Good Afternoon Everyone,
On the afternoon of Monday, February 13, the GHRA was made aware of a break in which had occurred on both our coach, 3216, and caboose, 436994 over this past weekend.
Vandals appear to have entered the floor, currently partially removed for restoration/installation of new steel and plywood. Every last piece of wire has been stripped from the coach, electrical panels and controls removed, copper team-heat pipes removed, brake pipes cut, some metal curtain track assemblies removed, water pump and boiler components removed, new steel flooring, among numerous other items. An itemized list is currently being put together as damage is likely near the twenty thousand dollar mark.
Damage to the caboose was limited to a slightly damaged lock, cut chain, and a kicked-in plexiglass window. One thief also defecated in the cupola, which has been cleaned out. All cabinets had been searched and items left stacked for later retrieval by vandals. These items are currently being held by members for safekeeping.
Due to the high financial cost of damage from this break in and the smaller one in August 2022, which had an estimated eight thousand dollars of damage, we are exploring our options with our insurance broker. With this being a repeated issue to our equipment, along with all businesses immediately surrounding our site, options are being discussed with the Guelph Junction Railway as to what our best options are for security.
One likely possibility is shoving our equipment a few hundred feet closer to Elmira road, making it very visible to passersby. Another possibility could be securing the coach at a different location or at a customer on the Guelph Junction Railway. The caboose and baggage car have been located here since December 2014 with only one incident of teens breaking in on weekends using it as a clubhouse (summer 2017). Vandals are recognizing the value our coach holds, attracting them to our site.
Presently two motion activated trail cams have been setup, one in each the coach and caboose. If the thieves do return for anything else we will be notified instantly of movement in either car.
This is a setback with our restoration, however we have made good progress. Our coach had working heat, lighting, and final air conditioning parts were being installed to complete that system. The former smoking section and snack bar, making up roughly 1/3rd of the car, had been gutted and the floor removed for rebuild. Window seals were also in the process of being replaced to stop water from leaking into the car. Pending our options to secure the car and reclaim some financial loss we will be looking to get back to this work as soon as possible. Both the Guelph Junction Railway and Goderich-Exeter have expressed interested in a tourist train once the restoration is complete.
A report has been filed with the Guelph Police Service. A journalist from GuelphToday has reached out for a last minute interview which was conducted this morning. Similar break ins have been happening throughout Guelph in recent months.
We will keep everyone posted as this develops. If members wish to assess the damage the equipment can be opened, however please use caution as much of the floor is open.
Cheers Everyone,
GHRA Executive
Steve host
Trevor Blatherwick
Jacob Patterson
Eric Repaci
Drew Goff
Mark MacCauley