Bullet hits Amtrak train

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Superliner Diner

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Amtrak train was struck by two bullets early Saturday near Washington, D.C., but no one was hit.
The full article from CNN is here.

One could say it was only a matter of time, given what has taken place in the Virginia/Washington/Maryland area over the past week. And while they don't attribute this directly to the serial sniper that has killed or injured so many innocent people, obviously this is still cause for concern. It was still a sniper, even if it was not "THE" sniper. Nobody should be taking shots at trains. Not even bullet trains.
 
Superliner Diner said:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Amtrak train was struck by two bullets early Saturday near Washington, D.C., but no one was hit.
The full article from CNN is here.

One could say it was only a matter of time, given what has taken place in the Virginia/Washington/Maryland area over the past week. And while they don't attribute this directly to the serial sniper that has killed or injured so many innocent people, obviously this is still cause for concern. It was still a sniper, even if it was not "THE" sniper. Nobody should be taking shots at trains. Not even bullet trains.
I agree, a similar thing happened to an NJ Transit train a couple of years ago, except a passenger was wounded, thankfully he survived. Fortunately these didn't strike anyone.
 
No, the windows aren't bulletproof. While they are made of Lexan, I'm sure a large caliber bullet will pierce the window.

On another note, bullet holes in trains are common. They are usually found on the top of the car, mostly bullets shot into the air. We have a sealant that fills the hole and hardens to a rubbery texture. Most of the holes I saw were on MetroRail cars.

The worst place to be on New Years is a RR yard. Since they are usually in rough neighborhoods, the bullets fly after midnight!!! Last year, I was hiding in the shop and I could hear the lead hitting the roof!!! :ph34r:

B)
 
Miami Joe said:
No, the windows aren't bulletproof. While they are made of Lexan, I'm sure a large caliber bullet will pierce the window.
On another note, bullet holes in trains are common. They are usually found on the top of the car, mostly bullets shot into the air. We have a sealant that fills the hole and hardens to a rubbery texture. Most of the holes I saw were on MetroRail cars.

The worst place to be on New Years is a RR yard. Since they are usually in rough neighborhoods, the bullets fly after midnight!!! Last year, I was hiding in the shop and I could hear the lead hitting the roof!!! :ph34r:

B)
Better the roof than you. B)
 
Amfleet said:
It would actually be interesting to see how many Amtrak passengers actually carry a gun on them. I bet you'd end up with some pretty scary results. :eek:
Bet you're right, it wouldn't be as scary if you find how many carried loaded guns. :huh: :blink: :eek:
 
Miami Joe said:
The worst place to be on New Years is a RR yard. Since they are usually in rough neighborhoods, the bullets fly after midnight!!! Last year, I was hiding in the shop and I could hear the lead hitting the roof!!! :ph34r: B)
Working at an airport on New Year's eve is almost as bad. I worked at LAX (the airport, not the train station) for several years in the 1980's. I stayed inside, too, whenever possible. Fortunately, the closest rough neighborhood was a few miles away, so the damage wasn't as bad. I do remember hearing the lead "plinking" on the 'planes, though.

At daybreak we had to do inspections for damage; all we found were minor dents. Not so for many of the mechanics' cars' windshields.

:(
 
Heard a story on the train a couple of weeks ago that sometime a couple of years ago a 13 year old wth gang affiliation was killed by a train while attempting to cross the tracks with his bike as the train was approaching. For a month or so afterwards the crews would not stop at the Hayward station without a police presence at the station and south of the station gang members would lie in wait and shoot at the locomotives when they came through.

Thankfully no train I was on has ever been shot at but once someone threw a rock at the train near Richmond, CA that shattered the outer pane of glass and dented the inner pane at the table across from where I was sitting. Very scary.
 
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