Historic Brechin rail carriages set on fire
A historic railway run by volunteers was targetd by firestarters who caused up to £25,000 worth of damage to a restored 1940s train, police said today.
The Caledonian Railway’s museum in Brechin was targeted late on Wednesday night.
Thugs torched a 1940s brakevan carriage - which had recently undergone an extensive restoration by volunteers - completely gutting it.
The popular tourist attraction said the car had been “completely destroyed” and urged anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesman for the Caledonian Railway said: “Last night between 10pm and 11pm, the railway was subjected to an arson attack.
“The wooden body of our recently restored 1940s LMS brakevan was set on fire and has unfortunately been completely destroyed.
“This has been a huge blow to the volunteers who operate the railway and costs of the damage are estimated to be in the range of between £20,000 and £25,000.
“Details on damage to the vehicle’s underframe and the culprits behind this are still being collected and we would like to thank the Police and Fire and Rescue service for their assistance.
“If anyone has any information which would help our investigations, please contact us either via our Facebook page or email.”
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said: “Police Scotland is appealing for information after a fire at Caledonian Railway, Park, Road, Brechin yesterday evening.
“The carriage of a train was damaged sometime between 10.45pm and 11pm.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Craig Thomson, station manager at Kingsway East in Dundee for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fire crews were alerted to the fire at Caledonian Railway at 11.30pm.
“Two appliances from Brechin attended to find the recently renovated buffet carriage at the museum well alight.
“The buffet car was attached to other carriages on the railway line.
“Although it was extensively damaged they were able to prevent the rest of the carriages being badly damaged.”