What's your thoughts on this situation? Do you think this damages the railfan community as a whole? And do you see any other dangers presented from this situation?
When we as railfans are trying to encourage politicians or our neighbors that rail is a great form of transport we need to invest in, this is the LAST thing our community needs. And if we allow things like this to happen whose to say that every railroad in the country kicks every railfan off their property altogether?
Railfans in general-no. HOWEVER my safety training for driving train crews taught me many hazards. One is distance from a moving train. In a yard situation we were required to be at least 4 ft. From the closest track so we didn’t foul track. However out on the mainline, while waiting for a train we were required to be at least 25 ft. away because of dragging equipment and possible derailments. I have seen rail fans far too close to the tracks many times. On a recent trip to Folkston a guy had his video camera close to main 1. A northbound train came along with a broken load strap that was kicking up ballast. He grabbed his tripod and still had some ballast hit his leg. BTW staying back a safe distance with eliminate trespassing in most cases.
Not really. I mean everyone in the community thinks the kid is an idiot, nobody is defending him and if there were any would-be copycats they'll be discouraged by the level of ruined his life is. It also means that railroads might do better to enforce not leaving switches or other equipment unlocked, making the industry safer as a whole.
As someone who believes in investing in rail travel for our future benefit, this represents a problem that I want to see dealt with to help clean up the image of rail. Freight and passenger. As someone else mentioned, the railfan community, particularly the 18 and under crowd can be very toxic/problematic imagewise. For a community that is trying to be viewed as mature but passionate, this doesn't help that.
Yeah that's not a railfan, that's someone who wants to see destruction... My house is right across the street from a small switch yard and I've never thought "hey, let's go play with the switches!". I do fear for a derailment, because if this train ever derails I'm unable to get into or out of my house, the line is a horseshoe around the single road that leads to my house.
When’s law is broken or vandalized involved, TH-cam should never monetize it and they should take it down. The individual should be banned from TH-cam FOREVER.
TH-cam is *always* reluctent to take down *any* videos which are popular, because it costs them ad revenues etc. It doesn't matter how illegal a video is, the only thing which counts for TH-cam is profit.
I've been a railfan my whole life, further back than I can even remember; even as a small child, I knew trains were *_not_* meant to be toyed with. They're big, heavy, 60MPH+ machines that _will_ kill you if you use them the wrong way. This kid's a menace, not a railfan, and sadly not the only one.
I was visiting my grandmother in SC in 1958 when I had to wait for a freight train that had stopped and blocked the road. This guy walked up and climbed over the couplers. I held my breath and closed my eyes. The guy got away with it.
Former BNSF conductor here. What about a charge for attempted homicide? Jesus H Christ! Could have killed crew or public not to mention if it was a key train carrying chemicals. My god. We had a "railfan" with a radio that would key up and give us "roll bys". That's also illegal to transmit on railroad frequencies. DONT DO IT. Enjoy the hobby but if you want to keep the respect of the crews and not looked down upon, leave us and equipment alone. And a FYI - Special Agents DO watch eBay for people buying and selling switch keys and other equipment FOR THIS VERY REASON, don't say I didn't warn you if you think it's a good idea to buy railroad property.
@@prycenewberg3976 to transmit, if you're not authorized on that frequency. That's FCC rules not specific to the railroads. Listening to RR communication is treated the same way as using a police or fire dept scanner, all legal. If the RR wants private communication then they need to purchase radios with encryption.
to prove attempted murder in court, its necessary to show the person was seeking that outcome. That it COULD happen accidentally does not fit the way laws are written and enforced. I understand your outrage as a former RR crew member but I have served on juries and they follow the law not someone's arbitrary belief of appropriate punishment.
I agree that he should not have done it, as it cost $350,000 in damage (which is the price of a house in Houston). At least he didn't do it on a main line (this is a branch line that only runs coal trains).
Plus, all social media should never show this sort of behavior. If they do maybe they should be held responsible for broadcasting something thing that will be copied
Bro, it's not just in the railfan community. There are TH-camrs that have crossed the line repeatedly around the world. Some have even died trying to get the "MOST INSANE" videos in their genres....
Look up the meaning of Terrorism. I'm as disgusted about this as anyone, but please stop throwing that word around and using it when it doesn't apply. He was doing it for views and internet popularity. There was no political or religious message or attempts to scare or terrorize anyone.
IF he did it. That's what the courts are for. Glad you're not in charge of deciding guilt or innocence. I CAN tell you there are people out there who would ABSOLUTELY make shit up just to get a kid in trouble...It happened to me when I was a teen ager. Ended up in court and was proven NOT GUILTY because I wasn't even there when the incident happened. It turned out to be a college kid who was drunk and caused a LOT of chaos on his way back to the dorms.
I have been an avid railfan for over 50 years, I never in 1 million years, but I suspect anyone who enjoys our hobby with cause malicious harm like this. As they say one to make it bad for the rest. But yeah, there have been sabotage and even railfans standing so close to the tracks I have had to yell at them to get away. Your video points out that it is a privilege and not a right to watch a train pass by. When 911 occurred, there were warnings issue nationally about terrorists threatening to sabotage our rail system. We had to be on our toes and we can still be investigated. Prior to the incident, I learned that the major class one railroads are now having their law enforcement personnel investigate people who are frequently seen near railroad tracks, even if they are on public property. Anyone who enjoys our hobby should stand 15 feet or more away from the rails. That is the advice of some of my rail crew friends.
It has been a sad fact for many years a lot of people don't think of want there actions will do or think more then 2 seconds ahead of themselves it's has to be what they want and no care for what would happen to affect others lives. If it was a hazardous materials train we don't need another East Palistine Oh train wreak. He needs to be put under the jail for life.
I’m a switchman for BNSF. My question is, where did he get a switch key to unlock that switch? In dark territory, we have to write down that the switches are lined and locked for main track movement. It is wrote down on a POS form, POSITION-OF-SWITCH form. The conductor and engineer brief with one another on how the switches are lined. After they release their track warrant, they have to tell the train dispatcher the entries on the POS form. So who did he get the key from?
Keys for anything can be bought online and locks just keep honest people honest. There's even a hobby called locksport where people pick 'em for speed. Lockpicking Lawyer is highly educational since the longer a lock defies a professional the better it is.
The take away here should be that freight infrastructure is under a surveillance state. It is almost impossible to get away with vandalism against them as a result
He's 17 years old. Yes he's under 18 but he absolutely should know better. Innocent until proven guilty and if guilty he deserves the maximum. This could have been a horrible disaster. And by giving him the max it sends a strong message to others thinking about doing this
As a professional railroader with a TH-cam channel I can say this is grade A content and best way to spread the respect aspect of the railfan community when I’m on the job I’m very respectful to Railfans who adhere to to exactly to what you are speaking. I’ve dealt with my share of weirdos and trouble makers but I do enjoy Railfans who as train questions but also enjoy talking about other hobby’s because while my hobby is my job to a lot of guys it’s not that way and even then I’m not 100% thinking about or wanting to think about my job best way to not get called in is to be respectful and do exactly that treat it as if you are guest. Very well done cheers !
There was a derailment in my hometown in 1984. All because a group of teenagers were messing around with the switch for the fun of it. That caused the train to derail and major mess took place afterward. It took days for the cleanup. That interrupted motorists and public buses on top of it. Had to take a long detour until this mess was cleared. There was no internet and cell phones in 1984. This is nothing to laugh at all. Individuals that cause the derailment for the fun of it don't realize the cost for the cleanup, repairs, disruption of operations and a major inconvenience for everyone. It also cost the motorists, delivery drivers and public buses more to reroute from their daily routine. Don't be stupid. Respect the property of the railroad. If something don't look right, call the hotline. Let the professionals deal with the issues. Have a nice day/night.
Unfortunately, for the people that do this kind of thing, it's not necessarily that they don't _realize_ the cost, disruption, inconvenience to everyone, etc. It's that they just don't care! Someone that would do something this insane, doesn't care who they inconvenience, or who they hurt. It's sad that some people are like that. You also have a great day/night!
I’m from the highlands of Scotland and grew up in a village called Kyle of Lochalsh which is the terminus for the Isle of Skye. The journey from Inverness to Kyle is probably one of the most beautiful in Britain and anyone who gets the chance to visit Scotland should definitely take a ride. Anway, what amazes me about the railway lines over in the USA is that they’re not fenced off and folk can just wander alongside the track and get incredibly close to a moving train. It’s insane that tracks aren’t protected from trespassers and the same goes for the equipment like switches etc. I hope the kid who did this, (and folk like Sebastian Deyoung), are punished severely actions which could’ve killed people. Had that train been travelling at speed or carrying hazardous material then it could’ve been horrendous. 17 is old enough to face an adult court and be sentenced like an adult. He knew what he was doing and knew his actions could’ve caused a lot more damage. His parents need a talking to as well.
