Train could have derailed after stones were wedged into track points
Police say vandals could have derailed a train after stones were jammed into points on a line near Plymouth.
British Transport Police are appealing for information after stones were deliberately used to jam railway track points open on a freight line in Liskeard.
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Train could have derailed after stones were wedge into track points
The driver of an approaching freight train saw the points were not set as they should be and stopped the train ahead of reaching the points, but police say the train could have been derailed.
On investigating, the driver saw that a number of stones had been placed between the points, wedging them open and effectively creating a gap in the rails which would have caused a train to derail if it passed over that section of track.
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The incident happened at about 11am on Thursday, March 7, at Moorswater near Liskeard.
The train involved was the 0635hrs Westbury – Moorswater cement train.
BTP was informed and an investigation launched.
Detective Constable Dave Bailey said: “Fortunately, the driver was travelling at low speed, spotted the danger and was able to stop his train.
“However, this irresponsible act could easily have caused a train to derail, and could have caused damage to the train and the rail infrastructure.
“This was a reckless act of vandalism and I would appeal to anyone with information which could assist us in finding those responsible to contact us. Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area of Moorswater freight yard, or nearby on the morning of Thursday, 7 March?”
If you have information about the incident – or those responsible – please contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
6 Comments
by jboy66
Saturday, March 16 2013, 3:51PM
“'DevonEagle' Good shout. Unbelievable isnt it. Ive been calling for the sacking of this employee for months. How much effort would it take to upload a picture of set of points. albeit they know what points are!!. Get really angry and go back a month to the lorry that dropped an old bath on A38. We were treated to a pic of a fully plumbed in bath, complete with tiled walls and white fluffy towel.”
by DevonEagle
Friday, March 15 2013, 10:48PM
“Is that a picture for the sake of having a picture? They could at least have found one of a set of points.”
by jboy66
Friday, March 15 2013, 1:45PM
“Some things should kept away from newspapers and this is one of them!!. At the moment our feral youths of Plymouth are only throwing stones at us from above the parkway. But now printed by the Herald are new tips what to do with stones, causing more damage than just a cracked windscreen.”
by claire_jm
Friday, March 15 2013, 1:36PM
“It's a good job the driver was alert!”
by plympaul
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:47PM
“could cost alot of lives of stupid people who have no heart doing this sort of thing!!!!!”
by josdave
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:22PM
“These idiots if caught should be charged with attempted murder and if found guilty locked away for a long time. But I expect it will be the usual slap on the wrist. I bet the police wonder why they bother catching them.”