The threat is real enough, other nations have suffered terrorist attacks against their rail infrastructure. Here are some examples:
France: bomb explosion on TGV train (Carlos the Jackal, 1983), bomb buried under tracks (AZF, 2004)
Japan: sarin release on subway train (Aum Shinrikyo, 1995)
Spain: bomb explosion on commuter train (Al Queda, 2004)
UK: train set ablaze (IRA, 1997), bomb explosion on subway train (Al Queda, 2005)
Italy: bomb explosion in train station (Red Brigades, 1980)
India: bomb explosion on train to Pakistan (suspect Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, 2007)
All of them decided that airport-style security checks would render their trains essentially useless. This "lack of security" hasn't stopped passengers from riding on trains. Indeed, ridership is growing rapidly. Once Pres. Bush leaves office, there's a good chance the American people will see the actual - as opposed to the manufactured - terrorist threat in a different light.Like people everywhere else, Americans do understand that life is risk. Fact is, you're still far more likely to die in a car crash than in a terrorist attack.
Note that cars in articulated trainsets using Jacob-type bogies almost never tip over if they derail for any reason, including an earthquake. Most high-speed rail trainsets use such bogies. Cars are both shorter and wider than regular standard-gauge rolling stock, but reconfiguring trains and servicing them requires non-standard facilities and equipment.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: A modest security proposal
Date: 2008-04-20 05:07 pm (UTC)France: bomb explosion on TGV train (Carlos the Jackal, 1983), bomb buried under tracks (AZF, 2004)
Japan: sarin release on subway train (Aum Shinrikyo, 1995)
Spain: bomb explosion on commuter train (Al Queda, 2004)
UK: train set ablaze (IRA, 1997), bomb explosion on subway train (Al Queda, 2005)
Italy: bomb explosion in train station (Red Brigades, 1980)
India: bomb explosion on train to Pakistan (suspect Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, 2007)
All of them decided that airport-style security checks would render their trains essentially useless. This "lack of security" hasn't stopped passengers from riding on trains. Indeed, ridership is growing rapidly. Once Pres. Bush leaves office, there's a good chance the American people will see the actual - as opposed to the manufactured - terrorist threat in a different light.Like people everywhere else, Americans do understand that life is risk. Fact is, you're still far more likely to die in a car crash than in a terrorist attack.
Note that cars in articulated trainsets using Jacob-type bogies almost never tip over if they derail for any reason, including an earthquake. Most high-speed rail trainsets use such bogies. Cars are both shorter and wider than regular standard-gauge rolling stock, but reconfiguring trains and servicing them requires non-standard facilities and equipment.
http://www.railway-energy.org/static/Articulated_trains__Jakob_type_bogies__12.php
http://gees.usc.edu/GEER/Niigata-ken/October31.html
http://www.elpais.com/recorte/20030116elpepunac_2/SCO250/Ies/heridos_leves_descarrilar_Talgo_Gijon-Madrid_Leon.jpg
http://www.talgo.com/htm/English/productos1.htm