Thefts and Vandalism

I believe I read in one of the reports that one of the young people, a girl as far as I remember, said she thought the coaches were abandoned.

 

Coaches have been vandalised this week on the West Somerset Railway. Seems to be coach windows smashed. Vehicles stored at Bishop Lydeard Station

 

It's a great pity that not everybody that sees something abandoned doesn't behave like 'urban explorers' - look, photograph, but otherwise leave untouched.

 

When I read the article, A thought came to me, Was the girl the instigator? as she received the heaviest fine and sentence,
We sometimes forget that in many cases the girls will edge the lads on, boredom, a need to show the boys she's in charge? and of course the boys wont say no, Girls are not the delicate little things needing of our protection, I would say, in some cases, the boys at that impressionable age may need protecting from this new breed of girl.
its a pity some people need to destroy things, especially when you think that someone has to now repair their handiwork, if its an railway with only just enough coaches to operate the service, then that railway has a very hard job, either you run with a reduced formation, repairing the coaches one by one, or in some cases you may have to run with graffitied coaches and risk people turning away.

 

From the Wealden Pullman FB page:

"Here’s a post we hoped never to make.

Our 1926 built Pullman Car ‘Theodora’ was the subject of a break-in at the weekend. The thieves destroyed one door and badly damaged another in order to steal many items from within.

We’re very disappointed that there are people who’ve chosen to steal from a charity operated by volunteers for the benefit of our visitors. But we won’t be beaten!

With a great deal of rearranging, we were able to operate the scheduled service, without ‘Theodora’, on Sunday. Thanks are due to our fantastic staff who pulled out all the stops and to our customers for the kindness and support they provided.

Needless to say we’ve taken additional security measures to protect our wonderful historic railway assets, but we’d much rather spend our precious pennies on improving the railway, rather than repairing such mindless vandalism.

Following forensic analysis of the scene by Kent Police, and with a lot of hard work now underway, we look forward to seeing ‘Theodora’ back in service again this weekend.

Update

Thank you for your kind messages, it really means a lot to us.
In answer to your questions, if you’d like to help us with a donation we’re currently seeking funds to restore Pullman Car ‘Aries’ to join ‘Theodora’ on the Wealden Pullman:
http://www.preservation.kesr.org.uk/…/fundrais…/aries-appeal

Many thanks once again for your kindness,

 

Saw this on FB myself. Disgusting! If the police are like the ones round here nothing will get done though. They just cruise around in their blue & yellow 4x4 tanks or riot vans looking for easy simple targets. Most of them couldn't catch a cold in winter.

 

whilst I agree to have this coach damaged in this way is very sad, I have a few questions, was the coach laid up ready for the next day's Pullman? my point is this shiny things on view tend to attract magpies, if you get my meaning, where does the Pullman coaches live when not in use, in the dock, or the carriage shed? if its in the dock, then its only to easy for someone to case the joint tenterden may have CCTV, but its an open site for those determined to gain entry .

 

Is it not about respecting other peoples property?
Wether a pushbike or a Pullman, we should be able to leave them secure without the worry if who is going to vandalise it.

 

Churnet Valley are reporting that they've been victim of a starter motor theft
https://www.facebook.com/churnetvalleyrailway/posts/1956440234377476

 

Arson attack at next door premises causes £30.000 damage at Middleton Railway.....https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/devastating-hunslet-fire-causes-30000-14911623

 

Also featured on the BBC Leeds webpage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-44838346

 

Vandalism at Blubell Railway!

http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news...-window-narrowly-avoiding-passenger-1-8615261

 

I saw that, it this shatter glazing illegal ?
Chris

 

No it is not, that is how toughened glass breaks. A missile will still penetrate but at much reduced speed. Laminated glass will prevent the missile getting through but the glass isn't toughened and the inner sheet can produce quite shape shards of glass.

 

AFAIK, that is the glass that is used in most railway carriages, buses and car windows (windscreen excepted.)

 

My understanding is that Toughened Glass (as opposed to Laminated Glass) is used in order to provide an 'Escape Route' in the event of an accident. Toughened Glass, when broken, breaks into small irregular shapes which, whilst they still may cause injury, such injuries do not [normally] constitute a 'danger to life', and a broken window 'as a whole', when pressed against, will collapse, affording a safe Exit route.

Laminated Glass, on the other hand, has an inner tough plastic membrane, which can be difficult to penetrate when a rapid exit is required.

In the past we have 'inherited' Carriages that have previously been vandalized and the main window glass has been replaced, with good intentions, by Laminated Glass. However, we don't consider such as being 'Best Practice'. Laminated Glass is fine for Sliders or 'Shoulder' sections, but not in the larger/'escape' areas.

 

Many thanks Gary

 

Pointypool & Bleanavon Railway has had £14000 stolen this week ,the takings for their Haloween Wekend. Considerable damage has also be caused by the theft of the money. News from their Facebook Page.

 

Just seen this on the web about a break in at Wittersham rd on the KESR.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tenter...is-a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-volunteers-200017/

 

BBC East Midlands Today have just run a report about a serious amount of vandalism at GCR(N). Several carriages damaged and numerous windows smashed. Damage is estimated to run to many thousands of pounds. The scrotes responsible escaped on bikes. They deserve a good flogging to help them mend their ways.