Cops bust eight kids trespassing inside Savannahlander rail yard

Police have been alerted just in time to bust a group of eight kids allegedly trespassing within a Cairns North rail yard following a horrific rock throwing attack by vandals last month.

The famous Savannahlander train was targeted again by vandals on Monday night, only weeks after another rail motor had all of its side windows smashed. Savannahlander senior driver and guide Wil Kemp is frustrated that juvenile delinquents continue to target the business. Picture: Brendan Radke

Police were alerted just in time to bust eight kids allegedly trespassing within the Savannahlander rail yard this week, following a shocking rock attack by vandals last month.

While police have not linked the two break-ins, every window was smashed of the specially equipped wheelchair accessible railmotor on August 29.

Pictures revealed extensive damage to the iconic tourist train with almost all of its windows smashed, large dents from stone hits, and glass strewn throughout the cabin.

Veteran Savannahlander driver Wil Kemp said though the repair bill had not been finalised he estimated a significant outlay to get the historic train back on the tracks.

Operators of the Savannahlander were gutted last month when their accessibility carriage was pommeled with rocks smashing all its windows and leaving the interior strewn with glass. Picture: Facebook

“We still don’t have a final quote but they reckon it’s going to cost $10,000 in glass and that does not include the labour to get the glass out and fit new panels,” he said.

“It’s a huge kick to the guts, we all put a lot into our work and I personally pride myself on my work.”

While not reported at the time on the same night, neighbouring business East Coast Car Rentals was targeted in a rock throwing attack that wrote off seven vehicles and racked up a replacement bill of $250,000.

Police say stone throwing appears to be an emerging trend based on the arrest of kids in August for pelting a public bus with rocks and a “terrifying escalation” three weeks ago when a high-velocity projectile smashed through the windows of two mini-vans operated by Cairns Taxis.

Cairns Taxis chief executive Bob Epps stands in front of a vehicle that was the target of a suspected shooting incident on Sheridan St last month in an escalation of usual rock throwing attacks on cabs. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Mr Kemp said it had been a tough year for the Savannahlander due to wet season track damage between Einasleigh and Forsyth that is yet to be repaired.

“People have cancelled and that impacts other businesses along the route,” he said.

On Monday night Mr Kemp said youths were spotted outside the Sheridan St yard and arrested.

Every window of the railmotor was smashed during the September 17 incident. Picture: Facebook

He said police were called and within minutes four cars and two dog squad units were at the scene.

“Them stopping any more damage has meant the world to us,” he said.

“If they hadn’t been stopped, I can’t even imagine what we would have been confronted with this morning.”

Police stated officers were called to reports of a disturbance and with no where to run eight youths were detained, however it’s not known if any charges have been laid.

Police urged anyone with information or relevant vision to contact Crimestoppers.

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Originally published as Cops bust eight kids trespassing inside Savannahlander rail yard