posted
What a piece of work this guy was. Probably some gang-banger who felt "disrespected".
At least the victim wasn't decapitated.
MontanaJim Member # 2323
posted
thanks for the article.
yes its probably more likely these things would happen in coach, but they can also happen anywhere--passengers can be attacked in the lounge or dining car.
the passengers are sure lucky this bozo didnt use the loaded gun he had with him.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
While this incident establishes "such happens", violent crime aboard Amtrak trains is quite rare.
Let us hope reason prevails and that this incident does not result in mandatory hand baggage searches prior to boarding.
royaltrain Member # 622
posted
One of the reasons I like sleeping behind a locked door.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
posted
I agree that violent crime aboard Amtrak trains is rare. So, although it does happen, is petty crime.
So long as a passenger riding a long-distance train is sensible about concealing valuables, such as video players and cameras, he can be confident that his belongings will be left alone.
That said, I keep my hand on my wallet everywhere I go. But that's just me.
And now for the world's newest refrigerator magnet: "Such Happens." (Nudge, GBN, nudge!)
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
I echo the sentiments of Messrs. Bowen and Royal.
I realize that some here seem to enjoy open Section sleepers as are offered in Canada. Others here have suggested the shared room accommodations such as Couchettes found overseas are quite OK.
As I recall, there were open Section sleeper lines up to A-Day with the UP Butte Special and L&N/SCL Gulf Wind being two such coming to mind. However, Amtrak has never operated such and after an incident such as this, rare notwithstanding, would never consider such.
VIA may even start thinking twice.
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
posted
Assuming this was on the Coast Starlight?
Mentions Eugene so could be either Starlight or Cascades. But victim was taken to Klamath Falls so this is why I'm assuming the Starlight.
smitty195 Member # 5102
posted
It was the Coast Starlight, train #11.
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
posted
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: It was the Coast Starlight, train #11.
Thanks for the confirmation.
What's up with the Starlight and jumping off? Interestingly a few months more then 20 years to the date, a similar jumping incident happened during a trip in 1988 when my family chartered the private car (Louisa) from Los Angeles-Portland.
Somewhere past Mount Shasta, a man jumped from the lounge car (he opened the downstairs door) and fell down a steep embankment. I remember this because the train had no rope but the private car has a long hose. So they lowered the hose to the guy and pulled him up. We waited for an SP MOW crew in the area to come with a Hi-Rail to take him away to the authorities. He surprisingly wasn't visibly injured, but he also was supposedly high on PCP so he could have been injured and didn't show it. Interesting memories, and I think we have the rescue/arrest on video tape too. One of these days I should convert all those old train trip videos and post them on YouTube.
mr williams Member # 1928
posted
Wasn't there a case on Greyhound recently where someone was actually decapitated in a random attack?
zephyr Member # 1651
posted
Yuck.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
quote:Originally posted by mr williams: Wasn't there a case on Greyhound recently where someone was actually decapitated in a random attack?
Yes. In Canada.
Please, no pictures.
royaltrain Member # 622
posted
The Greyhound decapitation incident took place on an overnight bus ride between Edmonton and Winnipeg. There is also tri-weekly train service on that route on Via's Canadian.
mr williams Member # 1928
posted
The point being that such random attacks are, in fact so rare, that an incident like that made the news in the UK.
If you don't go looking for trouble, you are highly unlikely to find it.