SDRE completes contract repair of HST power car for Colas Rail UK

South Devon Railway Engineering (SDRE), the contract engineering arm of the South Devon Railway, has just completed the major repair and repaint of former high speed train (HST) power car no. 43277 for Colas Rail UK, the leading provider of railway infrastructure services.

This is the first such contract on an HST carried out by SDRE and comprised bodywork repairs, underframe attention, electrical cubicle component repairs, mechanical and electrical cab equipment repairs and concluding in a full repaint into Colas Rail UK colours.

SDRE’S manager, Rob Evans, who oversaw the work, said: “This was a tremendous project to work on and we were delighted to have won this business from Colas Rail UK. It has been a great achievement for South Devon Railway Engineering and all our great team of skilled engineers, as we continue to branch out into new areas of work, expanding the business’s commercial profile.”

The power car left the South Devon Railway at the end of February and will be displayed at Colas Rail UK’s Rugby depot for its launch. It is to be named Safety Task Force by Nick Millington MBE of Network Rail. Following some minor engine repairs, the power car will return to service as one of a number of HST power cars that makes up their fleet of vehicles for use on Network Rail’s test trains, carrying out inspections of track across Britain.