THE saga of the Poole Park Railway has taken another turn which could force the council to find a different supplier for the new electric engine.

Hopes of bringing a new engine on track this year appear to have been derailed after the contractor tendered by BCP Council “may cease trading”.

Poole Park Railway finally returned to service in early September after a plethora of issues and delays.

The council is using an engine on loan as it waited for the engine from Shropshire-based Track Systems UK.

However, the firm has “closed”, according to a message on its website.

A spokesperson for BCP Council, said: “We were recently made aware that Track Systems UK may cease trading.

“Following receipt of further information from the insolvency practitioner, we’ll then be able to understand, and consider, our future options if Track Systems UK are unable to honour the supply of a miniature electric engine.

“The contract with Track Systems UK for the supply of the track and engine shed was completed early this year.

“A separate order was raised for the supply of carriages and electric engine, including design. The carriages have been supplied, paid for, and are already in use.

“The engine design has also been supplied and paid for. No payment has been made towards the electric engine, therefore, BCP Council has not paid Track Systems UK for any work, or material, that is still outstanding.”

The overall value of the tender for the engine and the carriages, which was awarded in 2021, was £113,000.

The council said it had been contacted by several miniature railway organisations who have provided support as well as offers of technical support, which could be looked into in the future subject to the situation with Track Systems UK.

“We will take up those offers if we are advised that Track Systems UK is no longer able to supply an electric engine,” the council spokesperson said.

The Poole Park Railway returned on September 2 although within days it suffered a derailment after stones were believed to have been placed on the track.

An official launch of the service is scheduled to take place at 10am on Saturday, October 15, when Mayor of Poole Cllr Tony Trent will officially declare the railway open.

The Daily Echo contacted Track Systems Ltd through the email address on the company’s website but did not receive a response.