petertenthije
10-13-2003, 04:47 PM
I first thought to post this one in the "funny rail story" thread, but this one is just too far fetched to go in there. It is a true story though!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3044669.stm
Alright, some of you may now think, he is going to whine about Ronny Biggs robbing a mail train. WRONG That was "The great train robbery". This is "The great rail robbery".
Approximately 2 miles of rail has been stolen a few months back. Now you may think, then the owner should lock up the warehouse better. The problem was, the warehouse was properly closed! Therefore the thieves decided to steal live track! The estimated value of the scrap metal was 250,000 pounds. It all happened at night in Scotland near Penshaw, Sunderland.
The persons involved in the heist that was described as a "sophisticated operation" by judge David Wood have been sentenced a 2 year jail term.
Personally I don't know what scares me more. That people actually think they can get away with stealing 2 miles of rail, or that this is possible in a country that is obsessed with fighting terrorism.
Just to make some clarifications on the terrorism policies. On not a single large train station you will find bins out of fear that a bomb is placed in it. CCTV will follow you every move etc. In this same country you can apparently get away with 2 miles of track (no pun intended).
Second question, how do people expect to make money out of it? Its not something you place in your local newspaper: "For sale, 2miles rail ex girders, 1 previous owner, 02083205116".
No doubt the quality will be fine, few trains use it up north and the few trains that drive over it surely drive slowly. And the rails are always covered in leaves extending their usefull live even further. Still I can't imagine that helping the sale!
I don't think you can sell them in an alley either. Having 20 cheap rollexes in your long coat is one thing, having 2 miles of rail is quite hard to tuck away.
Just two more questions, has this one already been entered in the "British rail handbook of silly excuses" and when will the Dutch railroad decide to use it as an excuse!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3044669.stm
Alright, some of you may now think, he is going to whine about Ronny Biggs robbing a mail train. WRONG That was "The great train robbery". This is "The great rail robbery".
Approximately 2 miles of rail has been stolen a few months back. Now you may think, then the owner should lock up the warehouse better. The problem was, the warehouse was properly closed! Therefore the thieves decided to steal live track! The estimated value of the scrap metal was 250,000 pounds. It all happened at night in Scotland near Penshaw, Sunderland.
The persons involved in the heist that was described as a "sophisticated operation" by judge David Wood have been sentenced a 2 year jail term.
Personally I don't know what scares me more. That people actually think they can get away with stealing 2 miles of rail, or that this is possible in a country that is obsessed with fighting terrorism.
Just to make some clarifications on the terrorism policies. On not a single large train station you will find bins out of fear that a bomb is placed in it. CCTV will follow you every move etc. In this same country you can apparently get away with 2 miles of track (no pun intended).
Second question, how do people expect to make money out of it? Its not something you place in your local newspaper: "For sale, 2miles rail ex girders, 1 previous owner, 02083205116".
No doubt the quality will be fine, few trains use it up north and the few trains that drive over it surely drive slowly. And the rails are always covered in leaves extending their usefull live even further. Still I can't imagine that helping the sale!
I don't think you can sell them in an alley either. Having 20 cheap rollexes in your long coat is one thing, having 2 miles of rail is quite hard to tuck away.
Just two more questions, has this one already been entered in the "British rail handbook of silly excuses" and when will the Dutch railroad decide to use it as an excuse!