YORK'S political leaders have vowed to fight to secure the future of threatened rail wagon manufacturer Trinity Rail Thrall Europa.

Councillors are to discuss the troubled factory tomorrow, following Evening Press revelations last week that its future looked "doubtful" unless new orders came in.

The plant's remaining order - a five-year deal with rail operator EWS for 2,500 wagons - runs out in July.

City of York Council leader Coun Rod Hills said he hoped to set up a "senior-level meeting" with Thrall's chief executive to find out the latest position.

He said: "It's very sad. It has been foreseen for some time because of the lack of orders.

"I've been in discussion with the company and I'm hoping to get a meeting arranged.

"But the reality is unless there are new orders they will be in some difficulty.

"Obviously we'll do all we can."

Liberal Democrat Steve Galloway said there was "cross-party consensus" on the issue of preserving jobs at the site.

"We're very anxious about the situation," he said.

"It's one of the few manufacturers left in the city. Much of York's economy was built on rail.

"The best way to secure existing jobs and generate new ones is for us to work together.

"One would like to think that central Government would intervene and provide any additional services and resources that Thrall require. A tremendous amount of investment has been put into the Holgate plant, and it would be tragic to see it go to waste so soon."

A Thrall employee claimed the factory's fabrication department - where wagon parts are made - was in the process of closing down and moving to the Czech Republic.

It is believed that parts will be sent back to the York factory from there for assembly in the future.

Bosses at the factory consistently declined to speak about its future last week. And when the Evening Press approached the company again today for comment, an employee told the Evening Press: "It's Thrall's policy not to speak to the press."

Updated: 14:50 Monday, March 04, 2002