA turnpike alone I saw truck stops that had tank trucks, the sames one where still there at least 45 min later when I was on the way back. These people need to understand that chances are something in those rail tank cars is probably making their life easier or more enjoyable, why cant people ever look at the good side of things??? Just my .02

The B&LE MSTS, HO, and O Home... http://members.tripod.com/superbird_mm2/blemstshooclub/index.html

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-09-04 AT 04:23 PM (EDT)

Just the reason I wished I could be abducted by aliens.../JonatanSteam rules!

Train gifs from Dans Railroad Gif RoundhouseNever trust computers. If you do, they will betray you.I'm the steam freak, ph34r me!!

My E-mail jonatan.gronoset@telia.com

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It wouldn't that easy for them to attack a train. The movement of freight is very unpredictable, and chemicals are rarely shipped in one train, but rather in freight trains with other cargo. All tank cars have specific construction requirements for the type of chemical they were built to ship. They are built to withstand derailments, leaks, and explosions. Many of them have 1/4 inch steel along with an extra pyrex glass lining inside to protect them. It would take quite an explosion to set one off.There was a bill at some point that would allow communities to ban trains and trucks from carrying chemicals through them. But it would have caused expensive reroutings. There would be no way for these products to be shipped. Guess what happened to the bill?It died!I think railroads still have enough clout to take care of this one.

C h r i s

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Around here, we do have all chemical trains. They head to and from Midland to Dow and carry all kinds of nasty stuff used for the production of plastics, medical supplies, agricultural products, household products, and ultra pure silicon for semiconductors.Several years back, one of them derailed resulting in a fire and evacuation. The trichlorsilane car ruptured and burned for a week - gave off silica dust and hydrochloric acid. It was not as dangerous as the tank car full of acrylonitrle. That one would have created a deadly cloud of cynide gas had it caught fire.We have the power to eliminate all dangerous chemical shipments if everyone is willing or forced to do the following;"Letter to the Editor after the Freeland train wreak.A solution to eliminate the so called "Death Train" It finally happened. In spite of all the checks, inspections, and other procedures taken by CSX to prevent accidents, a major train wreck has occurred in the local area involving hazardous chemicals. Some people were injured by exposure to the toxic fumes. A lot of people were forced from their homes. The quick action of local officials prevented this disaster from injuring a lot more people.
But now, the Panic and NIMBY (not in my back yard) People have this disaster as proof to further their cause to "Ban the Death Train". They will now scream, whine, cry, sign petitions, and do everything possible to persuade Government officials to do something to stop the shipments of hazardous materials.
Here is my solution to you people that are constantly crying and whining NIMBY, You individuals that worry constantly, You individuals that feel compelled to try to protect the rest of us from ourselves no matter what it takes to do so.
Here is the only practical way to stop all "Death" trains, tanker trucks, ships, barges, and pipelines.
1. Get rid of your automobile. Walk to work and to the store, or ride a bicycle. Automobiles use gasoline, oil, and fuel additives made from hazardous chemicals.
2. Stop using refrigerators and air conditioning. They contain chloroflorocarbons which are destroying the ozone in the atmosphere.
3. Do not buy or use anything made of plastics or manmade fibers. The raw materials, styrene, Acrylonitrile, PVC, etc. are all hazardous chemicals.
4. Do all washing and cleaning with natural, Ivory, soap. Do not use bleach. Modern detergents are made of phosphates and sulfates which are hazardous materials.
5. Do not use city water. Chlorine is used to make it safe for domestic use. This is another hazardous material.
6. Use only natural, organically grown foods. Do not use processed foods. Pesticides, herbicides, and other hazardous chemicals have been used in their preparation for your use.
7. Do not use any medication. Hazardous chemicals are used as raw feedstock in their manufacture.
8. Never use any paints, spray products, glues, waxes, or other such chemicals.
9. Do not use pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers on your lawn and garden.
10. Do not heat your house with oil or gas.
If you are willing to do without all of the above, then, it will it be possible to stop shipping hazardous materials all over this country."BTW, the receiving yards are surrounded by 16 foot chain link fences with 24 hour armed security and not just cameras. The road that goes near it has warning signs that can be activated to close that section to all traffic in case of an alert. This was placed there long before 9-11. SRV Ron

