Hotham Park's mini-train vandals risking lives

The yobs are placing objects on the tracks of the park's miniature railway.

The worst instance saw the first of the three carriages being pulled by the engine derailed.

An old wheelbarrow wheel had been placed across the track.

The impact as the train hit the wheel before it could be stopped lifted the carriage two inches off the rails.

The passengers inside '“ a woman carrying a young baby and her three-year-old child '“ were lucky to escape without any injury.

Several other passengers were also in the carriages behind.

Train driver and joint railway operator Lis Lawrence said: "It was very frightening. The train was out of action for an hour-and-a-half."

The incident happened about two months ago. It is just one of a catalogue of similar incidents.

She commented: "We've had sticks, bricks, lumps of concrete and stones placed on the track.

"The nine to ten-year-olds are the worst offenders. They don't realise that what they are doing is potentially murder."

If the engine toppled over, it would be very difficult for the driver to get out, she stated.

She explained: "It's very dangerous to try to derail a train. I don't think the children understand the consequence of their actions.

"Every time I go round a corner I am always looking to see where the children are.

"I also need to be looking at the back of the train as well for the children who are trying to climb on board without paying. I have to stop the train and get them off.

"They ruin it for the paying passengers. Most of the people we get here are lovely.

"We have regulars who come back every week and sit in the same seats each time."

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