Georgia – Page 23 – Railfanning.org

MARTA Police Arrest Man Suspected of Assault

June 10, 2004 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA police today arrested a 42-year-old man, charging him with assaulting a four people, including a “high-ranking military official” on a train at the Airport Station and an elderly woman, officials said. “At 11:17 a.m., a U.S. Army major boarded a southbound train at the MARTA Lakewood-Fort McPherson Station to pick up his family from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. While sitting on the train, an African American male dressed in a white robe and head dress, began staring at the major, pacing back and forth. He then headed towards the major yelling, screaming and swinging punches at him,” said

MARTA Contributes Officers for G8 Summit

June 8, 2004 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — Joining a collection of police agencies from across the state, 20 officers from the MARTA Police Department have been redeployed to serve at the G8 Summit on Sea Island. “All of the local law enforcement agencies were asked to contribute if they could,” said MARTA Police Chief Gene Wilson. “However, the State Department of Homeland Security were particularly interested in team members who could fill special abilities such as our Special Operations Response Team.” The MARTA officers will join roughly 20,000 law enforcement officers and National Guard troops from all over the state of Georgia guarding the G8

Man Killed By MARTA Train

May 10, 2004 Todd DeFeo

ATLANTA – A man walking in a train tunnel was killed Monday when he was struck by a westbound MARTA train, published reports indicate. The man was struck by the six-car train at about 10:20 a.m. It is unclear why the man was inside the tunnel, just east of the Decatur station. The train’s operator notified authorities after the train struck the man. “She pulled the emergency stop when she saw him,” MARTA spokeswoman Kimberly Willis Green told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a story posted to their web site Monday afternoon. Authorities did not release the man’s identity except to

Marta Faces $6 Million Shortfall

April 10, 2004 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA – It’s a budget shortfall to the tune of $6 million. In response, MARTA officials are turning to the public, holding a series of hearing to gather input as the next budget year approaches. “We’ve reduced our costs, but the economic recession has left us with no choice but to propose service modifications,” MARTA General Manager/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. said in a statement posted online. “And unfortunately, MARTA could see more changes in the heart of its service next year and the year after if new sources of revenue aren’t identified.” MARTA says it will have to reduce

Orange Alert: Nationwide Railroads Step Up Security

December 24, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Nationwide, railroads stepped up security following the announcement of an increase to the country’s terror threat level. “We are taking precautionary measures to assure our customers that we are doing everything that we can to make sure they can pass through our system without incident. Our customers are likely to see special response teams of officers carrying additional weaponry with a canine accompanying them,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson. “We also are asking our customers to be an extension of our eyes and ears, and let us know if they see anything unusual.” Since Dec. 21,

Amtrak No. 40: Time for a Paintjob?

July 1, 2003 Todd DeFeo

ATLANTA — On a recent jaunt to Washington, D.C., on Amtrak’s Crescent, I noticed something on the train’s lead Genesis unit. It needs a paint job. I’m not sure why it struck me. Perhaps, it was the most detailed examination of a Genesis unit I had ever given. So, on my way down the stairs leading to the plat- form, I snapped a picture and captured the moment on film. In the scheme of railfanning, it’s not an Earth shattering development. But, nonetheless, I found the picture compelling and be worthy of publication here. The picture isn’t typical of what

Just Another Whistle Stop

August 31, 2002 Todd DeFeo

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – I sit in the lounge car, drinking a beer, watching towns fly by like a a blur, as if they don’t exist. But with every passing light, there are a thousand stories. I wonder if the people watch the train fly by at night. I can only imagine sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair, like a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting that touches the heart of America, enjoying the rush that is a passing train. Some of these towns are nothing more than a blip on the map, literally just another whistle

This train is bound for Glory … and Washington, D.C.

August 22, 2002 Todd DeFeo

ATLANTA – For train fans, the only thing better than watching trains is riding them. And that’s what I’m about to do. I decided rather than sitting around for my vacation, I’d hop on No. 20 (that’s the Northbound Crescent, for those of you who might not know) and take a trip to Washington, D.C. I’ll depart Atlanta at about 8 p.m. and arrive at Union Station at about 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Yes, it’s a long trip, but it’s also an experience. I reserved a coach seat. I thought that would provide me with the best train experience. Besides,