An update on these RR cars, stored in southern New Jersey on the Cape May Seashore Railroad. ( I qpologize, as I couldn't get a link to work)

Todays Atlantic City Press is reporting "Arson suspected in Train Fire".

Middle Twp, NJ: Authorities on Friday extinguished a suspicious fire aboard a train car parked on the tracks in Rio Grande.

Rio Grande Fire Chief James Betties said it appeared a squatter may have been inside the train.

Seat cushions were piled high in one of the cars.

Over the past months township officials have asked the Cape May Seashore Lines to move the trains, which they say invite vandalism and perhaps other illegal activity.

"It's becoming a public nuisance, a public health matter, and a public safety matter. They have to go", said Deputy Mayor Charles Leusner.

Middle Twp Police said witnesses reported seeing a white male wearing a grey sweatshirt and jeans running south along the tracks prior to the fire.

Police and the Cape May Co. Fire Marshalls Office are investigating.

The fire produced heavy smoke and authorities were concerned that someone was still inside.

Firefighters used thermal imaging gear to look through the smoke, but found no one. They extinguished the fire quickly and no one was injured.

Township Officials have repeatedly criticized the trains, which sit on tracks off Route 47, as an eyesore. They have repeatedly asked the owner to move them.

The trains, who's doors are open, are also possibly occupied by the homeless.

Township Officials have said that Cape May Seashores lines President Tony Macrie has told them he will move the trains.

Macrie, when contacted Friday, said that he was disheartened by the news of the fire, and he continues his plans to move the trains soon.

He noted that the trains were in serviceable condiiton when they were first stored there, but on-going vandalism has severely damaged them.

"We've had more problems here in one year than we had for the past seven or eight years", Macrie said. "Is it the economy? I don't know. I lay in bed at night thinking about this stuff...It's equipment that we worked hard to pay for." He said attempts to curb vandalism and trespassing there have proven ineffective. He also said that he feared that mentioning the trains will be moved soon will result in further damage.

"My goal now is to make sure these things survive for the next couple of weeks", he said.

Mayor Nathan Doughty said that removing those trains would be another step in removing abandoned structures in Rio Grande.

Sad story!

Does anybody know the identity of the car that was damaged by the fire?

Many thanks,
Tom Cornillie