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'Incredible' response to graffiti attack on heritage railway near Ripley

The Midland Railway Butterley Graffiti on a trainThe Midland Railway Butterley
Paintwork had to be saved at short notice

A heritage railway targeted by vandals says it has seen an "incredible" response to a major graffiti attack on two of its trains.

Two working 1980s Pacer trainbuses at The Midland Railway Butterley were tagged with extensive spray painting overnight on Saturday.

Derbyshire Police say investigations are ongoing.

The attack, estimated to have cost about £5,000, is the latest act of vandalism and trespassing at the line.

But the attraction, near Ripley, says it has received a large number of messages from well-wishers and donations made towards their costs since.

A spokesman for The Midland Railway Butterley said: "The response to our recent vandalism has been incredible; we appreciate all your support.

"We have had quite a large number of messages and requests regarding donations towards repairs.

"Vandalising heritage railways across the UK is not okay and we all stand together against it."

The Midland Railway Butterley Graffiti on two trainsThe Midland Railway Butterley
Volunteers had to work through the day to remove the graffiti tags

A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: "We received a call from Midland Railway Centre Butterley at 10.20am on Sunday 21 April to report that trains had been spray painted with graffiti overnight, sometime between 7pm on 20 April and 8.30am the following morning.

"An investigation is currently in its early stages, and we would ask anyone with information to contact us."

Earlier this month, a window was smashed on one of its trains before access was gained using a ladder and a fire extinguisher was let off.

The Midland Railway Butterley Broken train windowThe Midland Railway Butterley
Trespassers smashed a window

Police found five teenagers inside, broadcasting a video on social media. A 15-year-old was invited to attend a voluntary interview at a later date, the force added.

The railway added that issues of vandalism and trespass are a constant problem, warning people to stay away from railway lines for their own safety.

The Midland Railway - Butterley continues to fundraise to upgrade its site-wide CCTV and increase security in a bid to tackle the problems.

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