The Rushden Historical Transport Society has released a statement after a train fire at their Northamptonshire base.
At around 6pm on the 17th April, the Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway became aware of a fire in a Mark 1 carriage on John Clark Way.
The Mark 1 carriage is not used for passenger services and the fire occurred when the site was closed to the public.
Members of the public called the emergency services and by 8 pm, the fire was out.
It is understood that the fire was deliberately started, and an investigation is now underway.
No injuries were reported, but the carriage is beyond repair.
At approximately 1800 hours on Wednesday 17th April, we became aware of a fire that started on our site on John Clark Way, approximately opposite Bob Whitworth Way.
The fire occurred in a stationary Mark I carriage, which is not used for passenger running, whilst the site was closed to the public. Furthermore, none of our volunteers or staff were present on the railway at the time the fire started.
Members of the public called the emergency services, and by 2000 hours, the fire was extinguished. After liaison with the Trustees, the police and fire brigade remained on site overnight and into the morning to ensure the site was safe and to undertake an investigation into the cause of the fire.
It is regretfully understood that the fire was started deliberately and the police have issued a request for anybody to contact them with information and footage from the area around the time of the incident to assist with their enquiries and investigation.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but the carriage itself is beyond salvage.
The Trustees of Rushden Historical Transport Society would like to thank the efforts of Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service and of Northamptonshire Police for their work, and for their assistance in making the site safe.
Anybody with information regarding this incident should call 101 and quote crime reference number 24000224460.
Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway Spokesperson
First Severn Valley Railway with the thefts at Eardington and Hampton Loade, then 2 pacers vandalized at the Midland Railway, Butterley, now this?
This is just horrible to hear about.
There seems to be a spate of this going on. Shoplifting, anti social behaviour and thuggery are other crimes not being dealt with by the police too. It’s essential you all write to your MPs, Mayors, councillors and Police and Crime Commissioners about this and other so called low level crimes. I’ve always advocated zero tolerance. It’s the only way and the just way.
Im afraid its out of sight out of mind with some parents. They should be named and shamed along with the morons they call their children. So disheartening for the railway.
What a disgrace, all these railways try and serve the public and try their best to preserve these beautiful pieces of engineering and all they do is destroy them!
Catch them lock them up and charge the parents for a new carriage
Quite agree, if 16 and under about time the parents took some responsibility for their offspring
Scum is what these people are and if caught should be jailed for a long time. Arson is a terrible act.
Isn’t it about time the justice system as a whole was empowered to teach these thugs a little self respect?
Only once they have self respect will they respect other people and their property.
Stop bringing youngsters up as “little people” and teach them properly from the start.
Absolutely ridiculous, and people wonder why heritage railways need so much money -.-
Guaranteed to be feral brats with ZERO respect for anyone or anything. What a world we now live in.