Al Qaeda planned attack on U.S. railways

Information taken from Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan indicates that al Qaeda was planning attacks on a handful of U.S. cities, timed to significant dates, a U.S. official said.

The plot involved derailing trains in the United States by placing obstructions on tracks over bridges and valleys. It was to be executed later this year, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Material gathered from the same compound also suggests that al Qaeda was particularly interested in striking Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, according to the official. U.S. authorities have found that al Qaeda appears especially interested in striking on significant dates like July 4, Christmas and the opening day of the United Nations.