Vandals have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to a Victorian train depot in the heart of Aberdeen.
Historic rolling stock and buildings at the former Ferryhill Locomotive Depot were targeted between 2.30pm on Thursday and noon on Saturday.
Jon Tyler, the chairman of the Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust, believes the perpetrators entered the site, via nearby Duthie Park, before smashing windows of portacabins and vintage machines housed at the depot.
The trust is currently in the process on renovating the A-listed Ferryhill turntable and, two years ago, the project was awarded almost £300,000 by Historic Environment Scotland.
The location is also home to the B-listed Caledonian engine shed, which was completed in 1852.
Together, the two historic pieces of Aberdeen’s heritage formed the core of the depot until its closure in 1987.
Mr Tyler has asked anyone with experience in security to help the trust further safeguard the locomotive treasures at the site.
He said: “We have a collection of Victorian carriage bodies and we have some more modern diesel locomotives.
“Sadly, some of their windows have been broken. We share the site with the Aberdeen Model Railway Club, and some of their windows were broken as well.
“We had a previous break-in in January, which we also reported to the police.
“Our area is completely fenced off and secure, but the difficulty is that we border Duthie Park and, in the dead of night, it’s impossible to stop people coming with wire cutters and the determination to break in.
“If anyone can advise us or give us some help with securing the site, we would be very open to suggestions – CCTV, whatever it takes.
“We’re a charity, and we’re struggling really, so this vandalism really doesn’t help.”
Ferryhill councillor, Alan Donnelley, responded: “It’s sickening. Here are people who have dedicated years and years of their spare time to protect and preserve this important part of Aberdeen’s heritage, and these wicked people have smashed it up.
“I would ask anyone who might know who these people are to contact the police.”
Police are now appealing for anyone with information regarding the vandalism to contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.
