CP reports vandalism at site near Eyota

Officials with the Canadian Pacific Railroad say it appears vandalism involving a section of rails near Eyota was done with the intention of causing a derailment. The section of side rails is normally used to store several propane tanker cars.  CP security officials notified the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department yesterday.  It was determined a total of 17 spikes and connecting plates were missing from rails covering between 10 - 15 yards.  The plates connect rails to railroad ties, which are pieces of thick wood between the tracks.  CP investigators say it does not appear the steel spikes and plates were taken for scrap purposes.  They suspect they were removed in an effort to cause rail cars to fall off the tracks.    CP says the vandalism occurred sometime between May 10 and this past Monday.