I was very annoyed this morning to read that metal thieves have struck at Middleton Railway station (www.middletonrailway.org.uk) crippling the trains from running a full timetable. For a theft worth just £30 in scrap metal, an estimated £30,000 worth of damage/lost takings has been caused.
Middleton Railway is a fantastic local resource used by the community and schools in the area and further afield. I visited the centre some time ago and really enjoyed learning about the history of the locomotives and the work done by the 80+ volunteers.
As reported by the BBC, the metal, which was used to hold track in place, was taken from the tracks at Middleton Railway in Leeds, the world’s oldest continuously working railway.
Railway chairman Andrew Gill said: “For these mindless idiots to come along and do this is really soul-destroying.” Mr Gill also said: “You get this sickening feeling because we have something like 80 volunteers who try to keep this railway running, we do it for enjoyment, but we also do it for the people of Leeds.”
Specialist equipment will have to be hired by Middleton Railway to assist with the repairs. However, the centre will remain open and some trains will continue to run.
According to their website:
Following the mindless acts of vandalism and metal theft from the Railway, we have received numerous offers of help, assistance and good wishes. We would like to thank everyone for getting in touch – it is very much appreciated.
We have almost formulated a plan of action which will hopefully see us up and running in weeks rather than months.
Visit Middleton Railway at Moor Road, Leeds LS10 2JQ (just off junction 5 of the M621) or ring them on 0113 271 0320.
