SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at a museum in Wichita.
During the early evening hours on Saturday, vandals gained access to the Great Plains Transportation Museum, 700 East Douglas in Wichita, according to a media release.
The vandals damaged museum equipment on display adjacent to the Union Station platform level in Old Town including a locomotive, passenger car, two cabooses and a converted passenger car used as a repair and fabrication shop. Based on a preliminary estimate damage is $10,000. A museum building window was also smashed.
The Wichita Police Department apprehended three suspects. The vandals were first seen by the operator of a Virtual Railfan Camera installed at the museum in early 2022. The camera operates around the clock and provides those interested in railroad operations a view of trains passing the museum on adjacent tracks through downtown Wichita.
“This type of criminal vandalism is sickening,” stated GPTM President John Deck. “We’re a 40-year-old, non-profit, educational and preservation organization, and our museum is staffed by volunteers who work hard to conserve the region’s rich railroad heritage for people to enjoy. Our funding comes from donations and grants. Damaging historic railroad equipment displays serves no beneficial purpose for the community or our museum. It is unfortunate that some people chose to act with malice toward others who choose to preserve history, not destroy it.”
The museum will work on repairs to damaged equipment and replace the broken window, but the repairs could take some time. “We apologize to those coming to view the museum displays,” explained Deck.
“Our resources are largely allocated to existing preservation projects, such as the completion of a working locomotive and fully restored wooden caboose, so it may take several months to repair damage done by the vandals.”