Re: (erielack) Met lab thiefs

[Erielack1_@_aol.com]

This warning came about when a UP carmen doing an inspection found razor 
blades taped to grab irons of an inbound train at as I understand it. Out 
here in the PNW we have not encountered this problem, yet. The big problem we 
are having is drug manufactures stealing anhydrous ammonia from tank cars. 
They are using the standard 5 pound gas grill propane tanks. They are 
normally painted flat black to help hide them. The values on the top are 
replaced using steel pipe fittings and values. This is to allow a rubber hose 
to be connected to the tank car. If anyone should see any of these propane 
tanks near the tracks or anywhere else so not touch them. They are very 
unstable. The met lab people who are using these are taking a course thread 
piping fixture and forcing it into the fine thread brass fitting of the 
propane tank. They are forcing a high pressure product from the tank car into 
a low pressure cylinder. Also the steel used in the propane gas grill tanks 
is subject to a chemical reaction with the anhydrous ammonia that can over 
time cause them to blow out. Also the people who are doing this are operating 
met labs and should be considered dangerous. If you should come across any of 
these propane tanks or see someone atop a anhydrous ammonia car on the BNSF 
call our Assets Protection Team (BNSF Police) at 1-800-832-5452. This number 
is manned 24 hours a day at the Network Operations Center, Ft Worth, Texas. 
The toll free number for CSX is 1-800-0144 and for Union Pacific 
1-800-726-1136. I do not have a number for NS. I repeat do not touch any 
propane tanks that have had the above modifications made to them. They can be 
very unstable.
I know this is off subject for the list but may save someone from injury. 
Bob Stafford

------------------------------