So the RS-90 was self -deputized as Graffitti Police this week. The CDTR noticed the smell of fresh paint down by the Frito Lay building across from BFI and asked the ENGR if he was interested in performing their civic duty.
A quick search of the debris in along the ROW found this punk curled up behind a pile of trash trying to make himself invisible. He was politely greeted by the ENGR and invited to display the contents of his paint-speckled knapsack. Could you believe there were cans of spray paint.
So 911 was called and the crew let the punk grab his bike and walk up to the intersection. Once they got past a cut of empty cars and out into the open, guess who made a bolt for it....
The only thing the CDTR found more unbelievable than how fast this guy took off w/ his bike on his shoulder was how fast the 250 lb ENGR took off after him and the flying tackle onto the ballast that followed. So as the ENGR was trying to calm the punk down the CDTR noticed him reaching towards his back pocket which brought the full weight of the CDTRS boot down on the punks wrist. That combined with the ENGR introducing his signature work-tool to him quickly took the fight out of him.
Three more calls to NYPD's 911 produced nothing, so a call was made to the MTA Hotline which was equally at a loss for our location but at least more interested in getting help to us. Finally a call was put in to a particular MTA officer who has been a friend of the freight in the past. His quick response resulted in his getting 3 felony charges, overtime for processing, and a little something extra.
So the lesson here is don't trespass, don't vandalize, and don't make our job any more difficult then it already is!!!!!
By the way....what was in the back pocket the punk was reaching for....a box-cutter. Silly boy thats not a knife............
Well they say there is a fine line between bravery and stupidity and I tend to agree.
But I must have seen some of the most hardcore railfans Friday night. As if it isn't crazy enough to be on the Bushwick Branch at night, these nuts were out there in the pouring rain. Alas there was no 156 to be seen as it was being used for power but no ASC on the main. Instead it was a recently overhauled 9373 and a diesel spitting long hood running only 159.
I couldn't tell if those were flashbulbs or lightning at Metropolitan Ave but we hope to see a few more photos posted so those mainline and east end jobs don't get all the glory