Metal thieves grab steam engine parts from heritage railway
Two unique boiler parts essential for the restoration of a steam engine have been stolen by metal thieves in a raid on a Shropshire heritage railway – with the fear they will be sold off as scrap.
Restoration work on the historic 1951 locomotive has been set back after thieves stole the large, heavy metal boiler parts worth £1,000 from the Cambrian Heritage Railways site in Oswestry.
The raiders struck between 10pm on Thursday and 10am Monday.
Volunteers say the theft will delay work on the 1951 Oliver Velton engine as they will now have to get new parts specially made.
It is thought the items were stolen for their scrap value.
The unpainted steel parts include a piece 4ft long and 2ins thick. The other is a metal plate, half-moon in shape with a number of holes in it. Both have the train serial number 2131 stamped on the surface.
Brian Rowe, from the railway, said: "It has knocked us for six. The trouble is the parts are unique. We are trying to get this engine back working again. Everybody is upset about it."
Rob Williams has been working on the engine's restoration for the last six to eight months. He wants to have the engine up and running again in time for Easter. He said the parts missing were meant for the boiler part of the engine.
"They are important," he said. "You can't get these parts off of the shelf, you need to order the items."
Pc Mark Moth said: "These two items were very heavy and two people are likely to have been needed to lift them onto a vehicle.
"I am appealing to anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area which might be connected, or who can help identify the offenders, to contact Oswestry police station on 101."
