http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2009/06/29/detonated-blasting-cap-found-on-tracks-near-train-station/ Homeland Security News and Information Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:33:18 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2009/06/29/detonated-blasting-cap-found-on-tracks-near-train-station/comment-page-1/#comment-38192 vincent van went Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:26:44 +0000 http://www.nationalterroralert.com/?p=8922#comment-38192 it is highly unlikely that it was a blasting cap as they would not be used in an urban setting. the more likely explanation is that it was a railroad "torpedo" a device which resembles a blasting cap but serves an entiely different purpose. they are placed on railroad tracks intentionally by railroad switchmen at a pre-determined location allowing the engine crew to know the distance they have traveled when switching cars. the "torpedo" is placed when the distance that a train must back up is measured, based on length of train, to reach a switch in track to switch cars to or from a siding. when the crew hears the blast of the last car (sometimes 1/4 mile long)crushing the torpedo on the rail, they know they have traveled far enough to switch the cars without crashing into other trains or a dead end. the fact that it was found, crushed, near a railway points to it being a torpedo. as far as the local police commenting, i seriously doubt they would know a torpedo if they held one. it is highly unlikely that it was a blasting cap as they would not be used in an urban setting. the more likely explanation is that it was a railroad “torpedo” a device which resembles a blasting cap but serves an entiely different purpose. they are placed on railroad tracks intentionally by railroad switchmen at a pre-determined location allowing the engine crew to know the distance they have traveled when switching cars. the “torpedo” is placed when the distance that a train must back up is measured, based on length of train, to reach a switch in track to switch cars to or from a siding. when the crew hears the blast of the last car (sometimes 1/4 mile long)crushing the torpedo on the rail, they know they have traveled far enough to switch the cars without crashing into other trains or a dead end. the fact that it was found, crushed, near a railway points to it being a torpedo. as far as the local police commenting, i seriously doubt they would know a torpedo if they held one.

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