Who The Hell Is Stealing Trains In Miami/Dade...

Asphaltdragon · February 25, 2009, 02:34:37 AM

Damn just when you thought you heard it all... ya'll got some fiends down there!

http://cbs4.com/local/locomotive.theft.CSX.2.942230.html

You lock a car, but you don't lock a locomotive. After all, where can you take it? Sounds logical, but logic didn't stop a thief from stealing a CSX Locomotive sometime after 11:30 Sunday night and taking it for a noisy joy ride, in Miami's version of the Great Train Robbery.

The diesel locomotive, number 2617, was parked on a CSX siding in the Kendall area, awaiting an assignment, when it came up missing. It was there Sunday night, but missing when the railroad went working for it Monday.

Weighing in at more than 120 tons, locked on a track which took it to Miami to Homestead, all the railroad had to do was follow the steel ribbon until they found it.

They did, about 7 miles to the south in Homestead. Miami-Dade police surrounded the out of place locomotive and looked for clues about who took it for a spin, but the driver was long gone.

CSX Transportation spokesperson Gary Sease said it appears the locomotive was taken by an 'unauthorized individual', but as most people don't have experience starting and driving one of the behemoths, investigators believe their thief is someone with more than with a passing fancy for trains.

One police officer who spoke about the theft said it was the first time in 20 years as a cop that he'd seen a stolen locomotive.

Even though the locomotive was driven without the approval of the CSX train tracking system, there was no traffic on the line at the time and luckily, no collision.

TRX450R_Racer · February 25, 2009, 03:01:28 AM

That's funny!!

4fittyr · February 25, 2009, 05:08:24 AM

choo choo gone in 60 seconds

TNTaylor · February 25, 2009, 12:12:46 PM

I worked as a railroad breakman back in the 70s. Although I've never considered stealing an engine and taking it for a joy ride, it wouldn't be that difficult. They are normally left running and the controls in the engine are pretty basic. It wouldn't take a genious to figure out how to get one moving. However, the switches on the tracks are supposed to be kept locked which should have made a joy ride more difficult. This story is funny but it could have been a disaster had another train been on the track going in the opposite direction. Someone could have easily gotten killed. I left the railroad after hitting a car which tried to beat us across the track. Train crashes are usually a major disaster due to their massive weight.

Keeter · February 25, 2009, 01:20:54 PM

Those Cubans are creative...gotta give them that.

gery350 · February 25, 2009, 01:51:31 PM

"dats how we roll"

Asphaltdragon · February 25, 2009, 04:29:41 PM

Quote from: gery350 on February 25, 2009, 01:51:31 PM
"dats how we roll"

lol.... nice

lostj · February 26, 2009, 01:01:37 AM

lol

zman03 · March 01, 2009, 05:33:55 PM

Welcome to Miami!!! whats new???

phoneman · March 02, 2009, 12:49:08 AM

I'm surprised they found that thing in one piece and not chopped up and sold for scrap, that would buy alot of crack rocks and tacos in Homestead !

Johnny Thickshaft · March 02, 2009, 01:58:02 PM

Sounds like fun.

Asphaltdragon · March 02, 2009, 02:31:35 PM

Quote from: phoneman on March 02, 2009, 12:49:08 AM
I'm surprised they found that thing in one piece and not chopped up and sold for scrap, that would buy alot of crack rocks and tacos in Homestead !

classic!

JackL · March 09, 2009, 02:39:21 PM

LMFAO, They were wanting to put the motor in a little Honda car for the US27 drag strip.

Keeter · March 10, 2009, 02:49:58 PM

Quote from: JackL on March 09, 2009, 02:39:21 PM
LMFAO, They were wanting to put the motor in a little Honda car for the US27 drag strip.

Or Matt4x4 wanted to put it in the Pink Monster. He is always looking for more smoke to billow from his bike. LMAO.