It’s a sad day for area railfans in Northwestern Ohio. The Toledo, Lake Erie & Western, otherwise known as the “Bluebird” was recently robbed of more than $60,000 in equipment. Thefts broke into both the locomotive and the passenger coaches, taking a number of valuable wicker seat bottoms.
In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that we published the details from my personal trip aboard the Bluebird as well as some details about the history of the line.
As of right now, the TLE&W was already closed until June, pending FRA required trackwork. With this set-back, volunteers are unsure if the railroad will be able to open ever again. The TLE&W, like many cash-strapped tourism lines, cannot afford to insure their equipment from vandalism.
Source: Trains.com Newswire