Vandals damage RDC

[enr2099]

A group of kids put a rock the size of a football on the rail near Qualicum Beach, BC on the north end of the E&N Railway's Victoria Sub. VIA RDC 6148 ran over the rock, kicking it up into the fuel lines, and breaking them. The line north of Parksville, BC was closed yesterday as HAZMAT crews cleaned up the spilled fuel and the RDC was repaired. VIA 6148 is back in service as of today and the 6135, which hit a rock slide in January is expected to be up and running by the end of the month.

[Anonymous]

I live in Vancouver, haven't heard about that till now.

Have any newspapers reported that yet? -- Would have thought it would be in the Vancouver Sun somewhere... maybe not.

[enr2099]

CH(Channel 6 in Victoria) did a couple stories on it. Other than that, nothing. Vandalism along that stretch of track is so bad that all trains carry a video camera to catch anyone doing anything suspicious. Luckily for railfans, taking photos, is not considered suspicious.

[Anonymous]

Is Via the only railway that runs along those lines?

[enr2099]

The tracks are owned by the Canadian Pacific, and leased to Rail America's E&N Railway, who operates the VIA Rail passenger train. Freight service on this stretch was discontinued in September of 2001.

[Anonymous]

They need to try to stop vandlism