Thieves target Hokkaido train line for rip-offs of ‘railroadania'

[cteno4]

From profit of the way on yahoo jtrains forum

 

"MASHIKE, Hokkaido--Along a section of a Hokkaido railway scheduled for decommissioning, thieves have been busy at night taking seemingly mundane objects from old and unmanned stations."

 

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201606260011.html

 

Jeff

[katoftw]

Interesting.  Shame that this stuff will now be gone forever as JR Hokkaido will not replace it.

[bikkuri bahn]

IIRC, this also happened on the Esashi Line. 

[kvp]

At least they leave the rails in place until the line is decomissoned. As JR Hokkaido has pointed out, theft of equipment from active lines is a bigger concern for them. At least they might consider auctions in the future. (it would also decrease demolition costs if the winner has to move the larger items, like station shelters)