Police probe attack on steam railway

May 26 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal

POLICE are investigating a possible sniper attack on a tourist railway which led to a woman passenger needing medical treatment.

The woman, in her fifties and from Winlaton, near Gateshead, was treated by paramedics for shock after her carriage window was broken by a missile on the Weardale Railway in County Durham on Saturday afternoon.

A hole was left in the window, caused either by an air rifle or a stone.

Two youths were spotted near the scene of the incident, near Frosterley.

Yesterday a spokesman for Durham Police confirmed they were investigating an incident where a train window was damaged, at around 3.55pm.

He said: “We are unable to say at this stage whether a stone or an air rifle caused the damage, but a woman passenger required treatment by paramedics for shock.

“Two youths were seen near the line at the time of the incident.”

Ian Gardner, chairman of the Weardale Railway Trust, added: “A lady from Winlaton was with her husband in the carriage on the 3.30pm train from Wolsingham which was damaged. She was shocked and required hospital treatment. A hole was left in the carriage window.

“We don’t know what caused the damage, whether it was an air rifle or a stone, but the consequences could have been much graver.”

Meanwhile Mr Gardner said he was optimistic about the future of the railway, which runs six miles from Wolsingham to Stanhope, despite fears being expressed for its prospects after The Ealing Community Transport Group (ECT), which owns 75% of the railway, announced it was selling its rail interests.

It has already shut a loss-making 12-month old main line locomotive hire business employing 11 people and shed five jobs from maintenance workshops in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, but Mr Gardner said: “The difference between other rail operations in which ECT has an interest and Weardale Railway is that our workforce is made up almost entirely of volunteers.”

Events planned for the summer include a Fathers’ Day special on Sunday, June 15 when any father, irrespective of age, will travel for free when with his offspring.

On July 6 a classic car show has been arranged, while on August 2 and 3 a military vehicle display has been organised.