TLE&W "bluebird" robbed

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

HI

just saw a web story from 13 abc.com about the bluebird.They have been restoring the track to run the train.The train runs on former NKP track from waterville to Grand Rapids Ohio.They cam to find that some seats and parts from the engine have been stolen.what can someone do with a 500 LB.turbocharger??? Hopefully donations can come in or this could be the end of the Bluebird.

very sad situation[sigh]

stay safe

Joe

2

Check the local scrap metal yards.

3

Someone looking for scrap metal for a habit maybe?

4

The Trains “News Wire” blurb from today on this says that the TLE&W won’t run this year, and there are concerns it may never recover from this setback. See “Theft prevents reopening of Ohio tourist line” by Brian Schmidt, Published: May 25, 2011, at:

http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2011/05/Theft%20prevents%20reopening%20of%20Ohio%20tourist%20line.aspx

  • Paul North.
5

Sounds like we should be watching for “real deals” on some vintage railroad materials. Wouldn’t some real coach seats look good in your train room?

I can see locomotive parts in general for potential scrap value, especially if they were loose, but what’s the scrap value of a wicker seat bottom?

If the stolen parts had to be removed (ie, unbolted) from the locomotive, I’d tend to be really suspicious.

Maybe somebody didn’t want TLE&W to run this year/again?

6

Larry not sure the why.We have young friends who have taken the time to help with the projects.I feel bad for all the crew.Glad out friend Brian put it in the newswire.

stay safe

Joe

7

Here in NJ in the 1970’s we had a tourist railroad relocate to a stretch of railroad that hadn’t seen service in several years. The area around the railroad had been built up and the news of a new tourist railroad re-opening the tracks did not go over too big. The railroad was hit by vandals and arsonists who were hell-bent on seeing that the railroad would not and could not run. The railroad did run, but never really recovered from the attacks. Good luck to the railroad and I hope they are able to run. Some people would probably prefer an abandoned railyard as a place to go to do bad things rather than have a family attraction that gives families a place to go and have fun together.