As a guy who gets mostly train line cars i thank you for this information and stuff i don’t do what that kid did definitely bothers me that he’s a you-tuber because he’s embarrassing
Remember, folks: Any crime involving a railroad becomes a federal matter, and the federal government doesn't do parole. I'm a rules-qualified volunteer of the Illinois Railway Museum, and I have a switch key. We use the pattern from [unspecified Chicago-area railroad] for all our locks, and they are still made by Adlake in Elkhart, Indiana (the same company that still makes kerosene railroad lanterns and modern electric lamps). One of our members apparently obtained his own key on eBay, and some of the more-experienced volunteers found that a rather iffy thing to do, rather than getting issued your own key once passing the Brakeman qualification. We also have to pass a rules test to be part of an operating crew, we have a rules book, timetable, superintendent, the whole business, almost like a 'steam road'. They're also very strict on safety. This equipment doesn't know it's in a museum, it will kill people all the same.
This is a Federal Crime 18 USC §1992. Wrecking trains (a) Whoever willfully derails, disables, or wrecks any train, engine, motor unit, or car used, operated, or employed in interstate or foreign commerce by any railroad; or Whoever willfully sets fire to, or places any explosive substance on or near, or undermines any tunnel, bridge, viaduct, trestle, track, signal, station, depot, warehouse, terminal, or any other way, structure, property, or appurtenance used in the operation of any such railroad in interstate or foreign commerce, or otherwise makes any such tunnel, bridge, viaduct, trestle, track, signal, station, depot, warehouse, terminal, or any other way, structure, property, or appurtenance unworkable or unusable or hazardous to work or use, with the intent to derail, disable, or wreck a train, engine, motor unit, or car used, operated, or employed in interstate or foreign commerce; or Whoever willfully attempts to do any of the aforesaid acts or things- Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both. (b) Whoever is convicted of a violation of subsection (a) that has resulted in the death of any person, shall be subject also to the death penalty or to imprisonment for life. Whoever is convicted of any such violation involving a train that, at the time the violation occurred, carried high-level radioactive waste (as that term is defined in section 2(12) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101(12))) or spent nuclear fuel (as that term is defined in section 2(23) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101(23))), shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for any term or 1 years not less than 30, or for life. (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 794 ; Pub. L. 103-322, title VI, §60003(a)(8), title XXXIII, §330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1969 , 2147; Pub. L. 104-88, title IV, §402(b), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 955 .)
Excellent video and new subscriber. You brought up a great perspective on how we should act when traun spotting. It's a sad thing when an incident like that happens due to someone desiring views on a YT channel.
I started doing train videos about 2 years ago and it is very enjoyable. I'm 75 and started out working for Santa Fe 67-71. Learned a trade as an electrician and was laid off in 71 but continued my career as an electrician and retired in 2013. I do mainly UP videos because the tracks are closer. I've got to know some of the employees and have called the railroad on occasion for open doors on shipping containers . I stay a safe distance away but assume I am on railroad property and respect that. If I would see anything suspicious I would report it. Thank you for the video it was greatly appreciated.
So far it’s teenagers doing these stupid things. Some teenagers are troublemakers due to the stupidity of youth. If it wasn’t trains it would have been something else. Its usually teenagers who throw bricks off freeway overpasses, often killing drivers. Teenagers do stupid things that hurt themselves and others. This was a teenage thing, not a railfan thing. He should pay for what he did, and I hope regular railfans are not demonized due to this.
This is NOT a teenage thing. There are millions of teenagers and millions of them do not do stuff like this. Teens are not children but little adults it happens when they are "young" because this is when the sorting mechanism happena.
Just FYI many of us railfans are friendly people. It’s crazy that these things make us look like idiots, as a railfan myself, I pursue my hobby in a professional manner, but it can be difficult because you know I like to take very good videos and pictures of the trains. Some of us rail enthusiasts have had lucky once in a lifetime opportunities such as getting cab tours. I was given a cab tour of a BNSF ES44C4 once and I loved it. For those of you who want to know what it’s like driving a heavy freight train then go get this game called Train Sim World 4. It’s the perfect way to know what it’s like operating a train and what it’s like being in a big giant railyard. Another thing too is that I also give my utmost respect to train crews, I’ve even made friends with some of them, they wave and give me horn salutes almost every time I catch a train. I’m always grateful for these railroad workers.
The problem with train sims is that they don't give the feel of tonnage that you are hauling. There is nothing that feels like starting and especially stopping 20,000+ tons of train. They are fun to run, though.
I work in the mining industry. A fully loaded coal train carries a bit over a million dollars. Most coal lines run every 10-15 minutes. Disruptions like this START at costing the company millions, but can very quickly escalate to tens of millions if there isn't another way to/from the port it's headed to.
Need to set a precedent for sentencing because this absolutely feels like something that could go off on tiktok, as friggin dumb as that sounds, if a severe sentence isnt handed out for the first to try it.
As a railroad employee (track Inspector) whenever I come across railfans I stop and talk with them and give them friendly reminded to keep their distance from the tracks. I have only once kicked a railfan off of the property and that was because he would be running up to my work truck while I was on the rails. Also, every time I do a hyrail inspection and inspections of switches I always check that all Locks are on the switches and are secure.
The 17 year old should be charged with attempted murder, he set up that accident knowing there would be collision. The moron interfering rail infrastructure should be charged as well.
to prove attempted murder in court, its necessary to show the person was seeking that outcome. That it COULD happen accidentally does not fit the way laws are written and enforced.
The "bad egg" thing is the same for a lot of other communities such as graffiti, drugs, and train hopping there are safe ways to engage in such communities but not everyone does so which makes it infuriating for everyone else when we get a bad name
Charged as an adult and forced to do the same time as a terrorist. People of east Palestine should be brought in to testify about the consequences of this kind of behaviour.
Nice to see Wil Wheaton branching out into railroad videos. Loved the in-depth on this headline that crossed my mind in the past few weeks. Don't keep up with the news much and all I get are bits and pieces. This breaks it all down!!
I have some thoughts on this... not as a railfan but as someone in the airline industry who has spent a great deal of my life at the airport and now in my "retirement" working with airports on projects. But I think the same principles apply. You make some really excellent points. Railfan, same as aviation enthusiasts, are both great contributors and can be great detractors. You have people who don't follow the rules - for whatever reason they believe they know best because they've bought some operations manual on eBay and read it cover to cover every night before they go to bed, and spend dozens of hours a week on TH-cam watching videos on how stuff works with the railroad (or airport). Be it whatever mode of transportation enthusiast, you can't tell them something they don't know. Even if you actually drive the damn train or plane or manage it and have done so for 30 years longer than they've been alive. They tend to ruin it for all the people who are respectful and follow the rules. It's a little different I guess with the rails as the whole thing isn't surrounded by a guarded fence topped with razor wire and every inch monitored by sensors and/or cameras. But people do stupid things at the airport like walk across an open field that's signed to stay out and put a ladder up so they can stand over the fence to get photos. This kid who caused the derailment - same sort but to the extreme. I've taken groups of enthusiasts on tours of things like out on the ramp or through an aircraft maintenance hangar and there's always one who can't follow the rules - they were told not to touch things, yet they do and now to comply with inspection regulations and safety guidelines hours of work have to be repeated. I know railroad is the same thing. I've had teenagers escorted by security out of the airport because they can't follow such simple instructions as keep your hands to yourself. Stay where you are authorized to be. But enthusiasts and fans also are amazing contributors, especially to safety. Through all modes of transportation: see something, say something. People who spend time observing and learning what goes on and how it all works know when something doesn't look right. At Miami, FL's airport the airport and the local group of aviation photographers actually meet regularly. Once a year they get a bus tour around and get dropped off next to the runway to take great photos. But they also comply and stay off fences the rest of the year and go where they are asked to go. They report people being suspicious or people who aren't following the rules. It's a great partnership. I'm sure there are parallels. I mean, I myself have gone to find the conductor on a NE Regional Amtrak to point out a door seemed to have unsynced from the rest of them and was moving as we went down the track. Sure enough, he came back to me and said the door had come half open. I've pointed out people walking down to the very end car and sitting down, getting up, sitting next row, acting weird. Turned out they were rifling through the conductor's briefcase and tool bag. This kid in Nebraska though needs to be tried for a crime and put in prison. If all of this is true, he attempted murder. I know a derailment like this really screws up traffic down the line so he's costing the railroad and its customers a ton of money as well. On top of that clearly was trespassing and perhaps interfered with some locks. Though those padlocks aren't that tough to get open. We use similar at the airport on things like trash compactors or electrical vaults and in absence of keys, I've been able to rake them open using a lockpicking tool in about 15 seconds. You can watch, like anything, videos on TH-cam how to do it. But then it takes one incident like this to cast a deep shadow on everybody. Makes everybody jumpy - and rightfully so - to see people loitering near the tracks or a parked train. To be cliche, this is why we can't have nice things. It is disappointing when somebody so irresponsible and immature and willing to endanger lives for such a silly reason is going to cast doubt on a group as a whole - a group that by far wants to contribute positively to safe operation and takes enjoyment from seeing things work correctly. May not be for me to say, but on the aviation side - I am blessed that my hobby has turned into my career has turned into my hobby again. But we have to police ourselves. I am glad a lot has been said to point out this incident. But hopefully it's also a call to action or a reminder to check our fellow enthusiasts sometimes. It can be damaging to the community clearly... but even more reason to make sure everyone follows the rules, stays a safe and respectful distance, abides by requests from railroad personnel (even if they might not be correct, not the time nor the place to argue), etc. Should be more motivation to show that this kid is in a small minority. Sorry for the rambling, but this kind of hit a nerve with me.
