Stolen??

This is something that happens (too) often, especially on museum lines.

It has already happened on the rare real museum lines (i.e. tram lines, owned by an association, where there is no public transport at all) here in "my" area.

https://transphoto.org/city/2245/
https://transphoto.org/list.php?did=3020

Below is an article about the theft of 700 metres from the Lille association.

https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/culture-...6544475

(use Google or Deepl.translate)

Even worse is the situation on the real railways, where there are all kinds of cables along the railway lines (at ground level) to operate the signals, switches, level crossings, etc.

Example:

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220524_92578126

Meanwhile, the cables are secured where possible. The Asvi (Thuin) has now installed special locks, so that only the cables between each catenary mast can be cut, making stealing very labour-intensive.
At the N.M.B.S. (railways), new security measures are systematically being built in, but as it is a very large network, this naturally takes many years.

Copper has a high value and is easily and quickly traded.
The arrival of ANPR cameras does make tracking down thieves much easier.

About Yakima. The route where it happened is a very long industrial street, where there is movement only on weekdays.
The museum tram runs at weekends and then the whole area is completely deserted. It will be the same at night.
The grounds of the factories and transport companies are very well closed and secured: I saw this from the tram. But the overhead wires could just be removed...

Absurd? I work 8 hours (honestly...) for my money, others will go out several nights a month and may earn the same or more than I do. I did some googling: the price of copper is now EUR 5.40 per kg.
I'd prefer my job, which seems to pay more, but it is a popular "hobby"...