A fatal derailment could have occurred if thieves had succeeded in stealing railway sleepers from active track at Auckland’s Glenbrook Vintage Railway, according to the trust chairperson.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway Charitable Trust chairperson Glenn Deed said a member of the public had alerted the team to bolts being removed from a section of track on Wednesday evening.
“In the worst case scenario, if they had been successful and it hadn’t have been detected, quite honestly it would have led to a derailment and potentially death,” he said.
He believed the thieves were after railway sleepers which were sought after for landscape gardening.
“We urge people to only buy sleepers through reputable sellers, as well as pass on any information of suspected stolen sleepers.”
The attempted theft is the latest serious incident to hit the heritage railway, including theft, vandalism, trespassing, and property damage.
Over the past year, the site has experienced what Deed called a “multitude” of attacks.
Diesel units the railway was storing for Auckland Transport had been “gutted” by vandals, with copper wiring stolen, fire extinguishers discharged inside, windows smashed, and seats dragged outside and set on fire.
In one case, vandals had set paint cans on fire next to wooden sheds which housed 15-20 heritage trains.
“That’s material history and some artefacts that would be completely lost and destroyed,” Deed said.
Staff and volunteers no longer felt safe because of the repeated incidents, he added, some of which took place in broad daylight and while they were working nearby.
The heritage railway south of Auckland attracts around 65,000 visitors a year and was almost entirely supported by rail activities.
The trust had spent upwards of $100,000 on repairs and security in the past year alone and continuing damage to the track and infrastructure would mean trains would not be able to run, he said.
“If we cannot run trains, we cannot make money, which means we cannot operate and cannot survive.”
Fixing the damage had taken a massive financial and emotional toll on the team, he said.
“There were a lot of really choice words used when we found out. It’s really disheartening, and it really does make you really bloody angry.
“Everybody involved is involved because they want to be. Not only do we have a passion for the equipment and what we’re operating, but the biggest thing is we do it because it brings happiness and joy to the 65,000 passengers a year that come see us.”
Police confirmed to 1News a report had been made about the attempted theft on April 16.
The New Zealand Transport Agency had also been notified due to the safety risks under the Railways Act.
Deed asked anyone who noticed any suspicious activity on or around the railway to call 111.
“Criminal attacks like this are threatening our ability to keep running – and must stop.”