Most importantly the line was dark territory. I’m sure he knew what he was doing as dispatchers don’t have control over the switch, the trains are slower and are only coal drags.
As a former rail employee I know for a fact that not only “ coal drags” are run over dark territory. We pulled lots of loaded fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia cars over dark territory as well.
I would call myself a trainspotter or enthusiastic But, boy do I love train travel. Most of which I do abroad. This is so sad. This act could have been so much worse. It's not a prank or going viral to place people in harm's way. So, the alleged perpetrator should get a much time as the charges will allow. This person is a danger to society
What this kid does not realize and he sadly probably doesn't care when he did this. He absolutely ruined his life just for some stupid TH-cam views. As for his charges, he should have been charged with Federal offenses including Tampering With Interstate Commerce.
I’m a railfan in Michigan and I have the utmost respect for the railroad, its trains, its property and its crews. This definitely puts us in a bad spotlight. All it takes is one idiot like this for railroads to ban all railfans from enjoying the hobby we love.
As a railroader with 4 plus decades out here moving freight I find your video refreshing and well shot. And I find most railfans friendly and respectful and they follow rules of legality and common sense when they pursue their hobby. As with most groups of enthusiastic followers of any hobby there are always a few bad apples. I do feel that TH-cam has hurt the railfan community as it allows non-professional fans to easily shoot with high end equipment and rapidly post the results. The bad apples often tresspass or become a nuisance to those of us out here working. I personally don't mind being on camera and I tell crews to be friendly and wave. But it is becoming more and more difficult as some of them are very aware of comments second guessing what they do and how they do it. Nothing like seeing yourself on video committing a minor rules violation like not properly dismounting or riding a car and finding dozens of inexperienced individuals trashing your professionalism.
Haha. In regards to the last comment, in regards to the crew I showcased on April 27, the crew that dismounted before them actually made a comment about me filming something they probably shouldn’t have done. So I told them “I can always edit that out, bud. No big deal to me.” So I haven’t shown them in this clip and won’t choose to do so in a future edit of that full day, either.
@@DannyBTrainz nice to make the offer. As we often have said...if we follow every rule we would never move a train. And at times what is legal on this railroad isn't legal on that one. Getting on and off moving equipment can vary from road to road. Kicking can be enforced differently. What I find is that the 'bad apples' who comment are often more inclined to take pleasure in pointing out possible rule infraction than congratulate the individual who produced the video for a well shot production.
@@cdavid8139 I see no reason to nitpick railroad workers. I see filming their duties as an artform though and one I’d love to only get better at, personally.
As a railroader, this is very disconcerting. Unless he had a key, I don't know how he could have removed the switch locks. They are very stout. We railroaders are issued keys, sometimes for multiple railroads, for the territory that we operate on. When you retire, you are supposed to turn them in. On non-signaled territory, if the switch isn't locked, the crew won't know about it, although there are areas that have 'switch open' signals. Either way, I don't understand why he would tamper with a switch leading into an occupied siding, especially when the car was so close to the switch. Had the car been on the other end, the train most likely would have been stopped short of the obstruction. I don't really think that this will damage the railfan community, as a whole. Most of us know the regulars and they're usually quite respectful and help keep the miscreants away. Unfortunately, PSR has cut the railroad employees to the bone, meaning less to inspect tracks and the industry sidings that serve our customers. That is the thing that needs to be rectified.
From a "rail fan" in the UK the thing that stands out in US rail fan videos is the open access to tracks etc. In the UK the railway infrastructure is fenced off for the entirety of the line, defining the boundary between public and railway property. Granted fences can be cut, but in doing so brings in a trespass law. Also, the signalling systems used, would alert anyone in the signalling centre if someone trespassed and managed to some how change a switch which could lead to a train on the wrong track. Like you guys most of the train spotters (rail fans) who video these and special events we respect the companies property and staff, but there have been several incidences of members of the public wanting to get a photo of the famous "Flying Scotsman" and end up doing silly things to get that perfect video etc. In this case, if this 17 year old did commit the offence, then he needs to be punished. I would hate to imaging what could have happened if it was a fast passenger train involved and not the goods train which thankfully wasn't traveling too fast. Nicely presented video Danny, look forward to any follow up videos on this story as the case develops
In my 55 yrs as a fan, I've seen blatant disrespect, or worse, among so-called "fans" increase. They dont give a damn about the property, or the crews, and think they wont get caught. Then people wonder why the Railroaders give us the cold shoulder! I would too!
Welcome to the railfanning family, DannyB. Just so you know, I have been a TH-cam railfan going strong since 2008 and seeing that there are bad apples like these who think that they want more views and such are not actual railfans and they don't respect our hobby that we adore. Sebastian DeYoung should be arrested for tampering with railroad equipment like that, because that is a felony. Awesome content, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This little punk should be charged as an adult if they charged him as a juvenile and he gets off he'll just go out and do it again I'm going to have to take him and make an example of him
What is that kid thinking Derailing a coal train by a 17 year old He is looking at jail time of trespassing, vandalism, and sabotaging a train That kid is gonna be in the slammer in a long time he will be charged as a adult of this crime and now that kid is paying the price of what he did and he will might be sentencing to life in prison without the possibly of parole
What was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. Some kids are doing marijuana at age 12 nowadays. That could have been him. Or he could have been glued to a screen for hours every day for the past few years and have little idea of how powerful machines are. It could be that he's never even fallen off a bike.
As a railfanner in Pennsylvania this is ridiculous that stupid kids derailing trains I hope the BNSF crew is all right. Glad the 17 year old is in jail REMEMBER NEVER TRESPASS IN RAILROAD PROPERTY
I should say that back in the day, I did my rail fanning at where the old TC crossed the L&N at Vine Hill on the south side. Now at 85, I enjoy things like you do here. I would submit that these days it is much better and legal to railfan from public areas. Overhead bridges are a good choice. North toward Indiana, must be a train going up the Henderson Sub. My late uncle, my mother's oldest brother was a high seniority engineer on the line from Louisville to Nashville. At his retirement he was handling the Pan American, Hummingbird & Azalean and I was able to get a pass to ride his engine NB about a month before he retired at the end of 1958. We went NB on the "Pan". The line to Louisville was, in those days, called the "MainStem, 1st & 2nd Subs" with the break at BowlingGreen. I grew up at 2104 W. Linden Ave. and my father owned S&S Automotive Parts. When the wind was in the east, I could hear the drum roll when #5 passed Vine Hill a around 2am. Those were the days. From 2019-2023 I volunteered a few weeks a year as a docent at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, otherwise I haven't been on a passenger train since just before Katrina in 2005.
The teenager should be charged as an adult and given the maximum sentence for every count and made to pay all damages plus pay for the crew to retail the train
One time someone put a small section of track, about an 18" piece, across one of the active rails. I removed it, got a dolly and took the section to a friend who was a railroad detective. The piece kept appearing on the tracks frequently. I also watched a video where a child was placing stones on the tracks for Thomas the Tank Engine to run over. Those stones can become projectiles which could injure or kill someone.
