THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has said it wants to move on from last year’s vandalism, which saw an estimated £27,000 of damage caused to antique rail carriages which had been used in the Downton Abbey TV series.

Chris Price, NYMR general manager, said: “Following this week’s final court case regarding the vandalism of our much-loved heritage teak carriage, we are glad to finally put this sad incident behind us and would like to take this opportunity to once again give our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers and members of the local community for all their help in the restoration of our damaged carriages.

“All except buffet car 641 are now back in service, and we are working to get the final carriage back in our fleet as soon as possible.

“We’d just like to get back on track welcoming visitors to our enjoy all our historic railway has to offer.”

Last Thursday, two of a group of eight teenagers were sentenced for their part in the damage.

The damage caused by the group on July 22, discovered by a cleaner the next day, included smashed windows, wrecked furniture and fixings, and stolen food and drink to the value of £247.

At Scarborough magistrates’ court, Benjamin Terry, 19, and Mollie Dawson, 18, were sentenced by magistrate Duncan Webster, who said: “This course of offending has caused local community outrage. It was no doubt stupid - youthful or otherwise.”

Terry had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of theft of food and drink and of causing criminal damage to property. At court, however, he changed his plea to the theft to guilty. The other charge was dismissed.

Dawson had pleaded guilty to both charges at a hearing in March.

Both were given a 12-month conditional discharge, but Terry was ordered to pay £30.88 to the NYMR for the theft, as well as £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.

Dawson had to pay £30.88 for the theft, costs of £85, a £20

surcharge and a compensation order of £500 for the criminal damage.

The six other defendants had not yet turned 18 when proceedings began so were dealt with in the youth court where they have the right to anonymity.

Two of the six were sentenced for the theft. They received a 12-month referral order so had to pay £33.80 in compensation.

The other four were sentenced for theft and criminal damage.

They each got a 12-month referral order, had to pay £33.80 for the theft compensation and £500 each for criminal damage compensation.