The URHS collection moves to a new resting place

steamtown observer · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:11 pm **Posts:** 371

It appears all of the URHS collection that is not leased to other people (or the Hickory Creek) are being gathered up from the various locations they have been stored for the last 10-20 years and are being moved to a refurbished yard in Boonton on New Jersey Transit. The first equipment from the old Lackawanna MU yard in Morristown made a hospital move this past weekend. Here is a photo of it in Boonton:

What you cannot see is how heavily vandalized some of the equipment is. Of particular note are coaches that received ICETEA money that have been completely trashed, thus wasting the restoration these cars received.

I have seen people working on the equipment in Ridgefield Park which is the next set of equipment to be moved. I assume the equipment in Milford will also eventually make its way here as well.

There are no fences and the area is somewhat secluded making future vandalism a near certainty.

NH0401 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:19 pm

Boonton has both some 'problems' with homeless and the 'projects' up on the hill (featured in The Sopranos). Draw your own conclusions...

DPK

Howard P. · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:11 am

"There are no fences and the area is somewhat secluded making future vandalism a near certainty."

Sounds like the "open" situation in southern NJ. Or Colonie, NY.

How the heck does anyone allow railroad equipment to be stored anywhere without at least the minimal protection of a decent fence??!!! I know all about the old line of "fences only keeping honest people honest", etc. But, at least go that far; it helps eliminate 95% of the problems, and a fence plus lots of "No Tresspassing" signs means better response from the local cops, and better chance of prosecution if someone is caught "inside".

Fences cost money, funds that could be used for better purposes. But if the stuff is worth preserving, and you can't afford to keep it secure, you can't afford to preserve/restore it.

And good security is needed everywhere, rural and urban situations both.

Howard P.
Rottweiler, CT

Onder · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:17 pm

Agreed! May I say I was deeply impressed by
the lead pix of the new repair shed and how
much it reminds me of the UK. A huge step
forward.
Equipment that sits outside, protected or not,
goes downhill very fast. Rust never sleeps.
Now is the time to decide what is worth
saving and what can be saved and then
have at it. That which is not inside will
likely be lost forever.