You’re right to remove debris when you see it. I try not to get on the rails too much myself. But there was one day, where I found a destroyed bike that had been dragged down close to the defect detector, and I removed it because I didn’t want that to become a hazard even more.
A while Back a teenage boy busted the lock on the CN line in Nova Scotia and opened the switch to a siding. the VIA Rail Scotian headed to Moncton entered the siding at track speed and ended up going through a warehouse with engines and cars derailing. by the grace of God no one was killed. if it been CN and counting on cargo, multiple lives could been lost. the mother blamed CN for not having a strong enough lock. he got a virtual slap on the wrist.
I don’t see why anyone would want to do that. Like you said this crash could’ve been a lot worse and Capital City Rail Productions could’ve gotten some killed.
What I can't figure out is why these characters, such as the one at 6:22, will record themselves engaged in criminal activity and actually post it on TH-cam You make a lot excellent points at 9:19 untill the the end of the video As someone who lives near two major railroad lines, this is concerning
They believe they can get away with it I used to live in Kenova Wv in the town is a trestle where N&S crosses CSX if a derailment happens at that point it would be a momumental accident of separate trains with many cars going into the Ohio river. Jaw Tooth has a few videos of that location.
I would say that both criminals should be put in prison for a minimum of 10 years. Both should be charged with terrorism and attempted murder. I don't care about their age. Reprehensible.
He can be dealt with purdy severely because he derailed a train and quite possibly caused somebody's death in the process and this is a federal crime as well and if the government has the chance to present all their evidence ,that kid is gonna have to do some time
Absolutely, totally unlawful and I hope tge perpetrator is bound over to adult court. Regarding the comment about dark territory, switches and derails can be “bonded” in many dark territories. I used to drive BNSF crews based out of Mandan, ND. Switches and derails on the BNSF Zap Line Sub are bonded. Before a crew was throwing a switch on the mainline, they would tone-up the DS and advise of milepost where they would be throwing the switch. On one occasion, an empty unit grain train (which I was van supporting) was entering the terminal off the mainline. The conductor threw the switch without notification and the DS called the train within a minute asking if they had thrown the switch, even though the train had a track warrant to that switch. Of course the DS’s concern was that someone unauthorized may have thrown the switch. The Zap Line generates about 500 carloads per week. Although dark with TWC the DS’s board in Ft. Worth will indicate switch and derail positions.
Yes, this situation could have been much worse. Could have been. People do not get charged for crimes that "could have been." I think this is one of the stupidest mistakes I've ever seen someone make in my life, but all these people throwing around charges over what could have been have no idea what they're talking about.
Seriously, applying attempted murder or terrorism charges here, IMO, would only be good if they want to ensure they potentially let the (currently alleged, don't forget) person off (if they did it).
Our railway lines in Britain are fenced off with what we nickname ‘Berlin Wall’ fencing. Our British Transport Police are ok with the rail enthusiasts on the whole, but unfortunately there are a few idiots around and the authorities come down on them hard. I cannot believe how easy it is to access the railroads in America, leaves it wide open to mischief and worse
I've been a railfan for many years, including monitoring radio traffic. I also have a family member that works for UP as a conductor in Central CA. We share one thing, Rail Lines and equipment ARE private property, and not to play around. This kid and those like him are not legit railfans, and if they play stupid games, they need to wins stupid prizes!
The line affected was the Arbor Subdivision , a 62-Mile BNSF branch line that runs from Lincoln to the OPPD Nebraska City Power Plant, along the Missouri River. It was originally ran by the UP, it has always been owned by OPPD, and now BNSF has the contract to run and maintain the line to haul coal to the plant.
People seem to be saying... "Banned from TH-cam forever". It would be better for the TH-cam world if he was JAILED Forever. How the hell did he ever get out without his child-minder. The clown is clearly insane.
Something that a LOT of TH-camrs such as yourself and others fail to mention is the fact that the "evidence" supporting everyone's claim has been refused to be shown, nor will likely ever, great video regardless.
As a former railfan it’s safe to say that I’m done as a whole. As a person who grew up with trains, subways, airplanes, and is on the spectrum. It’s shocking on how the railfan community has become. Thankfully I left before this.
@@DannyBTrainz The actions of the media surrounding this are far more concerning anyway. "We have no evidence that he did anything, but trust me bro he did it" is generally all these videos are, people are discussing this case without all the facts, and ignoring all the red flags for the investigation, like how the investigators suspected him for noticing "yeah the train should have been on the mainline and not the siding, so obviously a switch was misaligned" or when asked if he knew how switches worked and he said yes. It's a worrying trend for innocent behaviors getting people investigated. Whether he did it or not, assuming he did it because he likes trains enough to learn how switches work, or figure out that the train heading down a siding was "obviously wrong" is a really dangerous place to be.
I've seen Sebastion Deyoung's clips where he is tampering with railroad equipment and of course, this incident. I am beginning to think that better ways of "tamper-proofing" equipment must be implemented. I understand that locks are already commonly used, but either they are relatively easy to remove with bolt cutters or some other means, or they are not used consistently on rail networks.
9:45 that's exactly what my girlfriend said when I showed her the article. We both work for the NYC subway system, so we know the industry and how switches work well. This boy could have caused a LOT more damage. As soon as I saw this, I thought about East Palestine, OH and how much of a mess that was. This is not a good look.
I saw the aftermath of FEC derailment in the late 80/early90s . 6 GPs on there side due to a switch (sabotage) union disputes . It took days to repair. Media blackout. If i knew what i was seeing at the time. I would've stayed & took pics.
Considering the severity of the situation by all means move the case to adult court. If he is found guilty then there must be severe punishment for this. No way a lenient sentence will work in this case. I just wonder now if this person even comprehends what they did and just how bad this could have turned out.
As a railfan this could ended in disaster, the engineer and conductor could have been critically injured or killed even the cars and or locomotive could have tipped over.
What's your thoughts on this situation? Do you think this damages the railfan community as a whole? And do you see any other dangers presented from this situation?
When we as railfans are trying to encourage politicians or our neighbors that rail is a great form of transport we need to invest in, this is the LAST thing our community needs. And if we allow things like this to happen whose to say that every railroad in the country kicks every railfan off their property altogether?
Railfans in general-no. HOWEVER my safety training for driving train crews taught me many hazards. One is distance from a moving train. In a yard situation we were required to be at least 4 ft. From the closest track so we didn’t foul track. However out on the mainline, while waiting for a train we were required to be at least 25 ft. away because of dragging equipment and possible derailments. I have seen rail fans far too close to the tracks many times. On a recent trip to Folkston a guy had his video camera close to main 1. A northbound train came along with a broken load strap that was kicking up ballast. He grabbed his tripod and still had some ballast hit his leg. BTW staying back a safe distance with eliminate trespassing in most cases.
the railfan community is very toxic, but with this deraillement, this took a dark turn
Not really. I mean everyone in the community thinks the kid is an idiot, nobody is defending him and if there were any would-be copycats they'll be discouraged by the level of ruined his life is. It also means that railroads might do better to enforce not leaving switches or other equipment unlocked, making the industry safer as a whole.
As someone who believes in investing in rail travel for our future benefit, this represents a problem that I want to see dealt with to help clean up the image of rail. Freight and passenger. As someone else mentioned, the railfan community, particularly the 18 and under crowd can be very toxic/problematic imagewise. For a community that is trying to be viewed as mature but passionate, this doesn't help that.
Thank you for not referring to this TH-camr as a railfan. He is not a railfan, he is a criminal.
in TV news they all say "railfan youtuber".
With apologies to Derek Lowe: I ran out of vulgar expletives after the first couple minutes.
@@gnnascarfan2410 no,he isn't a railfan by any means, railfans don't do things like that.
@@wasgeht8567 News people(?) have their own motives.
Yeah that's not a railfan, that's someone who wants to see destruction...
My house is right across the street from a small switch yard and I've never thought "hey, let's go play with the switches!".
I do fear for a derailment, because if this train ever derails I'm unable to get into or out of my house, the line is a horseshoe around the single road that leads to my house.
As my grandfather used to say. "A lock only keeps an honest person out."
Unfortunately, those locks aren't that hard to get around.
When’s law is broken or vandalized involved, TH-cam should never monetize it and they should take it down. The individual should be banned from TH-cam FOREVER.
Indeed !
My thoughts exactly
Typically they don't, but they rely on the community to flag the videos and report them as illegal activity.
TH-cam money is enticing people to commit ever increasingly dangerous acts. Monetization needs to end.
TH-cam is *always* reluctent to take down *any* videos which are popular, because it costs them ad revenues etc. It doesn't matter how illegal a video is, the only thing which counts for TH-cam is profit.
