I just read an account of the Morris County Central (Nov '82 Railpace). I was never able to catch it in operation.
One thing that was alarming was that it was subject to arson and vandalism while in operation. In one instance (Memorial Day weekend 1979) the engine of a tourist train was derailed when vandals threw a switch in front of the train. The article did not mention if the vandals were ever identified or charged.
In another instance, some rare equipment was burned by an arsonist, and the article mentions the arsonist was later caught.
I realize that properties are subject to theft and occasional vandalism, but these sound like extreme cases. The Morris County Central shut down in 1980. Are there other tourist lines that have been adversely hit by vandalism to this degree?
There was a fine video put out by Hopewell Productions in 1990 called "The Rise and Fall of The Morris County Central" that tells the story quite well. I've got one (no, it's not for sale and not leaving the house 'till I'm dead!) and it's well worth the purchase if you can find it. I rode the Morris County Central a number of times and it was great fun. I can't imagine what joyless SOB would vandalise it. Someone in that part of Jersey was a real hardcore NIMBY, that's for sure.
Stand by one, I did some checking and "Rise and Fall of the Morris County Central" is available through "O-Gauge Railroading" magazine. Check www.ogaugerr.com.
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