More than £30,000 damage was caused as suspected firebugs destroyed a newly revamped showpiece carriage to be used by Dart Valley steam railway for its Santa express this Christmas.
The company now faces a race against time to find a replacement for the written-off carriage which has carried hundred of thousands of trippers through South Devon over the last 20 years. It is feared arsonists may be behind the incident which happened at 5am yesterday after smoke and flames were seen billowing out of the carriage at Paignton Railway Station.
Four fire crews managed to prevent the blaze spreading to nearby carriages which were uncoupled from each other to hinder the progress of flames.
Witnesses reported seeing flames shoot 20ft up into the night sky with a row of chestnut trees caught by the fire.
One resident from nearby Queens Park Road said: "I was in bed when I heard this commotion. I pulled the curtains and couldn't believe what I saw. It looked like all the carriages were alight. I got within 20ft of them to take pictures - but I had to pull back because of the intense heat and risk of explosion from the hydraulic cylinders under the carriages."
Dart Valley Railway's general manager and director Barry Cogar was hoping arson could be ruled out as a possible cause.
"If it's not I hope those responsible are caught and made an example of. At this stage we don't know how it started - but we have had problems with people trespassing on the carriages where they have smoked and slept."
Two other carriages were affected by the blaze, although each is said to be repairable at no huge expense.
A toilet block was affected in one of the carriages while the other suffered damage to its paintwork.
But the recently refurbished carriage, named Sarah and built in 1958, was completely destroyed.
"We had only just got it back. It was the best we had of 25 carriages. It looked absolutely gorgeous - and had only been on two trips since its return," said Mr Cogar.
He was busy ringing around trying to bag a replacement coach to be used on the forthcoming Santa special from Paignton to Kingswear.
Mr Cogar estimated the damage at £30,000 which would have to be recouped through insurers.
Fire spokesman Rob Cude said crews had difficulty gaining access to the sidings because the entry gates were locked.
"It was a problem - but our crews from Paignton and Torquay worked very well. The carriage was well alight when we arrived," said acting sub-officer Cude.
The main jets were used to extinguish the blaze which firefighters had quickly under control.
They were able to leave the site at 7.30am.
Scenes-of-crime officers attended the scene where police examined CCTV cameras which cover the site.
Mr Cogar said there were early reports of someone seen racing away from the scene of the blaze.
Anyone with information should contact police on 08452 777444.