I've been a railfan my whole life, further back than I can even remember; even as a small child, I knew trains were *_not_* meant to be toyed with. They're big, heavy, 60MPH+ machines that _will_ kill you if you use them the wrong way. This kid's a menace, not a railfan, and sadly not the only one.
I was visiting my grandmother in SC in 1958 when I had to wait for a freight train that had stopped and blocked the road. This guy walked up and climbed over the couplers. I held my breath and closed my eyes. The guy got away with it.
Former BNSF conductor here. What about a charge for attempted homicide? Jesus H Christ! Could have killed crew or public not to mention if it was a key train carrying chemicals. My god.
We had a "railfan" with a radio that would key up and give us "roll bys". That's also illegal to transmit on railroad frequencies. DONT DO IT.
Enjoy the hobby but if you want to keep the respect of the crews and not looked down upon, leave us and equipment alone.
And a FYI - Special Agents DO watch eBay for people buying and selling switch keys and other equipment FOR THIS VERY REASON, don't say I didn't warn you if you think it's a good idea to buy railroad property.
The buyer isn't the one they are after it's the seller.
I have a question (as a not-railfan). Is it illegal to listen to the railroad frequencies, or just transmit?
@@prycenewberg3976 to transmit, if you're not authorized on that frequency. That's FCC rules not specific to the railroads. Listening to RR communication is treated the same way as using a police or fire dept scanner, all legal. If the RR wants private communication then they need to purchase radios with encryption.
to prove attempted murder in court, its necessary to show the person was seeking that outcome. That it COULD happen accidentally does not fit the way laws are written and enforced. I understand your outrage as a former RR crew member but I have served on juries and they follow the law not someone's arbitrary belief of appropriate punishment.
I agree that he should not have done it, as it cost $350,000 in damage (which is the price of a house in Houston).
At least he didn't do it on a main line (this is a branch line that only runs coal trains).
Needs the toughest sentence possible to make others think twice before pulling such a stupid stunt .
Yeah, like making him pay restitution. Even if it means it takes the rest of his life to do so.
You think saboteurs care about penalties?
Plus, all social media should never show this sort of behavior. If they do maybe they should be held responsible for broadcasting something thing that will be copied
Bro, it's not just in the railfan community. There are TH-camrs that have crossed the line repeatedly around the world. Some have even died trying to get the "MOST INSANE" videos in their genres....
This punk is looking at 10 years in prison. Hope he gets the max.
should be charged with Domestic Terrorism as an adult.
innocent until proven guilty
and disruption if interstate commerce.
@@EricCampbellUAVI will say until he’s proven guilty really theirs not much we can do which is how American works for all you non Americans.
@EricCampbellUAV so?? The comment talked about charging, not convicting. Troll.
Look up the meaning of Terrorism. I'm as disgusted about this as anyone, but please stop throwing that word around and using it when it doesn't apply. He was doing it for views and internet popularity. There was no political or religious message or attempts to scare or terrorize anyone.
Philosophy teacher: Trolley problem
17 year-old: Great idea!
His little ass should be put in federal prison and never let out
Life is a bit extreme but 10 to 20 years would be justifiable.
@@badgerattoadhall Mercy has no value here but deterrence does.
@@Comm0ut 20 years is not mercy and is a deterrent.
IF he did it. That's what the courts are for. Glad you're not in charge of deciding guilt or innocence. I CAN tell you there are people out there who would ABSOLUTELY make shit up just to get a kid in trouble...It happened to me when I was a teen ager. Ended up in court and was proven NOT GUILTY because I wasn't even there when the incident happened. It turned out to be a college kid who was drunk and caused a LOT of chaos on his way back to the dorms.
You forgot to use the adjective, ‘tight’… his cellmates are going to _love_ him.
I have been an avid railfan for over 50 years, I never in 1 million years, but I suspect anyone who enjoys our hobby with cause malicious harm like this. As they say one to make it bad for the rest. But yeah, there have been sabotage and even railfans standing so close to the tracks I have had to yell at them to get away. Your video points out that it is a privilege and not a right to watch a train pass by. When 911 occurred, there were warnings issue nationally about terrorists threatening to sabotage our rail system. We had to be on our toes and we can still be investigated. Prior to the incident, I learned that the major class one railroads are now having their law enforcement personnel investigate people who are frequently seen near railroad tracks, even if they are on public property.
Anyone who enjoys our hobby should stand 15 feet or more away from the rails. That is the advice of some of my rail crew friends.
Can’t believe this is how I find out DannyB has a separate channel about trains, but here we are I guess
@@TimiVision1 here we are, indeed!!!
He derailed a train
He derailed his life
It has been a sad fact for many years a lot of people don't think of want there actions will do or think more then 2 seconds ahead of themselves it's has to be what they want and no care for what would happen to affect others lives. If it was a hazardous materials train we don't need another East Palistine Oh train wreak. He needs to be put under the jail for life.
Only if he's charged as an adult. If they charge him as a minor he can have his record sealed,
Thank you so much for making this video and spreading out the truth of these troublemakers out there who wants to ruin it for other railfanners.
Hobo Shoestring would puke if he saw anything like this.
INSANE... Loss of words...
I’m a switchman for BNSF. My question is, where did he get a switch key to unlock that switch? In dark territory, we have to write down that the switches are lined and locked for main track movement. It is wrote down on a POS form, POSITION-OF-SWITCH form. The conductor and engineer brief with one another on how the switches are lined. After they release their track warrant, they have to tell the train dispatcher the entries on the POS form. So who did he get the key from?
I just don't know whether or not he had a key or if the locks were cut off and hid somewhere. A lot of unknowns still in this story.
Ebay.
My best guess is he probably used a cutting tool
@@mikemorrow2997 innocent until proven guilty. dont believe the police and media
Keys for anything can be bought online and locks just keep honest people honest. There's even a hobby called locksport where people pick 'em for speed. Lockpicking Lawyer is highly educational since the longer a lock defies a professional the better it is.
Imagine if the locomotives were travelling at speed :(
The take away here should be that freight infrastructure is under a surveillance state. It is almost impossible to get away with vandalism against them as a result
He's 17 years old. Yes he's under 18 but he absolutely should know better. Innocent until proven guilty and if guilty he deserves the maximum. This could have been a horrible disaster. And by giving him the max it sends a strong message to others thinking about doing this
As a professional railroader with a TH-cam channel I can say this is grade A content and best way to spread the respect aspect of the railfan community when I’m on the job I’m very respectful to Railfans who adhere to to exactly to what you are speaking. I’ve dealt with my share of weirdos and trouble makers but I do enjoy Railfans who as train questions but also enjoy talking about other hobby’s because while my hobby is my job to a lot of guys it’s not that way and even then I’m not 100% thinking about or wanting to think about my job best way to not get called in is to be respectful and do exactly that treat it as if you are guest. Very well done cheers !
There was a derailment in my hometown in 1984. All because a group of teenagers were messing around with the switch for the fun of it. That caused the train to derail and major mess took place afterward. It took days for the cleanup.
That interrupted motorists and public buses on top of it. Had to take a long detour until this mess was cleared.
There was no internet and cell phones in 1984.
This is nothing to laugh at all.
Individuals that cause the derailment for the fun of it don't realize the cost for the cleanup, repairs, disruption of operations and a major inconvenience for everyone.
It also cost the motorists, delivery drivers and public buses more to reroute from their daily routine.
Don't be stupid.
Respect the property of the railroad. If something don't look right, call the hotline.
Let the professionals deal with the issues.
Have a nice day/night.
Unfortunately, for the people that do this kind of thing, it's not necessarily that they don't _realize_ the cost, disruption, inconvenience to everyone, etc. It's that they just don't care! Someone that would do something this insane, doesn't care who they inconvenience, or who they hurt. It's sad that some people are like that.
You also have a great day/night!
I’m from the highlands of Scotland and grew up in a village called Kyle of Lochalsh which is the terminus for the Isle of Skye. The journey from Inverness to Kyle is probably one of the most beautiful in Britain and anyone who gets the chance to visit Scotland should definitely take a ride. Anway, what amazes me about the railway lines over in the USA is that they’re not fenced off and folk can just wander alongside the track and get incredibly close to a moving train. It’s insane that tracks aren’t protected from trespassers and the same goes for the equipment like switches etc. I hope the kid who did this, (and folk like Sebastian Deyoung), are punished severely actions which could’ve killed people. Had that train been travelling at speed or carrying hazardous material then it could’ve been horrendous. 17 is old enough to face an adult court and be sentenced like an adult. He knew what he was doing and knew his actions could’ve caused a lot more damage. His parents need a talking to as well.
