Lovers of locomotives often send in images to the Adver of noteworthy trains that stop at the railway hub on Station Road.
One recent submission included snaps of Great Western Railway trains heading to Weston Super-Mare and Cheltenham Spa which had spray paint covering much of the sides and windows.
Part of one improvised mural obscured livery advertising the Paddington in Peru film.
The photographer who observed this spoke to station staff about the problem and learned that vandals and graffiti artists tend to target the trains when the units are in sidings at places like Worcester and Swansea, and he claims to have been told that it’s happening more often than ever before.
Trains are kept in depots overnight and can be ‘outstabled’ where they need to begin a journey at the start of a day in a location where a depot is unavailable.
A GWR spokesperson suggested that the overriding issue behind the vandalism seen by train passengers is the unsafe behaviour that is carried out by those responsible, and the potential consequences that can result from their actions.
For example, in 2019, three people – 19-year-old Alberto Fresneda Carrasco and 23-year-olds Jack Gilbert and Harrison Scott-Hood – died after being hit by an oncoming train near Loughborough Junction station in the early hours of June 18, 2018.
The graffiti artists had scaled a fence to trespass on the track, then walked along a stretch covered in extensive graffiti, and tried to hide by a wall when they saw the train’s lights approaching.
Their deaths were recorded as an accident.
A spokesperson for GWR said: “Unfortunately, vandals operate across the breadth of the railway network, and we continue to work with the British Transport Police to maintain the security of our trains and stations.
“Trains have a protective anti-graffiti coating.
“The damage to this particular train was cleaned off at the depot as part of routine maintenance and cleaning without it affecting passenger services before being returned into use.
“We would like to remind people of the dangers of messing about on the railway.
“One misstep or a delayed reaction can have devastating consequences. Stay safe and stay off the tracks.”
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