Greater Anglia has announced that it has partnered with the Mid Norfolk Railway to help introduce its new fleet of trains.
The £3 million deal will enable the train operating company to store some of its new trains during the testing phase at the heritage railway before they are launched into public service.
Greater Anglia requires the extra facilities during 2019 when it is operating both old and new trains.
The Mid Norfolk Railway is a great location to store the new trains as it is connected to the rail network at Wymondham and is located a few miles from Norwich Crown Point Depot, which is currently undergoing a major upgrade.
The project will involve the construction of extra track capacity on the Mid Norfolk Railway which will initially be used to store the new Stadler trains.
After they are introduced to the public, the track will be left to the MNR to benefit from the additional infrastructure.
What did the officials say?
Mike Kean, Franchising and Programmes Director for Greater Anglia said:
“We're pleased to be able to partner with the Mid-Norfolk Railway on this project as part of the programme to introduce our new train fleet.
“It's an ideal option. Not only is the location convenient for our Crown Point Depot in Norwich, where the new Stadler trains will be based, but it's great to be able to work with a local heritage railway in our region and deliver a scheme which will result in a legacy benefit of additional facilities for the MNR and the local community.”
George Saville, General Manager of the Mid Norfolk Railway, said:
“We would like to thank Greater Anglia and Abellio for giving us this fantastic opportunity to develop the railway, and help reach its potential both now and in the future.”
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Great news. At least it will help with Norwich Crown Depot seeing the Class 90’s+Mk3, Class 153’s, Class 156’s and Class 170’s that are to be transferred elsewhere. And the Class 745’s and Class 755’s to move into Norwich Crown Depot. Aswell Class 720’s that too are also to be maintained at Norwich Crown, Leyton, Ilford and Clacton-on-Sea depots. And sidings at Cambridge, Southend Victoria, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester and Ipswich. With the proposal to build a new depot at Brantham, Suffolk if it does happen that will be used for Class 745’s and Class 755’s.