As a guy who gets mostly train line cars i thank you for this information and stuff i don’t do what that kid did definitely bothers me that he’s a you-tuber because he’s embarrassing
You raise good points. Look what just happened to the high speed network in France when the signals were sabotaged.
If he has a TH-cam channel you better believe someone will find out his name. And the world should know how messed up this kid is.
Remember, folks: Any crime involving a railroad becomes a federal matter, and the federal government doesn't do parole.
I'm a rules-qualified volunteer of the Illinois Railway Museum, and I have a switch key. We use the pattern from [unspecified Chicago-area railroad] for all our locks, and they are still made by Adlake in Elkhart, Indiana (the same company that still makes kerosene railroad lanterns and modern electric lamps). One of our members apparently obtained his own key on eBay, and some of the more-experienced volunteers found that a rather iffy thing to do, rather than getting issued your own key once passing the Brakeman qualification. We also have to pass a rules test to be part of an operating crew, we have a rules book, timetable, superintendent, the whole business, almost like a 'steam road'. They're also very strict on safety. This equipment doesn't know it's in a museum, it will kill people all the same.
This is a Federal Crime
18 USC §1992. Wrecking trains
(a) Whoever willfully derails, disables, or wrecks any train, engine, motor unit, or car used, operated, or employed in interstate or foreign commerce by any railroad; or
Whoever willfully sets fire to, or places any explosive substance on or near, or undermines any tunnel, bridge, viaduct, trestle, track, signal, station, depot, warehouse, terminal, or any other way, structure, property, or appurtenance used in the operation of any such railroad in interstate or foreign commerce, or otherwise makes any such tunnel, bridge, viaduct, trestle, track, signal, station, depot, warehouse, terminal, or any other way, structure, property, or appurtenance unworkable or unusable or hazardous to work or use, with the intent to derail, disable, or wreck a train, engine, motor unit, or car used, operated, or employed in interstate or foreign commerce; or
Whoever willfully attempts to do any of the aforesaid acts or things-
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
(b) Whoever is convicted of a violation of subsection (a) that has resulted in the death of any person, shall be subject also to the death penalty or to imprisonment for life.
Whoever is convicted of any such violation involving a train that, at the time the violation occurred, carried high-level radioactive waste (as that term is defined in section 2(12) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101(12))) or spent nuclear fuel (as that term is defined in section 2(23) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101(23))), shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for any term or 1 years not less than 30, or for life.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 794 ; Pub. L. 103-322, title VI, §60003(a)(8), title XXXIII, §330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1969 , 2147; Pub. L. 104-88, title IV, §402(b), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 955 .)
You can't blame railroads for someone being ignorant.
Excellent video and new subscriber. You brought up a great perspective on how we should act when traun spotting. It's a sad thing when an incident like that happens due to someone desiring views on a YT channel.
I called myself making a video about this. The lengths people will go to for TH-cam clout is crazy.
I started doing train videos about 2 years ago and it is very enjoyable. I'm 75 and started out working for Santa Fe 67-71. Learned a trade as an electrician and was laid off in 71 but continued my career as an electrician and retired in 2013. I do mainly UP videos because the tracks are closer. I've got to know some of the employees and have called the railroad on occasion for open doors on shipping containers . I stay a safe distance away but assume I am on railroad property and respect that. If I would see anything suspicious I would report it. Thank you for the video it was greatly appreciated.
So far it’s teenagers doing these stupid things. Some teenagers are troublemakers due to the stupidity of youth. If it wasn’t trains it would have been something else. Its usually teenagers who throw bricks off freeway overpasses, often killing drivers. Teenagers do stupid things that hurt themselves and others.
This was a teenage thing, not a railfan thing.
He should pay for what he did, and I hope regular railfans are not demonized due to this.
This is NOT a teenage thing. There are millions of teenagers and millions of them do not do stuff like this.
Teens are not children but little adults it happens when they are "young" because this is when the sorting mechanism happena.
I am in my 40s.
There are millions of teenagers and millions of teenagers do not do stuff like you said.
Adults do it too
Just FYI many of us railfans are friendly people. It’s crazy that these things make us look like idiots, as a railfan myself, I pursue my hobby in a professional manner, but it can be difficult because you know I like to take very good videos and pictures of the trains. Some of us rail enthusiasts have had lucky once in a lifetime opportunities such as getting cab tours. I was given a cab tour of a BNSF ES44C4 once and I loved it. For those of you who want to know what it’s like driving a heavy freight train then go get this game called Train Sim World 4. It’s the perfect way to know what it’s like operating a train and what it’s like being in a big giant railyard. Another thing too is that I also give my utmost respect to train crews, I’ve even made friends with some of them, they wave and give me horn salutes almost every time I catch a train. I’m always grateful for these railroad workers.
The problem with train sims is that they don't give the feel of tonnage that you are hauling. There is nothing that feels like starting and especially stopping 20,000+ tons of train. They are fun to run, though.
I work in the mining industry. A fully loaded coal train carries a bit over a million dollars. Most coal lines run every 10-15 minutes. Disruptions like this START at costing the company millions, but can very quickly escalate to tens of millions if there isn't another way to/from the port it's headed to.
Need to set a precedent for sentencing because this absolutely feels like something that could go off on tiktok, as friggin dumb as that sounds, if a severe sentence isnt handed out for the first to try it.
As a railroad employee (track Inspector) whenever I come across railfans I stop and talk with them and give them friendly reminded to keep their distance from the tracks. I have only once kicked a railfan off of the property and that was because he would be running up to my work truck while I was on the rails. Also, every time I do a hyrail inspection and inspections of switches I always check that all Locks are on the switches and are secure.
Thank you for doing a great job with what you do! And thanks for being considerate of all who enjoy your work at the same time.
If he really did this, he's a danger to society.
The 17 year old should be charged with attempted murder, he set up that accident knowing there would be collision. The moron interfering rail infrastructure should be charged as well.
to prove attempted murder in court, its necessary to show the person was seeking that outcome. That it COULD happen accidentally does not fit the way laws are written and enforced.
The "bad egg" thing is the same for a lot of other communities such as graffiti, drugs, and train hopping there are safe ways to engage in such communities but not everyone does so which makes it infuriating for everyone else when we get a bad name
Charged as an adult and forced to do the same time as a terrorist. People of east Palestine should be brought in to testify about the consequences of this kind of behaviour.
Nice to see Wil Wheaton branching out into railroad videos. Loved the in-depth on this headline that crossed my mind in the past few weeks. Don't keep up with the news much and all I get are bits and pieces. This breaks it all down!!
Thank you Danny! This is a video that I am glad is being made. Enjoy your NASCAR break and I can't wait for more rail content to watch with my friends
I have some thoughts on this... not as a railfan but as someone in the airline industry who has spent a great deal of my life at the airport and now in my "retirement" working with airports on projects. But I think the same principles apply.
You make some really excellent points. Railfan, same as aviation enthusiasts, are both great contributors and can be great detractors. You have people who don't follow the rules - for whatever reason they believe they know best because they've bought some operations manual on eBay and read it cover to cover every night before they go to bed, and spend dozens of hours a week on TH-cam watching videos on how stuff works with the railroad (or airport). Be it whatever mode of transportation enthusiast, you can't tell them something they don't know. Even if you actually drive the damn train or plane or manage it and have done so for 30 years longer than they've been alive. They tend to ruin it for all the people who are respectful and follow the rules. It's a little different I guess with the rails as the whole thing isn't surrounded by a guarded fence topped with razor wire and every inch monitored by sensors and/or cameras. But people do stupid things at the airport like walk across an open field that's signed to stay out and put a ladder up so they can stand over the fence to get photos. This kid who caused the derailment - same sort but to the extreme. I've taken groups of enthusiasts on tours of things like out on the ramp or through an aircraft maintenance hangar and there's always one who can't follow the rules - they were told not to touch things, yet they do and now to comply with inspection regulations and safety guidelines hours of work have to be repeated. I know railroad is the same thing. I've had teenagers escorted by security out of the airport because they can't follow such simple instructions as keep your hands to yourself. Stay where you are authorized to be.
