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Remember, folks: Any crime involving a railroad becomes a federal matter, and the federal government doesn't do parole. I'm a rules-qualified volunteer of the Illinois Railway Museum, and I have a switch key. We use the pattern from [unspecified Chicago-area railroad] for all our locks, and they are still made by Adlake in Elkhart, Indiana (the same company that still makes kerosene railroad lanterns and modern electric lamps). One of our members apparently obtained his own key on eBay, and some of the more-experienced volunteers found that a rather iffy thing to do, rather than getting issued your own key once passing the Brakeman qualification. We also have to pass a rules test to be part of an operating crew, we have a rules book, timetable, superintendent, the whole business, almost like a 'steam road'. They're also very strict on safety. This equipment doesn't know it's in a museum, it will kill people all the same.

If the allegations against the youtuber are true then this is a horrible situation bordering on domestic terror charges. It is the intentional disruption of a vital transportation network that is a serious national security concern, the US ships military equipment on the rails. As to how this could happen, there are multiple ways. Overt tools such as cutters are easy to use and cheap while covert tools like lock picks, rakes, and bump keys are available at a higher cost and skill requirements. These tools are used by specific people known as "red teams" to test physical security and report back to various companies or agencies if more security measures are needed. One thing that I hope would be possible is a form of electrical interlock system where if a signal is operating correctly and power is available to a switch then the non-electric switching mechanism is locked out. It could work in theory but is probably more expensive to implement and maintain which is why these things happen. Another thing that does not help with physical security is the fact that it is nearly impossible to fully secure a rail line. Rails regularly encounter roadways and pedestrian crossings leaving openings for people to get in. Heck off of Illinois route 3 near the Larue-Pine Hills, a personal favorite spot of mine, the rails are completely unprotected. As Americans we tend to think that our infrastructure is robust and failure proof but it really isn't and it is so fragile. The recent CrowdStrike debacle brought entire sectors to their knees, aging systems still in use that have been obsolete for decades, roadways and bridges that are falling apart, power infrastructure that gets taken out by storms, dams that have had malware found in them that could release vast amounts of water flooding entire communities out of existence. Our infrastructure is a very fragile thing that needs constant care and attention, this situation is no different and it brings a need for more robust security systems to be put in place for something that spans a vast majority of the US.

The switch should of been locked and secured, this isn't not the first time this happened.

Great video.

Bro, it's not just in the railfan community. There are RUclipsrs that have crossed the line repeatedly around the world. Some have even died trying to get the "MOST INSANE" videos in their genres....

Charged as an adult and forced to do the same time as a terrorist. People of east Palestine should be brought in to testify about the consequences of this kind of behaviour.

Honestly, the "they make it harder for railfans," "they make railfans look bad" thing other people are doing ... no, just no. Don't get me wrong, his actions don't help, but stereotypes and generalizing behavior doesn't just pop up out of nothingness, sprout legs, and then walk around. It takes people, either ignorantly, or maliciously, acting like it represents more than <X %> of jackasses. Ignoring that nobody put a gun to their heads to tell themn to use it as an excuse to make it harder for the rest of us, IMO, doesn't mean you can act like they don't exist... and in fact you can (and should IMO) do both, call out those who do jackassed things AND those who use them as an excuse to try to crap on, pass laws impacting, whatever, railfans. IMO, ignoring that people spread generalizations, and that it is not just part of the problem, but one that can be mitigated by not being silent, IMO makes someone part of the problem. I'm not sorry, "one bad apple" is bul;lshit, people, groups are not barrels of diseased fruit, the good do not go bad just because bad enjoy a hobby. That's idiotic ... not even logic, that's just misapplying a truthful statement ignorantly and excusing other bad behavior. TL;DR: Don't accept bad logic; call out those who do jackassed things, AND those who use those jackasses as an excuse to crap on those who don't do it, don't be doormats, otherwise IMO you're part of the problem.

