Greater Anglia has announced that work to prepare Norwich-based Crown Point Depot for the new fleet of trains, which will serve Norwich from 2019, has begun.
The train operating company is investing £40 million into the project which will see the depot accommodate longer trains.
The 58 new trains, currently being built by Stadler, will be maintained at the Depot, which opened in 1982.
Special high walkways will be installed to allow engineers access to maintenance and repairs on the roof. The new trains have most of their components on the roof, due to their lowered floors to help make them more accessible to passengers.
New jacks are also being installed to enable engineers to lift a complete train with having to split the carriages for bogie and underframe equipment removal. New transfer turntables and support offices are also being added.
Additionally, the depot will gain upgraded toilet maintenance facilities, as all the new trains will have large tanks to collect waste, rather than emptying the waste onto the tracks.
Stadler will be responsible for maintaining their brand new regional Airport Express and InterCity trains at the depot and will be working closely with Greater Anglia to ensure that the new trains are in top condition for a punctual and reliable train service.
Around 70 Greater Anglia staff will transfer to Stadler, 12 of who will be seconded as Systems Technicians and will each spend 6 months with Stadler in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland and/or Spain learning how to look after the new train systems.
To provide additional space and reduce pressure on Crown Point depot while the work is being carried out, Greater Anglia has leased an additional depot at Colchester from Balfour Beatty.
The work will be carried out by Taylor Woodrow, the civil engineering division of VINCI Construction UK.
What did the officials say?
Mike Kean, Greater Anglia's Franchise & Programmes Director, said:
“The investment in Crown Point depot is great news for Norwich and Norfolk. We're committed to the region we serve and playing our part in supporting its development, so we're very pleased to be able to create a new centre of excellence for train maintenance in East Anglia, in partnership with Stadler.
“The coming months will be an exciting and busy period as we implement the major project to prepare the depot for the new trains. At the same time, the team continue to work hard maintaining and repairing our existing trains to ensure that customers still receive a reliable and punctual service while Stadler are building our brand-new train fleet.”
Hein van der Schoot, Managing Director of Stadler Rail Service UK, commented:
“The major upgrade of the current facility, ahead of the introduction of the new fleet, will mean that the Stadler trains are serviced and maintained at the highest level to ensure optimum performance. The construction work represents a critical milestone within the project, and we look forward to continued close working with Greater Anglia throughout this vital stage in the process and beyond.”
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Great news for jobs at Norwich Crown Depot as the depot is to be redeveloped and revamped in time for new trains coming in the next few years.
But what about the proposal of the new train maintenance depot at Brantham in Suffolk. North of Manningtree. Will that also happen if Greater Anglia, DfT, Suffolk County Council and Network Rail does get the go ahead to build a new depot at Brantham which will including new sidings. And around 20-30 new jobs that could also be created. As well as new trains to be maintained there as well at Norwich Crown Depot, Clacton Depot in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex and at Ilford Depot in Ilford, East London.