For the past few months I have seen notes regarding security at historic railroads. Questions regarding terrorism and "suspicious" people on the property have also come up.

In an effort to clear a few things up, may I offer the following. As a side note, may I add that I currently serve on the Safety and Security Task Force established by the FRA after the 2002 Winter Games. Prior to the winter games I served on an FRA committee called R.O.S.S Railroad Olympic Safety and Security task force. Our purpose was that of preparing railroads for the games and possible terrorist attacks on railroads.

A few simple notes and ideas to follow:

1. The FBI has concluded that a terrorist attack will be or most likely will be focused on places or items that effect world trade. Example being, major world trade cities, financial institutions or communications. An attack on these can effect the entire world. The point here is, an attack on a tourist railroad is highly unlikely due to the fact that it would not slow world trade nor would it effect world communication or financial status.

2. It is true that an attack on America could be caused by chemicals carried over the national RR system. Details here are not needed. The FRA has asked larger carriers to watch for people around rail yards who may be gathering information about specific moves. In the tourist industry, the FRA has asked us to watch for "strange" activity around rail yards. When you deal with railfans all of the time, a lot seems strangeÂ…Â…..

Conclusion, as a task force member, I am simply passing on info. True, large RRs right now would rather not have any of us around. Understandable. As we were told during the games, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. All of us as railfans know what is right and what is not. If you see anything that looks strange, please contact a RR official. As for those of you in charge of the RR's, FBI and FRA have requested of all of us to report ANY strange activity to local FBI and FRA offices. Look in the yellow pages or white pages for local FBI numbers. I can tell you first hand that the FBI is following up on all RR related calls right now.

Also, if you would like current Security updates and if you are a RR manager, you may contact me and I will forward FBI and FRA rail security updates as they are posted.

The past six months have posted no new warnings other than those shared in short on this page.

jrimmasch@yahoo.com

John E. Rimmasch
Heber Valley

Other questions or comments via phone at

(435)-654-5601 EXT 105



jrimmasch@yahoo.com

> As
> for those of you in charge of the RR's, FBI
> and FRA have requested of all of us to
> report ANY strange activity to local FBI and
> FRA offices.
TYBR seems not to be important enough to hear
from the government. (Or maybe I don't qualify,
since I'm also a Democratic politician!)
At a U.S. D.o.T. seminar in Philadelphia, I
asked for more information about Al-Qida train
photos that scared the Dept. of Homeland
Security. The speaker said they were close-ups
of a bomb mounted under a tank car coupled to an
engine. Government anylists thought it might be
the first car in a train, but the speaker didn't
know its nationality.

(Also Judge of Elections for Penndel Boro, Bucks
County, Penna. Are you registered to vote?)

104577.651@compuserve.com

> The speaker said they were
> close-ups of a bomb mounted under a tank car
> coupled to an engine. Government anylists
> thought it might be the first car in a train,
> but the speaker didn't know its nationality.

That's a scary thought. Aren't there regulations about hazardous/dangerous tank cars not being permitted to be coupled right next to the locomotive?

> (Also Judge of Elections for Penndel Boro,
> Bucks County, Penna. Are you registered to
> vote?)

Small world. I'm also in Bucks county, but in the North Penn area. And yes, I am registered to vote. :-)

JimE

My EPRY cab ride
jrevans@accusort.REMOVE.com

> Aren't there
> regulations about hazardous/dangerous tank
> cars not being permitted to be coupled right
> next to the locomotive?
The D.o.T. speaker didn't have much information,
so I didn't pester him with questions.

104577.651@compuserve.com