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Quick News
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 — In a new message to local law enforcement, the FBI said Thursday that recent intelligence indicates that al-Qaida may next target the U.S. railroad system, as well as continuing attacks on global petroleum interests. “Information from debriefings of al-Qaida detainees as of mid-October indicates the group has considered directly targeting U.S. passenger trains, possibly using operatives who have a Western appearance,” the warning said.
OTHER INTELLIGENCE indicates that terrorists may try striking key railroad bridges or sections of track to cause derailments. Or, it says, they may target hazardous materials containers. “Recently captured al-Qaida photographs of U.S. railroad engines, cars and crossings heighten the concern,” the FBI said.
Reported on MSNBC --
FBI: al-Qaida U.S. Rail Attacks Possible
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Editorial
On October 16, 1964, the Nickel Plate Road ceased to exist. On that day, the Nickel Plate and Akron, Canton, & Youngstown merged with the Norfolk & Western. The Wabash was also leased at that time. Steam had only been dead on the NKP for six years and even less for the N&W. However, times were changing. Coal alone wasn't able to support the Norfolk & Western anymore and the powers that were decided that the merger would be most beneficial for the stockholders.The Nickel Plate workers were dyed-in-the-wool. The change was hard. Many were bitter. And most never considered themselves anything other than Nickel Plate men. Engineer Floyd H. "Bum" Kneller had only this to say about his time with the N&W: "I hated those damned diesels." Whether he meant diesels in general or those of the N&W is not clear. But his move from fireman to engineer happened near the time of the merger. Although a great railroad ended that day, fans of today are afforded some of the greatest videos and books. John Rehor's book, The Nickel Plate Story, is second to none. No other book covers the history of a railroad and its predecessors as thoroughly and entertainingly as Rehor has. In addition, we now have several books covering all aspects of the railroad including the wonderful photography of the late Willis McCaleb. And no one can dispute the fine videos derived from the films of Donald J. Krofta. And, by the real fans, we have the finest historical society available in the Nickel Plate Historical & Technical Society . Beyond this, the Nickel Plate was not short sighted with regards to her legacy. Few railroads have as much preserved equipment. Several of the Nickel Plates famous Berkshires, Mikados, diesels, and cabooses still exist today in various conditions. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is famed for their fantastic excursions with Berkshire 765. The Indiana Transportation Museum also has a fantastic collection of NKP equipment including the operational Mikado 587. We also have one of the finest railroad museums in the Mad River & NKP Museum. While the NKP is gone, we are fontunate to have the many great things we do have. Thanks go out to the NKP employees and fans that have had the foresight to save what they could. People like the late John H. Keller were instumental in creating the legacy that lives today. Thank you all.
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Feature
What follows is a transcript of the actual telegram that station agents recieved from the new owners, Norfolk & Western, on the morning of October 16, 1964:
FO J FORT WAYNE IND OCT 16 1964
BE-35 BA-6 QN-4 Q-35 A- RN-7 SI-17 DE-2
ALL AGENTS AND OPERATORS
FORT WAYNE AND CHICAGO DIVISIONS
ALL NOTICE BOARDS
WER CALUMET
L V SAMPLE EAST WAYNE
ECD BLAIR
ARRANGE TO POST ON ALL BULLETIN BOARDS "TO ALL EMPLOYEES
THIS NOTICE IS TO EXTEND TO YOU THE HEARTIEST WELCOME INTO THE
SERVICE OF THE NEW NORFOLK AND WESTERN RAILWAY
WE HOPE AND BELIEVE YOU WILL RENDER TO THE NEW COMPANY THE SAME
LOYAL EFFICIENT SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE TO THE NICKEL PLATE ROAD
YOU ARE A PARTICIPANT IN A NEW ERA IN RAILROAD HISTORY AND I
KNOW THAT YOU WILL LOOK UPON IT WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM THAT WE DO
1004AM H H PEVLER PRESIDENT NORFOLK AND WESTER RAILWAY COMPANY
That's it. Letter by letter. I didn't mispell Western, they did. I can just imagine the reactions by those that read this on that fateful day. And that was that...
Terrorism on the Rails
With the recently issued FBI warning (see Quick News at left), what will be the future of the excursion business next year and for years to come? Already, many steam locomotive operators are finding it difficult to secure rails to travel on. And when they do, the insurance required is prohibitively expensive. Now, with this new threat, might the major carriers pass on the excursions in favor of limiting potential liabilities? And where will this leave the operators of these steam locomotives?
Often, the revenues generated from these trips fund a major portion of their annual expenses. We have recently seen one locomotive retired from excursion service due to sky rocketing costs. Maintenance, fuel costs, promotions, FRA required upgrades and standards checks. It all adds up. And now, the railroads will have yet another reason to limit or, possibly, completely restrict access to their rails. Keep in mind, this is not an impossibility.
This just as the 765 is about to return to the rails. Thankfully, some operators, such as the Indiana Transportation Museum, have their own set of rails to travel. Sure, they won't achieve any blistering speeds like they could out on the main, but they will have a place to run. None of this bodes well for the 765. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society doesn't have the track available on site to support the 765 at much more than a walking pace. Besides, that engine needs to get out and run; that's were she looks best. So long as nothing actually happens to our rail industry, perhaps this will blow over with little consequence. I suppose we are fortunate that we are now heading into the off-season for excursions. At least there will be some time for people in the industry to calm down.
However, if something were to actually happen to the industry, rest assured that any mileage an excursion train sees will be "rare mileage." Because so many of us pay special attention to the rails around us, it is imperative that we be watchful for strange behaviors or damaging situations. Essentially, we, as more than casual observers, know what to look for. We are often the ones that look for unusual happenings along the rails and we often can tell when something is out of sorts. Don't forget, if you see something make sure you report it. Railroad Emergency Numbers
I'd hate to see us without any excursions on the main line. So, let's do what we can and be observant. One action against the industry can eliminate the trips once and for all. Comments
--TRKneller
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