By Railfan & Railroad Staff

BNSF Railway Police have accused a 17-year-old railroad enthusiast of purposely derailing a coal train and filming it in Nebraska this spring. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that railroad police have referred the case to the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office recommending that the teenager be charged with felony criminal mischief after allegedly tampering with a switch that resulted in a derailment. On April 21, a loaded coal train went through the switch, derailed and struck a parked rail car on a track adjacent to the main line. The derailment resulted in an estimated $350,000 in damage. 

The teenager allegedly filmed the derailment as it happened and later posted it on YouTube. 

After the derailment law enforcement reviewed security cameras and found that someone had driven up to the switch and thrown it before the train arrived. That person then left and set up a camera near the crossing before the train arrived. After the derailment, the 17-year-old showed the video to railroad employees and identified himself as an enthusiast. 

BNSF has asked for a search warrant to gain access to the teen’s camera and phone in search of additional evidence.