But enthusiasts and fans also are amazing contributors, especially to safety. Through all modes of transportation: see something, say something. People who spend time observing and learning what goes on and how it all works know when something doesn't look right. At Miami, FL's airport the airport and the local group of aviation photographers actually meet regularly. Once a year they get a bus tour around and get dropped off next to the runway to take great photos. But they also comply and stay off fences the rest of the year and go where they are asked to go. They report people being suspicious or people who aren't following the rules. It's a great partnership. I'm sure there are parallels. I mean, I myself have gone to find the conductor on a NE Regional Amtrak to point out a door seemed to have unsynced from the rest of them and was moving as we went down the track. Sure enough, he came back to me and said the door had come half open. I've pointed out people walking down to the very end car and sitting down, getting up, sitting next row, acting weird. Turned out they were rifling through the conductor's briefcase and tool bag.
This kid in Nebraska though needs to be tried for a crime and put in prison. If all of this is true, he attempted murder. I know a derailment like this really screws up traffic down the line so he's costing the railroad and its customers a ton of money as well. On top of that clearly was trespassing and perhaps interfered with some locks. Though those padlocks aren't that tough to get open. We use similar at the airport on things like trash compactors or electrical vaults and in absence of keys, I've been able to rake them open using a lockpicking tool in about 15 seconds. You can watch, like anything, videos on TH-cam how to do it.
But then it takes one incident like this to cast a deep shadow on everybody. Makes everybody jumpy - and rightfully so - to see people loitering near the tracks or a parked train. To be cliche, this is why we can't have nice things. It is disappointing when somebody so irresponsible and immature and willing to endanger lives for such a silly reason is going to cast doubt on a group as a whole - a group that by far wants to contribute positively to safe operation and takes enjoyment from seeing things work correctly.
May not be for me to say, but on the aviation side - I am blessed that my hobby has turned into my career has turned into my hobby again. But we have to police ourselves. I am glad a lot has been said to point out this incident. But hopefully it's also a call to action or a reminder to check our fellow enthusiasts sometimes. It can be damaging to the community clearly... but even more reason to make sure everyone follows the rules, stays a safe and respectful distance, abides by requests from railroad personnel (even if they might not be correct, not the time nor the place to argue), etc. Should be more motivation to show that this kid is in a small minority.
Sorry for the rambling, but this kind of hit a nerve with me.
If this happened here in Canada, he’d just get a slap on the wrist as our criminal justice system is very lenient towards criminals.
Most importantly the line was dark territory. I’m sure he knew what he was doing as dispatchers don’t have control over the switch, the trains are slower and are only coal drags.
As a former rail employee I know for a fact that not only “ coal drags” are run over dark territory. We pulled lots of loaded fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia cars over dark territory as well.
As a fan of Doritos I know for a fact this is a line to a coal plant.
The business on the rail line right there is agricultural in nature, not coal.
I would call myself a trainspotter or enthusiastic But, boy do I love train travel. Most of which I do abroad. This is so sad. This act could have been so much worse. It's not a prank or going viral to place people in harm's way. So, the alleged perpetrator should get a much time as the charges will allow. This person is a danger to society
Saw the video of the kid. Things seemed wrong from the beginning.
What this kid does not realize and he sadly probably doesn't care when he did this. He absolutely ruined his life just for some stupid TH-cam views. As for his charges, he should have been charged with Federal offenses including Tampering With Interstate Commerce.
I’m a railfan in Michigan and I have the utmost respect for the railroad, its trains, its property and its crews. This definitely puts us in a bad spotlight. All it takes is one idiot like this for railroads to ban all railfans from enjoying the hobby we love.
As a railroader with 4 plus decades out here moving freight I find your video refreshing and well shot. And I find most railfans friendly and respectful and they follow rules of legality and common sense when they pursue their hobby. As with most groups of enthusiastic followers of any hobby there are always a few bad apples. I do feel that TH-cam has hurt the railfan community as it allows non-professional fans to easily shoot with high end equipment and rapidly post the results. The bad apples often tresspass or become a nuisance to those of us out here working. I personally don't mind being on camera and I tell crews to be friendly and wave. But it is becoming more and more difficult as some of them are very aware of comments second guessing what they do and how they do it. Nothing like seeing yourself on video committing a minor rules violation like not properly dismounting or riding a car and finding dozens of inexperienced individuals trashing your professionalism.
Haha. In regards to the last comment, in regards to the crew I showcased on April 27, the crew that dismounted before them actually made a comment about me filming something they probably shouldn’t have done. So I told them “I can always edit that out, bud. No big deal to me.” So I haven’t shown them in this clip and won’t choose to do so in a future edit of that full day, either.
@@DannyBTrainz nice to make the offer. As we often have said...if we follow every rule we would never move a train. And at times what is legal on this railroad isn't legal on that one. Getting on and off moving equipment can vary from road to road. Kicking can be enforced differently. What I find is that the 'bad apples' who comment are often more inclined to take pleasure in pointing out possible rule infraction than congratulate the individual who produced the video for a well shot production.
@@cdavid8139 I see no reason to nitpick railroad workers. I see filming their duties as an artform though and one I’d love to only get better at, personally.
@@DannyBTrainz just a few bad apples. they are around in every hobby.
@@cdavid8139 yeah. I’ve seen quite a few bad eggs in the NASCAR fan space as well.
As a railroader, this is very disconcerting. Unless he had a key, I don't know how he could have removed the switch locks. They are very stout. We railroaders are issued keys, sometimes for multiple railroads, for the territory that we operate on. When you retire, you are supposed to turn them in. On non-signaled territory, if the switch isn't locked, the crew won't know about it, although there are areas that have 'switch open' signals. Either way, I don't understand why he would tamper with a switch leading into an occupied siding, especially when the car was so close to the switch. Had the car been on the other end, the train most likely would have been stopped short of the obstruction. I don't really think that this will damage the railfan community, as a whole. Most of us know the regulars and they're usually quite respectful and help keep the miscreants away. Unfortunately, PSR has cut the railroad employees to the bone, meaning less to inspect tracks and the industry sidings that serve our customers. That is the thing that needs to be rectified.
I wonder if this case could end up in federal courts.
Maybe
From a "rail fan" in the UK the thing that stands out in US rail fan videos is the open access to tracks etc. In the UK the railway infrastructure is fenced off for the entirety of the line, defining the boundary between public and railway property. Granted fences can be cut, but in doing so brings in a trespass law. Also, the signalling systems used, would alert anyone in the signalling centre if someone trespassed and managed to some how change a switch which could lead to a train on the wrong track.
Like you guys most of the train spotters (rail fans) who video these and special events we respect the companies property and staff, but there have been several incidences of members of the public wanting to get a photo of the famous "Flying Scotsman" and end up doing silly things to get that perfect video etc.
In this case, if this 17 year old did commit the offence, then he needs to be punished. I would hate to imaging what could have happened if it was a fast passenger train involved and not the goods train which thankfully wasn't traveling too fast.
Nicely presented video Danny, look forward to any follow up videos on this story as the case develops
Only just found your channel, first time viewer.
Such a well made video so I subscribed.
Looking forward to more.
Thank you. Don’t know that I’ll always have a spicy subject like this. But plenty of trains to capture. But projects on Trainz 22.
In my 55 yrs as a fan, I've seen blatant disrespect, or worse, among so-called "fans" increase. They dont give a damn about the property, or the crews, and think they wont get caught. Then people wonder why the Railroaders give us the cold shoulder! I would too!
Welcome to the railfanning family, DannyB. Just so you know, I have been a TH-cam railfan going strong since 2008 and seeing that there are bad apples like these who think that they want more views and such are not actual railfans and they don't respect our hobby that we adore. Sebastian DeYoung should be arrested for tampering with railroad equipment like that, because that is a felony. Awesome content, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was a federal crime. This kid needs to be made an example of and do serious hard time
Exactly
This little punk should be charged as an adult if they charged him as a juvenile and he gets off he'll just go out and do it again I'm going to have to take him and make an example of him
Don't get how anyone could think about ever doing this
Internet Clout! Dumb axxes like this go for "likes" above all else, including the safety of the crew, passer-bys, etc.
No consequences will only cause someone else to do this same thing should be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law !!!
What is that kid thinking
Derailing a coal train by a 17 year old
He is looking at jail time of trespassing, vandalism, and sabotaging a train
That kid is gonna be in the slammer in a long time he will be charged as a adult of this crime and now that kid is paying the price of what he did and he will might be sentencing to life in prison without the possibly of parole
What was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. Some kids are doing marijuana at age 12 nowadays. That could have been him. Or he could have been glued to a screen for hours every day for the past few years and have little idea of how powerful machines are. It could be that he's never even fallen off a bike.
@@merryhunt9153you know drug use has been falling amongst youth for years and years now?
You mean “prison time”
Thanks for speaking up about this.
