ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – Police are investigating after it was reported that the National Museum of Transportation was vandalized earlier in January.
According to the museum, the vandalism took place on Friday, January 10, at 6 a.m. The vandals painted graffiti on two historic trolley artifacts, causing approximately $20,000 in damages.
The trolleys are used to provide rides for guests during the museum’s operating season.
The two trolleys that were vandalized are the 1914 St. Louis Waterworks Railway #10 and the 1947 Southern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority #2740.
“We are heartbroken by this careless, selfish, and senseless act,” stated Terri McEachern, Executive Director. “Our volunteers work extremely hard to restore these priceless artifacts and return them to operating conditions for our guests to enjoy.”
The museum says it is working closely with St. Louis County Police to identify the suspects who entered the property from the Union Pacific mainline.
“We take vandalism to our artifacts seriously and will prosecute those who damage our collection to the fullest extent of the law,” said Dr. Darryl Ross, President of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “Not only did they damage our artifacts, they spray painted our security cameras. Fortunately, the photos we needed were already captured.”
If you have any information about this vandalism, the museum advises contacting St. Louis County Detective Calvin McClain at 314.615.0716.
If you would like to donate to the Museum’s restoration efforts, click here.
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