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My bud LA Jeff advised on his eastbound CZ trip this week:
"We made it through the Rockies in one piece and had some excitement last night in Omaha. Johnny Law boarded there and made contact with a guy in the 632 sleeper. He was escorted off in handcuffs and had apparently been holding 4 pieces of baggage, some of which had pot stashed in them. I have been reading about CZ pot busts several times a month now! The coppers in Galesburg also have had some scores lately. Our SCA says it happens on every other trip right now."
While I could not find that news account yet, I did locate this gem:
Omaha police responded to a fight on a train (CZ) late Sunday night. Officers said the victim told them that (suspect) William McGlaughlen, 39, from Warsaw, Ill., stole a computer from the victim's luggage. Another witness then told officers they saw McGlaughlen take a handgun from his waistband of his pants and put it on the ground near the front of the train. That's where police found the gun.
We've heard through much of 2011 about other incidents on CZ, notably Reno, Nevada PD boarding train, questioning passengers, and making some arrests, looking for drugs.
Had Omaha suspect been in Dallas Union Station, that PD may have shot him to death, as they did a "suspicious person" on 5 Dec 2011, after following him back aboard the Eagle.
Probably need to be aware on the Zephyr these days and nights of surroundings and PAX.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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I confess I'm a little nervous because just outside Castle Gate, Utah, I saw two guys on horses speculatively eyeing the train. They were dead ringers for Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Many years ago, I saw an arrest on the Empire Builder, for drugs, I presume. The guy who was arrested had boarded in Seattle and looked very much like he was on drugs, wandering around looking doped up, not talking to anyone, then on the train he spent most of his time wandering through the train still looking high on drugs. He wasn't escorted off the train until Grand Forks, ND, when the cops (and AMTRAK police?)arrested him and took him off
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Undercover agents have been working the train much more often than usual for the last 10 to 12 months. Not every arrest makes the news, but it seems like drug runners have chosen Amtrak as their vehicle as of late. I don't know why--the way things are right now, the odds of them getting caught are very high. When properly trained and experienced, it becomes fairly easy to pick out who should be watched and then detained.
train lady Member # 3920
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Don't worry Henry. They were probably waiting for the bag pipes.
dilly Member # 1427
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While we're at it, I'd like to send a shout out to the hordes of Boy Scouts who ride the Southwest Chief each summer.
During a trip I took a few years back, one of the little tykes was caught lifting "personal items" from slumbering coach passengers. According to the conductor, it's a recurring problem every summer whenever Scout troops are on board.
Later, in the Sightseer Lounge, I watched another fine example of Scouthood Gone Wrong plop down in the seat alongside of me, whip out a knife, and attempt to carve his name into the car wall.
When I advised him to stop or I'd break his arm, he put away the knife and marched off in a rage (presumably to harvest a few more unattended iPhones, cameras, and DVD players in the coaches).
Scout founder Lord Baden Powell must be a-spinnin' in his grave.
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Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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Back in the late 1990s early 2000s, I would take the Southwest Chief a lot. So much so that I began to recognize the undercover narcotics officers on board. They usually made arrests in Albuquerque.
The funny thing is, one officer often wore a Los Angeles Dodgers jacket. He was easy to spot in Dodger blue
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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dilly, don't they give merit badges for those activities?
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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I am about to board the Chief now ABQ to La Plata where my trusty Subaru waits for the long drive to St. Paul. Thanks for the heads up. I think I will start cable locking my laptop in the roomette closet.
dilly Member # 1427
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quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: Thanks for the heads up. I think I will start cable locking my laptop in the roomette closet.
The onboard Boy Scout contingent is sparse during this time of year, so I think you're safe to leave your heavy defensive weaponry at home.
However, even the most conscientious sleeping car attendant is not "all seeing, all knowing." And in truth, every attendant is Missing in Action for large segments of every journey.
When traveling in a sleeping car during any season, it's always wise to take smaller valuables with you whenever you leave your room -- and make sure that larger, theft-worthy items are securely hidden and/or locked.
Unattended valuables left carelessly on your seat (or a lowered berth) are within easy reach of anyone who decides to take a stroll through the car. And that includes your fellow sleeper passengers young and old -- none of whom, I might add, have undergone a full background check or provided three trustworthy references before being sold a ticket.
That's not to say that Amtrak's sleeping cars (or its trains overall) are rolling dens of thievery. But a drawn curtain or closed door won't deter the truly brazen. As nice as traveling by sleeper can be, never forget that you're still living in the real world.
And yes, Ocala Mike, the "Petty Pilferage" and "Random Vandalism" merit badges are exciting new updates, apparently introduced to give Scouting a less antiquated, more relevant 21st century appeal. Rumor has it that both will soon be required for rising to the rank of Eagle Scout.
Dilly First Class Scout (ret.) Troop 426
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notelvis Member # 3071
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quote:Originally posted by train lady: Don't worry Henry. They were probably waiting for the bag pipes.
If such were the case, I would imagine that they were more likely riding large ponies and not horses!
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Dilly, I think I made First Class; know I never made Eagle. Seems like I was a "Tenderfoot" for a long time!
My one merit badge was in Cooking, and my wife insists that I maintain my proficiency in it!
Ocala Mike Veteran of Ten Mile River, Narrowsburg, NY
mr williams Member # 1928
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When I took the SWC in 2003 there was a lot of interest in drugs being transported between LA and ABQ and on a number of occasions around that time Federal Marshals had boarded and searched the train.
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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The southern route, particularly the Sunset, has certainly seen its share of movement of contraband. I recall a "mule" being collared on the platform in Houston back in the mid 90s. Agents used the Amtrak crowbar to pop open the guys large suitcase; inside which were several kilos of tightly packed white powder. I guessed it was heroin, but possibly cocaine. The guy was marched off the platform, white as a sheet. The event certainly caught the passengers attention.
David Member # 3
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quote:
When traveling in a sleeping car during any season, it's always wise to take smaller valuables with you whenever you leave your room -- and make sure that larger, theft-worthy items are securely hidden and/or locked.
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I don't understand why locks that can be locked from the outside as well as the inside have not been installed on US and Canadian sleeping cars. VIA Rail's Renaissance sleepers have this system. Although the Renaissance cars are much-maligned by railfans - and I don't want to re-ignite a discussion on this - one of the many attributes of these newer cars that I appreciate is the plastic key cards that allow the passenger to lock the room from the outside. They are simple "Ving cards" (the type with a series of holes) and can be changed easily by the car attendant. The locks are sturdy and the doors and walls are three times the thickness of those on the Budd-built sleepers.
VIA recently completed a major refurbishment of the Manor sleepers used on the Canadian, but I was surprised they did not install locks. Some passengers have commented on this, especially those who have travelled on the Renaissance-equipped Ocean. I realise nothing will be 100% effective against a determined thief - just like the doors of a hotel room or your own home - but in Renaissance sleepers my wife now leaves her purse and I leave the camera equipment with a reasonable degree of confidence.
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