Vandals force historic steam train out of Newport (From South Wales Argus)
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Vandals force historic steam train out of Newport
9:39am Friday 9th November 2012 in News
By Natalie Crockett
ON THE MOVE: The locomotive which stands alongside the river in Newport
A VINTAGE locomotive which stands on Newport’s riverfront is being given away to a new home in Blaenavon.
The Forester locomotive and truck, on Kingsway, is popular among children and train enthusiasts.
But over the years, the council has been forced to shell out time and again on repairing and maintaining the engine, as it was subject to repeated vandalism. The repairs total is believed to be in excess of £10,000.
As a result, the authority has donated it to the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. There it will be restored and may even be put back into use.
The locomotive has no connection with Newport, but was refurbished by its former owner British Steel and put on display opposite the bus station to represent Newport’s coal and steel industry. Built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co, the engine started life at Newport Tinplate Company in Abercarn in 1911. It was later used by British Steel at the Ebbw Vale steelworks.
Its new home, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, is run by volunteers and offers the public a chance to experience a working steam and diesel railway line.
Richard Flannigan, who helps run Cwmbran model railway exhibition, said: “I think it would be great, especially if they put it back in working order. That would be fantastic. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway have come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years.”
Keen historian and Newport councillor Charles Ferris said he understood repairs had cost the council more than £10,000 over the years, so it was a good idea it was being moved for it to be properly restored. He said: “It think that would be the best thing for it.”
COMMENT: It’s sad to see it go
WHAT a shame that Newport’s distinctive vintage steam locomotive, a fixture on the riverfront for years, will no longer be seen in the city.
The 1911 Forester locomotive was originally used by the Newport Tinplate Company in Abercarn, before being used at the steelworks in Ebbw Vale.
It was refurbished by British Steel to serve as a reminder of the importance to Newport of the coal and steel industries.
And it has stood for many years on a small piece of track on the site of the old Blaenavon Wharf alongside the Usk on the Kingsway.
Thousands of children have enjoyed playing on the engine since then, pretending to be drivers or firemen.
Sadly, the cost of repairing the locomotive (one councillor estimates this to be in excess of £10,000 over the years) following a string of vandal attacks means the engine is to steam out of Newport for the last time.
The good news is it is to have a new permanent home at the popular Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway.
Whether the engine will be restored to working order or simply continue its life as a static exhibit remains to be seen.
We are pleased the locomotive will be going to a good home.
But it is nevertheless disappointing that a little piece of Newport’s history will disappear from the riverfront.
Comments(33)
rhinestine
says...
11:11am Fri 9 Nov 12
It's always kids and teenagers causing problems, perhaps an old style of policing would be better in this day and age, namley a clip around the ear, and not all this PC rubbish! everyone knows the law!
Bring back the birch too!
Dai the Milk
says...
11:26am Fri 9 Nov 12
rhinestine wrote:Got to agree Rhinestone. A terrible shame that some youngsters don't respect our heritage. Maybe a month working down the pit or in a steelworks without wages would be a better punishment from the courts than some of the silly sentences doled out. That's assuming they are ever caught. It's going to a very good home though. A site right next to one of the mines where coal was originally sent from to Newport.
It's always full of goth teens, drinking and starting fires and skateboarding all over that place. The police drive past and do nothing.
It's always kids and teenagers causing problems, perhaps an old style of policing would be better in this day and age, namley a clip around the ear, and not all this PC rubbish! everyone knows the law!
Bring back the birch too!
sperduti
says...
11:37am Fri 9 Nov 12
Radio Wales
says...
11:51am Fri 9 Nov 12
However, it's good to see it going to a good home where it will be respected.
The way we allow our young to destroy our hard-worked for heritage is shameful. It has be brought to an end before all we have is denigrated as we steadily regress to an animal state of nothingness,
rhinestine
says...
12:07pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Wonder what it will be replaced by??
brian819@btinternet.com
says...
12:12pm Fri 9 Nov 12
However, that wasn't done and Newport has lost a valuable relic of a time gone by. I wonder whether Blaenavon will make the same mistake. Maybe not if it is going to be renovated and brought back into service. If it is only to be used as another static attraction it probably won't. Good luck to it whatever its future.
Katie Re-Registered
says...
1:17pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Llanmartinangel
says...
1:47pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Dee-Gee
says...
3:01pm Fri 9 Nov 12
The Keep Britain Tidy charity, founded in 1954, was set up to do just that - KEEP Britain tidy, because it was as shiny as a new pin back then, all thanks to the lack of liberal attitudes.!
Valleymonkey
says...
3:07pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Forename Surname
says...
3:27pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Valleymonkey wrote:Good idea to relocate to Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway.
Just put a concrete slab down in its place - Remove all the statues and sell off the open parklands to affordable housing developments or gipsy camps. Newport City - don't stop on your way through to Cardiff.
It's a shame that the minority of selfish idiots manage to cause so much damage and negativity in Newport (though you have to be retarded to think that Newport is the only place on earth with social problems). At least you don't get run down by maniacs or stabbed on your doorstep like you do in wonderful Cardiff.
rhinestine
says...
3:43pm Fri 9 Nov 12
lowandhardandinthecorner
says...
3:57pm Fri 9 Nov 12
The timbers of the truck were falling apart as a result of the insect infestation. A timely replacement of timbers would have prevented the consequent lop-sided appearance of the truck, as regards the engine, it's virtually indestructible and I don't believe any significant damage has been done to it.
wagtail
says...