From a "rail fan" in the UK the thing that stands out in US rail fan videos is the open access to tracks etc. In the UK the railway infrastructure is fenced off for the entirety of the line, defining the boundary between public and railway property. Granted fences can be cut, but in doing so brings in a trespass law. Also, the signalling systems used, would alert anyone in the signalling centre if someone trespassed and managed to some how change a switch which could lead to a train on the wrong track. Like you guys most of the train spotters (rail fans) who video these and special events we respect the companies property and staff, but there have been several incidences of members of the public wanting to get a photo of the famous "Flying Scotsman" and end up doing silly things to get that perfect video etc. In this case, if this 17 year old did commit the offence, then he needs to be punished. I would hate to imaging what could have happened if it was a fast passenger train involved and not the goods train which thankfully wasn't traveling too fast. Nicely presented video Danny, look forward to any follow up videos on this story as the case develops

It's huge even penguinz0 made a video about it

This punk should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

He's lucky the cars behind the engines wasn't tankers caring flammable liquids when it derailed cause then it would've caused a bigger disaster which could've put the whole town or community in danger yes he may be 17 n not n adult but he should be tried as n adult cause for one he knew better n two he made that decision on his own knowing that the train car was on that side track n switched it over therfore he should get the full maximum punishment fine and sentence for his crime like they say you do the crime you do the time n he does the maximum full time with no early parole no bail not even for good behavior

When it comes right down to it, trains and the train crews are the same as big rig trucks and the drivers. Both are employees of a shipper offerings a service of delivering products from manufactures to customers. Some simply are able to ship in larger quantities than others. So interferring with the "tool" used to deliver the product is not only hurting the shipper, but also the manufacture and the customer and they all have a stake in putting a stop to this kind of action. It's just that locomotives and rail cars are much bigger and heavier than trucks and some people think it would be fun see what would happen if they could make one "crash". Trucks are in accidents everyday, because there are so many of them on the road, but trains, if maintained, are generally safer as they don't have to contend with "willy nilly" traffic and bad drivers, like trucks do. So this stupid kid who wanted to see what would happen if a train would hit a coal car, is nothing but a deraigned person, who though he was being a man that could bring down a big locomotive. Now what would have happened if one of the crew was hurt or killed? He could have been charged with vehicle manslaughter if someone died.

I was in madisonville kentucky right there by cole lumber on McCoy avenue is the 1915 Illinois central railroad tracks I found a 1915 Illinois central railroad spike

hi danny

I’m from the highlands of Scotland and grew up in a village called Kyle of Lochalsh which is the terminus for the Isle of Skye. The journey from Inverness to Kyle is probably one of the most beautiful in Britain and anyone who gets the chance to visit Scotland should definitely take a ride. Anway, what amazes me about the railway lines over in the USA is that they’re not fenced off and folk can just wander alongside the track and get incredibly close to a moving train. It’s insane that tracks aren’t protected from trespassers and the same goes for the equipment like switches etc. I hope the kid who did this, (and folk like Sebastian Deyoung), are punished severely actions which could’ve killed people. Had that train been travelling at speed or carrying hazardous material then it could’ve been horrendous. 17 is old enough to face an adult court and be sentenced like an adult. He knew what he was doing and knew his actions could’ve caused a lot more damage. His parents need a talking to as well.

Nice to see Wil Wheaton branching out into railroad videos. Loved the in-depth on this headline that crossed my mind in the past few weeks. Don't keep up with the news much and all I get are bits and pieces. This breaks it all down!!

I’m a railfan in Michigan and I have the utmost respect for the railroad, its trains, its property and its crews. This definitely puts us in a bad spotlight. All it takes is one idiot like this for railroads to ban all railfans from enjoying the hobby we love.

Yes, this situation could have been much worse. Could have been. People do not get charged for crimes that "could have been." I think this is one of the stupidest mistakes I've ever seen someone make in my life, but all these people throwing around charges over what could have been have no idea what they're talking about.

rail road is governed by a federal system, so federal criminal charges maybe

That’s crazy! How’d the fk he managed to do that is beyond crazy in the first place?! It was probably already missing the lock since it’s an active siding for grain I’m assuming. Stupid gen zs doing anything for attention ugh!!! Stay safe out there rail fans, report suspicious activities!

