A sad story! I really do admire all the RR's out there and have a lot of respect for them. I hope the punk that did this gets 1000 times what he will get! ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. BLMA N Scale Detail Parts
We all feel like we have lost a brother. My prayers for the families involved. Way out in west Texas, there was an old judge who looked at, (what was left) of a prankster who had been caught by another RR crew for this sort of thing. The judge said, "That's the worst case of suicide I have ever seen, boys lets go home." It was "The Code of the West". Turn the punk over to any crew, he'll never do it again!! ------------------ Watash
This is from a few week ago. I just joined this forum. Dave in Pierre, SD =================================== My pictures of the derailment site can be viewed at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=173482&a=8529703 Since I was scheduled to drive the Pierre Girls Basketball Team to Brookings on Saturday, I decided to take the digital camera and view the crash. I purposely took the road on that parallels the track on the south side over to the high school as to determine the actual site of the crash. As I passed by the site which is directly behind a city of Brookings maintenance facility of some sorts, I noticed numerous people track side. After dropping of the varsity, jr varsity, and sophomore teams, I next had to take the freshmen team over to a middle school near midtown and north of the derailment site. Since this was only 5 blocks north of the site, I was able to discretely walk over there instead of driving my big Grayline Charter bus to the site. The overcast skies set the mood for this visit. As I walked up to the tracks, I noticed the siding on the north side of the track that has a conveyor underneath to unload gravel cars had been removed. These can be viewed at the bottom of: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=173482&a=1267311 I took a few pictures of that. To the west a block or so was a silent DM&E engine standing as if it was on guard duty Then I turned my attention to the derailment. Most of the damage has been cleaned up. The passing track still needs to be rebuilt. Much of the soil underneath the track was removed due to spilled diesel fuel. This soil was stored on site under plastic for later disposal. There are the remains of three mangled grain cars spilling soy beans to the south side of the track. It appears these will be cut up on site and scrapped as they are too badly damaged to repaired. I took numerous pictures of various pieces of metal scattered around the site. I recognized the remains of a pilot handrail off of a damaged engines. Located a little further away was sheet metal from under the cab window with 6361 and "City of Redfield" painted on the side. After a few more pictures, I glanced over and saw the mangled remains of either the engineer's or conductor's seat. I'm not sure which it was, but there is no doubt that anyone sitting in it could have survived. A chill ran down my spine in spite of the mid afternoon heat. After a few moments of somber reflection, I walked over and took a closer look at the remains of the grain cars and took some additional pictures. Passing through the ankle deep soy beans, I walked over to the switch that was used to divert the train. It appears the tampered one had been removed and a different one with two padlocks was in its place. After a few more pictures, I walked back west to see the memorial at the fence. There was a family that looked like it consisted of a husband, wife, three kids, a dog, and a grandma that were walking along the track and viewing the derailment site. I couldn't tell if it they were family members of the crew or just local site seers. Luckily an eastbound train just passed through 20 minutes ago so their safety shouldn't be in jeopardy. Leaving the tracks, I walked over and found the memorial to the crew members. The DM&E had an arrangement and two potted plants at the fence. But more heart wrenching was the memorial that the Brad Davis's Family (the conductor who perished) placed on the fence. Anyone who could read the cards his family placed on the memorial and not be affected emotionally has a stone heart. Emotionally drained, I turned around and walked back to the school as other people drove up to or around the derailment site. And for the remainder of the day and evening I continually wondered how any human could do such an evil thing. And could not come up with any answer.
Dave Voeltz- I don't think anyone else has expressed the sheer emotion of this tradgedy than you have right now. Some things in life have no answers. Dave Condolences to the families and friends of both crew members and the lone survivor.
can someone let us know the out come, or what happened to the 20 year old rat fink that caused this wreck? ------------------ Watash
A belated welcome to Trainboard, Dave V. Glad to see a fellow MNRailer here. I was wondering if there has been any word on the case against the alleged perpetrator. Gary.
I don't know how I missed your post, Dave, as I have been following this sad story. But I also welcome you to Trainboard. I am pleased to have read your report, but also pleased that I have not witnessed the outcome of such an evil act. In a civilised world, these things just would not happen. Alan
The American Justice System, if you can call it that, usually moves at a glacial pace. Some attorney will get multiply continuances and other delays and I am willing to bet that the guy gets probation, community service and/or a small fine under some back room plea bargain agreement. As I previously posted, we need as a community to get the message to the prosecutors that anything less than maximum penalty will not be acceptable!
It's a great tragedy, made worse by the fact that it was deliberate. But frankly I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Once while railfanning I found a turnout that goes from the main into a siding unsecured. It was still lined for the main, which I believe it was supposed to. And luckily it was in a remote area in the mountains. But anybody that happened to be there could have thrown it. If I had had a cell phone, I would have called the railroad and let them know. Since I didn't, I just left it alone and hoped that a MW guy found it before a vandal did. ------------------ Mike Smith lcso_927@hotmail.com Eugene, Oregon LCSO's RailPics ~ License and registration please... "She's not really gone if her memory lives on in our hearts." Southern Pacific 1865-1996
LGSO- It was a good move for you to leave it alone. However was there anyway for you to notify the RR when you got off the mountain? I am sure they would be greatful if you did. When I go Utah this year, I plan on having my Cell phone with me to just for that perpose.
