Swindon railway fire destroys historic tools

It has been reported that a recent blaze at Swindon and Cricklade Railway has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, destroying a number of tools which had been passed down through many generations.

The fire, which is not thought to have been started deliberately, ripped through a timber shed where the equipment had been stored at Blunsdon station.

The volunteer railway workers have been left devastated over the damaged items.

Vice-chairman Dave Peace said:

“This is an accumulation of items that have been passed down the generations from the original railways, or donated by members of the community, so we are gutted.

“Originally I thought it would be about £4,000 worth of tools, but it is looking more like £8,000 now.

“We had tools, strimmers, everything, it’s all gone and now there is the possibility that the land is contaminated and the land will have to be cleared.”

The cause of the blaze is thought to have been due to a spark from a hydraulic crane in the process of being dismantled close to the shed.

This incident comes not long after the railway was damaged by vandals.

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