4:15pm Fri 9 Nov 12
"What could have been"
Rugby Warrior Paulo
says...
4:21pm Fri 9 Nov 12
dailoco
says...
5:04pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Dolieboy
says...
5:31pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Better still electrify it, when they see someone vandalising it, turn the juice on, that will give them a shock - literally.
Dave on his Soapbox
says...
5:38pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Where is the city centre CCTV cameras and action to stamp out this criminal behaviour which will only move onto some other point.
Take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/uk-england-bri
stol-20248535
Secondly around the time of the Ryder Cup…remember that….the council stated an aim to make Newport a tourist attraction and wasn’t the train one of the things that would ‘draw’ people here…..another failed council idea/policy
ianzemma
says...
5:51pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Rugby Warrior Paulo wrote:Don't be silly..tescos will snap that spot up pronto!
What a shame. Perhaps they could fill the space with another charity shop.
Llanmartinangel
says...
7:29pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Dave on his Soapbox wrote:A tourist attraction? Of course. It must be up there with Chernobyl, Bury Port and Dungeness B power station.
....yet again a minority of miscreants have won and the law abiding tax paying citizens have to suffer from them and the failings of the police and council to act.
Where is the city centre CCTV cameras and action to stamp out this criminal behaviour which will only move onto some other point.
Take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/uk-england-bri
stol-20248535
Secondly around the time of the Ryder Cup…remember that….the council stated an aim to make Newport a tourist attraction and wasn’t the train one of the things that would ‘draw’ people here…..another failed council idea/policy
emlynkide
says...
7:40pm Fri 9 Nov 12
arjwain
says...
8:23pm Fri 9 Nov 12
but instead of correcting our youths of today things are moved out of there way
maybe if the police got a bit strict with them they just might get a little scared to be arrested .
arjwain
says...
8:23pm Fri 9 Nov 12
but instead of correcting our youths of today things are moved out of there way
maybe if the police got a bit strict with them they just might get a little scared to be arrested .
chris227
says...
9:02pm Fri 9 Nov 12
mikewelsh
says...
9:13pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Slider02
says...
11:40pm Fri 9 Nov 12
wilkolima
says...
9:17am Sat 10 Nov 12
The country's social problems are not going to be solved within this generation or the next, so preventative measures are needed to safeguard taxpayers' property and prosecute those that damage or steal them: CCTV is only useful if manned and acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner, supported by pro-active street wardens and Gwent police assigned to patrol the streets 24/7 'to serve and protect'.
Lucha Libre
says...
9:17am Sat 10 Nov 12
rhinestine wrote:Skateboarding goths?? Now that's something I'd pay good money to see.. I've heard it all now what next emos on pogos!
It's always full of goth teens, drinking and starting fires and skateboarding all over that place. The police drive past and do nothing.
It's always kids and teenagers causing problems, perhaps an old style of policing would be better in this day and age, namley a clip around the ear, and not all this PC rubbish! everyone knows the law!
Bring back the birch too!
Some people's ignorance cracks me up..
rhinestine
says...
3:42pm Sat 10 Nov 12
Lucha Libre wrote:Your ignorant, as I have seen it with my own eyes. You are obviously one of the pc brigade and don't like the truth.
rhinestine wrote:Skateboarding goths?? Now that's something I'd pay good money to see.. I've heard it all now what next emos on pogos!
It's always full of goth teens, drinking and starting fires and skateboarding all over that place. The police drive past and do nothing.
It's always kids and teenagers causing problems, perhaps an old style of policing would be better in this day and age, namley a clip around the ear, and not all this PC rubbish! everyone knows the law!
Bring back the birch too!
Some people's ignorance cracks me up..
Limestonecowboy
says...
5:06pm Sat 10 Nov 12
rhinestine wrote:Didn'y know that - I know someone who having trouble with dandruff - I shall inform!
THE BIRCH IS THE ANSWER TO MOST PROBLEMS!
muzzy73
says...
12:30am Sun 11 Nov 12
Lucha Libre wrote:Um does no 1 know the differences between Goths, Emos and skaters? and any way I don't blame the kids I BLAME THE PARENTS, I bet if you actually caught one of the kids vandalizing the train and took them home the parents would say ok i will sort it out , then behind closed dorrs NOTHING ,The problem is kids have no respect and parents (some) dont give a dam just as long as the kids are not under there feet , & yes i do have kids myself but i do know where they are every night IN MY HOUSE !!!!
rhinestine wrote:Skateboarding goths?? Now that's something I'd pay good money to see.. I've heard it all now what next emos on pogos!
It's always full of goth teens, drinking and starting fires and skateboarding all over that place. The police drive past and do nothing.
It's always kids and teenagers causing problems, perhaps an old style of policing would be better in this day and age, namley a clip around the ear, and not all this PC rubbish! everyone knows the law!
Bring back the birch too!
Some people's ignorance cracks me up..
Readthepaper
says...
1:50pm Tue 13 Nov 12
My wife remembers when it first came to the City when she was but a child of 9 years old!
Lucha Libra, fairplay to you!
A fine comment!
First TJ's, now the train! This city's becoming a sad place yo!
Crazydad says...
9:46am Fri 9 Nov 12
Or to the indoor marke and bring those intereted people into an underused and struggling centre.
keep it in Newport.