Always impressed by the size of freight trains over there. But I'd never condone these kind of actions just for views. The kid made a bad decision and should have the book thrown at him and a decent penalty to go with it. If it hasnt already, there needs to be a review into how well secured wayside equipment is and steps taken to ensure this kind of thing cant happen again. I'm a 2nd generation rail worker (signalling design/commissioning), and i always treat the right of way as one of the most dangerous environments i can be in.

He’s lucky it was an arbor coal train,and it was going slow! It could’ve been much worse if it was an ethanol train

You know it’s hilarious that they have not yet to show the security footage for truth from the kid. You never know with people nowadays. Some people either do something stupid for a video or some karens starting stuff with rail fans. Crazy world I swear.

To your question at 9:50... nothing. We have similar "small scale terror" attacks on other systems, including the electrical and pipeline networks often, not to mention how often fiber-optic cables are "accidentally" damaged by people not calling before they dig. The railway actually gets lucky because most people believe trains are much easier to derail than they are. Look at the 1942 US Army train derailment tests, for example... but yes this is a serious concern, and one state and federal agencies worry about a LOT.

Getting my freight train fix while at the same time making me hungry for Buffalo Fried Shrimp Tacos. Win in my book!

Need to set a precedent for sentencing because this absolutely feels like something that could go off on tiktok, as friggin dumb as that sounds, if a severe sentence isnt handed out for the first to try it.

The thought of terrorists or others fostering damage to the rail network has been on my mind for some time. Considering the southern border is and has been wide open for 3.5 years terrifies me similar to the movie "Red Dawn". I wish I knew someone who would take my ideas with interest and do something about them. I don't trust the FBI or any other Govmnt Agency. A person does not need to be up to no good to think of ways to create problems. It just means you can get ahead of the bad guys.

Has his channel been shut down yet? It was still up with the video last week. I reported it on YT.

I am a volunteer firefighter for hummelstown pa area dauphin county and I have norfolk southern on my scanner app and I hear them all the time on it

BNSF poilce will charge him good with charges with other things as well

I bet they left it unlocked, and he noticed. Or he cut them.

Kids a total Idiot

I'm actually concerned that he may not have done this. It may just be a wildly unlucky coincidence.

The problem is more complacency then the morons doing it for clout. Infrastructure in the US is largely unguarded and open, not something that happened during the cold war when there was the threat of sabotage. Well we've seen a lot of "accidents" these past years, statistically speaking some of them would be not accidental in nature.

This looks extremely suspicious but I will give him the benefit of the doubt unless they have some actual evidence he flipped that switch, such as fingerprints or a credible witness. Either way somebody flipped the switch which causes a huge amount of damage to the railfan community and hobo community.

If we lived in a perfect world they would sentence this young man to being a railyard manager until his debt was paid off.

Time for a little jail time

Local news is reporting more than $5000.00 in damage. I have seen $350,000.00 in damages.

This was a federal crime. This kid needs to be made an example of and do serious hard time

The *"**#Algorithm**"* sent me to your channel. . I hope "YOU" do know you are talking to : . *"The Choir"* 😇🙏😇 No Real Rail Fan would do such a thing. This young fool reminds me of those people who set fires. Then come back and be part of the crowd, watching the firemen put out the fire that the person started.

This is definitely one of my guilty pleasure channels..I live less than 100 yards from a rail line, and want to film some of the trains coming through, but they don't run on any sort of set schedule, which makes it difficult

W Danny B upload

Have you ever been down to Cordele, GA? Also, what's your thoughts on this video? Would you like to hear more about the cities of Virtual Railfan?

We had a kid in the Uk he stole a shunter ( switcher ) and took it for a joy ride

I seen couple autoracks trains in Plant city which is M441 and M453

I wonder if this case could end up in federal courts.

Wait.. DannyBTrainz? Not NASCAR? lol

I sort of recall a similar incident by a bunch of kids in NJ years ago, it was probably in the last century, that's how far back-- I believe people were injured and killed. There was no social media at the time, but some kids were always just rotten and would do it for a lark.

9:45 that's exactly what my girlfriend said when I showed her the article. We both work for the NYC subway system, so we know the industry and how switches work well. This boy could have caused a LOT more damage. As soon as I saw this, I thought about East Palestine, OH and how much of a mess that was. This is not a good look.

Really just hard to believe. Awful.