Western Railroad Discussion > Chasing Today's Torrance Local

I'm aware posting these photos is going to bring out all the folk responding how much they hate grafitti. As a reminder... I also hate grafitti, but I photograph what is and these are railroad operations today where I live.

Okay, climbing off my apple box, chased the Torrance for a bit today, hoping they would have the ex SP GP40-2 UP 1413 leading. Got a bit of a late start though as they only had work at Crenshaw Lumber today and were already way past where I intended to start my chase when I found them. First image is of them on the shove into Crenshaw Lumber on what was once the Redondo Beach via Gardena Pacific Electric Line. Next two images are as they return with their pulls and retake the Torrance Lead itself at Hermosilla. 

 

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Next two images are as they cross over the 110 Freeway.

 

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Graffiti = Urban camouflage...

I wonder if UP could invest in a multi-colored scheme for these urban locals which would hide the tagging to the point it not being worth the effort from the miscreants.

They kind of disappear into the backround.

Great photos. How fast do they run over that branch?

That's awful - looks like a third world country.  

Nice job. The worst graffiti'd units I have ever seen though.
JB

3rdswitch Wrote:
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> Nice job. The worst graffiti'd units I have ever
> seen though.
> JB

They've probably been sitting at Fourth Street for awhile.

Great stuff.  Glad you've posted these.

Jim

Just crap.  Wish someone could catch them and put em jail for a couple of years.

Those units are an embarassing mess.  

You would think we lived in a Third World County 

Early this morning, I heard a conversation about the Torrance Local having vandalized and grafittied locomotives.
While all at UP dislike the grafitti mess (I am embarrased to wave to anyone running these units) at least SOME effort must be made to at least discourage access.
Fourth Street yard is an unholy mess, Weeds Yard has day and night tagger parties non-stop.
Mend all fences. Build 20' high walled gates preventing access on yard leads. If parking locos for convenience is so important, build a cage to park power in. They have done it for signal boxes. Or a pre-fab metal building shed. Let them paint on that and spare the power. Then we don't have to deal with "Titty Train" in pink paint all over the air tanks.
And train robbery? I have never (30 years) seen so much stealing merchandise out of containers in East Los Angeles Yard as this last year. Right now I am looking at 6 open containers in the yard. I'll bet there is more.
Why this running sore of a problem? No commitment, but mostly, "Not in the budget."
You can't stop or eliminate it, but you can discourage and prevent at least some of it with a commitment and the funds.
We (UP) doesn't seem to have either.

Posted from iPhone

Have UP/ Federal goverment issue tags just like for deer hunting. Your allowed to shoot and kill 1 a month. End of problem. O sorry for upsetting any liberal do gooders here!!!!!!!!!!!

dbinterlock Wrote:
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> Early this morning, I heard a conversation about
> the Torrance Local having vandalized and
> grafittied locomotives.
> While all at UP dislike the grafitti mess (I am
> embarrased to wave to anyone running these units)
> at least SOME effort must be made to at least
> discourage access.
> Fourth Street yard is an unholy mess, Weeds Yard
> has day and night tagger parties non-stop.
> Mend all fences. Build 20' high walled gates
> preventing access on yard leads. If parking locos
> for convenience is so important, build a cage to
> park power in. They have done it for signal boxes.
> Or a pre-fab metal building shed. Let them paint
> on that and spare the power. Then we don't have to
> deal with "Titty Train" in pink paint all over the
> air tanks.
> And train robbery? I have never (30 years) seen so
> much stealing merchandise out of containers in
> East Los Angeles Yard as this last year. Right now
> I am looking at 6 open containers in the yard.
> I'll bet there is more.
> Why this running sore of a problem? No commitment,
> but mostly, "Not in the budget."
> You can't stop or eliminate it, but you can
> discourage and prevent at least some of it with a
> commitment and the funds.
> We (UP) doesn't seem to have either.
>
> Posted from iPhone

I always hope mucky mucks see photos of these units when posted. I know that Dash 8s with months left on the roster got repainted at one point because they looked like crap. I imagine some fencing and sheds would actually cost less than repainting a few locomotives would and would go a long way to protecting image. As far as theft in the yard... holy crap... had no idea. That's just outright negligance. Can't believe there isn't more security against that.

Theft from containers,  just a cost of doing business in the eyes of the companies.  Walmart, Costco, and most big outfits just budget a percentage of expenses for theft,  mostly by employees.  Been going on for decades and they figure it's cheaper to eat some theft losses rather than the expense of going to court, etc.   Having worked as a Friday night bar tender at a major SF financial district hook-up bar back in the day,  I was amazed to find how the regular crews added a few tips for themselves throughout the night.   I'm sure nothing's changed over the past 50 years.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/21 12:34 by masterphots.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Just crap.  Wish someone could catch them and put
> em jail for a couple of years.


WILL      NOT     EVER    HAPPEN    !!!!

Since this is not a "violent" crime it has a very low priority with the police.
If they do manage to get caught they usually get charged with a misdemeanor vandalism charge which would get them at the most a year in county jail.
Not exactly a deterrent...

At the cost of $20,000 to $30,000 per unit to paint I would not be repainting very frequently either.Grafitti is everywhere and in a lot of areas it would seem impossible to accomplish.There is no easy solution to this problem.Anyway, Charles, I always enjoy looking at your images from my old neighborhood and look forward to seeing more.Thanks.Bill Webb

All I can say is.....WOOOW....??!!??