There’s been some detecting going on while we were visiting with Lafayette. It was excellent that they found a witness who saw Sawtooth get into the boxcar.
When Sawtooth opted (reluctantly) to make like “Boxcar Willie” he noted that it would be a 15 hour train ride to Minot. Given that it was necessary to; 1) discover the truck with the body of Grimm in it, and 2) find a witness who made a positive ID of Sawtooth hopping the train (all of which occurred while Tracy and Sam were clearing up the loose ends from the botched attack at the Tracy household) Sawtooth has a sizable head start. On a 15 hour drive there will have to be at least one “pit stop” for fuel etc. which the train will not need to make. so the question becomes; Can Tracy and Sam, cover the distance in time to catch Sawtooth before he can get off the train?
" On a 15 hour drive there will have to be at least one “pit stop” for fuel etc. which the train will not need to make."
In the U.S., all railroad operating crews are restricted to an absolute maximum of 12 hours. This is so inflexible that there are instances of trains stopping within view of an upcoming station, because the crew would be over the 12 hours if they pulled into the station. I myself have observed crew changes taking place at a spot approximately 20 minutes running time from the downtown yards. Tracy could contact the RR and find out where the next crew change is taking place.
I don’t get this “not enough evidence” thing, either. If they have a report of someone spotting ST climbing into a boxcar, the RR would be interested in getting him off their train, and quite willing to cooperate with the cops, in real life. There are You Tube videos showing exactly that sort of thing happening, filmed by rail fans.
I’m guessing Mike just wanted to increase the drama (Will they get there in time?)
This little side story about Lafayette and Crystal is quite interesting, and I understand that the office conversation was taking place while Tracy and Sam got on the road in pursuit. But I personally would have enjoyed seeing Tracy and Sam find and talk to the eye witness who saw ST. Maybe it could have been an innocent rail fan taking pictures from a safe distance, or a hobo also trying to catch a ride, or a RR employee at the yards.
“Yes, Railroad Company? This is Dick Tracy. We think there is a dangerous criminal stowing away on one of your trains. You might want to send a security team to check it out.”
Sooo… a pair of fugitives attempt to murder a police officer, then one is seen boarding a train in the vicinity of the getaway vehicle being found with one of the fugitives murdered. Yup. I guess we’ll just have to wait until he turns up again.
In full Hot Pursuit on open highway, Tracy and Sam’s police cruiser might do…what?… 90, 100, 110 miles per hour sustained speed? Even slowing down in populated areas, they should still be able to catch up with a freight train averaging maybe only half as fast, by the time they reach Minot. Sawtooth will find an unwelcoming committee, and if a shootout ensues, that 50-gallon drum of “poison” might after all be significant to his grisly demise….
AnyFace over 6 years ago
Neil Wick over 6 years ago
Good morning™, detectives bound for Minot!
There’s been some detecting going on while we were visiting with Lafayette. It was excellent that they found a witness who saw Sawtooth get into the boxcar.
avenger09 over 6 years ago
Chasing after bad guys
Where can we go
Can we stop the train
Unfortunately the answer is no
It really makes no sense
A witness saw the hitch
The evidence is there
Like water in a ditch
Is research ever done
Before the thought is sent to print
Or is all this on the go
Without logic not a single hint
fredville over 6 years ago
Not enough evidence? Ha ha ha
HarryCK over 6 years ago
Good morning™, detectives of destiny !
Tracy’s Grimm expression is the star illustration today !
blunebottle over 6 years ago
Let’s hope Tracy’s arresting skills are up to scratch this time.
artsyguy65 over 6 years ago
They’ll be in Minot in a minute.
therese_callahan2002 over 6 years ago
They’ll bring Sawtooth back in a body bag.
Sisu60 over 6 years ago
Classy leaving town by riding the rails the more modern the strips gets the more they use old fashion ways
Major Matt Mason Premium Member over 6 years ago
Does Tracy’s jurisdiction extend to Minot? :)
h.v.greenman over 6 years ago
When Sawtooth opted (reluctantly) to make like “Boxcar Willie” he noted that it would be a 15 hour train ride to Minot. Given that it was necessary to; 1) discover the truck with the body of Grimm in it, and 2) find a witness who made a positive ID of Sawtooth hopping the train (all of which occurred while Tracy and Sam were clearing up the loose ends from the botched attack at the Tracy household) Sawtooth has a sizable head start. On a 15 hour drive there will have to be at least one “pit stop” for fuel etc. which the train will not need to make. so the question becomes; Can Tracy and Sam, cover the distance in time to catch Sawtooth before he can get off the train?
Ken in Ohio over 6 years ago
" On a 15 hour drive there will have to be at least one “pit stop” for fuel etc. which the train will not need to make."
In the U.S., all railroad operating crews are restricted to an absolute maximum of 12 hours. This is so inflexible that there are instances of trains stopping within view of an upcoming station, because the crew would be over the 12 hours if they pulled into the station. I myself have observed crew changes taking place at a spot approximately 20 minutes running time from the downtown yards. Tracy could contact the RR and find out where the next crew change is taking place.
I don’t get this “not enough evidence” thing, either. If they have a report of someone spotting ST climbing into a boxcar, the RR would be interested in getting him off their train, and quite willing to cooperate with the cops, in real life. There are You Tube videos showing exactly that sort of thing happening, filmed by rail fans.
I’m guessing Mike just wanted to increase the drama (Will they get there in time?)
Ken in Ohio over 6 years ago
This little side story about Lafayette and Crystal is quite interesting, and I understand that the office conversation was taking place while Tracy and Sam got on the road in pursuit. But I personally would have enjoyed seeing Tracy and Sam find and talk to the eye witness who saw ST. Maybe it could have been an innocent rail fan taking pictures from a safe distance, or a hobo also trying to catch a ride, or a RR employee at the yards.
mysterysciencefreezer over 6 years ago
“Yes, Railroad Company? This is Dick Tracy. We think there is a dangerous criminal stowing away on one of your trains. You might want to send a security team to check it out.”
Boom, done.
Don Bagert Premium Member over 6 years ago
Sam: “Speaking of Lafayette Austin, have you noticed how much he resembles Ugly Crystal?” LOL
tcayer over 6 years ago
Sooo… a pair of fugitives attempt to murder a police officer, then one is seen boarding a train in the vicinity of the getaway vehicle being found with one of the fugitives murdered. Yup. I guess we’ll just have to wait until he turns up again.
Don Bagert Premium Member over 6 years ago
Hmm…I wonder what’s in that boxcar (besides Sawtooth) that makes the railroad company reluctant to have the train stopped LOL j/k!
Phred Premium Member over 6 years ago
Dick Tracy in Minot North Dakota? Wow.
buckman-j over 6 years ago
As the man said, it’s just a comic folks. If you want total accuracy, read the sports pages (sometimes)
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
In full Hot Pursuit on open highway, Tracy and Sam’s police cruiser might do…what?… 90, 100, 110 miles per hour sustained speed? Even slowing down in populated areas, they should still be able to catch up with a freight train averaging maybe only half as fast, by the time they reach Minot. Sawtooth will find an unwelcoming committee, and if a shootout ensues, that 50-gallon drum of “poison” might after all be significant to his grisly demise….