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I hate people like that, too good to have somthing like that nearby, blah. We almost had a nuclear power plant on this island for full operation, but NIMBY's obviously didnt like that. hell, i wouldn't mind living near one, that stuff is benificail, and if people are going to complain about "Hazardous Chemicals" They're gonna have to settle for Electricity, and Uranium 235 or 238 fuel is what your gonna need for that then. So what do they really feel safer with, and if you concerned about your kids that much, MOVE! cause you prolly dont look after em anyway. Least that shows from the recent electrification death of a kid that tripped on a 3rd rail on the lirr, obviously the parent didn't know and the RR is NOT Responsible for your child, but now they have to put up 8ft security fencing around the tracks. I feel bad for the mother belive me, shoulda been more involved with her kid, maybee it wouldnt of happend.

Eryk

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"We almost had a nuclear power plant on this island for full operation, but NIMBY's obviously didnt like that."The Midland Nuclear Co-Generation Power plant was 90% complete when the NIMBYs, with their constant court action delays that caused skyrocketing cost over runs, forced Consumer's to abandon using nuclear power for the project. It was an oversized rail car carrying a gas turbine part to the plant, that derailed and caused the chemical fire.The NIMBYs are the ones responsable for that train wreak and the high cost of natural gas and electricy in Michigan.SRV Ron

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Prices on Long Island NY are High enough here too, the plant here was 99% complete and people freaked out when they wanted to bring in some uranium 235 to run a test on low power, it obviously never happened. Can't remember when this occored, I think I saw it on the news a year or so ago.

Eryk

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I think I saw this report over the weekend.Another obvious over-reaction.It seems to me that the news crew had too much time on their hands, and happened to catch a freight train at a stop signal. If you're into railroading, you know this kind of thing happens all the time. 45 minutes? I used to see them on the Long Island RR, during peak commuter times, sitting on a siding in Hicksville for several hours waiting for the rush hour to end.
Seems like the news crew either fantisized a bit too much, or freaked out, and created this story. Makes you wonder what they had for lunch.Wouldn't the terrorists have to know what train has the hazardous chemical, and which car was carrying it? Would their so-called "cause" be served by splitting open a car full of tiny styrene plastic balls, ot tons of sugar? Eegads, what an environmental catsatrophe!Just my $.02Jeff

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What we have to remember is that in most cases, the community grew up around the tracks. If the people of the community are upset about chemicals going through their neighborhood, than maybe they should blame the city planners instead of the railroad.Edward K.

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No kidding....that's what I hate the most about NIMBYs where trains are concerned...if you don't like trains running past your house, why move next to the tracks in the first place only to bellyache about horn-blowing or rumbling noises later? I'm sure those folks could find a lot of buyers in the railfan community if they wanted to relocate.Mr. F

"I drank WHAT??" --Socrates

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Mr F
The problem with these numnutz is they've got an over inflated idea of self importance, they figure they can get the house cheap because the tracks are in the backyard but once they talk to the local authorities and they'll see the "logic" of their superior intellect and outlaw those annoying trains ASAP.
I didn't say it had a snowball's chance in hell of happening but they'll still keep whineing much like some folk in my area that bitch and moan about living in the flight path of O'Hare.Gary S

42 year old future curmudgen(Hey you kids get offa my lawn!!)

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Must have been a slow news day. cheers,
Ernie

Ahhh, the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Anyone actually stand by the tracks and watch the tank cars come through. If people actually knew what was in a lot of them theyd go nuts.

