A locomotive returned to Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, from Belfast in 1997, to form the centrepiece of tourist attractions, has been removed and sent to train restoration groups in the southeast because of persistent vandalism in the south Kerry town.
The rare diesel locomotive, much prized because it was the one used to pull the last train out of Cahersiveen almost 50 years ago, was so vandalised it was under threat of being scrapped.
Originally the engine was the centrepiece of tourist attractions in the Kerry town, around a barracks heritage centre and marina, and was meant to commemorate the grand era of the railway in south Kerry (1893-1960) which took passengers over the dramatic sweep of Kells Bay from Killarney and Killorglin and down to Cahersiveen.
However, located near the waterfront and some distance from the main town centre, the engine had quickly become a hang-out for youngsters and a smoking and drinking den. Windows and engine dials were smashed. Local gardaí told how the vandalism had taken place over a period, beginning with a fire.
Tom Dwane, chairman of Acard Ltd, a local tourism development organisation, yesterday said the engine had become a liability. It had cost substantial money to bring it from Belfast and this had been sponsored locally. However, it was probably in the wrong site, he said. It was with some relief it had now gone to the South East Locomotive Group, a Waterford restoration group.