Severn Lamb, the specialist UK transport engineering systems manufacturer, has delivered two new Texan rail trains to Louisville Zoo, USA.

Severn Lamb won the tender to design and build two new trains for Louisville Zoo's summer season.

The new trains replace two older models, one of which was derailed in 2009, and mark the restoration of the historic open air train ride through the zoo.

The detailed Texan trains operate on a 24 inch (610mm) gauge track and are made up of 4-4-0 locomotives and eight-wheel diesel hydraulic tenders, each pulling three open style coaches.

Each coach can accommodate up to 21 seated passengers forward facing, providing an overall capacity per train of 63 people. Wheelchair accessibility has also been incorporated into one of the carriages on each train.

The trains run continuously on a 1.2mile oval track around the zoo's perimeter and each ride takes approximately 17 minutes.

The venue has employed more than a dozen workers to operate the train service, all of whom are trained as engineers, conductors and station managers.

The new trains, along with track refurbishment work, upgrades and related drainage improvements, represent a total investment of over US$1m.