The NS Kentucky Derby Office Car Special (OCS) train was apparently shot at in Springfield, OH. Below is an email string we received about this incident. I have rearranged comments into chronological order.
Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:20:36
The OCS had some problems at Springfield. But is still headed west. As I find out more info I will post.
Sat, April 26, 2008 ???? PM
Engineers window got busted out near MP 184 west end of Springfield, Local PD were called like they are going to catch them and are long gone. Nothing surprises me in this town..............
Saturday, April 26, 2008 11:44
The crew reports a 22 rifle was the likely object of the nickle size hole in the window.
Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:51:57
Get a load of this report that happened overnight to the OCS. It's going to be a looooong summer.
Sunday, April 27, 2008 6:29 PM
Apparently nobody hurt, but there will need to be new windshield glazing on the engineer's side.
Don't know how the engine crew 'determined' that a nickel-sized hole was the result of a .22. I can't even imagine a .22 bullet having enough gas to get through that sloped, FRA Part 223 glazing, let alone leave a hole that size.
If it didn't ricochet off or disintegrate, though, I would think there'd still be some lead in the lead unit's cab to gather up and weigh to see how big the slug had been. Maybe they'll do a more thorough search, once they drop anchor near Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Meanwhile, with only an hour or so to go with an intact engineer's windshield, here's the train nosing by a stationary freight at Buckeye Yard in Columbus: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=233110