Eastern Railroad Discussion > More than 500 pounds of explosives stolen from train

Federal law enforcement investigators are searching in at least three states for more than 500 pounds of explosives stolen from a CSX train.

Justice Department and Homeland Security correspondent Jeff Pegues reported a law enforcement source says the amount stolen has authorities concerned that the explosives could fall into the wrong hands.

Sources say the theft was reported two days ago but the case has not yet gone public. The ATF is considering putting out an advisory and announcing an reward in the coming days.

The CSX train was traveling from Chicago through Ohio en route to Detroit. Somewhere along the way, investigators believe the explosives were stolen. According to a law enforcement source, when the train car of explosives arrived in Detroit, half of the shipment was gone.

A spokesman for the ATF in Detroit called this a very serious case. Technically the explosives are classified as fireworks but because they are commercial grade combined with the quantity makes them extremely dangerous. The ATF says they are a lot more volatile and typically only handled by professionals.

Investigators believe at least 32 cases of the explosives are missing. The ATF's Detroit office is leading the investigation with assistance from Detroit Police. Investigators believe that several suspects are likely responsible for the theft.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/16 15:44 by NorthernOhioRail.

ABC news just reported that the "explosives" were comercial grade fire works.  I realize that fire works in big enough quanities can be dangerous, but I was thinking that the explosives stolen would have been C4 or prima cord or blasing caps.

I would think this involved a container train. You never know although.

Posted from iPhone

Are explosives like this subject to special handling rules?

Posted from Android

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Are explosives like this subject to special
> handling rules?
>
> Posted from Android

I would imagine the same rules apply as to other hazardous loads.

Sadly, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often than it does........

When I read stories like this, I can't help think about Oklahoma City...........!!!! 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/16 20:07 by ns1000.

lets see, 500 lbs divided by 32 case's = 15.xx lb's, gee they could have made it more challenging for the thief's, and no GPS tracking device used, just in case guy's ?

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

Maybe even ship the explosives in something resembling a gun safe?

I am concerned about shipping explosives in a train that might have ethanol, LPG, or any number of chemicals. Even railroads that don't often have unit trains will carry 5-10 cars of LPG on a train.

I think anything that's been stolen has "fallen into the wrong hands."

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Maybe even ship the explosives in something
> resembling a gun safe?

Might actually make it more dangerous in the case of accidental ignition.

Ray

On a local Facebook account for Louisville Railfans, the joke is that it was a way to reduce the cost of Thunder Over Louisville.

Actually, 500 pounds is sort of a drop in the bucket.  Saturday evening "Thunder" will be a 28 minute show and about 50 tons of fireworks will be set off. If you have an interest in air shows or fireworks, search "Thunder Over Louisville" to find a live feed.  The air show starts around 3:00P and the fireworks around 9:30P.  It should be on WDRB-TV's website.

For the railroad content, the fireworks and the air show are over the Ohio River between the I-65 bridge and the 14th Street Bridge.  The 14th Street bridge is not a highway bridge.  It just happens to be where 14th Street would be if it continued across the river.  It's the Louisville and Indiana Rail Corp bridge.  Occasionally if there is a lull in the action and there is a train crossing the bridge, the TV people have been known to zoom in on the bridge.

John

Yeah, it's already been stolen, but they are worried it might fall "into the wrong hands". This stuff will likely be sold to people in anti-fireworks states like Kalifornia for big bucks. The citizens of some towns put on better displays than the official ones. I live in Texas these days and the stuff I can buy over the counter is better than the stuff my town put up in Kalifornia. Doubtful the work of insidious terrorists. :-)

500 lbs stolen and it was only 'half' of the shipment in a rail car?  Obviously there was a mixed load in this freight car but what else can legally be shipped with explosives ? And these officials 'think' it might fall into the wrong hands. Well gee Dick Tracey, if it was stolen it already fell into the wrong hands.  And then we read the 'explosives' were technically fireworks.  Why don't we technically call it what it is then - fireworks ? Calling it explosives conjures up all kinds of evil thoughts ( media hype ) for a much better story before they admit it was 'fireworks'. And what can someone do with the larger variety of fireworks anyway? Either have your own private show or be smart enough to tear it down and use the material in a different way.

While I do not know what the culprits might do with 500# of commercial fireworks, I do know what a person skilled in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) can do with a bunch (like a large handful) of sparklers -- make an IED!  One of my relatives was a bomb disposal tech and has demonstrated this.  Look up the USDOT Emergency Response Guide for Guide #s 112 or 114 and check out the evacuation distances for these materials in fire conditions.  I do agree that media is in the business of selling their product and so may either (a) over hype something or (b) leave out explanatory information.  But -- if I am the person in charge of an emergency scene where explosives may be involved -- I will err on the side of caution and plan for a worst case scenario.  

Bruce

Ok, so are they fireworks or explosives like one would use in mining operations? If they are fireworks, then they will probably be sold on the black market to someone with a desire to have the best fireworks on the block.

 

I want to Know How dose Someone Steel From a Train Anit Stuff like this under tight security  Thought Since 9/11 Railroads  steped on stuff like this.

Fireworks are classified as explosives per the USDOT classification.

The classification and quantity determin train placement in the hazmat rules (buffer cars, what can go next to what) etc.

So the comment about it being near LPG etc would be irrelevant. The computer(s) will flag a placement error and not allow the train leave the yard until corrected.

Certain types or quantities will have a walking inspection requirement if stopped.

Many dod shipments will have an escort that you may or may not see.

I'd rather have the explosives back there than a single shipment of anyhrdaous ammonia.

Anhydrous Ammonia is inhalant danger. Explosives would be more of concern than Anhydrous Ammonia.

Posted from iPhone

NorthernOhioRail Wrote:
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> I want to Know How dose Someone Steel From a Train
> Anit Stuff like this under tight security 


> Thought Since 9/11 Railroads  steped on stuff
> like this.


Well considering the train was stopped for about a hour away from the yard anything could happen.

Posted from iPhone

farmer Wrote:
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> NorthernOhioRail Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I want to Know How dose Someone Steel From a
> Train
> > Anit Stuff like this under tight security 
>
>
> > Thought Since 9/11 Railroads  steped on stuff
> > like this.
>
>
> Well considering the train was stopped for about a
> hour away from the yard anything could happen.
>
> Posted from iPhone


True but seems odd for something like this to happen.

Its a inhalant killer. With the explosives, you'd hope you would go quick :)

I still use this video, especially in farm/ranch land that I live in now for the fire department guys about what it will do to you. We service a chemical plant that produces it. One of the pipefitters walked by a leaking pipe (had a very small pinhole leak that wasn't detected) and put him in the hospital for a week. Real nasty stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzObhHet9QM