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Off topic, but there are some long, long, long.....long chemical names out there...www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-imm1.htm

C h r i s

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LAST EDITED ON Sep-15-04 AT 11:33 PM (EDT)

edited for spelling and formating errors (no doubt some were missed).
I wonder how many of you remember the Mississauga derailment some years ago, in Ontario, Canada, where there were hazardous materials involved, and also fire from leaking nasties (including propane if my memory is correct).250,000 people were evacuated as a result, and in a very efficient manner (emergency planners from around the world came to visit afterwards, to find out how such a huge evacuation was carried out quickly and efficiently).One of the consequences was that there were long term plans to re-route major freight traffic from the downtown of Toronto and Mississauga, to regions slightly to the north. This didn't happen overnight, of course, and quite likely other factors also were at play in persuading the railway companies to relocate their major yards from down town.It's really not so unreasonable to do long term planning to remove hazardous materials from down town, except those which are to be actually used there.Just a thought from the other side of of the tracks.Cheers allJohn

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RE:"Off topic, but there are some long, long, long.....long chemical names out there..."There are also some rather comical names for chemicals out there as well ..(yes...these are real)http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/sillymolecules/sillymols.htmLonghairedwizardwww.lhwfoundries.com

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>Off topic, but there are some long, long, long.....long
>chemical names out there...
>
>www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-imm1.htm
Ow, that made my head hurt...

Eryk

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methionylglutaminylarginyltyrosylglutamylserylleucyl phenylalanylalanylglutaminylleucyllysylglutamylarginyl lysylglutamylglycylalanylphenylalanylvalylprolylphenyl alanylvalylthreonylleucylglycylaspartylprolylglycylisol eucylglutamylglutaminylserylleucyllysylisoleucylaspartyl threonylleucylisoleucylglutamylalanylglycylalanylaspartyl alanylleucylglutamylleucylglycylisoleucylprolylphenyl alanylserylaspartylprolylleucylalanylaspartylglycylprolyl threonylisoleucylglutaminylasparaginylalanylthreonylleucyl arginylalanylphenylalanylalanylalanylglycylvalylthreonyl prolylalanylglutaminylcysteinylphenylalanylglutamyl methionylleucylalanylleucylisoleucylarginylglutaminyllysyl histidylprolylthreonylisoleucylprolylisoleucylglycylleucyl leucylmethionyltyrosylalanylasparaginylleucylvalylphenyl alanylasparaginyllysylglycylisoleucylaspartylglutamylphenyl alanyltyrosylalanylglutaminylcysteinylglutamyllysylvalyl glycylvalylaspartylserylvalylleucylvalylalanylaspartylvalyl prolylvalylglutaminylglutamylserylalanylprolylphenylalanyl arginylglutaminylalanylalanylleucylarginylhistidylasparaginyl valylalanylprolylisoleucylphenylalanylisoleucylcysteinyl prolylprolylaspartylalanylaspartylaspartylaspartylleucyl leucylarginylglutaminylisoleucylalanylseryltyrosylglycyl arginylglycyltyrosylthreonyltyrosylleucylleucylserylarginyl alanylglycylvalylthreonylglycylalanylglutamylasparaginyl arginylalanylalanylleucylprolylleucylasparaginylhistidyl leucylvalylalanyllysylleucyllysylglutamyltyrosylasparaginyl alanylalanylprolylprolylleucylglutaminylglycylphenylalanyl glycylisoleucylserylalanylprolylaspartylglutaminylvalyllysyl alanylalanylisoleucylaspartylalanylglycylalanylalanylglycyl alanylisoleucylserylglycylserylalanylisoleucylvalyllysylisol eucylisoleucylglutamylglutaminylhistidylasparaginylisoleucyl glutamylprolylglutamyllysylmethionylleucylalanylalanylleucyl lysylvalylphenylalanylvalylglutaminylprolylmethionyllysyl alanylalanylthreonylarginylserine. Damn that is a long name for one chemical

Frank Roberts
P&D Tractor trailer Driver for R&L Carriers
"Sometimes I dream about being carried off by a big giant squirrel. Does that make me a nut?"

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Man, don't you know how to spell??? You left off a Y....... Mr. F

"I drank WHAT??" --Socrates

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