Reward offered for vandalism of Cape May Seashore Lines equi

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From the Trains Magazine Newswire, August 2, 2007:

RIO GRANDE, N.J. - Tourist railroad Cape May Seashore Lines and the Cape May County Sheriff's Department, through its Crime Stoppers program, are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who vandalized railroad cars parked near the Route 47 crossing, the Cape May County Herald reported. The vandalism has occurred over the last six months.

Cape May Seashore Lines President Tony Macrie told the Herald the vandalized trains were "extremely historic in nature, with several pieces built in the mid-1920s while others were built in 1950 and 1951."

One Budd RDC is entirely covered in bright Day-Glo graffiti. Other coaches were covered with graffiti, or had windows broken or parts missing, and in at least one car, seats have been torn from the floor. Macrie estimates the damage at $500,000 or higher.

"When the trains arrived in Rio Grande, they were in a pristine, immaculate, and spotless condition with no graffiti or broken windows," he told the Herald. "They were categorized as stored serviceable, meaning they were operational." He compared the vandalism to spray-painting someone's automobile in his or her driveway. Macrie said he believed the worst of the damage has occurred in the past year and a half. He said the cost of repairing the cars is very high. All calls to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous. Those with information are asked to call: 1-866-465-2800 or 465-2800.