South Devon Railway’s engineering team have won a contract to revamp a former high speed train power car used to help inspect track across Britain.

The Buckfastleigh-based South Devon Railway Engineering crew are to repair and repaint an HST engine previously used on passenger train services in the East Midlands.

It was transported to Buckfastleigh by road last Friday and transferred straight into the railway’s workshop.

Rob Evans, workshop manager, said: “This is a great step forward for us as we branch out into new areas of work for the business, and look forward to the new challenge this will bring our skilled team of engineers.”

Rob and his team won the contract from Colas Rail UK, which provides plant and freight services on the national rail network.

The power car is one of five that makes up their fleet of vehicles for use on Network Rail’s test trains, used to carry out inspections of track across Britain.

Sadly, the power car will not be on view during the majority of its stay as it will be located in areas of the workshop that are inaccessible to members of the public.