Chapter 62

4/26/2005 

Train Safety

Security Risk                                 

Launched my investigation of the NY railroads. Needed to pick up another BMW 530i from the North shore of Long Island. Took Amtrak to NYC then LIRE out to Oyster Bay.

Beautiful scenic ride down Hudson River valley with geese, castles, et al.

Highlight of trip was when NYC cops and Transit Police came on board and asked me to step back onto the loading platform. About 5 of them with hands on guns. Guess I looked like a terrorist with Anthrax burns on my bandaged hands and a satchel bomb around my neck (holding license plate, check and maps). Especially upset that I would take a picture of their train (center). Guess it was a military secret that the train pulls up to the loading platform in that way. Was able to get back on the train as the doors were closing, but not before they had my ID, name, address, and phone number in their suspected terrorist log book, and probably will be in a computer data base or on an FBI watch list. Said no pictures were allowed. Asked the Amtrak official when I returned to Albany- he said it was OK ! Whatever.

Feeling like I need a little more spirituality these days.