VINTAGE railway fans at a former gold mine are steaming after theives broke in and stole vital parts from two diesil engines.

Hertiage mine rail volunteers at Lea Bailey Light Railway (LBLRS) near Mitcheldean believe the parts were ‘stolen to order’ for use on another engine.

And they now face a race against time to source replacement parts for their next open weekend on May 18 to 19.

A Lister JK6 engine coupled to a generator set which was stored awaiting restoration was stripped of several parts.

And an LBLRS spokesman said last Wednesday (March 26) after discovering the theft: “The Lister JK6 is a rare engine these days so somebody must have wanted those parts specifically.”

And he added: “But the real blow was the removal of the rocker covers and rockers from the three-cylinder Deutz engine fitted to Motor Rail locomotive No 21282.

“This 58-year old locomotive is known affectionately as "The Simplex" — a nickname derived from its patented two-speed gearbox design — and has been an indispensible workhorse since it arrived at Lea Bailey in 2012.”

One poster on the group’s Facebook page said: “The worst bit must be the suspicion that the stolen parts have possibly been stolen by or to sell to a fellow ’enthusiast’.”

And another added: “Sorry to hear this, and to think that fellow enthusiasts will ask for or buy stolen parts.”

News of the theft even reached Germany, where a narrow guage railway museum posted whether the group had a picture of the makers-plate of the Duetz engine.

Other items that were taken included a starter battery and leads, coupling pins and chains, an air filter and a number of D-shackles.

The LBLRS operates the mine and railway system at Bailey Level, which dates back to the opening of a gold mine in 1906.

Although the gold mine running up to 600 yars into the hillside proved shortlived, a small passage was later used to extract ironstone.

The Wright family, who operate Clearwell Caves, tried in the early 2000s to establish a mine attraction on the site, but the plans never came to fruition..

The LBLRS was formed by volunteers in 2013, who now run the heritage railway there.

Wagons containing minerals and waste materials are moved by hand on the underground section of the railway, but a powerful locomotive is needed to shunt heavy loads including the two-ton Eimco 12B rocker shovel loader which is a popular exhibit at the society’s open days.

Anyone with information is asked to contact [email protected] or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.