While our steam trains are full of cheery youngsters and families during the summer weekends, the GCRN, Nottinghamshire’s only Heritage Railway has once again had a visit from a very unwelcome sector of society.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage and theft was caused to our Mk2 and Mk3 coaches. These coaches were scheduled to operate on Bank Holiday Saturday on our trains to Loughborough Junction. This service is now in jeopardy although our volunteers will be working flat out to remedy the damage caused.
All along our railway, which operates 10 miles from our base at Ruddington, through East Leake to Loughborough Junction we have suffered thefts of material which we use to maintain and develop the railway. In addition there have been several instances of vandalism and graffiti which takes valuable time and money to remedy.
Our railway isn’t owned by some faceless bureaucracy. It is staffed by a committed team of volunteers, and all our rolling stock is privately owned by enthusiasts. All of our development funding comes from our ability to operate trains and through the goodwill of our members and the local community.
In the past we have invested heavily in CCTV and other security measures, and are having to invest even more to try to combat the attacks, vandalism and thefts, which still continue.
In this instance the police have obtained evidence which we expect to lead to culprits being traced, however we still seek the help of all members of our community, especially those in the communities at Ruddington, East Leake and Loughborough to report ANY suspicious behaviour on or around the railway directly to the Police.
We are also offering a £1,000 reward to any individual who provides the Police with information which leads to the successful identification and conviction of the thieves involved in this latest incident.
Phil Stanway – Company Director
Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd
Email: Commercial@gcrn.co.uk Tel: 07483 374854