Recently there has been some discussion on a Thread referencing electrification of the US netweok.
Copper would, of course be an integral part of that operation. Found this story in the on-line edition of
The Scotsman :
linked here: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Trains-thrown-into-chaos-as.6702226.jp
"Trains thrown into chaos as thieves cut signalling cable on rail netowork"Published Date: 26 January 2011
By ALASTAIR DALTON TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
FTA"…At least 66 trains were cancelled or disrupted, and others delayed by total of nearly 12 hours,…"
FTA:'…It was the 24th metal theft-related incident on the railways this month…"
FTA:"…Mr Barnes said the price was currently $9,300 (£5,881) a tonne, having reached a record $9,700 last year. He said: “The broad perception is that this year there will be a series of new records…”
Around this part of the world (Kansas) from time to time, you’ll see old RR line side telephone poles that have colapsed, or pushed over one day, and the next the wires have disappeared. Seems that copper theft is becoming a problem, and growing world-wide(?)