A TRAIN fire that affected services in Powys today is thought to have been caused by the engine hitting two stolen mini diggers on the line in Shropshire, police say.

Detectives from British Transport Police have launched a major investigation after the train fire near Craven Arms station last night (May 22). It has led to services from Llandrindod Wells to Shrewsbury being cancelled today.

At just after 10.30pm yesterday evening (22 May), officers were called to a report of a fire on board a passenger train near Craven Arms station, along with emergency service colleagues.

Now the force has said it believes the train, which was travelling at about 60mph, hit a mini digger on the tracks, causing fuel to leak from the train and a fire to start.

A second mini digger found on the embankment and enquiries have now led detectives to believe these had been stolen from a nearby rental yard and discarded.

Detectives from BTP’s Major, Serious, and Organised Crime Unit will be leading the investigation, and specialist officers remain at the scene conducting enquiries this afternoon.

About 60 passengers were evacuated from the train, and the fire was quickly extinguished.

One passenger sustained a minor ankle injury but didn’t require hospital treatment.

Network Rail is working to recover the railway as quickly as possible but it’s unlikely services will resume on the line before the end of the day. Passengers are advised to check with Transport for Wales before they travel tomorrow.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn, from BTP’s Major, Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “While we are at early stage of our investigation, we are confident this fire was a result of the attempted theft of two mini diggers which then ended up on the tracks.

“Any obstruction to the railway is extremely dangerous and can easily result in serious injuries or fatalities, so we are taking this incident very seriously and working hard to hold those responsible to account.

“In this case, the collision with the mini digger resulted in a fuel leak which has then ignited. We are working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure the fuel is contained and any risk to the environment is minimised.”

“I would like to appeal to anyone who may have information to get in touch with us as soon as possible by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 665 of 22/05/22.”