Milestone achieved at York rail depot
VolkerFitzpatrick has installed a new servicing system at York’s Leeman Road rail depot in readiness for the arrival of TransPennine Express’ Nova 3 and Nova 1 trains.
Undertaking the works for TransPennine Express and Siemens Mobility Limited, VolkerFitzpatrick has modernised and extended the west maintenance depot and installed a new CET controls system to make way for the new five carriage trains.
In the long term, the work will help secure highly skilled rail engineering jobs in the city.
Nick Sworowski, depot and infrastructure manager for TransPennine Express, said: “We are thrilled that this important work has now been completed which will allow for longer trains to carry customers to and from York.”
Lee Barron, Siemens project management lead (north) said: It’s great to complete this first milestone in the project, which means the depot can now accommodate the Nova 3 trains. The combined customer, Siemens and supplier team has risen to the challenge of the last six months of intensive work to hit December’s deadline and congratulations to all involved. We are looking forward to the next phase of the project.”
VolkerFitzpatrick will begin construction to extend the fuelling depot and the east maintenance depot - including track construction, steel erections and the installation of specialist equipment - later this month.
Marcus Dench, VolkerFitzpatrick project manager said: “This achievement is a big milestone in the development of this depot. There was a huge drive, by all parties involved, to successfully achieve the December 2018 target date and I congratulate everyone on a job well done.”
The new Nova 3 trains will operate between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York, Scarborough and Middlesbrough while Nova 1 will operate between Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester Airport and will start to be introduced from spring 2019.