Bo’ness model railway torched in deliberate fire

A model railway at a popular tourist attraction has been badly damaged in a deliberate attack.

Volunteers had spent years piecing together the 1930's-style layout at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Heritage Railway.

But they were left “devastated” after a raid on Sunday left a carriage that housed the model “extensively damaged” with much of the display either burned or stolen.

Police are investigating and have released descriptions of two men they want to trace in connection with the attack.

The Bo’ness Gauge ‘O’ Group, which started in 1993, built the model at Bo’ness and Kinneil station.

Two wagons were targeted in the fire, dating from 1923 and 1937 respectively.

One of them was used as a storage facility, however the other housed the model railway - painstakingly put together over the last 30 years by a team of enthusiasts.

The group’s chairman, Chris McDonald, said they were “devastated” and a full refurbishment of the cars would be required before they could re-open to visitors.

He said: “Most of our model railway is hand made from scratch and it is deeply saddening to see how the pointless theft and vandalism by two individuals can destroy what brings joy to so many of thousands of our visitors every year."

Mr McDonald added that the hundreds of hours members had spent on the model railway could not be recovered.

Fire crews extinguished a small blaze at about 07:00 on Sunday.

Police Scotland said two men had been seen “acting suspiciously” in the area at about 02:00.

Insp David Black encouraged anyone who saw the pair or anyone matching their descriptions to come forward and share it with officers.

The first man is described as being in his late 20s to early 40s, clean shaven, with a large build and between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall.

He was said to be wearing dark glasses, baseball cap, dark top and bottoms, dark New Balance trainers and was carrying a shoulder bag that was worn across his body.

The second man was also described as white, aged late 20s to early 40s and clean shaven.

He had a slim build, was about 5ft 8in to 6ft tall and was wearing a dark jacket, dark shoulder bag on one shoulder, a dark hat with white writing, dark joggers and grey trainers.