Passenger Trains > If the Sunset is late, do we get to torch it?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4424166.stm


Angry SA passengers burn trains


Rail passengers angry at service delays torched at least 26 train carriages near Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.

Carriages were burnt at three different locations south of the city, causing 200m rand ($30m) worth of damage.

The arson followed service delays reportedly caused by technical faults. A shortage of trains has now caused services on one route to be suspended.

It was the second time in a week that trains have been torched because of poor services.

On Tuesday, passengers burnt four coaches after service delays apparently caused by the theft of electric cables.

Trains are used by many poor working South Africans who cannot afford cars.

Thandi Mlangeni, spokewoman for rail company Metrorail, said a signal fault at Midway in southern Johannesburg had brought trains to a halt.

"Passengers started getting off the train and burning it," she said.

The disruption had a knock-on effect, leading to delays in the Kliptown and Nancefield regions of Soweto, where passengers also then began to torch trains.

Service suspended

Wednesday's arson left Metrorail with no trains to run from Midway, in southern Johannesburg, to the town of Vereeniging, Ms Mlangeni said.

Commuters have been asked to use alternative means of transport.

The Star newspaper reports that minibus taxi drivers were charging up to four times the regular fare to commuters stranded on Wednesday evening.

Metrorail trains provide an important link for commuters between central Johannesburg, Soweto, and other residential areas further south.

Each train typically carries about 1,000 passengers.

Talk about lightin' a fire under 'em to get them on schedule!

What a great concept. I am able to think of at least 4 situations where it would have done the trick! Once on the Cardinal as we sat for 2 hours within site of downtown Chicago, the Lakeshore twice both east & west bound, and finally the NS steam excursion from Cincinnati (Ludlow) to Muncie. Upon return 3.5 hours late, we sat for another one on the Ohio River Bridge while someone located the key for the switch into the yard.

The train is late, so let's burn the train. That way there will be no train at all tomorrow.

Brilliant!

Burn the Sunset and that WILL be the end of it for good... Amtrak does not have the equipment to replace it, that's for sure. I'd rather be on a very, very late train than no train at all!

Don't anybody send that story to Norman Marionetta.

Lets torch the Starlight because its late NOT the Sunset. The Sunset is doing way better than the Starlight and Texas Eagle. Heck have of the delays are waiting for the Eagle in San Antonio.

Look at it this way:
If you're in a hurry and have a schedule to meet, go fly the airlines!

If you don't mind some delays, and you like riding trains, seeing the landscape, and meeting/talking to people then ride the train. The poeple that gripe so much can take a plane, leaving more room for me to ride and enjoy the trip, instead of having to sit next to someone who moans and whines the whole trip.

It's amazing that UP's customers don't burn their trains.