Vandals attack train carriage at Derbyshire tourist attraction

They 'used it as a toilet'

Teenage vandals 'trashed' a train carriage at a popular Derbyshire tourist attraction.

A member of staff at the Midland Railway, based at Butterley Station in Ripley, said the group had ripped the seats out, etched their names into the tables and even used the carriage as a toilet.

It comes as bosses at the attraction, which is home to two railway museums, were asking the public for donations to help them stay afloat.

Paul Bardill, who works in administration at the railway, said the stationary carriage is part of a 1950's train which is used for passengers to wait inside before catching a train.

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The 31-year-old, of Spondon said: "At about 5.30pm on Wednesday evening some kids were messing about in one of the coaches. It isn't there to be vandalised or touched so my reaction was one of of disappointment.

"They smashed a window, pulled the seats out, etched their names into the tables and used it as a toilet.

"It’s a difficult time for everyone and especially attractions like ourselves. The income we get is people coming through the gate and at the moment we’re not getting anyone through the door.

"The interior being trashed is something we don't need, it's just not right."

A member of staff saw a group of four young adults walking across the railway line around the same time as the incident.

The attraction has been closed to the public due to coronavirus, but Paul said staff are doing the best they can to monitor the station.

He added: "We are trying to keep an eye on the place but we can't be there all the time.

"We get similar things happening in the six weeks holidays. It just gives us extra work."

A spokesperson at Derbyshire police said: "We received a report of a train carriage at Swanwick Junction being broken into yesterday afternoon.

"The carriage had been vandalised and a window smashed. It is believed this may have happened around 5.30pm or shortly before."

You can donate to the Midland Railway's appeal for donations here.