Rail stolen from South Wexford line

dowlingm · 10-02-2011, 03:17

I wonder will the NTA demand immediate reinstatement if it turns out these were laid track panels and not just lying around the place? And if 2,800 euro of IE track was just lying around the place, how much would it have to be worth before it was worth transporting to a secure site? The NTA may not subscribe to the New Ross Echo though - maybe someone should send them a copy...

http://www.newrossecho.ie/news/story...ukfmh&cat=news

Quote:

NEW ROSS Gardai are this week investigating the theft of lengths of railway line from Campile Station.

The crime was committed sometime between Friday, January 22, and the following Monday.

A spokesperson for the Gardai commented on the crime to the Echo. He said 24 lengths of the line, each measuring 64 feet in length, were taken.

"This wasn't an opportunist crime and would have taken time to carry out," he said.

The Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area over the weekend. Due to the weight and quantity of the lengths of railway line taken it's believed the thieves may have used a lorry or other large vehicle to remove the items from the station.

The lengths of railway were valued at around EUR2,800.

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Gardai on 051 -421 204. All information forwarded will be treated in the strictest of confidence

Mark Gleeson · 10-02-2011, 07:45

The NTA are in the loop by now and we would expect immediate reinstatement

It is a little unclear as the rails on the south wexford are 45 foot lengths

sean · 10-02-2011, 14:08

On the one hand I'm not entirely surprised, with the recent rises in commodity prices and the failing economy this sort of thing is to be expected - note that in recent years houses - some partly built and even some occupied, have been burgled for their copper wiring. I even remember reading an urban legend that just outside Chernobyl, all the radiators and television sets abandoned from the old Pripyat city have been stolen by marauders over the years, as even that (irradiated) stuff has some value.

On the other hand, it seems very serendipitous for Irish rail that a line they want to get rid of suddenly gets its rails 'stolen' ...

On a more practical level, where from the black market might this steel end up? Are there any steel mills in Ireland? Have they been asked to query the origin of any old rails they might be sold? Is there a code of practice in Ireland or Europe to deal with stolen steel (railways, beer kegs etc)?

Mark Gleeson · 10-02-2011, 14:35

Well they aren't the smartest thieves they could have chossen a line which was out of sight, big lumps of the Waterford Dungarvan line are still in situ

Someone from SWIFFT is heading over to Campile this afternoon to get some photos and see what is going on

The rail is probably 45 foot bullhead stuff from 1905, rare easy to spot but of poor quality compared to modern rail

Mark Gleeson · 10-02-2011, 14:48

It was surplus track dumped at Campile that went missing

The rail line remains intact

Looking for 64 foot length UIC 50 or 54 rail stamped CIE dating from 1970's or early 1980's probably

comcor · 10-02-2011, 23:17

Last year in The Netherlands several hundred metres of track were lifted overnight from an operational line in the east of the country. Apparently the price of commodities is high enough that that can be worthwhile!

However, it's not as likely in Ireland as you still need to get the metal to somewhere it can be recycled and since Irish Steel closed down, that means shipping it out of the state.

Jamie2k9 · 10-02-2011, 23:39

If the tracks that were stolen were just laying around then it's only a matter of time until it happens on the Dublin - Waterford Line. About 10 mins from Waterford IE have recently put new tracks laying around a double level crossing. They are replacing a small section of current track which is causing problems for the 2200 and they now have speed restrictions in place until the new tracks are put down. They have being there with about 6 weeks or more.

10-02-2011, 07:45	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The NTA are in the loop by now and we would expect immediate reinstatement It is a little unclear as the rails on the south wexford are 45 foot lengths __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

10-02-2011, 14:35	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Well they aren't the smartest thieves they could have chossen a line which was out of sight, big lumps of the Waterford Dungarvan line are still in situ Someone from SWIFFT is heading over to Campile this afternoon to get some photos and see what is going on The rail is probably 45 foot bullhead stuff from 1905, rare easy to spot but of poor quality compared to modern rail __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

10-02-2011, 14:48	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	It was surplus track dumped at Campile that went missing The rail line remains intact Looking for 64 foot length UIC 50 or 54 rail stamped CIE dating from 1970's or early 1980's probably __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

10-02-2011, 23:39	#7
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	If the tracks that were stolen were just laying around then it's only a matter of time until it happens on the Dublin - Waterford Line. About 10 mins from Waterford IE have recently put new tracks laying around a double level crossing. They are replacing a small section of current track which is causing problems for the 2200 and they now have speed restrictions in place until the new tracks are put down. They have being there with about 6 weeks or more. Last edited by Jamie2k9 : 10-02-2011 at 23:41.

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10-02-2011, 14:08	#3
sean Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 707	On the one hand I'm not entirely surprised, with the recent rises in commodity prices and the failing economy this sort of thing is to be expected - note that in recent years houses - some partly built and even some occupied, have been burgled for their copper wiring. I even remember reading an urban legend that just outside Chernobyl, all the radiators and television sets abandoned from the old Pripyat city have been stolen by marauders over the years, as even that (irradiated) stuff has some value. On the other hand, it seems very serendipitous for Irish rail that a line they want to get rid of suddenly gets its rails 'stolen' ... On a more practical level, where from the black market might this steel end up? Are there any steel mills in Ireland? Have they been asked to query the origin of any old rails they might be sold? Is there a code of practice in Ireland or Europe to deal with stolen steel (railways, beer kegs etc)?

10-02-2011, 23:17	#6
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	Last year in The Netherlands several hundred metres of track were lifted overnight from an operational line in the east of the country. Apparently the price of commodities is high enough that that can be worthwhile! However, it's not as likely in Ireland as you still need to get the metal to somewhere it can be recycled and since Irish Steel closed down, that means shipping it out of the state.