Vandals damage 1980s train in 'mindless attack'

Vandals have caused up to £30,000 in damage to a "beloved" train, a heritage railway in Kent has said.

The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells said the "mindless attack" on its Class 207 DEMU 1317 happened on Sunday.

General manager Jonnie Pay told the BBC fixing the historic train, which will need completely stripping and repainting, was something volunteers at the railway "really didn't need to do".

"It is very demoralising," he said, adding that they had preserved the train in 2004 after it went out of service in 1985.

Mr Pay said the train was "only one of this type left" and had a "huge historic connection" to the town.

The Spa Valley Railway operates steam and heritage diesel trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with stops at High Rocks and Groombridge.

It hosts various days out and educational events. which Mr Pay warned could be cancelled now the train was being repaired.

He said the vandalism was a "sheer disappointment".

"We've not only put thousands of volunteer hours, but thousands of pounds into restoring that train."

Kent Police confirmed the vandalism had been reported.

It said it would visit the site on Wednesday as part of an investigation.

No arrests have been made, it added.

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