By Cassandra Pulver

The much loved historic steam train affectionately known as Bally Hooley has come under attack again by vandals and the community is not happy.

It is reported that approximately 25 square metres of decking from the St Crispins Station was ripped up over night and discovered Sunday morning and then further decking removed was  discovered Monday morning

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General manager Peter Loyd advised the incident has been reported to Port Douglas Police.  “We haven’t gained access to the kitchen yet due to the police wanting to finger print the area, but it looks like they got inside the kitchen as well,” said Peter.

With ongoing issues of vandalism and graffiti Peter is frustrated, “this only spoils it for everyone.”  There have been incidences reported of debris being placed on the tracks and concrete smashed on the platform, “this only puts peoples life in danger,” said a concerned Peter. 

The Bally Hooley is run by a small group of volunteers who check the 4kms of track weekly to monitor any risk, but there is only so much that they can do.

Sergeant Damian Meadows from Port Douglas police commented that “the incident was reported to them today and these types of occurances are heart felt by not for profit organizations or volunteers providing a community service like Bally Hooley.”

We are investigating several lines of enquiry and it would appear they are not locals, we are establishing further enquiries,” said Sergeant Meadows.

Peter is asking the public to report any acts of vandalism caused to the iconic coal-fired steam locomotive, the historic 4kms of century old railway track and the St Crispins Station platform to police.