The last passenger train left Glen Innes in 1988 and the carriage now sits on the rails just north of the Glen Innes railway station with much of the interior and exterior walls, floor and windows in ruins.

Glen Innes Sgt Laurie Cattell said police were unable to press any charges in relation to the matter.

New England Rail Inc representative Richard Rowe said it had been the target of vandalism in the past year and restoration options are currently being researched.

“The vandalism has started in the last year and has progressively got worse,” he said.

“We are currently looking at maybe taking it away and getting it restored but that will cost a fair bit of money so we are currently looking into grants.”

Bateau Bay based heritage rail enthusiast Brian Leedham visited Glen Innes in late August to add to his photograph collection and was shocked by what he saw.

“I have to say I was distressed when I saw a 1908 built carriage at the railway station precinct damaged by vandals. The windows were smashed and the inside had been damaged severely,” he said.

“This carriage is part of the New South Wales Railway History and if it is not repaired and restored it will disappear forever.”