Rare Thumper DMU gutted in arson attack.

/ Swindon News / By

A very rare diesel locomotive was burnt out in an arson attack on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in Wiltshire.

©Calyx Picture Agency Burnt-out loco A very rare diesel locomotive was burnt out in an arson attack on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in Wiltshire. One of only three left, the DMU (diesel multiple unit) 'Thumper' unit owned by Swindon and Cricklade Railway was parked up near the Hayes Knoll sheds at the end of the main line when the fire was discovered late in the afternoon. S&CR trustee Dave Peacey said ÒIt is completely beyond repair,Ó ÒAs far as IÕm aware there are only three of these left in the country. It is a very rare train.Ó He continued "The most depressing thing was that volunteers had spent January and February completely refurbishing it." The value of the loco is put at about £100,000. Three box wagons containing electrical equipment were also destroyed. Mr Peacey said it is thought the blaze may have started in the wagons and spread to the rare two-car unit.
©Calyx Picture Agency
Burnt-out loco
A very rare diesel locomotive was burnt out in an arson attack on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in Wiltshire.

One of only three left, the DMU (diesel multiple unit) ‘Thumper’ unit owned by Swindon and Cricklade Railway was parked up near the Hayes Knoll sheds at the end of the main line when the fire was discovered late in the afternoon.
S&CR trustee Dave Peacey said “It is completely beyond repair,”

©Calyx Picture Agency Burnt out loco Inside the cab of the destroyed locomotive. A very rare diesel locomotive was burnt out in an arson attack on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in Wiltshire. One of only three left, the DMU (diesel multiple unit) 'Thumper' unit owned by Swindon and Cricklade Railway was parked up near the Hayes Knoll sheds at the end of the main line when the fire was discovered late in the afternoon. S&CR trustee Dave Peacey said ÒIt is completely beyond repair,Ó ÒAs far as IÕm aware there are only three of these left in the country. It is a very rare train.Ó He continued "The most depressing thing was that volunteers had spent January and February completely refurbishing it." The value of the loco is put at about £100,000. Three box wagons containing electrical equipment were also destroyed. Mr Peacey said it appeared the blaze may have started in the wagons and spread to the two-car unit.
©Calyx Picture Agency
Burnt out loco
Inside the cab of the destroyed locomotive.

“As far as I’m aware there are only three of these left in the country. It is a very rare train.”
He continued “The most depressing thing was that volunteers had spent January and February completely refurbishing it.”
The value of the loco is put at about £100,000.
Three box wagons containing electrical equipment were also destroyed. Mr Peacey said it appeared the blaze may have started in the wagons and spread

©Calyx Picture Agency Burnt-out loco A very rare diesel locomotive was burnt out in an arson attack on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in Wiltshire. One of only three left, the DMU (diesel multiple unit) 'Thumper' unit owned by Swindon and Cricklade Railway was parked up near the Hayes Knoll sheds at the end of the main line when the fire was discovered late in the afternoon. S&CR trustee Dave Peacey said ÒIt is completely beyond repair,Ó ÒAs far as IÕm aware there are only three of these left in the country. It is a very rare train.Ó He continued "The most depressing thing was that volunteers had spent January and February completely refurbishing it." The value of the loco is put at about £100,000. Three box wagons containing electrical equipment were also destroyed. Mr Peacey said it is thought the blaze may have started in the wagons and spread to the rare two-car unit.
©Calyx Picture Agency
Burnt-out loco
A very rare diesel locomotive was burnt out in an arson attack on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in Wiltshire.

Thumper in better times.

Thumper in action 2

Picture by: Adrian Brodie