As a railfanner in Pennsylvania this is ridiculous that stupid kids derailing trains I hope the BNSF crew is all right. Glad the 17 year old is in jail
REMEMBER NEVER TRESPASS IN RAILROAD PROPERTY
If they charge him as an adult they will release his name
I should say that back in the day, I did my rail fanning at where the old TC crossed the L&N at Vine Hill on the south side. Now at 85, I enjoy things like you do here. I would submit that these days it is much better and legal to railfan from public areas. Overhead bridges are a good choice. North toward Indiana, must be a train going up the Henderson Sub. My late uncle, my mother's oldest brother was a high seniority engineer on the line from Louisville to Nashville. At his retirement he was handling the Pan American, Hummingbird & Azalean and I was able to get a pass to ride his engine NB about a month before he retired at the end of 1958. We went NB on the "Pan". The line to Louisville was, in those days, called the "MainStem, 1st & 2nd Subs" with the break at BowlingGreen. I grew up at 2104 W. Linden Ave. and my father owned S&S Automotive Parts. When the wind was in the east, I could hear the drum roll when #5 passed Vine Hill a around 2am. Those were the days. From 2019-2023 I volunteered a few weeks a year as a docent at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, otherwise I haven't been on a passenger train since just before Katrina in 2005.
The teenager should be charged as an adult and given the maximum sentence for every count and made to pay all damages plus pay for the crew to retail the train
One time someone put a small section of track, about an 18" piece, across one of the active rails. I removed it, got a dolly and took the section to a friend who was a railroad detective. The piece kept appearing on the tracks frequently. I also watched a video where a child was placing stones on the tracks for Thomas the Tank Engine to run over. Those stones can become projectiles which could injure or kill someone.
You’re right to remove debris when you see it. I try not to get on the rails too much myself. But there was one day, where I found a destroyed bike that had been dragged down close to the defect detector, and I removed it because I didn’t want that to become a hazard even more.
A while Back a teenage boy busted the lock on the CN line in Nova Scotia and opened the switch to a siding. the VIA Rail Scotian headed to Moncton entered the siding at track speed and ended up going through a warehouse with engines and cars derailing. by the grace of God no one was killed. if it been CN and counting on cargo, multiple lives could been lost. the mother blamed CN for not having a strong enough lock. he got a virtual slap on the wrist.
I still can’t believe that this happened
To those chasing clout, truly ask yourself if getting arrested is worth it
I don’t see why anyone would want to do that. Like you said this crash could’ve been a lot worse and Capital City Rail Productions could’ve gotten some killed.
They should all be charged with a federal crime.
What I can't figure out is why these characters, such as the one at 6:22, will record themselves engaged in criminal activity and actually post it on TH-cam
You make a lot excellent points at 9:19 untill the the end of the video
As someone who lives near two major railroad lines, this is concerning
They believe they can get away with it I used to live in Kenova Wv in the town is a trestle where N&S crosses CSX if a derailment happens at that point it would be a momumental accident of separate trains with many cars going into the Ohio river. Jaw Tooth has a few videos of that location.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, in this case a criminal charge.
Bet that the BNSF special agents had a field day with this case.
I would say that both criminals should be put in prison for a minimum of 10 years. Both should be charged with terrorism and attempted murder. I don't care about their age. Reprehensible.
He can be dealt with purdy severely because he derailed a train and quite possibly caused somebody's death in the process and this is a federal crime as well and if the government has the chance to present all their evidence ,that kid is gonna have to do some time
EVERYONE is talking about this. Crazy.
It’s because of things like this I stopped railfaning.
Same
Absolutely, totally unlawful and I hope tge perpetrator is bound over to adult court. Regarding the comment about dark territory, switches and derails can be “bonded” in many dark territories. I used to drive BNSF crews based out of Mandan, ND. Switches and derails on the BNSF Zap Line Sub are bonded. Before a crew was throwing a switch on the mainline, they would tone-up the DS and advise of milepost where they would be throwing the switch. On one occasion, an empty unit grain train (which I was van supporting) was entering the terminal off the mainline. The conductor threw the switch without notification and the DS called the train within a minute asking if they had thrown the switch, even though the train had a track warrant to that switch. Of course the DS’s concern was that someone unauthorized may have thrown the switch.
The Zap Line generates about 500 carloads per week. Although dark with TWC the DS’s board in Ft. Worth will indicate switch and derail positions.
Yes, this situation could have been much worse. Could have been.
People do not get charged for crimes that "could have been." I think this is one of the stupidest mistakes I've ever seen someone make in my life, but all these people throwing around charges over what could have been have no idea what they're talking about.
Seriously, applying attempted murder or terrorism charges here, IMO, would only be good if they want to ensure they potentially let the (currently alleged, don't forget) person off (if they did it).
Our railway lines in Britain are fenced off with what we nickname ‘Berlin Wall’ fencing. Our British Transport Police are ok with the rail enthusiasts on the whole, but unfortunately there are a few idiots around and the authorities come down on them hard. I cannot believe how easy it is to access the railroads in America, leaves it wide open to mischief and worse
This punk should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law
That teenager has been identified, because he is being charged as an adult.
Yep he totally reminds me of one incident where 4 teens derailed a train in 1982
I've been a railfan for many years, including monitoring radio traffic. I also have a family member that works for UP as a conductor in Central CA. We share one thing, Rail Lines and equipment ARE private property, and not to play around. This kid and those like him are not legit railfans, and if they play stupid games, they need to wins stupid prizes!
The line affected was the Arbor Subdivision , a 62-Mile BNSF branch line that runs from Lincoln to the OPPD Nebraska City Power Plant, along the Missouri River. It was originally ran by the UP, it has always been owned by OPPD, and now BNSF has the contract to run and maintain the line to haul coal to the plant.
Being a fellow railroad enthusiast this situation pisses Mr off
Thank you for your professionalism in reporting what you know that has happened to us all God bless!
People seem to be saying... "Banned from TH-cam forever".
It would be better for the TH-cam world if he was JAILED Forever.
How the hell did he ever get out without his child-minder. The clown is clearly insane.
Something that a LOT of TH-camrs such as yourself and others fail to mention is the fact that the "evidence" supporting everyone's claim has been refused to be shown, nor will likely ever, great video regardless.
It’s not that I wouldn’t want to.
Unfortunately, it just can’t be released to us because of the nature of his age and the situation.
As a former railfan it’s safe to say that I’m done as a whole. As a person who grew up with trains, subways, airplanes, and is on the spectrum. It’s shocking on how the railfan community has become. Thankfully I left before this.
Don’t let the actions of others ruin the experience for you. It’s not worth it.
@@DannyBTrainz The actions of the media surrounding this are far more concerning anyway.
"We have no evidence that he did anything, but trust me bro he did it" is generally all these videos are, people are discussing this case without all the facts, and ignoring all the red flags for the investigation, like how the investigators suspected him for noticing "yeah the train should have been on the mainline and not the siding, so obviously a switch was misaligned" or when asked if he knew how switches worked and he said yes. It's a worrying trend for innocent behaviors getting people investigated.
Whether he did it or not, assuming he did it because he likes trains enough to learn how switches work, or figure out that the train heading down a siding was "obviously wrong" is a really dangerous place to be.
I've seen Sebastion Deyoung's clips where he is tampering with railroad equipment and of course, this incident. I am beginning to think that better ways of "tamper-proofing" equipment must be implemented. I understand that locks are already commonly used, but either they are relatively easy to remove with bolt cutters or some other means, or they are not used consistently on rail networks.
Those padlocks have very hard shackles but battery-powered grinders or cut-off wheels will easily go through them.
9:45 that's exactly what my girlfriend said when I showed her the article. We both work for the NYC subway system, so we know the industry and how switches work well. This boy could have caused a LOT more damage. As soon as I saw this, I thought about East Palestine, OH and how much of a mess that was. This is not a good look.
I saw the aftermath of FEC derailment in the late 80/early90s . 6 GPs on there side due to a switch (sabotage) union disputes . It took days to repair. Media blackout. If i knew what i was seeing at the time. I would've stayed & took pics.
Considering the severity of the situation by all means move the case to adult court. If he is found guilty then there must be severe punishment for this. No way a lenient sentence will work in this case. I just wonder now if this person even comprehends what they did and just how bad this could have turned out.
This kid should switch his train of thoughts. Currently, he's coupled to law enforcement.
5:21 so if you were to turn that manual lever which doesn't have a padlock on it, the switch will not move right?
As a railfan this could ended in disaster, the engineer and conductor could have been critically injured or killed even the cars and or locomotive could have tipped over.