Re: Help sought to catch copper signal wire thieves

[Peter Homann <phomann@optushome.com.au>]

Unfortunately this has been going on for years in SA.
I've heard of this affecting the pole-line nearer Tailem Bend about 6-7 
years ago, as well as on the Nullabor, and most of the Quorn - Stirling 
North section was theived over a few years.
PRR took some action when we were first affected, and "pruned" out the 
unneeded pairs (there were 7 pairs) down to one.  We hoped that would be 
too little to be worthwhile.
Wrong!
It just meant the theives covered more ground.
Someone's comment about them being cocky is right - found a heap of 
empty tinnies under several poles, so there were a few pit stops along 
the way, even one right next to the road.  Admittedly, Pichi Richi Pass 
is not the busiest road at 3am!

Cheers.

Maurie Daly wrote:

> On Mon, 20 Nov 2000 23:41:55 GMT, dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David
> Bromage) wrote:
> 
>> Police have once appealed for public help to catch thieves stealing copper
>> signal wire in the West Wimmera. They say five kilometres of the wire,
>> used to relay signals for the rail link between Adelaide and Melbourne was
>> stolen from between the Leeor and Fedders Roads near Serviceton on Sunday.
>> 
>> http://www.abc.net.au/news/regionals/westvic/monthly/reghor-21nov2000-2.htm
> 
> 
> 
> This sounds a bit dodgy to me .
> Removing 5 kms of aerial line along a railway line , between 1AM and
> 2AM in the morning would take quite a large number of people with
> ladders, lighting equipment, vehicles etc.
> It would also need people with some knowledge of railway timetables
> ,so that the theiving could be done when there were no trains around.
> Also, what on earth would you do with the wire?
> Copper wire is relatively soft,and doesnt make good fencing wire so
> its unlikely that its local farmers doing this.
> 
> MD
> 

-- 
Peter Homann
Steam Fireman, Pichi Richi Railway
Administrator: http://www.prr.org.au
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