CSXT, Kentucky forge security partnership

I just received the snail mail edition (June 2007) of your magazine and scanned the contents of the articles. I was astonished to see you publish a color photograph of a BNSF freight train to illustrate the article “Consist consistency” by Jeff Stagl. In the foreground of the article, all I could focus on was the extensive graffiti on the freight cars — at least 10 or more.

Although the article was interesting and informative, I returned to the illustration and studied it carefully. I believe it is indicative of a serious problem in the industry that your magazine needs to cover in future editions. Specifically, how could this much damage be done to a variety of rolling stock from all parts of our country?

Clearly, criminal gangs see the industry as a rolling billboard to promote their existence and causes nationwide; stake claims to their territory; recruit new members; and vandalize private property with immunity. This illustration helped them to do just that by featuring their work in a major industry publication.

I’m also concerned at the apparent lack of security in our freight facilities across this country, especially after 9/11, that would allow unfettered access to rail cars for a prolonged period of time to do this type of extensive vandalism and damage.

Finally, I think this photograph illustrates a dangerous trend that is being tolerated by both the railroads and freight-car owner/operators/lessees who allow the graffiti to remain on the units and obscure the road safety, ownership and unit identification numbers. I checked your Web site for commentary postings and I didn’t see any articles on this topic published recently. Clearly, it’s time for your magazine to do a thorough examination of this issue and report to your readers.

Perhaps by researching the topic, interviewing experts, identifying corrective actions taken and talking with communities served and disturbed by this trend in railroading, we can reach a consensus on remedial steps to take to protect the industry.