Law Enforcement Sensitive Information: Since January, 2003, nine derail devices have been stolen in the East Texas area.
Seven were stolen from the Greenville, Texas area, including three from Hunt Yard (DGNO RR), one from the Rubbermaid Plant (DGNO RR), two from Bonus Crop (DGNO RR), and one from the KCS RR yard. One has been stolen from Dalrock Siding (DGNO RR) near Lake Ray Hubbard and one was stolen from Winnsboro, Texas (KCS RR) during the week of March 10, 2003.
A derail is a device used to derail a piece of equipment from the railroad track. It is used to protect main line sidings, branch lines, and industrial leads by preventing equipment from accidentally rolling onto the main rail route from a secondary track. All of the stolen derails were the portable hinged type shown in the photo (linked below).
Theft of this equipment is unusual, since it has little value outside of the rail industry and serves no known purpose other than its intended use. Law Enforcement and Security specialists should be aware that such equipment could be used in a number of the scenarios mentioned previously, such as using non-traditional flammable or explosive materials in RR tank cars, especially around chemical plants and similar targets.
Federal law enforcement officials should be contacted immediately if similar equipment is missing or the derailers above are located. Law Enforcement agencies with railroad hubs in their area should coordinate with railroad companies to prevent future thefts. All Law Enforcement should continue to be on the lookout for suspicious activity around railroad tracks and major rail hubs. This information is Law Enforcement sensitive and should be distributed with caution.
Source: Agriculture Security Alert; IAPPS
Priority Level (1 = Lowest, 5 = Highest) - National Level 3
- State Level 5